by Diana Pando
On Saturday, April 16, 2016, The Resurrection Project (TRP) and La Casa Student Housing hosted its annual End-of-Year Celebration and Graduation for La Casa’s 2016 graduates. Raul Raymundo, CEO of TRP, kicked off the celebratory remarks by welcoming the parents and college graduates and encouraging them to continue their education.
“You are blessed to continue to be on your journey,” he said. “We hope that in the next phase you continue helping the community because we are called to serve by those who have come before you.”
For many students and their families, this annual celebration is a moment of great pride because some of them are the first in their family to graduate from college. A recent article by U.S. News World Report reported that, “Universities and colleges are not making a dent when it comes to the graduation rates of minority students.”
“Today, we have 12 students graduating and it’s a pleasure to work with them because everything we do at La Casa is for them so they can have choices,” said Maria Bucio, Director of La Casa Student Housing.
Maria then introduced keynote speaker Susana Vasquez, a TRP alumnus who received a Masters from Harvard University. Today she is Vice President of Strategic Initiatives and Resource Development at IFF, the largest nonprofit certified community development financial institution in the Midwest.
“Pilsen has a history of leaders taking action,” she said to the audience, “and La Casa is a prime example of creating opportunities for its youth.”
She also talked about one’s true vocation. “It’s important that we understand who is doing the calling and making sure we listen to our own voice,” she said. “Today, the challenges are great locally, regionally, and nationally, and this is an opportunity to contribute to healing our world through the vocation we choose.”
The keynote was followed by the La Casa Leadership Awards and featured speaker, Lupe Carrillon, a parent from the Little Village neighborhood.
“I’ve been coming to La Casa’s College Talks Workshops with my daughter Ashley,” said Carrillon, “and I’m proud to say that in the fall she will be attending the university. If La Casa did not exist we would not know how to navigate the college system.”
Afterwards, graduating students were called up to the stage to receive a satin purple stole and a certificate from TRP. Beaming parents and friends gathered afterwards for congratulatory hugs and well wishes. Families and friends were then treated to a celebration of food and music.
“When students live at La Casa, they get more than just housing,” said Maria Bucio. “They get a dedicated staff working year-round to provide them with the academic support they need to graduate.”
There is also an opportunity for students to participate in La Casa’s Career Internship Program (CIP), which enables students to become leaders and professionals by preparing them through hands-on work experience, workshops, and mentorship. These programs are part of TRP’s commitment to doing more in the next five years than in the last 25 years.
Earning a college degree is a momentous accomplishment that is eagerly awaited in the life of every student. This year’s La Casa graduating class includes 18 students receiving a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree ranging from political science to psychology. The End-of-Year Celebration honors and recognizes this achievement.
Candidates for a Bachelor’s Degree
Jameel Abdel-Rahman
Joel Aguilera
Montserrat Cazares
Henry Cervantes
Tania Cruz
Jose Flores
Alejandro Garcia
Jamian Griggs
Dulce Hernandez
Luther Hughes
Michelle Hurtado
Luisa Ibarra
Servando Miranda
Carlos Roa
Cruz Rodriguez
Daniel Trevino Ramirez
Lauren Spearman
 
Candidates for Master’s Degree
Ricardo Lopez
Denise Reyes
This transformative experience for students could not be possible without the generous support of The John Buck Company Foundation, Chicago Tribune Charities – Holiday Campaign, a McCormick Foundation fund, the A. Montgomery Ward Foundation, and two anonymous donors.