Our History
Founded in 2010 to provide formal, organized representation for the growing but underrepresented Latino community in Sarasota and Manatee counties, UnidosNow has evolved from an all-volunteer group to a private 501(c)3 nonprofit empowering hundreds of families annually on the path to achieving their American Dream.
With a mission to elevate the quality of life of the Hispanic/Latino community in the region through education, integration and civic engagement, UnidosNow has established itself as a leader in the field of post-secondary education attainment, creating a pipeline from elementary to high school, and through college, for first generation, low-income students. With a dedication to cultural competence, a multigenerational approach that engages the whole family, and community collaboration, UnidosNow has achieved significant impact in its short history.
Since 2010, through direct service programs, advocacy, and coalition-building, we have:
Served over 3,000 low-income Latino students and their parents through our elementary, middle, and high school programs.
Empowered over 98% of our Leadership Academy students to enroll in post-secondary education and coached students to enter selective colleges such as, Cornell, Stanford, Yale, Princeton, University of Pennsylvania, Vassar, Oberlin, University of Florida, FSW, and USF, among others.
Assisted our Future Leaders Academy scholars in accessing over $8 million in scholarships and grants.
UnidosNow has also played a leadership role in the development of Local College Access Networks (LCANs), REACH Manatee and the PLANit Sarasota. As part of these networks, UnidosNow has led efforts to boost FAFSA completion rates over the last several years, resulting in an estimated, combined Pell Grant Award amount of $5,034,513 in the year 2019-2020 for students in both counties.
Key to the success of our work with students is the multigenerational approach we implement, engaging the entire family in building a culture of post-secondary education and beyond. This includes strong leadership, community service, and mentorship components in both student and parent initiatives.
As UnidosNow enters its second decade of existence, we are privileged to serve as partners with families on their journeys to achieving their American Dream. We are also fortunate to count on critical collaborations – like those with the local school districts and colleges - that act as a “village” for the young people we are dedicated to empowering as our next generation of leaders.
