GE Launches Scholarship to Help Promising Hispanic Students Access College

(3BL Media / theCSRfeed) Philadephia, PA - Oct 19, 2011 - GE Hispanic Forum Holds Day of Service With More than 650 Volunteers

Today, GE's Hispanic Forum, a Hispanic employee-driven affinity organization, is announcing the launch of the GE Hispanic Forum Scholarship. GE's Hispanic Forum is partnering with the Hispanic Scholarship Fund and the GE Foundation to help aspiring and deserving Hispanic students obtain a college education. As part of the launch, more than 650 GE volunteers will participate in a day of service.

Philadelphia Mayor Michael A. Nutter and President and CEO of the Greater Philadelphia Hispanic Chamber of Commerce (GPHCC) Varsovia Fernandez will kick off the day of service by thanking GE employees for their commitment to helping Philadelphia's youth. They also will address the importance of closing the achievement gap among underrepresented student groups and encourage students from Edison High to stay focused on obtaining a good education and working hard to make their dreams a reality.

At this year's GE Hispanic Forum Summit, which is being held in Philadelphia, GE is awarding two deserving Edison High students of Hispanic descent who plan to major in a science, technology, engineering or math-related field each a $10,000 scholarship. The scholarship will be administered by the Hispanic Scholarship Fund, which will select the two students who qualify based on their rigorous application process. In addition, the GE Hispanic Forum will begin a mentoring program to ensure the selected students are successful in college.

"A solid education will open limitless opportunities for students in Philadelphia and around the country," said Delia Garced national co-chair of GE's Hispanic Forum. "An educated and diverse workforce will help American companies invent technologies of the future and become stronger global competitors. Our goal is to help develop talent in the United States and open new opportunities for our community at GE."

GE employees will spend the afternoon with more than 900 students at Edison High. They will mentor students on resume writing, mock interviewing, professional lifestyles and financial aid. GE volunteers will share stories about their education, career and personal experience with the students and emphasize the importance of staying in school. Their day will include a Junior Achievement program and an opportunity to participate on a college tour of area universities including Temple, Drexel and Philadelphia University.

GE is committed to nurturing young minds in communities where there is a GE business presence. Modeled after previously successful volunteer efforts, GE's Hispanic Forum day of service is establishing ongoing relationships with students at Edison that will help them become the leaders of tomorrow across a wide variety of industries.

Held during Hispanic Heritage month, the GE Hispanic Forum Summit is focusing on a "commitment to growth" with discussions on how to promote career development, healthy living and higher-education amongst Hispanics in GE.