Programs
The Latino Resource Center serves as a meeting place for student groups and community organizations. In 2008, the LRC provided the facilities for the following groups to meet: the Latina Assistance Program: De Mujer a Mujer, Supporting Opportunities for Latinos (S.O.L.), Latino Cultural Awareness Committee (L.C.A.C.), Latino Students Christian Community (La Fe), Voz de la Alianza Estudiantil (V.A.L.E.), International Students of Latin America (I.S.L.A.), among other Latino student organizations and groups. Additionally, the LRC sponsored 27 school site visits from predominantly Latino high schools.
Another critical component of the LRC's mission is to provide social capital and mentoring to Latinos in secondary through postsecondary education. The LRC currently supports the Together Exploring Las Oportunidades para Sobresalir (T.E.L.O.S.) mentoring program at Clinton-Rosette Middle School, the Vanguardia Afirmativa de Latinos Unidos (V.A.L.U.) mentoring program at Dekalb High School, and several mentoring programs on the NIU campus.
Some of the NIU mentoring programs supported by the Latino Resource Center are:
Mentoring for Academic Success (M.A.S.): Helps new students make a successful academic and social transition to life at NIU.
De Mujer a Mujer: Latina Assistance Program: Promotes programs specific to the needs of Latinas including support, academic guidance, and leadership oppportunities that enhance students' retention and graduation.
Freshmen Receiving Experience and Study Habits (F.R.E.S.H): provides free tutoring services that will not only help, but also encourage freshmen to perform at a high level in the classroom environment.
Supporting Opportunities for Latinos (S.O.L.): Is a student group that emerged to meet the needs of Latino males. The Latino Resource Center collaborates closely with S.O.L. to provide academic, social, cultural, and leadership opportunities that enhance students' retention and graduation.