Latino Education Fund Sets Sights on 2nd Million in 2000

The Orange County Hispanic Education Endowment Fund on Thursday celebrated surpassing the $1-million mark by announcing a fresh goal: $2 million by the end of 2000.

The fund, which has given out 150 scholarships since its inception five years ago, draws support from corporations and the Orange County Latino community, said co-chairman Ruben Smith.

“Education is not only important to corporations, but also to individuals who understand that without an education we have no opportunities,” Smith said at a reception Thursday for corporate sponsors at the Los Angeles Times Orange County Edition in Costa Mesa, which is one of the sponsors. About 300 people attended the gathering.

HEEF began as a goal set by Latino business leaders, educators and lawyers to provide a mechanism to help Latino youths--who make up a large portion of the county’s poorest families--gain an education and progress beyond low-wage careers.

Smith said Latino youths make up about 44% of Orange County’s public student body, but only 9% earn four-year college degrees.

The first $100,000 was raised within the Latino community, including $25,000 from Olga and Fernando Niebla of Infotec Commercial Systems.

“We believe in education, and we believe in this cause,” said Olga Niebla of Orange Park Acres.

Isabelle Villasenor of Dejon Enterprises, which operates seven McDonald’s restaurants in Orange and Los Angeles counties, said she found the breadth of corporate support heartening.

“More and more corporations are realizing the importance of supporting Latino youth,” said Villasenor, who lives in Corona Del Mar. “It’s not just the right thing, it’s good business.”