WASHINGTON, Aug. 4, 2014 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — Lambda Theta Phi has signed a historic agreement with the Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute (CHCI), affirming its affiliation as the Fraternity’s national philanthropy and service partner.  Lambda Theta Phi is CHCI’s first fraternal partner as it seeks to increase college participation and civic engagement among Latinos in the United States.

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The agreement, signed on Wednesday, July 30, includes both a philanthropic and service commitment to support CHCI’s high school college readiness programs in Washington, D.C. and throughout the United States.  Lambda Theta Phi’s national fundraising campaign will aid CHCI’s R2L NextGen program, a week-long civic engagement experience for 9th, 10th and 11th grade Latino students to learn about the federal government and explore Washington, DC.  Lambda Theta Phi will also support CHCI’s Ready 2 Lead (R2L) college readiness events, held throughout the United States, with undergraduate and alumni volunteers.

Lambda Theta Phi has cooperated with CHCI’s Ready 2 Lead program in the past, providing undergraduate volunteers for program support and alumni volunteers for the program’s Mentoring Power Hour.  The agreement, signed Wednesday, formalizes and enhances the partnership between the two organizations.  

“It is an honor to partner with CHCI,” said Lambda Theta Phi National President José Grajales after the signing event during CHCI’s Congressional Breakfast. “Their efforts to promote empowerment through education align perfectly with Lambda Theta Phi’s values of academic excellence and the advancement of the Latino community.  We are excited to leverage our network to advance this cause.”

“Lambda Theta Phi’s investment in the next generation of Latino leaders will allow CHCI to inspire more young people to become civically engaged and make a difference in their community,” said Esther Aguilera, CHCI president and CEO.  “We thank the fraternity for being the first partner of its kind in our history and for their commitment to supporting young Latinos.”

CHCI is the premier Hispanic nonprofit and nonpartisan leadership development organization in the country.  With its comprehensive approach to leadership development, CHCI directly impacts the lives of over 1,600 students and young professionals each year through its fellowships, congressional internships, scholarships, Ready to Lead (R2L®) college readiness program, and R2L NextGen program, a dramatic increase from the 46 students served in 1999.

CHCI programs have helped change the face of Washington, D.C. by creating a pipeline of Latino talent and opening the halls of Congress for Latino students to intern and work in government and policy.  CHCI offers paid 2-3 month internships and 9-month fellowships for Latino students and college graduates from across the country. The majority of fellows and interns are first generation to go to college and from families with incomes under $45,000.

About CHCI
Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute (CHCI), a nonprofit and nonpartisan 501(c) (3) organization, provides leadership development programs and educational services to students and young emerging leaders. The CHCI Board of Directors is comprised of Hispanic members of Congress, nonprofit, union, and corporate leaders. For more information call CHCI at (202) 543-1771, visit www.chci.org, or join us on Facebook, Twitter (chci), and LinkedIn.

About Lambda Theta Phi
Founded on December 1, 1975 at Kean University in Union, New Jersey, Lambda Theta Phi Latin Fraternity, Inc. is the first nationally recognized Greek-letter organization founded as a Latin fraternity. The membership of Lambda Theta Phi is open to all college men who support its values of scholarship, respect for all cultures, community service, and the advancement and fair treatment of Latinos in the United States. Lambda Theta Phi was the first Latin Fraternity to be recognized by the North-American Interfraternity Conference (NIC), a member of the National Association of Latino Fraternal Organizations (NALFO), and has over 140 chapters and colonies across the United States. More information about Lambda Theta Phi Latin Fraternity, Inc. can be found at www.Lambda1975.org.