San Juan : Monday, September 27, 2021 | Fifteen young residents of the municipality of Loíza received the Benito Massó scholarship that provides financial support to Afro-descendant students to support their studies leading to associate degrees, bachelor's degrees or post-secondary, technical, vocational or certifications. The group of young people are between the ages of 16 and 25 and study at educational institutions in Puerto Rico. Each student receives $1,500 for the year 2021.
Financial support is made possible by the Benito Massó Scholarship Fund for Loíza Youths established and administered by the Puerto Rico Community Foundation (FCPR). In total, the Fund enables the granting of $22,500. “This scholarship shows us that there are people who believe in us. With the help they offer us, we feel motivated and we don't look back, we continue to reach our goal,” he said. Lurielys del Valle during the virtual presentation of the scholarships last Friday, which included a motivational message from actor Modesto Lacen.
The Benito Massó Scholarship Fund for Loíza Youth is part of a racial and social justice strategy that the FCPR has been developing since 2015 to contribute to the integral wellbeing of children, youth and families of this town. It was established with initial support from the FCPR Board of Directors, and initially received contributions from Marguerite Casey Foundation through Hispanics in Philanthropy. Its continuity has been made possible thanks to the contribution of the Circle of Friends of Benny Massó, Peter Alfond Foundation, Amgen Foundation, W.K. Kellogg Foundation and others.
“We began with the vision that the first installment was just the beginning of a fund that would serve as a bridge to facilitate the academic goals of Loíza students. Today, we are celebrating the second installment, which fills us with great joy. The fund continues to fulfill its purpose of supporting the human capital of Afro-descendant students in Loíza. To our donors, thank you for your sensitivity and commitment to social and racial justice. Going forward, it is our aspiration that donors can establish a permanent fund to support many generations of students from Loíza,” said the Dr. Nelson I. Colón Tarrats, President and Chief Executive Officer of the FCPR.
The Benito Massó Scholarship Fund for Loíza Youth provides the opportunity to support young people in financial need, who have demonstrated academic and leadership skills that will benefit them in their development as professionals. The group of scholarship recipients are currently pursuing studies in different academic areas in the STEM field, such as biology, engineering, pharmacy, nursing, among other academic disciplines.
For its part, Aixa Caballer, Amgen Foundation Leader and Senior Corporate Affairs Manager, Amgen-Puerto Rico, said, “At the Amgen Foundation we promote social justice and education in Puerto Rico and globally. Our alliance with the FCPR will provide young students from the municipality of Loíza the opportunity to achieve their academic goals so that they can be future professional leaders for the development and growth of Puerto Rico and our communities.”
The young students who received scholarships for 2021 were: Xander Y. Birriel Lacén, Kelyanis M. Díaz Ayala, Rigchel A. Díaz Clemente, Edith M. Fuentes Santiago, Marianne N. Negrón Cordero, Julianys M. Osorio López, Gabriela N. Pastrana Cirino, Ricardo J. Ramírez Camacho, Jamiel A. Rivera Clemente and Gabriel E. Rivera Rivera Rivera Rivera. Also, students who were recipients of the Benito Massó scholarship in its first edition renewed their scholarships and became recipients of the scholarship for this year, among them: Nayelis M. Campechano Carrasquillo, Marelis Dávila Rivera, Lurielys Del Valle Cirino, Joshmarie C. Marcano Esquilín and Jeremi A. Quiñones.
“Benito Massó's legacy is one of being a lifelong learner and believing in oneself, our talents and ability to develop new skills throughout life. This legacy is one that the Peter Alfond Foundation is proud to support this year. Peter Alfond was someone who recognized the importance of investing in the next generation through education. The scholarships offered by the Puerto Rico Community Foundation provide possibilities for Puerto Rican youth and we are proud to be a part of his work,» he said. Kinyta Smalls, executive director of the Peter Alfond Foundation.
The scholarships were awarded under a rigorous, participatory and transparent process of evaluation of the group of candidates through an Evaluation Committee established by the FCPR. The Evaluation Committee was composed of community representatives, academic resources, representatives of the Loíza municipal government, representatives of the FCPR and Benito Massó's family members. Its members are: Luis Daniel Pizarro, Director, Office of Federal Programs of the Municipality of Loíza; Rebecca Massó, speech pathologist, daughter of Benito Massó; Kinyta Smalls, executive director of the Peter Alfond Foundation; and Álida Rivera Ponce, FCPR's Community Director.
To date, the Fund has enabled the award of $32,500 in scholarships to 20 students.
About the Puerto Rico Community Foundation
The Community Foundation is a philanthropic organization with a 35-year history of collaboration with donors and communities. It is the first of its kind in the Caribbean and Latin America and the only one of its kind in Puerto Rico. It is recognized as an organization 1101.1 of the Puerto Rico Internal Revenue Code and as a 501 c3 organization of the Federal Internal Revenue Code, so depending on your tax status you will be able to claim a deduction on your contribution.