Edu-Futuro recognized OCC as its Corporate Partner of the Year during their 22nd-anniversary virtual gala celebration on Friday, November 6. This year’s theme, Against All Odds!, brought together more than 300 individuals from the academic, governmental and corporate worlds, including elected officials, diplomats, school board members and administrators. Together we celebrated the hard work, dedication and academic success of Edu-Futuro’s Emerging Leaders Program students as well as the resilience of their families through these unprecedented times.
“I am proud that Edu-Futuro has named OCC as its Corporate Partner of the Year for 2020,” said Julie Bauer, OCC’s Chief External Relations Officer. “For the past two years, Edu-Futuro has been our local charitable partner in the Washington, D.C. area. We’ve worked closely with them on fundraising and volunteering in support of their important mission, which makes a very real impact on the lives of the students and families who participate in its programs.”
Edu-Futuro has remained dedicated to empowering underserved youth and families through mentorship, education, leadership development and parental engagement since its founding in 1998. Its two-generation approach prepares under-resourced elementary, middle and high school youth for higher education while also assisting college students with joining the workforce and attaining career success through their Emerging Leaders Program. At the same time, parents are served through their suite of Parent Empowerment Services to engage and empower them to advocate on behalf of their children’s education, develop the skills needed to obtain better jobs, and provide more stable and nurturing home environments.
“Partnering with Edu-Futuro and helping the organization achieve its mission assisting immigrant youth and their families, is very gratifying,” said Jeanne Balcom, OCC Executive Principal, Government Relations. “I have heard from students about how Edu-Futuro has changed their lives, which warms my heart. At OCC, we value giving back to our communities, and I am proud of how we’re putting our values to work right here in the D.C. region.”
Learn more about Edu-Futuro's work at edu-futuro.org.