The National Latino Education Institute is one of the big contributing institutions in the McKinley Park neighborhood, and they're reaching out with a large-scale fund-raising campaign to help the school during the COVID-19 pandemic. Here's their message about the NLEI fund-raising campaign:

Who could have imagined the year we are having? Like so many, the National Latino Education Institute (NLEI) had plans and budgets for a typical year. And we all know this year is anything but typical!

Since mid-March, NLEI has faced significant challenges, such as:

• Retooling our accredited programs from in-house to virtual, driving a need for technical resources such as computers, secure digital platforms, WiFi accessibility, etc.
• Managing externships differently to meet the needs of the students and the expanded need in the health care field – one of the essential workforces of the pandemic to enable the success of the students and meet the needs of the job market for utilities, another essential service.
• While we regularly support community services, the demand for COVID-19 supplies such as personal protection equipment, hygiene, diapers and food increased dramatically and we served those needs.
• Serving as a resource hub to connect participants to health education, healthcare, preventative testing, and so much more.

Now, we need your faithful financial support to meet the needs of our community.

NLEI’s clients are generally from the two zip codes hardest hit by COVID-19. These circumstances along with several others required us to cancel our major fundraiser. While we had hoped to host the event and honor the leaders who support NLEI, it is not going to be possible.

Like so many, we are pivoting our approach so we can continue to provide for our clients and community. Many of our clients worked in positions that were eliminated due to COVID-19. Thankfully, NLEI programming creates opportunities for sustainable employment and economic advancement. Mr. O. Torres – a client in the NLEI Energia program – provides just one inspiring story. He completed his classroom instruction, passed all testing required by his employer and was successfully hired. Today, he makes 3 times what he had made previously, and his family and the local community are benefiting from his investment in himself through NLEI. Your support for the National Latino Education Institute (NLEI) will help us to continue to change lives of clients like Mr. Torres.

As members of the NLEI board, we remain committed to the work NLEI has been doing since its founding in 1972. NLEI continues to end cycles of generational dependency and poverty by launching meaningful and rewarding careers for countless adults and youth. By providing social services, comprehensive employment resources, and market driven training, NLEI offers quality workforce initiatives for Latinos.

NLEI has maintained the relevance of its early years and has been resilient through the current challenges. Our Facebook page showcases the many ways we continue to refresh programming to meet the needs of students and employers, which has become more and more critical with the workforce challenges of Chicago area businesses. We need your help to continue serving our community, the underemployed, and the economic development of the city, ultimately, changing lives.

We have a goal of $300,000 to make up for funding lost due to COVID. We are seeking the commitment of all of our dedicated partners to provide a donation as you have in the past, and at least $5,000 of support through your company or your personal contribution. Join us in the mission of changing lives, families and our community. It is easy to provide your contribution by donating now at nleifundraisingcampaign.eventbrite.com . Contributors will be recognized on our social media and other publications.

Con sincero agradecimiento,

Lori K. Flores, Board Chair
Fundraising Co-Chair
Vice President
Peoples Gas and North Shore Gas

Matt Haughey, Board Secretary
Fundraising Co-Chair
Vice President
SDI Presence LLC