Posted on Nov 10, 2005

'Hermana' helps county students attend CSUMB

On Tuesday, Nov. 15 - National Philanthropy Day - 'Hermana' will be honored at a luncheon at the Inn at Spanish Bay as the Outstanding Service Organization on the Central Coast.

Frustrated by watching talented local students fail to complete college because of a lack of money, a group of businesswomen joined together in 2002 to create 'Hermana' (Sister), an organization that raises scholarship funds to assist CSUMB students from the local area.

The organization awards five to 10 scholarships per year in the range of $500 to $1,000 each. Recently, Hermana made a $20,000 gift to the university for an endowed scholarship that will provide support to a local student every year in perpetuity. The women of Hermana make donations themselves to the fund and fund-raise from the broader community as well.

Scholarships are awarded to Monterey County students who have overcome significant obstacles, including language barriers and family and work obligations, in order to attend college.

Hermana also sponsors activities with local young women and girls, including a much-needed mentoring program called "hermanita" (little sister). Recently, Hermana held a dinner and invited several students (high school and college) who were having difficulty in school or lacked family support for their educational goals. As a result, these students now have mentors and many of the parents of these students have become supportive of their daughter's college aspirations.

For more information, or to make a contribution, contact Director of Development Kristine Edmunds at 582-3346.