WASHINGTON D.C. – March 5, 2014 – Hyundai Motor America in partnership with National Council of La Raza (NCLR), donated 1,000 winter coats to the community organization CentroNía. The coats were distributed to families from CentroNía schools. A special donation ceremony event was held on Tuesday, March 4 at CentroNía Headquarters where more than 50 community members, students and parents joined CentroNía President CEO Myrna Peralta as well as representatives from Hyundai and NCLR.
“At Hyundai, we are committed to improving the communities in which we work and live. We are honored to partner with NCLR to identify and address the needs of its affiliate partners,” said Zafar Brooks, Director Corporate Social Responsibility and Diversity Inclusion at Hyundai Motor America. “We commend CentroNía for their extraordinary hard work to improve the health and wellness of children in our nation’s capital.”
Hyundai’s gift of 1,000 winter coats will benefit students at five CentroNía locations in Washington, DC and Maryland. Social workers and counselors from CentroNía selected the youth to receive the coats, where more than 85 percent of their students’ families receive some type of federal support. The Hyundai coat donation initiative is in its fifth year and is part of Hyundai’s ongoing efforts to provide coats to youth in communities in need.
In addition, Hyundai also presented CentroNía with a cash donation of $5,000 to support their award-winning food and nutrition program. The program ensures the academic and social success of children and families by encouraging wholesome lifestyles.
“We are continuously working with our partners to ensure that the children and families we serve have equal opportunity to participate in our outstanding programs,” said Myrna Peralta, President and CEO of CentroNía. “Thanks to the generosity of Hyundai Motor America, today’s coat donation has made a positive impact on the lives of hundreds of children in Washington, DC and Maryland.”
CentroNía is a nationally recognized, multicultural learning community with a pioneering approach to bilingual education. While offering a welcoming environment that encourages intellectual adventure, CentroNía’s dynamic curriculum thrives to engage the whole family by providing guidance in each step of the way for children, youth and parents to achieve their goals. Programs include Early Childhood Education, DC Bilingual Public Charter School, Food and Nutrition, Out of School Time Programs, and the CentroNía Institute.
“Through our network of almost 300 community organizations, including CentroNía, we have been able to provide valuable resources to families throughout the United States,” said Sonia Pérez, Senior Vice President, NCLR. “This much-needed donation of 1,000 winter coats from Hyundai is another great example of the importance and need for private-public partnerships.”