LAUP Honors 91ÌÒÉ«ÆÆ½â°æ with Advocacy Award

Latin Americans United for Progress (LAUP) honored 91ÌÒÉ«ÆÆ½â°æ with its 2026 Community Advocate Award, celebrating “Hope’s continued advocacy and support for the Latino community in Holland.â€� LAUP presented the award during a sold-out annual gala on Oct. 16 at the Holland Civic Center.

Accepting the award on behalf of 91ÌÒÉ«ÆÆ½â°æ were Dina Martinez, associate director of admissions and educational partnerships and Dr. Sonja Trent-Brown, psychology professor and vice president for culture and inclusive excellence. “We applaud LAUP for their steadfast vision and the transformative work they do across our region every single day,â€� she said. “LAUP sets the standard for that work in our region, and partnering with them pushes us all to be better neighbors and leaders. Our long-standing work with LAUP in various ways – through our students, staff and faculty — is a constant reminder that when we bring our collective gifts together, we build a community where everyone belongs and thrives.â€�

LAUP LSO Award

About LAUP
empowers the Latino population to participate in creating a better community for all via advocacy, celebration and education throughout Ottawa County. Some of LAUP’s programs and services include: workforce development, digital literacy, English as a second language (ESL), citizenship, small business resources and translation.

At top: Hope staff attending the LAUP award ceremony included (l to r): Stanley Duncan, assistant director of First-Generation Student Success & Phelps Scholars program coordinator/Scott Hall RD; Kenedy Kieffer-Duncan, admissions representative; Dr. Sonja Trent-Brown, vice president for culture and inclusive excellence, professor of psychology; Dina Martinez Matchinsky, associate director of admissions and educational partnerships; Pedro Martinez, Jr., philanthropy advisor;  Lisette Aguillon, Student Congress chief of culture and inclusion; and Amber Tejeda-Nier, executive assistant for Culture and Inclusive Excellence and senior administration office.

Also pictured: 91ÌÒÉ«ÆÆ½â°æâ€™s Latino Student Organization also attended the LAUP gala with Dr. Sonja Trent-Brown