Minorities and lower-income Americans have contracted the coronavirus at higher rates and suffered higher levels of job losses. The financial disruption is forcing many LatinX students to choose between their education and helping their families weather the recession. 

I sat down with Janicia Centeno Castillo, Assistant Director of GEAR UP 4 LA a federal program that services 19,000 students in Los Angeles with wrap-around services for college preparation in the LA Unified School District. Her depth of experience and impact on her community gives us a true understanding of what this looks like for LatinX students and families.