ready willing - Darden Restaurants

eadyandwillingto mentorHispanic College FundFounded in 1993, the Hispanic CollegeFund is a non-profit organizationbased in Washington, D.C., with amission to develop the next generationof Hispanic professionals. The Fund hasprovided educational, scholarship andmentoring programs to studentsthroughout the United States and PuertoRico, establishing a pipeline of talentedand career-driven Hispanics.The Hispanic College Fund pipelinebegins with the Hispanic Youth Institute.Through the assistance of the DardenFoundation, the Fund helps “at-promise”students graduate from college, pursuea professional career, and give back totheir communities. It also works to breakdown both real and perceived barriers tocollege access by inspiring studentswith confidence and hope – and thenproviding tools and resources to helpthem along their college pathway. In thisendeavor, Darden employees help toinspire students by serving as mentorsand role models across the country.The Hispanic Youth Institute alignswith the information access andnavigation and academic readinesspriorities of the Darden Foundation’sRecipe for Success initiative. The DardenFoundation and the Hispanic CollegeFund help students who may nototherwise realize their potential tosucceed by providing them with yearroundaccess to tools and resources,while encouraging them to achieveindividual goals and “send the elevatorback down” to help their peers succeed.In 2010, the Hispanic College Fundserved over 1,000 students in eightregions across the country. This year,70% of students are on free and reducedlunch, while 56% will be the first in theirfamily to attend college. Historically,90% of alumni who are of college ageare enrolled in college. The CollegeBoard recognized the Hispanic CollegeFund’s Hispanic Youth Institute this yearfor program innovation.The Hispanic College Fund and Dardencontinue to provide these alumni withfinancial and emotional support asthey enter into college – giving themthe opportunity to apply and competefor scholarships. Working together, theHispanic College Fund, the DardenFoundation and Darden Restaurants’employees help to achieve thecommon goal of empowering studentsto succeed.Confidence and HopeMore than 1/2 of students participating in HCF programswill be the first person in their family to go to college.R E C I P E F O R S U C C E S S P R O G R A M S / 9