The UConn School of Social Work’s Connecticut ¡Adelante! Program is the recipient of a $37,000 grant provided by the Greater Hartford Gives Foundation’s Latino Endowment Fund (LEF). The award aims to support students pursuing post-secondary education and career advancement.
Future Forward CT also received a LEF grant worth $12,500.
“We are proud to invest in programs that remove barriers and expand pathways to post-secondary education and career advancement for Latine learners across Greater Hartford,” said LEF steering committee chair Jacqueline Santiago Nazario. “Both the Connecticut ¡Adelante! program and Future Forward CT exemplify the transformative power of culturally responsive, accessible education. These grants reflect our collective commitment to strengthening bilingual talent, supporting adult and first-generation students, and building a more equitable future for our community through education and opportunity.”
The Connecticut ¡Adelante! curriculum is designed for bilingual Spanish-speaking MSW students. The program aims to enhance students’ linguistic and socio-cultural competencies, preparing them to meet the behavioral health needs of the Latine community, especially among children and youth. Providing equitable access to social work education for bilingual students may advance social and economic justice for Latino communities who are underserved and underrepresented. The program will be administered in a non-discriminatory manner and is open to all UConn students who have met the program’s qualifications.
Connecticut ¡Adelante! offers four specialized English/Spanish bilingual courses in the SSW’s Individuals, Groups, and Families concentration. In addition, students engage in two 480-hour practicums in community agencies, schools, or Connecticut state agencies working with diverse Latines. Connecticut ¡Adelante! courses are included as part of the overall MSW curriculum with no additional cost for participating in the program.
Students admitted to the program are named Connecticut ¡Adelante! Scholars. Through the rigorous program, program organizers explained, the scholars learn to strengthen their linguistic and socio-cultural competencies, gain practical experience serving Spanish-speaking populations, and prepare for a career serving the mental health needs of Spanish-speaking populations in Connecticut.
“The UConn School of Social Work is deeply grateful to receive support from the Latino Endowment Fund to provide scholarships for our bilingual MSW students participating in our Connecticut ¡Adelante! program,” said Milagros Marrero-Johnson, UConn SSW senior director of Strategic Initiatives and Community Engagement. “This funding comes at a critical moment, as our current source of support is nearing its end. These scholarships will help offset educational costs and ease the financial burden on our students.”
The Latino Endowment Fund was founded in 2003 by Latino leaders in Greater Hartford to increase philanthropy in their community and to strengthen nonprofits working to improve the quality of life for Latino residents. Members examine issues affecting the Latino community and recommend grants from the fund to address those issues.
As it enters its second century of serving as the community foundation for the Greater Hartford region, the Foundation is the community foundation for Hartford and 28 surrounding towns. It recently announced that it will change its name to the Greater Hartford Gives Foundation in this month. This effort also includes the creation of a new logo, a new tagline “A strong foundation for all,” and a new website at www.greaterhartfordgives.org.
