100 High School Students Meet with Members of Congress, Participate in Virtual Leadership Development Program. CHCI Provides Leadership Experience for 100 Students from Around the Nation

WASHINGTON, D.C. September 2, 2020 – The Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute (CHCI), the nation’s premiere Latino leadership development organization, hosted 100 students from across the country for its 10th annual R2L NextGen program. Despite COVID-19 prohibiting students from traveling to Washington, D.C. for a weeklong program that focuses on civic engagement, leadership, and college readiness, CHCI was able to offer students a transformational experience virtually during the month of July.

Participants spent the month working on their personal and professional growth with a cohort of fellow young leaders. The virtual format allowed the inclusion of mentors, college recruiters, and speakers from across the country to share their stories and expertise with students. Participants also worked on a “census engagement” plan that will allow them to contribute to the census count in their community.

“I am grateful to our partner State Farm for supporting CHCI’s mission to provide R2L NextGen participants with the tools, resources, and opportunities to help them attain their educational and leadership aspirations. The program participants are eager, inspired, and excited to take on new challenges today that will help them create a better future for the nation,” said Marco Davis, President and CEO of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute.

The R2L NextGen program was created in partnership with founding sponsor State Farm^™ in 2011. Over the past 10 years, State Farm has helped CHCI train 633 young Latino leaders. “Our support of CHCI’s R2L NextGen Program reinforces our commitment to education and to support the communities we serve,” said Rich Garcia, State Farm Human Resources Vice President of Operations. “We know that access to leadership programs like the R2L NextGen program is a key factor for the success of Latino students.”

Additional support is provided by Facebook; Bank of America; and Ford Motor Company Fund, the philanthropic arm of Ford Motor Company.

The 100 student participants represented 15 geographic areas, including; Atlanta, GA; Central Florida; Chicago, IL; Detroit, MI; Las Vegas, NV; New York City; North New Jersey; Phoenix, AZ; South Florida; and the Washington D.C. Metro Area; as well as all of California, Massachusetts, New Mexico, and Texas, and Puerto Rico. The program incorporates the Close Up Foundation’s civic education program into CHCI’s proven leadership curriculum for Latino youth to provide a transformative growth experience for Latino high school students and drive impact in college readiness and leadership development among emerging Latino leaders.

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The Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute (CHCI) is the premier Hispanic nonprofit and nonpartisan 501(c)(3) organization in the country dedicated to developing the next generation of Latino leaders®. CHCI provides leadership, public service, and policy experiences to outstanding Latino/a/x students and young professionals, and convenes Members of Congress, other public officials, corporate executives, nonprofit advocates, and thought leaders to discuss issues facing the nation and the Hispanic community. Visit www.chci.org, or join us on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, YouTube, and Instagram.