Community members of Chester County came together last week to foster support for Latino residents.

The Latino Professional Luncheon hosted a Latin Night at Barnaby’s of West Chester, complete with food, drinks, music and salsa dancing, supports a scholarship for a Chester County Latino student to attend West Chester University.

• Nelly Jimenez-Arevalo, an event organizer and group member, said the event had the support of several local sponsors, notably DJ Nadalia, who donated her time and skills to play music for the event, and the Coventry House, a local nonprofit that donated $1,000 to the scholarship. Prior to ticket sales, sponsor donations to the scholarship totaled $1,750.
• The idea for such a scholarship began a few years ago, and the group worked with Idna M. Corbett, dean of undergraduate studies at WCU, to create the program. WCU will select the student to receive the scholarship, with the Latino Professional Luncheon setting the qualifications that the student be a Latino, local to Chester County, and attending or planning to attend the university.

• Jimenez-Arevalo estimated 80 people attended the event. She said it was fantastic to see so many people supporting the cause and investing in the Latino community because many Latinos do not attend or finish an undergraduate college program.
• The Latino Professional Luncheon is a networking group that meets at noon on the first Friday of every month at the Iron Hill Brewery in the borough. Many members are business owners or working professionals, and their aim is helping Latinos become effective citizens in Chester County and spurring conversation about the issues facing the community, said Jimenez-Arevalo.  She also invites anyone interested in participating in the group to join them for lunch at their convenience.