END OF SUMMER UPDATES!

Let's Come Together!

Grand finale of the Latino Education Institute’s

25th Anniversary Legacy Celebration

Tuesday, September 30, 2025



We'd Love to See You There!

A contribution of $50 is required to attend after 5:00 pm.

LEI Cultural Flag Raising Ceremony, Worcester City Hall at 2:45pm

Join the LEI staff, families and youth for a lively performance by Pleneros de Worcester!

Brief remarks from City Mayor Joseph Petty and Worcester State University President Barry Maloney.

Panel LEI’s Legacy-25 Years of Impact— ‘Understanding the Times Then & Now: Latinos in Worcester' at 5:00 pm

Panelists:

• Dr. Lorna Rivera, Director, Mauricio Gastón Institute for Latino Community Development & Public Policy, UMASS Boston
• Tim Murray, President & CEO, Worcester Regional Chamber of Commerce
• Dr. Matilde Castiel, Commissioner for Health and Human Services, City of Worcester
• Dr. Aldo García-Guevara, Professor, Department of History and Political Science, WSU, and member of the Latino History Project of Worcester

Moderator: Dr. Maria A. Juncos-Gautier 
LEI Executive Director

Venue: Vejigantes Restaurant, 2nd floor, 55 Pearl St., Worcester

25th Anniversary Legacy Fiesta 
at 6:30 pm

Enjoy a Fiesta with a delicious Caribbean buffet and Latin music hits! 

Venue: Vejigantes Restaurant 

WPS Students Shine at 2025 Aspire Summer Academy

This summer, 35 Worcester Public School middle and early high school students took part in the 2025 ASPIRE Summer Academy, a dynamic enrichment program designed to inspire active global citizens. Students explored STEM, mental health and wellness, art, creative writing, and digital storytelling, while also strengthening their literacy skills through weekly reading and writing workshops. 

Field trips to the New England Botanical Garden, Quinsigamond Community College, and Boston’s Institute of Contemporary Art further broadened their horizons. 

The Academy empowered students to discover their passions, think critically, and engage deeply with their community and the world.  

This five-week program was delivered by an incredible team: Isalby Martinez, Krystal Barrera, Walter Ordonez, Yetzi Villegas Bautista, Madeline Wissler, Ciara Martinez, Desmond McShea, and Cathy Goodwin. 

The final celebration showcased poignant photography highlighting community issues facing Worcester youth, as well as powerful and moving poetry from the creative writing workshop.



The team is grateful to program funders for another successful year and “aspires” to do even more in 2026!

Back-to-School Community Fair United to Learn!

The Back-to-School Community Fair: United to Learn! Celebrating Public Education took place on Saturday, August 16, in partnership with Worcester Public Schools (WPS). Over 100 families were welcomed into the new school year with joy and connection during a day filled with smiles, engaging workshops on navigating the school system, community resources, and a vibrant Flamenco cultural performance.

More than 75 students received backpacks and school supplies, ensuring a strong start to the year. Families also connected with school staff and local agencies, building relationships and discovering resources to support their success.

We were honored to welcome Superintendent Brian Allen, who greeted families personally, along with Mayor Joe Petty, State Senator Robyn Kennedy, and members of the Worcester City Council and School Committee, whose presence showed strong support for our community.

Together, we reflected our strength through every participant and volunteer, making the event not only informative but also truly impactful. 

Thank you to Worcester Public Schools, Deborah Gonzalez, and Carmen Rosado, our Family and Community Engagement Liaison, whose efforts ensured a successful event. 

We appreciate the commitment of our donors, whose generous support at the start of the new fiscal year makes it possible for us to carry out our mission!

City of Worcester * Balfour Foundation * Barr Foundation * Greater Worcester Community Foundation * Hanover Insurance Group Foundation * Ruth H. & Warren A. Ellsworth Foundation * UMASS Memorial Health * UniBank * United Way of Central Massachusetts * Women’s Initiative of the United Way of Central Massachusetts * Worcester Public Schools (WPS)