Latino Community

 Latino leaders are visiting their congressional representatives to call for action on national priorities of critical importance to the Latino community. In addition to health care, at the top of that list are jobs and immigration reform, two issues that directly affect the stability of Latino communities and will undoubtedly influence turnout and enthusiasm in the 2010 elections.

Latino civic participation has grown in past years, and it is important that this growth does not plateau or fall off. Although still lagging behind in participation compared to other demographics--given the youthfulness of the population, among other factors--Latinos are the fastest-growing segment of the electorate. They added more than two million voters to their ranks between 2004 and 2008--a growth of 30%. Every month, 70,000 U.S.-born Latinos turn 18 and eligible immigrants, though facing a process increasingly priced out of their means, continue to save to become citizens. In 2008, Latinos played a vital role in choosing the presidential nominee in both parties, were a determining factor in who won House and Senate races in states from North Carolina to New Mexico, and ultimately were the decisive factor in the outcome of the presidential election in many battleground states.

Both parties need to engage in and deliver on the issues that matter to this electorate. In 2004, President Bush garnered about 40% of the Latino vote (a key factor in his victory), and in 2008 President Obama won with about 66% of that vote.

In 2006, Latinos powered nationwide peaceful demonstrations where millions participated to prevent passage of one of the harshest anti-immigrant proposals in the past 70 years. In 2007, energized by that momentum, eligible Latino immigrants became citizens in record numbers. And those new citizens, together with Latinos turning 18 or newly registering, helped drive the massive increase in the size of the Latino electorate.

The promise of change that energized voting and participation in 2008 is bringing these hundreds of Latino community leaders to Washington today. They intend to push Congress to act on the needs of the nation: and remind the White House about its promises to Hispanic voters on the immigration reform issue.

Education

First in the Family

First in the Family is a website that talks about the difficulties in being the first person in your family to attend college. It is divided into two parts: one discusses what you need to do in high school in order to end up in college and the second talks about how to succeed once you are admitted into a college. First in the Family uses videos, information factsheets, checklists, and links to other resources to make sure that you have a good base of information and support.

LULAC (League of United Latin American Citizens)
With the creation of the LULAC National Educational Service Centers in 1973; LULAC centralized its educational effort in a network of sixteen counseling centers coordinated by an office in Washington, DC. LULAC's National Education Service Center's mission is to increase educational opportunities for Hispanic Americans through the development and implementation of effective programs in Hispanic communities throughout the United States". This organization offers scholarship for Latino young people while also coordinating a leadership for high school students, which allow students to learn leadership skills valuable in serving community at the local level through projects and workshops. This organization also provides young readers with a literacy program and a middle school intervention initiative, which is a tutoring program to ready 7th and 8th graders for further education. Contact: LULAC National Headquarters, Richard Roybal, Executive Director, 2000 L Street, NW Suite 610, Washington, DC 20036, (202) 835-9685.

National Association for Bilingual Education (NABE)
Promoting educational excellence and equity through bilingual education, the National Association for Bilingual Education (NABE) is the only national organization exclusively concerned with the education of language-minority students in American schools.

Bilingual Tips for Navigating the College Admissions Process
The Princeton Review, an educational services company, and the Hispanic Scholarship Fund (HSF), the nation's leading organization supporting Hispanic education, made the Spanish-English Roadmap to College available for free. The Roadmap is a bilingual resource that helps demystify the college admissions process for Spanish-speaking students and their families. It includes information about changes to the SAT, tips on using the Internet in the college admissions process, and researching what college admissions officers look for in prospective students.

Aspira: An Investment in Latino Youth
"The ASPIRA Association, Inc. is the only national nonprofit organization devoted solely to the education and leadership development of Puerto Rican and other Latino youth. Since 1961 ASPIRA has pursued its mission of empowering the Latino community through the development of its youth. All of ASPIRA's goals and activities spring from one basic belief: Puerto Ricans and Latinos have the collective potential to move their community forward." They also participate in a youth leadership development program, focusing in on schools where there is a large Latino population, and empowering them to be community leaders through education and community service. Each local organization has clubs that provide Latino youths with college and career counseling, advocacy, financial aid and scholarships. The organization has branches in Connecticut, Florida, Illinois, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania and Puerto Rico in addition to its national office in Washington, DC. To contact the national office: Aspira,1444 Eye Street, NW, Suite 800,Washington D.C. 20005, Phone (202) 835-3600, Fax (202) 835-3613,e-mail info@aspira.org

Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute
This organization is committed to developing Hispanic leadership development by providing educational scholarships, a leadership development program, and other activities designed to prepare Hispanics to be professionals serving their communities. Contact: CHCI - 504 C Street NE, Washington, DC 20002, (phone) 202.543.1771; (fax) 202.546.2143, President/CEO: Ingrid Duran

Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities (HACU)

This organization is committed to giving Hispanics the opportunity to pursue higher education; it organizes many events to achieve this goal, including educational workshops. Other services on their website include links for fellowship opportunities, internships, etc.

Center for the Advancement of Hispanic and Science and Engineering Education (CAHSEE)
CAHSEE is an organization created by Latino engineers and scientists dedicated to the advancement of Hispanics in science and engineering careers. CAHSEE's efforts are concentrated in preparing Latino youth to enter and succeed in science and engineering schools and to complete graduate degrees, and in mentoring young Latino scientists and engineers to assume leadership positions in corporate America, academia, research government labs, and government. Our goals include the development of a cohesive national network of Latino engineers and scientists working together to achieve success in the professional and civic arenas. Contact: CAHSEE, The George Washington University, 707 22nd Street, NW Room 105, Washington, DC 20052, Phone: (202) 994-6529, FAX: (202) 994-2459, Email: cahsee@seas.gwu.edu 

Special Education Meeting Translators, Rights Seminars in Spanish
In Chicago, Illinois individual assistance is available in Spanish to prepare parents for Individualized Education Program (IEP) meetings and other special education meetings. Information, referral and linkage services are available by phone in Spanish, from a bilingual information and training specialist.

The Family Resource Center on Disabilities (FRCD) also offers free special education rights training seminars in Spanish twice a month, on the 2nd and 4th Wednesday of the month (except holidays) from 10:00 a.m - 1:00 p.m. in the FRCD office.

For more information, contact Linda De Santiago, FRCD Bilingual Information Training Specialist, (312) 939-3513 or visit their website. http://www.frcd.org

No Child Left Behind Parents Guide in Spanish
"No Child Left Behind: A Parents Guide" is available on the web in Spanish. It summarizes No Child Left Behind, answers questions about the law, and explains the implications for parents.

Tool Kit for Hispanic/Latino Families
The President’s Advisory Commission on Educational Excellence for Hispanic Americans collaborated with the White House Initiative on Educational Excellence for Hispanic Americans to create a Tool Kit for Hispanic Families. The resource was designed as part of a public awareness campaign aimed at closing the achievement gap for Hispanic children, and setting new and high expectations this group. The Tool Kit includes six brochures covering topics such as “Tips for Helping Children Learn to Read,” “A Challenging High School Education for All,” and “School Success for Your Child.” Copies are available free of charge by calling (877) 433-7827 or writing edpubs@inet.ed.gov.

Department of Education Resources
The U.S. Department of Education has updated the link on its home page for Spanish speakers. The site provides a range of educational related information and can be accessed in Spanish through the home page by clicking "Recursos en español." http://www.ed.gov/espanol/bienvenidos/es

Closing the Latino Education Gap

The Hispanic Council for Reform and Educational Options (HCREO) was established in response to the educational achievement gap among Latino children in the United States. The primary goal of the organization is to improve the educational outcomes of Latino children. HCREO members publish a variety of studies and reports about the current crisis. A recent report is entitled "The Enduring Crisis in the Education of Hispanic Children: A Call to Latinos for a New Social Activism." HCREO membership dues are waived for the first year, and $15 each subsequent year. Members receive monthly e-mail updates, a quarterly newsletter, access to local resources and school choice organizations. Contact HCREO at 877-888-2736 for membership and inquiries.

Health

Hispanic Health
The National Alliance for Hispanic Health has developed a website containing fact sheets, in English and Spanish, covering health topics of special concern to Hispanic Americans. You can also find news, actions to take, scholarship information, and other resources on the site. http://www.hispanichealth.org/factsheets/

Latino Health Website
The Celebra La Vida (Celebrate Life) website is a bilingual (English, Spanish) multi-media health awareness campaign focusing on health disparities among Latinos across the U.S. It also includes an on the ground health tour. The campaign incorporates public, private, local and national partners along with the Federal Government. It includes special sections on Cancer, Diabetes, Heart Disease, HIV/AIDS, Infant Mortality and SIDS, Stroke and more. http://www.celebralavida.com

Spotlight on Minority Health and Health Care Disparities
Kaisernetwork.org, the Kaiser Foundation's online news and information service, recently added a new issue "Spotlight on Minority Health and Health Care Disparities." This feature is designed to provide up-to-date news and information about efforts to reduce racial and ethnic disparities in health care. It includes a reference library of key publications, organizations, and other resources; key data on the health status of groups of color; links to recent reports; current headlines from the Kaiser Daily Reports; and recent HealthCasts and transcripts of health conferences and events focused on communities of color.

National Latino AIDS Awareness Day – October 15
National Latino AIDS Awareness Day (NLAAD) is an opportunity for Latinos to take action against HIV by learning more about the disease and getting counseled and tested for HIV. HIV and AIDS significantly impact Latinos, who make up the largest minority group in the country. From 1999-2002 in the 29 U.S. states with longstanding reporting, HIV diagnoses among Latinos increased 26 percent. Latinos are more than three times as likely as Whites to be diagnosed with AIDS, and AIDS is currently the third leading cause of death for Latinos ages 35-44. The Department of Health and Human Services is sponsoring health fairs in Latino communities that will tie in with NLAAD. For more information about HIV/AIDS in the Latino community, visit the Office of Minority Health’s website.

Putting the Word out to Latinas Who Have Breast Cancer
Breast cancer, a terrifying disease for any woman, can be even more so for women whose cultural beliefs get in the way of prompt diagnosis and treatment. That's why Latina breast cancer survivors from the Philadelphia area have teamed up with Living Beyond Breast Cancer, a nonprofit organization based in Ardmore, to create an educational guide. The bilingual, 80-page, paperback book We Celebrate Tomorrow: Latinas Living Beyond Breast Cancer (Celebramos el Manaña: Latinas que Sobrevivien el Cancer del Seno) is available, free, to any Latina woman with breast cancer. The book was written by Aracely Rosales, an author and Guatemala native.

NINDA Launches Stroke Awareness Video for Hispanics
Stroke is the leading cause of long-term disability in the U.S. The disease also disproportionately affects Hispanics. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Hispanics 35-64 years old are 1.3 times more likely to have a stroke than whites in the same age group. Today, the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS) released a Spanish video designed to educate Hispanic communities nationwide about stroke prevention and treatment. The video, entitled "Ataque cerebral: Conozca los síntomas y actúe a tiempo," was developed in partnership with the National Council of La Raza (NCLR), the largest national Hispanic civil rights and advocacy organization and an umbrella for more than 300 affiliated Hispanic-serving organizations nationwide. To obtain a single free copy of the video, call toll-free 1-800-352-9424 (ask for a Spanish-speaking information specialist). Additional information about stroke prevention and treatment is available at http://www.stroke.ninds.nih.gov/

Disability

Radio Vida Independiente

Radio Vida Independiente is a radio program hosted by Horacio Esparza, executive director of the Progress Center for Independent Living in Illinois. This bilingual English/Spanish program is hosted every Saturday morning and can be heard online at www.radiovidaindependiente.com. It talks about important issues for people with disabilities and provides information about how to live independently.

Thisabled Nation

Thisabled Nation is an online community created by Javier Robles that focuses on issues faced by people with disabilities. It includes news, blogs, and a comic strip. Much of the website looks at these issues from the perspective of Latinos and African Americans with disabilities. Mr. Robles also has a blog that talks about his experience as a disabled Latino and another of the Thisabled Nation authors, Professir X, also has his own website with videos and more.

EndeavorFreedom.Tv

EndeavorFreedom.Tv is a media network for people with disabilities run by people with disabilities. It increases awareness of the disability community through video, film, photography, poetry, sport, and print to create a space that honors diversity and reflects the myriad experience of the world at large. In our May-June 2007 newsletter, Zen García, the founder of EndeavorFreedom.Tv, wrote about how he was inspired to create it.

Audacity Magazine

Audacity Magazine is a news and entertainment magazine geared toward the disability community in the United States and the world. As such, Audacity covers issues pertaining to life with a disability through the prism of disability to expose the public at large to the attitudes of those with physical challenges. In addition to covering issues related to disability, Audacity writes stories pertaining to topical issues not directly related to disability per se, those stories give writers and the disability community a chance to express their opinions. Audacity Magazine's staff is made up entirely of people with varying disabilities.

Series of articles about mental health issues in the Latino community

The Herald, a newspaper in Washington state, in collaboration with La Raza del Noroeste, has published an excellent 4 part series of stories about mental health issues that Latinos face. This series, published in December, 2008, is available in both English and Spanish.

First Validated Screen for Learning Disabilities for Spanish Speaking Adult Populations
The State University of New York's University Center for Academic and Workforce Development put out a paper evaluating existing screening devices to identify learning disabilities in Spanish-speaking adults and offers recommendations regarding the diagnostic process based on the findings. The Empire State Screen also is introduced as helping to determine the likelihood of a given person having learning disabilities. For additional information or copies of the screen please contact: Mike Helman, Learning Disabilities Association of Western New York, Main Office, 2555 Elmwood Avenue, Kenmore, New York 14217, (716) 874-7200, Email: LDAofWNY@aol.com

Autism Web Site for Spanish-Speaking Families
A new Web site, created by families for families, provides information in Spanish about Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD). A chat room and forum area are under development. These will be moderated by parents of children with autism. Two doctors and an advocate will help to answer questions.

National Council of Hispano Deaf and Hard of Hearing
TThe nonprofit council offers educational institutions and organizations in the country guidance on how to include lessons on Hispanic and Hispanic deaf cultures, the Spanish language and Mexican Sign Language, Lenguaje de Senas Mexicana, or LSM. The council also aims to encourage parents who speak Spanish to learn LSM. The need for a Hispano-deaf council is growing rapidly because NMSD students have indicated they want to know more about their culture and the Hispanic population is the most rapidly growing minority in the nation.

ARRIBA in D.C.
Thanks to a grants from the District of Columbia Mayor's Office on Latino Affairs, the ARRIBA Center for Independent Living has an employment training program for people with disabilities, with special emphasis on the Latino community. They offer assistance in job searches, computer and interview skills training, and more. Contact Dr. Cris Covelli at (202) 667-3990 for information.

Capacity Builder Newsletter About Research on Disabled Minorities
The Capacity Builder is the newsletter of the Center for Capacity Building on Minorities with Disabilities Research. Funded by the National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research, the Center aims to increase the capacity of community-based organizations (CBOs like Centers for Independent Living and other agencies) serving minorities with disabilities and state vocational rehabilitation (VR) agencies to involve consumers in identifying service needs and developing organizational improvement strategies through evaluation research. The Center is conducting participatory research and demonstration projects, engaging in active dissemination efforts, and providing state-of-the art evaluation and cultural competence training and technical assistance to professionals and researchers in the field. The Capacity Builder is published two times per year, April and September.  For a print or electronic copy, contact Tina Taylor-Ritzler, Ph.D. at tritzler@uic.edu or 312-413-4149.

Cultural Competence and Family Caregivers
A monograph published by the Family Caregiver Alliance offers advice for health and human service practitioners on how to work with Latino family and informal caregivers. Cultural Competency In Working With Latino Family Caregivers includes case studies, cultural competency guidelines, and a resource list.

Latino Community 

Latino Issues Forum
This is a public policy and advocacy institute located in San Francisco committed to advancing policies that would promote a more equitable society in areas such as healthcare, education, technology, and development. Contact: Latino Issues Forum, A Public Policy and Advocacy Institute, 785 Market Street, Third Floor, San Francisco, CA 94103, Fax: 415.284.7222, Phone: 415.84.7220, e-mail: lifcentral@lif.org

National Council of La Raza
"The National Council of La Raza (NCLR) is a private, nonprofit, nonpartisan, tax-exempt organization established in 1968 to reduce poverty and discrimination, and improve life opportunities for Hispanic Americans" at the local community and national level. Their website includes a press room regarding policy decisions affecting the Hispanic community, a listing of special events, contact information as well as links to other Hispanic websites and resources. To contact La Raza: President/CEO Raul Yzaguirre, National Council of La Raza, 1111 19th, NW Suite 1000,Washington, DC 20036, (Phone) 202-785-1670 or Angela Arbodela, Civil Rights Policy Analyst (Phone) 202-776-1789

• A new publication detailing the major workplace disparities that Latinos face, Labor Day 2008: A Snapshot of the Latino Workforce, was recently released by the NCLR). The fact sheet highlights the strength and diversity of the Latino workforce, the effects of the national economic downturn on Hispanic workers, and the impact of eroding job quality on benefits and fatal workplace injuries among Latino workers.

MALDEF (Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund)
In addition to providing legal defense support to Latinos, MALDEF is also involved in promoting education at the community level in organizing leadership development programs for mid-career professionals, those interested in grass root community organization, and for Latino parents who wish to serve in schools, teaching their children and other students important leadership skills. They also sponsor scholarships for selected programs of study. Contact (Washington Office): MALDEF, 1717 K Street NW #311,Washington, DC 20036. Phone: 202-293-2828, Fax: 202-293-2849. Their website lists contact information for all 7 regional offices.

NALEO: The National Association of Latino Elected and Appointed Officials
This organization is committed to empowering Latinos to become elected and appointed political officials and other actors within the American political process through their educational fund as well as leadership development initiatives. Contact: 311 Massachusetts Ave., NE Washington, D.C. 20002, (202) 546-2536, (202) 546-4121 (fax) olopez@naleo.org (There is also contact information for the LA. Houston, and NYC offices on the NALEO website).

Mana: A National Latina Organization
This is a pan-American organization that used to be focused on Mexican Americans but now is focused on all Latinas. It is committed to empowering Latinas through leadership development and community service initiatives. Their website features a link page which directs you to other various specialized Latino organizations in addition to providing a rather extensive list of educational scholarship opportunities for Hispanics and non-Hispanics alike. Contact: Mana, A National Latina Organization, 1725 K Street, NW, Suite 501, Washington, DC 20006. Phone: (202) 833-0060, Fax: (202) 496-0588 , e-mail: hermana2@aol.com

National Latino Children's Institute
This organization focuses on the needs of Latino children and teenagers in the US and advocates policies that will improve education, community involvement, and good children to parent relationships. Their website provides news, their agenda, and different events/projects that the institute is involved in. Contact: nlci@nlci.org 

National Hispanic Council on Aging
This organization is committed to serving the elderly Hispanic population in the US, focused on such important issues as employment, further education, housing, and healthcare. Contact: nhcoa@wordnett.att.net If you would prefer to contact individual members of the council, e-mail addresses are located on the "staff" section of the site listed above, including the e-mail for the President/CEO.

REFORMA: The National Association to Promote Library and Information Services to Latinos
REFORMA is committed to the improvement of the full spectrum of library and information services for the approximately 35.3 million Spanish-speaking and Latino people in the United States. It is an affiliate of the ALA (American Library Association) seeking to provide Latinos all around the US with bilingual and bicultural library staff, Spanish language materials, and education about library services. There are local chapters all around the country, including DC, giving service to local Latino communities; there is contact information for the local chapters on the website.

El Pueblo, Inc.
The Raleigh-based non-profit organization El Pueblo, Inc. is a statewide (North Carolina) advocacy and policy organization dedicated to strengthening the Latino community. According to El Pueblo's Web site, the Latino population of North Carolina is the fastest growing of any state in the country. El Pueblo is answering North Carolina's growing Latino population with leadership, youth, culture, education, health and civic participation programs. They also have a national referral resources list that includes toll-free numbers for everything from an AIDS to migrant education hotlines.