NEW FUTURO LAUNCHES INNOVATIVE PARTNERSHIP TO GET 10,000 LATINOS INTO COLLEGE

Allstate Insurance Company joins local program to create stronger community through higher education

CHICAGO (September 14, 2011) – New Futuro, a Chicago-based startup, and Allstate Insurance Company announced earlier this week an unprecedented partnership dedicated to helping Latino families get their students into college and beyond. In addition, New Futuro has partnered with other non-profits, education institutions and corporate citizens to ensure the success of the program, which was announced this morning at the National Museum of Mexican Art.

According to U.S. Census Bureau projections, by 2020 nearly 36 percent of the population in the United States under the age of 19 will be Latino,* making Latinos the largest, fastest-growing segment in the country.

“We know from extensive research that the Latino community, with more than 400,000 Hispanic households in Chicago alone, can benefit from the information, resources and social capital necessary to chart a path toward a college education,” said Peter Wilkins, co-founder and CEO of New Futuro. “We believe that by providing access and outreach to working class Latino families, New Futuro, Allstate and our partner organizations will increase the chances that Latino students achieve not only their collegiate dreams but their professional aspirations as well.”

As the title sponsor, Allstate has enabled New Futuro to launch this innovative program and will be awarding nearly $15,000 in scholarships to participating students at a series of free, college-prep workshops that will culminate with a major education summit at the UIC Forum, 725 W. Roosevelt Rd., on November 12, 2011. New Futuro and Allstate estimate these events will attract more than 10,000 Latino parents and students from throughout Chicagoland. A dedicated website at www.NewFuturo.com will contain information on the dates and locations of all events, as well as useful bilingual information and resources about preparing, applying to and paying for college and other post-secondary alternatives.

“Partnering with New Futuro is a natural extension of Allstate’s commitment to protecting families and giving them the opportunities they need to succeed,” said Mike Escobar, Allstate’s vice president and chief diversity and organization effectiveness officer. “We believe that one of the best ways we can help our customers prepare for the future is through education, and we are proud to be able to support these important efforts in coming months in Allstate’s hometown.”

“We’re thrilled to have Allstate on board as our corporate sponsor. Allstate’s support will advance our goal to motivate 10,000 Latino families to commit to a ten-point plan focused on getting their students into college and beyond,” said Marty Castro, co-founder of New Futuro. “Equally important, though, is the company’s willingness to share its diverse human capital—Allstate’s people who truly understand and have successfully navigated the path toward succeeding in life.”

In addition to Allstate, New Futuro is working with other strategic partners to collaborate on a variety of initiatives that will help Latino families and students prepare to enter to college. That list includes prominent national and local organizations such as the White House Initiative on Educational Excellence for Hispanics, Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities, National Council of La Raza, Illinois Student Assistance Commission (ISAC), Teach For America and others.

“ISAC is happy to have the opportunity to take part in New Futuro’s venture,” said Eddie Brambila, managing director of community partnerships for ISAC. “By offering our expertise on college access and success, particularly the financial aid process, we can collaborate with New Futuro to create the sustainable change needed to help Latinos prosper at the national, local and household levels.”

For more information on New Futuro and upcoming events throughout Chicago, please visit www.NewFuturo.com.

About New Futuro

New Futuro is a purpose-driven, certified minority business enterprise providing Latino families with the knowledge, guidance and professional social network they need to get their students into college and beyond. Members have access to free bilingual resources that help them create and follow a step-by-step plan toward achieving a college degree. To learn more, visit www.NewFuturo.com or follow New Futuro at www.facebook.com/newFuturo and www.twitter.com/newfuturo. For our multimedia newsroom, please go to http://pitch.pe/172840.

About Allstate

The Allstate Corporation (NYSE: ALL) is the nation’s largest publicly held personal lines insurer known for its “You’re In Good Hands With Allstate®” slogan. Now celebrating its 80th anniversary as an insurer, Allstate is reinventing protection and retirement to help nearly 16 million households insure what they have today and better prepare for tomorrow. Consumers access Allstate insurance products (auto, home, life and retirement) and services through Allstate agencies, independent agencies, and Allstate exclusive financial representatives in the U.S. and Canada, as well as via www.allstate.com and 1-800 Allstate®.

Contacts:
Becky Lopez, PACO Communications
312.226.7830

Ellie Klooster, Allstate Media Relations
847.402.2749
Ellie.Klooster@allstate.com

Melissa Quiñones,Taylor Strategy
312.994.3715
Mquinones@taylorstrategy.com 

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