The number of Latinos attending college in the United States is at an all-time high as more than 12.2 million 18- to 24- year olds enrolled. Despite this surge, Latinos continue to be the least educated major racial and ethnic group in terms of completion of a bachelor’s degree. In 2010, only 13 percent of Hispanic ages 25- to 29- had completed a bachelor’s degree. The Resurrection Project—joined by students, State Representative Eddie Acevedo, State Senator Tony Muñoz, Illinois Housing Development Authority Community Relations Director Billy Ocasio, Alderman Danny Solis, university administrators, and community leaders—held a press conference launching La Casa, an innovative community-based college dormitory designed to address the Latino college drop-out rate.

La Casa will incrementally increase the likelihood of college success for students by providing them with a safe and affordable place to live with their own place to study and the added advantage of an on-site Resource Center. The Resource Center will provide specialized programs that include internship placement, mentorship opportunities, leadership development, and a multitude of student support services. At the event, The Resurrection Project announced that it is now accepting applications to live at La Casa. In addition, The Resurrection Project announced that it is also launching a simultaneous social media competition that will grant a scholarship to one La Casa student that will cover the cost of living at La Casa. For more information on La Casa, how to apply to live at La Casa, or the social media competition, please visit www.lacasastudenthousing.org, call 312-666-1323 ext. 2400, or email lacasa@resurrectionproject.org.