MOUNT VERNON, NY — Environmental Leaders of Color (ELOC), a Mount Vernon-based nonprofit, has received a $5,000 Community Impact Grant from United Way of Westchester and Putnam to support its 2026 Summer SAT Prep Camp and help make college preparation more affordable for Westchester County students.
ELOC was selected from more than 160 applicants through a competitive grant process. The funding allowed the organization to provide full $250 scholarships to students participating in its summer SAT preparation program.
The grant addresses an issue that can easily be overlooked in conversations about educational opportunity: college preparation itself can be expensive. Families already struggling with the cost of housing, food, transportation and other necessities may find private SAT preparation financially out of reach.
ELOC’s Summer SAT Prep Camp is a 16-session, 72-hour online program led by experienced instructors through Google Meet. The program began July 18 and runs Saturdays and Sundays as students prepare for the September 12, 2026, SAT.
According to ELOC, commercial SAT preparation programs can cost between $1,000 and $3,000. The organization designed its program to provide students from under-resourced and ALICE households — families who are working but still struggling to meet basic living expenses — access to preparation without allowing family income to become another obstacle on the road to college.
“Strong SAT scores open doors — to college admissions, to scholarships, and to greater financial opportunity,” said Diana Kaye Williams, Executive Director of Environmental Leaders of Color. “This support from United Way of Westchester and Putnam helps us put high-quality, expert-led SAT preparation within reach of Westchester students who might not otherwise have access to it.”
United Way officials said the grant reflects the organization’s commitment to removing financial barriers facing local students.
“At United Way of Westchester and Putnam, we believe every student should have access to the tools and opportunities they need to succeed, regardless of their family’s financial circumstances,” said Juan Cabrera, Director of Community Impact for United Way of Westchester and Putnam.
Cabrera said the partnership with ELOC provides students with resources that can have a meaningful impact on their educational futures.
The investment also highlights the importance of supporting community-based organizations that are working directly with young people. For Mount Vernon and other communities throughout Westchester, college readiness isn’t simply about encouraging students to attend college. Students also need access to the preparation, information and resources necessary to compete for admissions and scholarships.
Programs like ELOC’s SAT Prep Camp are especially important for Black students and other students from families who may not have the financial resources to pay for private test preparation. In Westchester County, where significant wealth exists alongside communities facing real economic challenges, access to quality college-prep resources can vary greatly by ZIP code and household income. Providing professional SAT preparation at no cost helps close that opportunity gap, giving Black students greater access to the same preparation, scholarship opportunities and college pathways available to families who can afford expensive private programs
ELOC says it hopes to offer additional SAT preparation cycles in the future, expanding opportunities for more students throughout Westchester County.
Environmental Leaders of Color is a Mount Vernon-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit providing environmental education, STEM programming, clean-energy workforce development and college-readiness programs to young people across Westchester County.Families interested in future SAT Prep Camp opportunities can contact ELOC at contactus@eloc.earth or visit the organization’s website
