Socarras Family Scholarship

In loving memory of Abelardo (Al) and Grace (Gloria) Socarras

Al and Grace Socarras believed in the transformative power of education. They recognized that knowledge and hard work open many doors and were determined to make the education of their children a priority – to provide the opportunities that were unavailable to them. Through their support and encouragement, their children Roland and Nancy  both chose careers dedicated to the advancement of youth. Together they now have fifty-five collective years in public education and the non-profit sector.

Despite Al and Grace’s humble beginnings, they embodied the ‘can do’ spirit of the times. Al, at the age of 19, arrived in the United States from Cuba. Determined to improve his circumstances, he became an American citizen, learned a skilled trade and used his natural business acumen to become a successful South Florida businessman. Grace (formerly Grace Sansevero) was the first generation American of a large Italian family who settled in Staten Island, New York. At the age of 24, she left all that was loved and familiar to her in pursuit of the ‘American Dream’ with her husband.

Al & Grace were grateful for the many opportunities and blessings they received over the 53 years of their life together. In many ways, they sought to give back to others. Al, with Grace’s support, was an active participant in the Hialeah Optimist Club for 38 years. He received the Hall of Fame Award for his lifetime of dedicated service to the community and it’s youth, served 15 years on the Board of Directors, 12 years as the Finance Committee Chairman and one term as Optimist President. Grace was a dedicated homemaker who supported any and all efforts to broaden her children’s educational opportunities. She was a strong advocate for education, at any age, and would often encourage others to ‘go back to school’ and improve their situation.

Al & Grace’s choices exemplified that knowledge can be used to not only improve one’s circumstance, but to extend a helping hand to those in need, especially youth. It is in honor of this spirit that their children Roland and Nancy have established the Socarras Family Scholarship Fund which will provide deserving youths with a unique educational opportunity – a summer scholarship to attend Legacy International’s Global Youth Village. To learn more about Legacy International and their work, please click here

We invite family and friends to consider participating in ‘The Socarras Family Scholarship Fund’, an annual fund supported by the children of Al & Grace Socarras. Any donation, large or small, would be welcome and all donations are tax deductible as Legacy International is a non-profit 503-c organization – Federal I.D. #51-0249070. Donate on-line