In 2006, Semillas received a major federal grant called the Foreign Language Assistance Grant, which provided the organization with over $300,000. Our grant application was rated as fifth highest among over two hundred competitive applicants from across the country. Semillas has developed a model Mandarin Language & Culture Program with the guidance of Dr. Gay Yuen, a leader in teacher education in California.  Semillas currently teaches more students Mandarin than the entire LAUSD.  Semillas is also collaborating with the District and several other community leaders in a community-based initiative to expand the instruction of Mandarin in LAUSD with the Committee of 100, the Asia Society, and the Asian Pacific American Legal Center. Additionally, Hanban, an agency of the Chinese Government as well as the Chinese Language Department of California State University, Los Angeles, have recognized our Chinese Language and Culture program. Finally, Semillas’ Chinese Language and Culture program has helped to bridge the communication gap among neighbors in Northeast Los Angeles as our students often act as interpreters and even ambassadors for their families when interacting with neighbors of Chinese origin.