Twenty-two years ago, Juanita Perez-Bassler and Dr. Claudia Rueda-Alvarez decided to start an organization dedicated to supporting Latinx students living within the northwest suburbs of Chicago. These two visionary women began with a mission to improve academic achievement among Hispanic/Latinx students and to encourage the pursuit of higher education. They called their organization The Latino Summit. 

The Latino Summit is now in its 22nd year. We operate as a 501c3, serving over 500 Hispanic/Latinx students from 17 northwest suburban high schools yearly. Like our Latinx community, we are stronger than ever. 

Our annual event, which normally takes place in-person in November, will now be a hybrid event due to the pandemic. During the week of March 7th, participants will be engaging in various activities at local colleges or virtually through the Latino Summit app. Those participants looking for educational support will get the opportunity to learn about the college process and transitioning from high school into higher education. They will also get the opportunity to hear from current Latinx college students and professionals about their experiences.  

In addition to educational support and services, participants will also have mentoring and networking opportunities, and pursuits related to personal development and career goals. Though we direct many of our services to high school students, any Latinx community member interested in personal, educational, and career development may use the platform by registering for the event and downloading the app ((http://www.latinosummitnws.org/events.html).

We are a self-and grant-funded nonprofit volunteer organization. All of the funding goes directly to the students we serve. Therefore, you can also support our organization by volunteering to join our college student or professional panel, become a sponsor of our annual event, or donate to this worthy cause (http://www.latinosummitnws.org/partners.html). 

Pamela Fullerton is a bilingual and bicultural Latina Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor.

She runs Advocacy & Education Consulting, a professional counseling and consulting organization dedicated to ensuring social justice and advocacy through equitable access to mental health and educational-based services and supports.

Pamela specializes in trauma, immigration and acculturation, BIPOC experiences, career counseling, and life transitions.

Cover Photo by Vasily Koloda on Unsplash