Recently the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel headline read "25% of MPS kindergartners are Hispanic"
mirroring the U.S. census figures reflecting that one-fourth of the nation’s kindergartners are Hispanic.
Census figures also show that more Hispanic kindergartners in 2007 were U.S. born than foreign
born.
These children just embarking on their educational journey deserve quality education. Quality education
is not a privilege, it is a right. Quality education begins with reform and accountability, resources
and PARENT responsibility. We are now in a new era of engagement, a time to restore confidence.
We will not and must not accept mediocrity.
President Obama recently stated “Higher education is no longer a pathway but rather a prerequisite.” He further stated,
“Dropping out is no longer an option. It is no longer quitting on yourself, it is quitting on your country.”
We must ensure that our young Hispanics have access to quality elementary, secondary AND post-secondary education.
Properly equipping our youth on their educational journey will most assuredly touch their futures in a special way. Our urban
communities MUST have the added value that post secondary education provides- socially and economically.
Although business is the business of the HCCW we recognize that education is the great equalizer and clearly the path to
shaping mañana! Our college-educated youth are the bright beacons, they are the most decisive hope for the future; they
are tomorrow’s workforce.
We all have a stake in their academic success. We have an obligation to motivate them, to prepare them, to invest in their
potential, to safe-guard their aspirations and to promote their upward mobility. They must be properly equipped to take
positions of leadership, to become professionals in our community.
The HCCW Education Fund/Philip Arreola Scholarship Program has grown considerably since its 1993 inception. Our objective
and mission has remained strong --empowering Hispanic youth through higher education. Student after ambitious
student has benefited from the efforts of our small non-profit business organization and that which our small independent
scholarship program offers.
With little fanfare or attention, the Program has awarded $471,240 to 92 students thus far.
We are obviously proud of this accomplishment, yet we understand that ours is an on-going journey. With your support we
continue to have a significant impact. We offer a heartfelt gracias to our generous donors and corporate supporters for
taking this journey with us.
Adelante Juntos,
Maria Monreal-Cameron
President and CEO
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