LUCA CONNECT: August 2026

Summer Ends, New Journeys Begin

A Summer Evening at Lyndhurst

August is a month of big transitions at LUCA. Some Scholars are getting ready to leave home and begin college for the very first time. Others are starting their college application journey. And throughout it all, LUCA Scholars, families, volunteers, and friends continue to show us what is possible when young people have the guidance, opportunities, and people in their corner to help themmove forward. Here’s a glimpse of what your LUCA community has been up to this month.

We kicked off the month with a special LUCA Friendraiser at beautiful Lyndhurst Mansion, bringing together Scholars, Board members, volunteers, and new friends who wanted to learn more about LUCA and the young people we serve. But the most powerful voices of the evening belonged to our Scholars.



They spoke candidly about their college journeys and about the College Coaches who have encouraged them, listened to them, challenged them, and reminded them that they do not have to navigate college alone.

For new College Coach Helen Harrison, hearing directly from Scholars offered an important perspective on the relationship she is beginning to build with her own Scholar.

“I really did enjoy meeting the scholars, and as a brand new coach, it was important to me to ask their advice about how I could be most helpful to the two students I'm supporting. The LUCA graduates were impressive and inspiring, and I'm taking their suggestions about what worked well for them to heart.” 



-Helen Harrison, Class of 2027 College Coach

SUMMER SPOTLIGHT: Scholars at Work

College is about earning a degree…but it is also about discovering what comes next. This summer, LUCA Scholars have been gaining hands-on experience, building professional skills, making connections, and exploring possible career paths through internships.

This month, we’re shining a spotlight on Juan R. and Andrea A., two Scholars who shared their summer internship experiences with us. These opportunities give Scholars a chance to take what they have learned in the classroom into the workplace, and to see themselves as the professionals, leaders, innovators, and problem-solvers they are becoming. And employers get something pretty special in return: the talent, determination, perspective, and drive LUCA Scholars bring with them.

AN INSIDE LOOK AT COLLEGE ADMISSIONS:

LUCA hosts Virtual Panel with Private Colleges & Universities



For a student who is the first in their family to apply to college, even knowing what questions to ask can be difficult. That’s why direct access to college admissions professionals matters. LUCA recently brought Scholars together with representatives from Stanford University, Elon University, University of Rochester, Princeton University, and Case Western Reserve University for a special virtual panel on private colleges and universities.

Scholars heard firsthand what makes each institution unique, what admissions teams consider when reviewing an application, and how students can present their experiences, strengths, and aspirations authentically.

For our Scholars, this is more than college information, it’s access to knowledge that families navigating the process for the first time simply do not have. And it helps turn an unfamiliar process into one they can approach with greater confidence.

EMPOWERING THE WHOLE FAMILY:

When One Scholar Goes to College, an Entire Family Takes the Journey

At LUCA, college access has never been only about the student. Every LUCA Scholar is the first in their family to navigate college, which means parents are navigating something new, too.

This month, our culturally relevant family sessions, Padres Charlas (Parent Chats), brought families together for two conversations about what comes next: Paying for College and Transition to College.

“Paying for College”

College brings a whole new set of financial decisions, for scholars and their parents. Our friends at Valley Bank spent an evening with LUCA families talking about budgeting, saving, using credit responsibly, financing a college education, protecting personal information, and planning for the future.

Scholars walked away with practical tools they can use as they begin managing money more independently. Parents had the opportunity to ask questions and explore broader financial topics including homeownership, entrepreneurship, and small business ownership.

Thank you, Valley Bank, for sharing your expertise with our families and helping make financial knowledge more accessible.

“Transition to College”

What happens when the college acceptance letter arrives, the plans are made, and suddenly it is time to say goodbye? For first-generation families, sending a child to college can bring enormous pride alongside fear, sadness, uncertainty, and a lot of questions. During our Transition to College Parent Talk, families came together to talk openly about those emotions and about the changes ahead. Andrea Parada, MSW, LUCA’s Director of Development, facilitated the conversation, creating space for parents to talk with one another about what it means to watch their children take this enormous step.

Grants that help College Dreams take Flight

JOIN US FOR AN UNFORGETTABLE EVENING

PATHWAYS TO BRILLIANCE BENEFIT GALA