Hispanic Fund to hold fundraiser

The Community Foundation of Lorain County’s Hispanic Fund will host a fundraiser Oct. 2 in support of its Latinx Scholarship Endowment fund.

It will take place from 6-11 p.m. at the Antler’s, 300 Washington Ave. in Lorain.

The Latinx Scholarship Endowment supports college scholarships for young adults in the community looking to upgrade their skills.

Hispanic Fund board member Rebecca Rodriguez said they are trying to do something different, and this will be their first fundraiser in support of the endowment established Aug. 20.

By raising $5,000 on that night, the board is hoping to make a strong statement in support of Hispanic youth, Rodriguez said.

“Since Lorain is very cultured, and there’s a big Hispanic community here, there’s a lot of young adults going into college,” she said. “And they need that support system and the funds to be able to attend college and not have those financial worries while they’re getting a higher education.”

The fundraiser will feature a wine and beer tasting with wine and beer from Costa Rica, Argentina, and Elyria brewer Unplugged Brewery in addition to hors d’oeuvres and music from DJ Gozadera.

Board member Martin Leibas noted the Hispanic Fund is trying to change minds and provide more opportunities to young people.

Leibas said families are not always aware of the opportunities available for their children, with numerous scholarships available through small organizations, recounting his own experience in attending college as an adult with the support of the Coalition for Hispanic/Latino Issues and Progress.

“We’re just trying to open up some doors; we’re opening up some minds to education,” he said. “As far as the adults are concerned, or the parents, because, again, when I was younger, we weren’t supposed to go to college, I was supposed to go to work.

“We had a parent or a relative that was at a Ford plant, or feel that we went to work, we weren’t supposed to go to college. So, we’re trying to get past that label of workers, and not thinkers.”

Rodriguez hopes the community will come out in support in lifting up the Latino community and those in need.

“And any way we can grow, we are willing to open those doors for anyone that’s willing to go ahead and help us grow as well,” she said.

The timing falls in line with the 100th anniversary of the Hispanic community’s presence in Lorain and in September for Hispanic Heritage Month.

“It’s just a way to have a voice in the community,” Leibas said. “As Latinos, we usually don’t have a voice, but this is a way to have a voice that shows that people of color out there do matter.”

Tickets are $35 and can be purchased online at peoplewhocare.org with each guest receiving 10 tastings.

The event also will have a number of raffle items available with support from a number of local organizations and businesses.

Businesses can reserve a table for a $500 contribution with each company showcased throughout the night on a big screen.