Virginia Latino Higher Education Network

RICKETTSFRAN10131--C-CAP Director Fran Ricketts 10/24/2013 MATT ARMSTRONG PHOTO

May 3, 2023

Congratulations to Virginia Latino Higher Education Network of Weems – winner of the 2019 Governor’s Volunteerism and Community Service Award for Outstanding Community Organization! The Virginia Latino Higher Education Network (VALHEN) is a positive catalyst in the lives of hundreds of Virginia’s Hispanic students. VALHEN is the only state-wide, volunteer-driven, nonprofit which supports, promotes, and advocates for Latino success and advancement in higher education, to ensure that every Hispanic/Latino in Virginia is college and career ready. VALHEN has shown remarkable success through its four programs: the Hispanic College Institute, the Scholarship Program; the Lecture Series, and the annual Encuentro meeting of the membership and partners. All of these programs are operated by a highly motivated team of volunteers. Their largest program, the Hispanic College Institute, offers students an intense five-day, camp-like experience focusing on college preparation and inspiration. The results for these students is nothing short of transformational – motivating and preparing them to further their education and attend college. More than 55-60 program alums who have enrolled in college after experience the program come back to work as Familia LEADs, mentoring the high school students who are assigned a “familia” when they arrive at Hispanic College Institute. In 2015, the Hispanic College Institute was recognized by the White House Initiative on Educational Excellence for Hispanics as one of only 220 “Bright Spots” in Hispanic Education across the country. As the only program of its kind in Virginia, VALHEN’s programs provide students with the tools needed to research colleges and careers, gain exposure to careers in the STEM field, complete a college application, and fill out the FAFSA. Year after year, Virginia’s Hispanic/Latino students develop a fresh energy and excitement about furthering their education. They receive the practical tools they need to make their college dreams a reality. Additionally, the positive relationships they develop with the adults and college students who serve as mentors give them the network of support. Read more Volunteer Stories! Submit a Story!

Jim Morrison

Story of Service: Jim Morrison

Recently volunteer Fire Chief John Morrison of Vienna was named the Volunteer Fire Chief of the Year by the International Association of Fire Chiefs. John was instrumental in the development of a Volunteer Management System uniting all 12 Fairfax County volunteer fire departments into a single portal to share resources, metrics and information. The IAFC has honored one volunteer and one career firefighter annually since 1996. The Fire Chief of the Year award goes to a person who has "shown exemplary contributions in the areas of leadership, innovation, professional development, integrity, public service, and contributions to the fire service,"...

Alyssa De Las Salas

Story of Service: Alyssa De Las Salas

Alyssa De Las Salas learned about AmeriCorps NCCC when a friend served during her freshman year of college. She recalls, “I thought, that looks so interesting... getting to travel across the country and meet new people.” Alyssa finished her bachelor’s degree in psychology, but the opportunity remained buried in her own subconscious. A year or so after graduation, however, she had an existential crisis, unsure what to do next. That’s when she remembered AmeriCorps. She had enjoyed traveling abroad and felt like traveling within the U.S. was something that would interest her as well. Alyssa recalls, “I started reading more about it...

Mackenzie Vuotto

Story of Service: Mackenzie Vuotto

In her time as an early educator, Mackenzie Vuotto began to see the pivotal impact that service and volunteerism can have on young people and families. "An important part of educating young children is informing them about who is in their community, and how their 'community heroes' (like firefighters, doctors, or mail deliverers) help them every day," says Mackenzie. "I realized it was also important to educate children, from a young age, about ways they can help others so we had multiple food and supplies drives in my preschool classroom throughout the year!" Mackenzie is now serving as an AmeriCorps...

Lizzie Scott

Story of Service: Lizzie Scott

Senior Corps Senior Companion of the Year Lizzie Scott, Senior Services of Southeastern Virginia, Norfolk For the seniors in Lizzie Scott’s community, she provides so much more than companionship. Her dedication to service has enabled individuals to stay in their own homes and live independently. Mrs. Scott, who has volunteered with some of her clients for more than five years, transports them to medical appointments and errands, makes sure their pantries have plenty of food, and helps out doing light meal preparation and housework. She also links clients with much needed community resources. For one client, she provided assistance when faced...

Mary Hines

Story of Service: Mary Hines

Senior Corps Foster Grandparent of the Year Mary Hines, Peninsula Foster Grandparent Program, Hampton Since 2005, Mary Hines has traveled nearly an hour each day to make made it her mission to be a source of encouragement for children. She regularly shares a poem she wrote for the students which conveys that they too can transform into a butterfly from a cocoon. Ms. Hines has been instrumental to other Foster Grandparents and future volunteers by sharing her experiences. She has been recognized in the past with several awards for service, including the Presidential Award for Service. Ms. Hines is a wonderful...

Justin Hu & Shayla Young

Story of Service: Justin Hu & Shayla Young

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