Truly dedicated volunteers are said to go the extra mile, but how do you describe volunteers who don’t stop at that, who keep seeking more and more ways to be involved and to help?

Since 2004, the Eastside Latino Leadership Forum (ELLF) has become a steadfast partner with the Bellevue School District in reaching out to Latino families, and in providing both students and their parents with information and support essential for students’ academic success.

As important as ELLF members’ willingness to roll up their sleeves and work is the wise counsel they provide to the district. Here’s a simple example. We began our journey together with a “Cafecito” for parents of elementary age children. It was really just a meeting, but more than 40 people turned out for it at 7 AM. Why? Because ELLF President Lourdes Salazar advised us to warm up our communications, and what could be friendlier than a “little coffee” hour? We followed this meeting with 4 more family programs, all held in schools and all for the purpose of seeking input on parents’ school concerns and needs. ELLF members prepared the invitations – in Spanish – brought food, served as conversation facilitators and interpreters, summarized the results and followed each session by asking when we could hold the next one.

For two consecutive years, ELLF has played a significant role in putting together a Latino Student Leadership Conference for Bellevue students in grades 8-12. They recruit the presenters, prepare the program, and organize the day’s activities.

In addition, two ELLF members serve on the district’s Latino Parent Advisory Committee. And together we have sponsored two community forums on “Families in Crisis” in response to a crime committed by a young Latino this past fall.

As if this weren’t enough, due to a growing need for financial support for Latino graduates wishing to enroll in college, ELLF has started fundraising for college scholarships. They celebrated their first success on February 28, when they handed out six $1,000 scholarships to well-deserving Bellevue graduates.

Knowing there is much more work to do, the district and ELLF are now partnering to take school and community resource information to Spanish-speaking parents by holding events in their apartment complexes, and putting together a plan to reach out to parents at “round table” sessions in the food court of Crossroads Shopping Center.

ELLF has never asked for anything from the school district. Each member operates from a deep conviction that successful Latinos have a moral obligation to help those who are just starting out in this country and that the best way to help is by supporting the educational needs of their kids. We are truly indebted to this organization.