#22/2020
For immediate release
Press Contact: Adriana Bacelis
Press Release
Successful Inaugural Edition of Colibri MX Scholarship Program
The first edition of Colibri MX, the scholarship program for underserved immigrants launched in partnership between the Consulate General of Mexico in San Diego and the Metropolitan Area Advisory Committee on Anti-Poverty of San Diego County, Inc (MAAC), will reach its conclusion on Friday, August 21, 2020 with a virtual ceremony to celebrate the 84 awardees and their families.
Consulate General of Mexico in San Diego
Friday, August 21, 2020
The Consulate General of Mexico and MAAC have awarded 84 students for the inaugural cohort of the Colibri MX Scholarship Program, the largest scholarship fund in San Diego County that is specifically targeted to students of Mexican and/or Latinx heritage. Winners of the scholarship will receive 1,000 USD each to support their first step into higher education. The Colibri MX Scholarship Program aimed at awarding between 40 and 70 scholarships during its first year.
Of the total number of awardees (84):
- Two thirds identify as female.
- Most awardees (80%) are either US Citizens or legal residents.
- The vast majority (90%) of awardees are the first in their families to pursue higher education.
- More than half (60%) of the awardees live in households whose yearly income is under 50K and 60% of those households have between 3-6 dependents.
- The vast majority (98%) of awardees will be staying in California to pursue their higher education.
- Approximately four in every five students will pursue their education in four-year universities. One in five will attend community colleges in the area.
- Almost 40% of awardees will be attending different campuses of the UC System, including 11 students who have been accepted to UCSD.
- One third of awardees will be attending different campuses of Cal State University, including 16 students who will attend SDSU.
The essay section of the application was evaluated by the Evaluation Committee, which included 44 members of the community. It included elected officials and public administrators as well as members of the private and non-profit sectors, who generously contributed their time to support the cause of Latinx education in our community. Based on their evaluations, the Organizing Committee then decided to grant the Colibri MX Scholarship to those individuals who complied with the requirements and whose scores made them eligible for the award.
The Consulate General of Mexico and MAAC are particularly grateful to the dozens of corporations and individuals from both sides of the border who donated to this effort. The fundraising campaign was triggered by a contribution of 36,000 USD from the Mexican government through the IME Becas program, and will continue through September 21, 2020, although the website will remain open for donations throughout the year https://www.maacproject.org/COLIBRIMX/. Besides directly funding scholarships, contributions will help finance a university fair that will take place when massive events are allowed again.
A special awards ceremony will be held on Friday, August 21, 2020 to honor the 84 awardees and their families and community, with a keynote address by California Assemblywoman Lorena Gonzalez, AD-80, and messages from Carlos González Gutiérrez, Consul General of Mexico in San Diego, Arnulfo Manríquez, President and CEO of MAAC, and Pedro Villegas of SDG&E/SEMPRA on behalf of this year’s sponsors and donors. Members of the press who are interested in covering this event can write to prensasdi@consulmexsd.org.
These are particularly challenging times and we are proud of this first cohort’s resilience and determination. We are also very proud to see that in its first year Colibri MX has already become a catalyst for social networks to support our future Latinx leaders and build a healthier and more vibrant community in San Diego County and beyond. Special thanks are due to the community leaders who participated in the various committees and to the generous donors and sponsors who contributed to making the first edition of this program a thorough success!
The Consulate General of Mexico in San Diego has the responsibility of safeguarding the welfare of any Mexican national living in San Diego County. The Consulate also provides information and advising about the rights of Mexican nationals and connects them to specific resources. Visit https://consulmex.sre.gob.mx/sandiego/ for more information.
MAAC is the leading provider of comprehensive social services in San Diego County and works to create healthier and stronger communities by providing a space where individuals and families in need can find means to self-sufficiency through advocacy and access to high-quality programs in five key areas of focus: Affordable Housing, Economic Development, Education, Health & Wellbeing, and Advocacy & Leadership Development. Visit www.MAACproject.org for more information.