PARA DIVULGACIÓN INMEDIATA:                    Contacto: 
7 de noviembre, 2012                                         Julian Teixeira
                                                                            jteixeira@nclr.org 
                                                                            (202) 776-1812


WASHINGTON, DC—El pronóstico del NCLR y otros grupos hispanos que el voto latino sería clave en las elecciones del 2012 se hizo realidad anoche.  De acuerdo con un sondeo hecho en víspera de la elección por ImpreMedia/Latino Decisions, el nivel de apoyo para el Presidente Barack Obama entre los votantes latinos llego a niveles históricos.  Con la presencia significativa de latinos en estados como la Florida, Virginia, Colorado, y Nevada, entre otros, no hay duda que el voto hispano contribuyó extraordinariamente en una elección tan reñida.

“Estamos muy orgullosos de nuestra comunidad,” dijo Janet Murguía, Presidenta del NCLR.  “Los votantes latinos salieron a las urnas en números impresionantes—quizás representando el 10 por ciento del electorado por primera vez en la historia de acuerdo con las encuestas de CNN—y participaron a esos niveles precisamente porque les interesa mucho el futuro de este país.  Quieren ver expandir las oportunidades económicas y que el sueño Americano sigue siendo disponible a todos.  Claramente quieren ver el tema de inmigración resuelto.”
 
“En una de las contiendas mas reñidas en años recientes, la batalla por el voto latino no fue ninguna batalla.  No hay duda de los resultado de nuestra propia encuesta que las posiciones del presidente, en particular, su decisión este verano de implementar acción diferida para los estudiantes del DREAM Act, fue una de las razones claves por la cual nuestra comunidad lo apoyó en niveles históricos.”
 
“También es cierto que el partido republican falló en no competir por nuestro voto y pagaron un precio bastante caro.  Nuestra comunidad estaba claramente involucrada en esta elección—el NCLR sobrepaso su propia meta de inscribir a más de 95,000 nuevos votantes.  La comunidad también reconoció que no hubo estrategia republicana concentrada en los latinos y hasta mas dañino, estaban muy consientes de que Romney aceptaba a la ‘auto-deportación’ como una estrategia de inmigración, resaltó que Kris Kobach era su experto sobre el tema de inmigración, y en su momento, prometió vetar el DREAM Act.
 
“En el análisis pos-elección, el partido republicano tiene que hacer un cambio profundo en su relación con la comunidad latina.  NCLR cree que está en el mejor interés de la comunidad latina que ambos partidos se interesen en nosotros, que profundicen su interacción con nuestra comunidad para obtener nuestro voto.  Francamente, esto sería a beneficio del partido también.  Esta elección demostró que en el 2012, las comunidades de color, los jóvenes, y las mujeres no solo son grupos de interés sino que son una demográfica común de este nuevo electorado americano.  Y con casi un millón de latinos cumpliendo 18 años cada año por muchos años, el voto hispano es parte permanente de la política americana.
 
“Estamos muy optimista de que podemos unirnos y dirigirnos efectivamente a los retos del país, porque esta elección también reveló muchos puntos en común que tiene el electorado Americano.  La economía es el tema de más preocupación para casi todo votante, y la educación y el cuidado de salud se mantienen como temas de prioridad.  Y finalmente, estamos de acuerdo con las voces del partido republicano que dicen que la inmigración debe parar de ser tema divisivo para los candidatos y que en vez de ataques, los partidos deben de enfocarse en buscar una solución de sentido común para nuestro sistema de inmigración inoperable.  Los latinos están listos para trabajar con el congreso y la administración para dirigirnos a estos temas urgentes.”

El NCLR (Consejo Nacional de La Raza) es la organización nacional más grande de apoyo y defensa de los derechos civiles de los hispanos en los Estados Unidos y trabaja para mejorar sus oportunidades. Para más información sobre el NCLR, por favor visite www.nclr.org o síganos en Facebook y Twitter.

###

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

Contact:
Julian Teixeira
jteixeira@nclr.org
(202) 776-1812

WASHINGTON, D.C.—As the nation’s children head back to school and as we edge closer to the 2012 November elections, NCLR (National Council of La Raza) will host a timely telephonic briefing for media to discuss new research that highlights the impact of high-quality early learning for Latino children and what elected officials can do to help improve students’ chances for future success. In the past 20 years, the Latino under-18 population has more than doubled, and by 2035, one in every three children in the U.S. will be Latino—a major portion of tomorrow’s workforce that the nation cannot afford to leave behind. 

The quality of the early learning experience has been proven to help narrow the school readiness gap and affords children lasting educational benefits. Moreover, research by Nobel Prize– winning University of Chicago Economics Professor James Heckman has shown that investing in early learning has a return of up to 10 percent. Experts will discuss findings from Professor Heckman’s work and will also discuss how effective family engagement, assessment, instruction, and professional development strategies can help deliver the high-quality early learning experience that will keep America competitive in an increasingly competitive global marketplace.

As we approach the political conventions and presidential debate season, education will surely be a focal point for both parties. Speakers at the briefing will also touch on important policy changes that would help to significantly advance access to and quality of early learning for Latino children across the U.S.

MEDIA ADVISORY

WHAT:
Telephonic briefing on Smart Investments: Early Learning for Latino Children

WHO:
Moderator:
--Liany Elba Arroyo, Associate Director, Education and Children’s Policy Project, NCLR 

Speakers:
--Rich Neimand, President/Creative Director, Neimand Collaborative
--Erika Beltrán, Senior Policy Analyst, Education and Children’s Policy Project, NCLR

WHEN:
Thursday, August 23, 2012
1:00 p.m.–2:00 p.m.

WHERE:
Participant Dial-In: (800) 895-0231
*Conference ID: EDUCATION
Program Title: Early Learning

To RSVP for this event or to get more information, please send an email to jteixeira@nclr.org.

NCLR—the largest national Hispanic civil rights and advocacy organization in the United States—works to improve opportunities for Hispanic Americans. For more information on NCLR, please visit www.nclr.org or follow along on Facebook and Twitter.

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Four years ago, while an electrified Chicago crowd chanted “Yes, we can!” during President Obama’s acceptance speech, many in the LGBT community still had their eyes glued to their televisions awaiting entirely different results. And as those results flooded in, it became all too clear that Republicans weren’t the only ones who had suffered a devastating blow that night—Proposition 8 passed in California, barring same-sex couples from the constitutional right to marry.

Four years later, the story has changed drastically. Instead of disappointment and shock, the LGBT community and their allies across the U.S. were greeted to the incredible news that marriage equality won at the ballot for the first time ever in three states—Maine, Maryland, and Washington—and that voters in Minnesota also voted down a constitutional ban on gay marriage. As proud allies of the LGBT community, NCLR wholeheartedly supports and celebrates the historic decisions made by the residents of these great states to stand behind equality, respect, and dignity for all Americans.

The 2012 election will unquestionably be remembered as a defining moment and a major turning point in the fight for marriage equality. Looking back to 2008, many fingers were pointed at communities of color for the passage of Proposition 8, and it would be flat-out untrue to say we did not deserve some part of the blame. However, if the last four years has taught us anything, it’s that when the momentum for positive change begins to build, the barriers to understanding and equality simply will not stand.

Opponents of marriage equality push the idea that it’s acceptable to put the civil rights of other human beings up to a popular vote. And, up until Election Day, that strategy had worked in opponents’ favor. This time, however, Americans throughout the country said that enough is enough. They said that when you give us the choice, we are going to do what is right.

And Latinos stood beside the LGBT community this Election Day, rebutting common misconceptions about our attitudes toward LGBT rights and proving what NCLR already knows—Latinos stand for equality. Pride is a term that has become indelibly linked to the LGBT community. Appropriately, we at NCLR feel such tremendous pride to see so many Hispanic Americans voicing their support for marriage equality.

The fight for same-sex marriage is far from over. There are still many hearts and minds that need to be changed and plenty more legislative battles that have yet to be waged. Ultimately, we hope that other states build on this momentum and continue to recognize same-sex marriage and the profound effect it will have on strengthening families all across the U.S.. We will also closely watch our federal courts, which have historically ushered in some of the biggest social changes the country has ever seen.

The 2012 election is a new chapter for marriage equality. It’s time to see this story through to a happy ending.

By Ruben Gonzales, Deputy Vice President of Resource Development at NCLR
 

On November 6, Latino voters played a crucial role in the 2012 presidential election, coming out in unprecedented numbers in battleground states such as Florida, Colorado, Virginia, and Nevada to propel President Barack Obama to victory. Many Latinos voted because they care about the state of our economy and the quality of our education and health care systems, among other issues. But the overwhelming support of a second term for Obama is a message from Latinos that they urgently want a federal solution to fix our broken immigration system, and they will back candidates who have committed to pushing this legislation forward.

Recognizing that many of their defeats by thin margins could have been reversed through stronger Latino outreach, Republicans are now questioning the harsh posturing that led to divisive, draconian anti-immigrant laws in Arizona and other states across the country. Conservative leaders—including Speaker of the House John Boehner, Senator Marco Rubio, former Florida Governor Jeb Bush, pundit Sean Hannity, and former Mississippi Governor Haley Barbour—have quickly changed their tunes on immigration reform, publicly recognizing that the staunch anti-immigrant wing of the GOP must stop using hateful rhetoric aimed at immigrants and abandon the misguided campaign for additional costly and counterproductive Arizona copycat laws. These laws have not only hurt state economies but also harmed the GOP’s image, and they have the potential to jeopardize the future of the party.

The good news is that it looks like Congress is now ready to take action on immigration reform. In the meantime, state legislatures need to abandon immigration enforcement initiatives that have hurt their economies, cost millions of dollars in litigation fees and, more importantly, led to racial profiling against communities of color. And with representatives on both sides of the aisle finally ready to work together to pass comprehensive immigration reform, state legislators should instead focus on the important work that their constituents elected them to do: grow local economies and create jobs, improve access to and the quality of education and health care, and leave immigration legislation to be dealt with by the appropriate responsible party—our new Congress.

By John Herrick, Policy Fellow, Immigration Policy Project

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact:
Joseph Rendeiro
jrendeiro@nclr.org
(202) 776-1566

NCLR telephonic press briefing examines impact of looming budget and tax decisions on Latino families

WASHINGTON, D.C.—With the indelible mark of Latinos on the 2012 election in the history books, all eyes now turn toward Capitol Hill, where Congress is set to decide on a plan of action to avoid the “fiscal cliff.”  Join NCLR (National Council of La Raza) and leaders from Congress and the White House on Wednesday, December 5, at 1 p.m. EST, for a critical discussion on how the tax and budget debate in Washington will affect Latinos.

The massive budget cuts scheduled to take place after the new year will target vital programs for Latinos in the areas of education, health, housing and job training, and result in a tax hike for working families—unless Congress takes action.  The stakes are high for Latinos, and the wrong fiscal approach will cause long-term damage to the Hispanic community.  Congress must ensure that the top two percent of earners in the U.S. pay their fair share in order to reduce the national deficit, while averting budget cuts that would decimate the economic security of Hispanic households.  Participants will discuss these harmful effects on working families and other vulnerable individuals, as well as the detrimental impact that these cuts would have on the recovery of the fragile U.S. economy.

If you plan on participating in the briefing, RSVP to Joseph Rendeiro at jrendeiro@nclr.org or (202) 776-1566.

MEDIA ADVISORY

WHAT: 
“Fiscal Cliff:  High Stakes for Latinos and America’s Future,” a telephonic press briefing

WHO: 
Congressman Xavier Becerra (D–CA)
Janet Murguía, President and CEO, NCLR
Brian Deese, Deputy Director, White House National Economic Council
Julie Rodriguez, Associate Director of Latino Affairs and Immigration, White House Office of Public Engagement

WHEN: 
Wednesday, December 5, 2012 at 1 p.m. EST

HOW: 
Call: (866) 952-1906
Conference Title:  “What's at Stake for Latinos”
Conference ID:  BUDGET

TO COVER:  Please contact Joseph Rendeiro at jrendeiro@nclr.org or (202) 776-1566.

NCLR—the largest national Hispanic civil rights and advocacy organization in the United States—works to improve opportunities for Hispanic Americans.  For more information on NCLR, please visit www.nclr.org or follow along on Facebook and Twitter.

###

PARA DIVULGACION INMEDIATA                

Contacto:
Joseph Rendeiro
jrendeiro@nclr.org
(202) 776-1566

Conferencia de prensa telefónica del NCLR examinara el impacto del debate presupuestario y las decisiones sobre los impuestos en las familias latinas del pais

WASHINGTON, D.C.—Con el indiscutible impacto de los latinos en las elecciones del 2012, toda atención ahora se gira hacia el capitolio donde el congreso esta al punto de decidir sobre un plan de acción para evitar el precipicio fiscal.  Participe con el NCLR (Consejo Nacional de La Raza por sus siglas en ingles) y líderes del Congreso y la Casa Blanca para una discusión importante sobre el impacto de este debate del presupuesto y los impuestos en la comunidad latina. 

La reducción masiva al presupuesto previsto para el próximo año afectara programas vitales para los latinos en las aéreas de la educación, salud, vivienda, y entrenamiento laboral, resultando en un aumento de impuestos para familias trabajadoras—a no ser que el Congreso tome acción.  Los riesgos son altos para los latinos, y una estrategia equivocada puede causar daños de larga duración a la comunidad Hispana.  El Congreso debe asegurarse que el dos por ciento de la nación que representan los ingresos más altos en el pais, paguen su parte justa para que se pueda reducir el déficit nacional y a la vez evitar reducciones al presupuesto que socavaran la seguridad económica de los hogares latinos. 

Participantes discutirán estos efectos dañinos en las familias trabajadoras y otros individuos vulnerables y el impacto negativo que tendrán estos recortes a la recuperación económica de la economía estadounidense. 

Si desea participar en la llamada, por favor comuníquese con Joseph Rendeiro al jrendeiro@nclr.org o (202) 776-1566 para reservar su puesto. 

AVISO A LA PRENSA

QUE:  “Presupuesto Fiscal: Altos Riesgos Para Los Latinos y El Futuro de los Estados Unidos,” una conferencia de prensa telefónica

QUIEN: 
Congresista Xavier Becerra (D–CA)
Janet Murguía, Presidenta y Gerente General, NCLR
Brian Deese, Sub Director, White House National Economic Council
Julie Rodriguez, Directora Asociada, Latino Affairs and Immigration, White House Office of Public Engagement

CUANDO:  miercoles, 5 de diciembre, 2012 a las 1 p.m. EST

COMO:  Llame al (866) 952-1906
Titulo de la Conferencia:  “What's at Stake for Latinos”
ID de la Conferencia::  BUDGET

PARA CUBRIR ESTE EVENTO:  Por favor comuníquese con Joseph Rendeiro al jrendeiro@nclr.org or (202) 776-1566.

El NCLR (Consejo Nacional de La Raza) es la organización nacional más grande de apoyo y defensa de los derechos civiles de los hispanos en los Estados Unidos y trabaja para mejorar sus oportunidades. Para mayor información sobre el NCLR, por favor visite www.nclr.org o síganos en Facebook y Twitter.

###
 

PARA DIVULGACIÓN INMEDIATA                    Contacto:
5 de diciembre, 2012                                          Joseph Rendeiro
                                                                          jrendeiro@nclr.org
                                                                          (202) 776-1566

WASHINGTON, DC—En su primera confrontación después de las elecciones, el Congreso regresa al Capitolio a debatir como balancear el presupuesto federal y evitar el precipicio fiscal.  Hoy, Janet Murguía, Presidenta y Gerente General del Consejo Nacional de La Raza (NCLR por sus siglas en inglés), se unió al Congresista Xavier Becerra (D-CA), Jason Furman, Asistente del Presidente para la Política Económica y Subdirector Principal del Consejo Nacional Económico, y Julie Rodriguez, Directora Asociada de Asuntos Hispanos y de Inmigración de la Casa Blanca, para discutir como mejor enfrentar los retos del presupuesto con un plan balanceado que proteja a los programas vitales para los Latinos, programas que serán impactados si los recortes automáticos se efectúan al comienzo del año. 

“Los trabajos y la economía siguen siendo los temas de más preocupación para nuestra comunidad, quienes salieron a votar en números impresionantes e históricos en noviembre, y las posibles consecuencias del precipicio fiscal también preocupa a Latinos enormemente.  De hecho, una encuesta actualizada en víspera de las elecciones por Latino Decisions/ImpreMedia, demostró que los Latinos apoyan una estrategia balanceada y justa para reducir el déficit.  Necesitamos proteger los más vulnerables entre nosotros en este proceso.  Este tampoco es el momento de subirle los impuestos a las familias trabajadoras y la clase media,” dijo Murguía.
 
El no llegar a un acuerdo tendría graves consecuencias para todo americano, con la posibilidad de descarrilar la recuperación económica y contraer el crecimiento de empleos.  La Oficina Presupuestaria del Congreso (Congressional Budget Office) calculó que el ‘precipicio fiscal’—la combinación de aumentos de impuestos y recortes dramáticos al presupuesto que tomarán efecto al comienzo del año nuevo—regresará la tasa de desempleo a un 9 por ciento al nivel nacional.  Los latinos tienen una tasa de desempleo de 10 por ciento en el momento, y no pueden aceptar acciones irresponsables que vuelvan a llevar a nuestra economía a una recesión. 

En NCLR estamos muy preocupados que un acuerdo presupuestario mal diseñado puede socavar la infraestructura de organizaciones sin fines de lucro que ayudan a servir y apoyar a muchos en nuestras comunidades.  Las organizaciones afiliadas del NCLR proveen servicios fundamentales que ayudan a educar y darle de comer a nuestros niños al igual que entrenar a nuestros trabajadores, abrirles las puertas a la posibilidad de ser dueño de vivienda, evitar la ejecución hipotecaria y otros servicios sociales y humanitarios.  Hemos sido testigo del devastador impacto de grandes reducciones al presupuesto como los que vimos bajo la administración del Presidente Reagan y la reforma del sistema de ayuda social (welfare), a nuestras organizaciones afiliadas y tememos que de nuevo estos programas vitales serán suspendidos o peor todavía, que muchas de estas organizaciones tendrán que cerrar sus puertas.

“Balanceando el presupuesto sobre las espaldas de los pobres, los trabajadores, y la clase media solo nos llevará a abrir aún más las desigualdades que ya existen para la comunidad hispana y otras comunidades minoritarias en este país,” añadió Murguía.  “Adoptando medidas austeras durante este tiempo de una recuperación frágil económica solo desgastará la movilidad económica y retrasará el progreso de nuestra comunidad.  Debemos trabajar juntos para avanzar una economía justa donde el sacrificio es compartido y la prosperidad está al alcance de todos.”

El NCLR (Consejo Nacional de La Raza) es la organización nacional más grande de apoyo y defensa de los derechos civiles de los hispanos en los Estados Unidos y trabaja para mejorar sus oportunidades. Para más información sobre el NCLR, por favor visite www.nclr.org o síganos en Facebook y Twitter.

###
 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                    Contact:
December 5, 2012                                   Joseph Rendeiro
                                                                  jrendeiro@nclr.org
                                                                  (202) 776-1566                                       


WASHINGTON, D.C.—In its first major post-election showdown, Congress is back on Capitol Hill to debate how to balance the federal budget and avoid the looming fiscal cliff.  Today, Janet Murguía, President and CEO of NCLR (National Council of La Raza), was joined in a telephonic press briefing by Rep. Xavier Becerra, D–Calif., Jason Furman, Assistant to the President for Economic Policy and Principal Deputy Director of the National Economic Council, and Julie Rodriguez, Associate Director of Latino Affairs and Immigration for the White House Office of Public Engagement, for a discussion on how to address the country’s budget challenges with a balanced approach that protects vital programs for Latinos, which could be potentially gutted by automatic cuts.

“Jobs and the economy continue to be the top priority for the Hispanic community, which came out to vote in record numbers in November, and the potential consequences of the looming fiscal cliff are of great concern to Latinos,” Murguía said.  “In fact, an election eve poll by Latino Decisions/impreMedia showed that Latinos support a fair, balanced and shared approach to deficit reduction.  We need to protect the most vulnerable among us in this process.  This is also not the time to raise taxes on working and middle-class families.”

Failing to negotiate an agreement on deficit reduction will have dire consequences for all Americans, potentially derailing our fledgling economic recovery and suppressing job growth.  The Congressional Budget Office (CBO) calculated that the “fiscal cliff”—the combination of tax increases and deep budget cuts that will automatically take place at the beginning of the New Year—would return the unemployment rate to more than 9 percent nationally.  Latinos face an unemployment rate of 10 percent and cannot afford reckless actions that threaten to drag our economy back into recession.

NCLR is also extremely concerned that a poorly crafted budget deal could gut the nonprofit infrastructure that serves and supports much of our community.  NCLR Affiliates provide fundamental services that educate, feed and treat our children, train our workers, open the doors to homeownership, stave off foreclosure and secure other human services.  We have witnessed the serious impact of past major budget cuts, such as during the Reagan administration and 1996’s welfare reform, on our Affiliates, and we fear that many may once again have to abruptly end programs or close their doors altogether.

“Balancing the budget on the backs of poor, working and middle-class families will only succeed in broadening the opportunity and achievement gaps that exist for many communities, including the Hispanic community, in this country,” Murguía added.  “Enacting severe austerity measures, especially while our fragile economy is still recovering, will erode economic mobility and keep our community from reaching its full potential.  We must work together to advance a fair economy where sacrifice is shared and prosperity is available to all.”

If you are interested in receiving a recording of today’s telephonic press conference, please email Joseph Rendeiro at jrendeiro@nclr.org.

NCLR—the largest national Hispanic civil rights and advocacy organization in the United States—works to improve opportunities for Latinos.  For more information on NCLR, please visit www.nclr.org, or follow us on Facebook and Twitter.

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***MEDIA ADVISORY***
Wednesday – Dec. 12 – 10:30 a.m. EST

Organizations to Mobilize Constituencies to Hold Congress Accountable for Comprehensive Immigration Reform in 2013

WASHINGTON, DC – This coming Wednesday, December 12, prominent Latino advocacy leaders will come together to call on Congress to pass comprehensive immigration reform in 2013 and to announce their collaboration on an expansive national campaign that will rate President Obama and Congress on their handling of the issue.

After helping to deliver a historic 12.5 million Latino voters to the polls this year, Latino organizations representing civil rights, community and labor are calling on President Obama and members of Congress to enact a common sense immigration reform in 2013 that comports with our national values and the will of the voters. Polls continue to show that the majority of the American electorate favors immigration reform with a road map to citizenship for hard-working immigrants who already contribute to American society.

Along with continuing their core civic engagement campaigns, organizations will make report cards available to Latino voters before the next congressional election in 2014. The report cards will rate Congress on how aggressively they championed comprehensive immigration reform.

WHO:
Hispanic Federation: Chris Espinosa, National Director of Advocacy
Labor Council for Latin American Advancement: Hector Sanchez, Executive Director
League of United Latin American Citizens: Brent A. Wilkes, National Executive Director
Mi Familia Vota: Ben Monterroso, National Executive Director
NALEO Educational Fund: Max Sevillia, Director of Policy and Legislative Affairs
National Council of La Raza: Janet Murguia, President and CEO
Service Employees International Union: Eliseo Medina, International Secretary-Treasurer
Voto Latino: Maria Teresa Kumar, CEO/President

WHEN:
Wednesday -- Dec. 12, 2012 -- 10:30 a.m. EST

WHERE:
1126 16th St. NW
ABC Conference Room, First Floor
Washington, DC 20036

To RSVP and/or for more information, contact Gebe Martinez, 202-714-2136, gebe.martinez@seiu.org or Beatriz Lopez, 202-412-7396, beatriz.lopez@seiu.org.
 

7 de diciembre de 2012

*** AVISO A LOS MEDIOS ***

Organizaciones movilizarán a los electores para responsabilizar al Congreso de una reforma migratoria integral en el 2013

WASHINGTON, DC – Este próximo miércoles, 12 de diciembre, líderes prominentes de la comunidad latina se reunirán para emitir su llamado al Congreso a que apruebe una reforma migratoria integral y anunciar su colaboración en una campaña nacional amplia que calificará el Presidente Obama y al Congreso en el manejo de la cuestión. 

Después de que ayudaron a movilizar una cifra histórica de 12.5 millones de votantes latinos a las urnas este año, las organizaciones latinas, representando los derechos civiles, la comunidad y trabajadores, están haciendo un llamado al Presidente Obama y a los miembros del Congreso a que rindan una reforma migratoria de sentido común en el 2013, que concuerda con los valores nacionales y la voluntad de los electores. Las encuestas continúan a demostrar que la mayoría del electorado estadunidense favorece una reforma migratoria con una vía a la ciudadanía para los inmigrantes trabajadores quienes contribuyen a la sociedad.

Junto con la continuación de sus campañas principales de participación cívica, las organizaciones tendrán disponibles las calificaciones del Congreso para los votantes latinos antes de las elecciones del 2014. Las calificaciones reportarán el nivel de agresividad que tomó el Congreso para defender e impulsar una reforma migratoria integral.

QUIÉN:
Hispanic Federation:  Chris Espinosa, National Director of Advocacy
Labor Council for Latin American Advancement:  Hector Sanchez, Executive Director
League of United Latin American Citizens:  Brent A. Wilkes, National Executive Director
Mi Familia Vota:  Ben Monterroso, National Executive Director
NALEO Educational Fund:  Max Sevillia, Director of Policy and Legislative Affairs
National Council of La Raza:  Janet Murguia, President and CEO
Service Employees International Union:  Eliseo Medina, International Secretary-Treasurer
Voto Latino:  Maria Teresa Kumar, CEO/President

CUÁNDO:
miércoles – 12 de diciembre 2012 -- 10:30 a.m. EST

DÓNDE:
1126 16th St. NW
ABC Conference Room, Primer Piso
Washington, DC 20036

Para más información, contacte Gebe Martinez, 202-714-2136, gebe.martinez@seiu.org o Beatriz Lopez, 202-412-7396, beatriz.lopez@seiu.org.
    

In the Little Village community of Chicago, as well as the surrounding communities of North Lawndale, East Garfield Park, and Pilsen, drive-bys are rarely thought of as something positive. Yet the job developers of Central States SER’s Healthcare Bridge Program have reinvented the term as they fill vacant certified nursing assistant (CNA) positions at many of the nursing homes and hospitals in Chicago and its suburbs.

Central States SER-Jobs for Progress was founded in 1970 with the goal of expanding career opportunities for the Hispanic community in Chicago. Over the past decade the number of participants served has grown considerably, from 500 participants in 2002 to more than 10,000 in 2012. SER’s 115 full-time employees work with a wide range of participants, from former gang-affiliated youth to senior citizens, who are looking to reenter the workforce by gaining skills for careers in health care, transportation, manufacturing, and many other fields.

Along with Daley College, one of the City Colleges of Chicago, Central States SER launched its CNA training program in 2007. The program was started with the aim of helping low-skilled, low-income adults gain access to training that leads to viable health care careers and helping local health care employers find quality staff.

Central States SER’s Healthcare Bridge Program is the cornerstone of its programmatic work in these communities and, in partnership with Daley College, the program has helped nearly 150 individuals successfully complete a contextualized literacy and numeracy program. Since 2007, these certifications opened the door for graduates to gain admission to a health care–focused occupational training program at one of the City Colleges of Chicago or Triton College and, ultimately, find employment at a health care facility.

While Central States SER and its partners were highly successful in training and graduating participants from the CNA program, they still had little success with job placement for some of their students. Despite professional development workshops that included job search techniques, résumé writing, mock interviewing, and providing targeted job leads, many graduates still were not being hired. This high number of unemployed graduates spurred Central States SER to gather labor market information, specifically from the Illinois Department of Employment Security, to check whether CNAs were still in demand. Yet according to the data, there will be a 20.95% increase in demand for nursing aides, orderlies, and attendants between 2008 and 2018. Central States SER and its partners were confounded as to why participants were not getting hired.

SER decided to perform an in-depth evaluation of their program to identify where they might have been falling short. A thorough review of case notes revealed that participants were not being proactive about their own job search: they skipped job club meetings, did not respond to job leads, and constantly missed job interviews and appointments with their job developers. Moreover, participants were actually scared of entering the job market. To combat this fear, one of SER’s job developers had an idea: not only did she take a few participants with her directly to potential employers, but she also arranged on-site interviews for each participant. A few days later, all but one were hired. Thus was born the concept of the “drive-by” at Central States SER.

Key to the drive-by strategy is the identification of employers that are hiring in communities near where participants live. Job developers then arrange for health care program participants to travel together to potential employers for interviews, which gives them the opportunity to collectively prepare, share interview techniques, and encourage each other before their arrival.

The strategy has proven itself as a best practice when dealing with the hard-to-place, the not-so-motivated, or just plain nervous participants who need a little encouragement, team support, or nudging along the way. The results speak for themselves: on average, two out of every three “road trippers” are hired during their first drive-by. Ultimately, what this experience taught Central State SER and its partners was that fully examining its challenges and engaging all staff will lead to innovative, successful solutions.

By Lorne C. Green, Manager of Healthcare Workforce Programs, Central States SER

For Immediate Release

Contact:
Julian Teixeira
(202) 776-1812
jteixeira@nclr.org

A new campaign to win congressional enactment of comprehensive immigration reform in 2013 was announced Wednesday by leaders of national Latino civil rights and labor organizations. The groups issued a joint statement calling on President Obama and Congress to act immediately on reforms that will help the economy, workers, and families. Robust civic engagement and congressional accountability campaigns will be waged throughout next year, with report cards on Congress’ performance to be issued before the 2014 election. The campaign follows the 2012 election in which a record 12.5 million Latinos voted.

Issuing the joint statement were Janet Murguia, National President and CEO of National Council of La Raza; Eliseo Medina, International Secretary-Treasurer of Service Employees International Union; Brent A. Wilkes, National Executive Director of the League of United Latin American Citizens; Ben Monterroso, National Executive Director of Mi Familia Vota; Maria Teresa Kumar, CEO/President of Voto Latino; Hector Sanchez, Executive Director, Labor Council for Latin American Advancement; Chris Espinosa, National Director of Advocacy of Hispanic Federation; : Max Sevillia, Director of Policy and Legislative Affairs of NALEO Educational Fund. The statement follows:

STATEMENT BY NATIONAL LATINO LEADERS
December 12, 2012

Latino civil rights, community and labor organizations are here to announce our unqualified support for comprehensive immigration reform. We believe our nation’s voters sent a clear message to our elected leaders that they expect action on the outstanding issues facing our country, including immigration reform. It is time to fix a broken immigration system that serves no one well -- not business or the economy, not immigrants and our communities. We must seize the moment to finally fix this problem that has eluded us for a generation and that has created so much division and heartache in our nation. The time to act is now.

We fully expect that President Obama will move aggressively on reform early next year, and we call on the House and Senate leadership to bring comprehensive immigration reform to their chambers for action. The president and Congress are at a unique moment in history that commands their leadership on comprehensive immigration reform that comports with our national values and with the will of the voters.

Comprehensive immigration reform must include a clear roadmap to citizenship for hard working, taxpaying immigrants; a system that builds the strength and unity of working people; keeps families together; guarantees the same rights, obligations, basic fairness for all workers, no matter where they come from; and internal and border law enforcement regimen that focuses on preventing criminals, drug cartels and other bad actors from entering the U.S. or engaging in criminal activities.

We are cognizant that a positive, legislative outcome depends on an engaged and informed citizenry. The Latino community and immigrants need access to timely information on congressional action or lack thereof; on citizenship programs and voter registration. Our organizations will continue providing that information and assistance through our successful civic engagement programs.

Our voter education campaigns will monitor the performance of Congress as it debates comprehensive immigration reform. Members of Congress will be rated on how aggressively they championed comprehensive immigration reform or whether they tried to block it. With these report cards, Latinos will be able to determine who deserves their support in the 2014 election cycle.

During the recent election, 12.5 million Latino voters demonstrated their commitment to the electoral process. The Latino voter engagement remains strong and will only continue to grow at or beyond the voter participation rates of recent years. Our organizations will work to ensure that the growth of the Latino vote endures and remains a vital part of our democracy.

We are also deeply concerned about the current debate about taxes and the federal budget. Remember that the Latino community wants to make sure that the economy works for everybody, not just the wealthy. It’s time for Congress to come to a fair solution that does not burden the middle class, so that it can deal with other important issues like immigration reform.

Voters have long favored a common sense comprehensive immigration reform that greatly benefits our economy and keeps families together. Congress must pass a bill that the president can sign. Do what’s right for our country, for workers and for families.

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Para Divulgación Inmediata

Contacto:
Julian Teixeira
(202) 776-1812
jteixeira@nclr.org

Una nueva campaña para lograr la promulgación legislativa de una reforma migratoria integral en el 2013 fue anunciada el miércoles por líderes de organizaciones nacionales latinas de derechos civiles y sindicales. Los grupos emitieron un comunicado conjunto haciendo un llamado al Presidente Obama y al Congreso para actuar de inmediato sobre las reformas que ayudarán la economía, los trabajadores, y las familias. Las campañas masivas de participación cívica y para responsabilizar el Congreso se llevarán acabo durante el próximo año, con las calificaciones sobre el desempeño del Congreso de ser emitidas antes de las elecciones del 2014. La campaña sigue las elecciones del 2012 en lo cual un récord de 12.5 millones de latinos votaron.

La declaración conjunta fue emitida por Janet Murguia, Presidente y CEO del Consejo Nacional de La Raza; Eliseo Medina, Secretario-Tesorero Internacional del Sindicato Internacional de Empleados de Servicios; Brent A. Wilkes, Director Ejecutivo Nacional del League of United Latin American Citizens; Ben Monterroso, Director Ejecutivo Nacional de Mi Familia Vota; Maria Teresa Kumar, CEO/Presidente de Voto Latino; Hector Sanchez, Director Ejecutivo, Labor Council for Latin American Advancement; Chris Espinosa, Director Nacional de Intercesión de la Federación Hispana; : Max Sevillia, Director de Política y Asuntos Legislativos de NALEO Educational Fund. La declaración sigue:

Declaración de Llíderes Latinos Nacionales
12 de diciembre de 2012

Organizaciones latinas de derechos civiles, la comunidad y sindicales están aquí para anunciar nuestro apoyo incondicional para una reforma migratoria integral. Creemos que los votantes de la nación han enviado un mensaje claro a nuestros líderes electos que ellos esperan acción sobre los asuntos pendientes que enfrentan nuestro país, incluyendo una reforma migratoria. Es hora de arreglar un sistema quebrado de inmigración que no le sirve a nadie – ni a las empresas o a la economía, ni a los inmigrantes, ni a nuestras comunidades. Debemos aprovechar este momento para finalmente arreglar este problema que nos ha eludido durante una generación y que ha generado tanta división y angustia en nuestra nación. El momento de actuar es ahora.

Tenemos plena confianza que el Presidente Obama procederá agresivamente con una reforma el próximo año, y hacemos un llamado a los líderes del Congreso a que traten la reforma migratoria integral y tomen acción. El presidente y el Congreso están en un momento único de la historia que exige sus liderazgos para una reforma migratoria integral que concuerda con nuestros valores nacionales y con la voluntad de los electores.

Una reforma migratoria integral debe incluir una ruta clara hacia la ciudadanía para todos los inmigrantes trabajadores contribuyentes; un sistema que fortalece la fuerza y unidad de los trabajadores; mantiene familias unidas; garantiza los mismos derechos, obligaciones, justicia básica para todos los trabajadores, independientemente de su procedencia; y un régimen de vigilancia interna y de la frontera que se centre en prevenir la participación en actividades delictivas o el ingreso de criminales, cárteles de drogas y otros actores malos en nuestro país.

Somos conscientes de que un resultado legislativo y positivo depende de una ciudadanía participativa e informada. La comunidad latina y los inmigrantes necesitan acceso a información oportuna sobre la acción del congreso o la falta de acción; sobre programas de ciudadanía y registración del votante. Nuestras organizaciones continuarán a proporcionar está información y asistencia por medio de nuestros programas exitosos de participación cívica.

Nuestras campañas de educación al votante seguirán de cerca el desempeño del Congreso a medida que debate la reforma migratoria integral. Los miembros del Congreso serán calificados por el nivel de agresividad que toman para defender una reforma migratoria integral o si trataron de impedirla. Con estas calificaciones, los latinos podrán determinar quién merece sus apoyos en las elecciones del 2014.
Durante las ultimas elecciones, 12.5 millones de votantes latinos demostraron su compromiso al proceso electoral. La participación del votante latino permanece fuerte y soló continuará aumentando en o más allá de las tasas de participación del votante electoral de los últimos años. Nuestras organizaciones trabajarán para asegurar que el crecimiento del voto latino perdure y siga siendo una parte vital de nuestra democracia.

También estamos profundamente preocupados del debate actual sobre los impuestos y del presupuesto federal. Recuerde que la comunidad latina quiere asegurar que la economía funcione para todos, no solamente para los ricos. Es hora que el Congreso llegue a una solución justa que no perjudique la clase media, y así pueda manejar otros asuntos importantes como una reforma migratoria integral.

Los votantes han favorecido una reforma migratoria integral de sentido común que beneficia enormemente nuestra economía y mantiene las familias unidas. El Congreso tiene que aprobar un proyecto de ley que el presidente pueda firmar. Hagan lo que es correcto para nuestro país, para los trabajadores y para las familias.

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For Immediate Release

Contact:
Julian Teixeira
(202) 776-1812
jteixeira@nclr.org

The recent announcement that the Supreme Court of the United States will take up two cases involving same-sex marriage is of great significance to lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) Latinos. Millions of Latinos who identify as LGBT are not afforded the rights and opportunities available through the recognition of their marriages. Decisions in these cases—one related to a provision in the Defense of Marriage Act, which denies federal benefits to same-sex couples, and another involving California’s Proposition 8, a voter-approved measure that banned gay marriage—will be handed down in the coming months.

The lack of fairness for married same-sex couples has undoubtedly disrupted the lives of LGBT Hispanics and even broken apart families. For example, same-sex binational couples are prohibited from petitioning for a foreign-born partner to receive permanent residence and citizenship. Because same-sex couples do not receive equal protection under federal law, many spouses have had no choice but to return to their country of origin, separating loved ones from each other. More than 1,000 other legal protections for married persons are denied to LGBT couples.

A recent study by Social Science Research Solutions, commissioned by NCLR (National Council of La Raza) and funded through the Arcus Foundation, found that Latinos acknowledged the discrimination LGBT Latinos face and resoundingly supported measures to stop it. Latinos polled in the study were overwhelmingly supportive of ending policies that discriminate against same-sex couples in the areas of employment and housing. Over six in 10 (62 percent) Hispanics support legislation that protects LGBT individuals from job discrimination. Latinos also stood out for supporting same-sex marriage more strongly than the nation on average, with nearly half in favor of it.

In line with Latinos’ evolving standpoints on LGBT issues, on June 9 the NCLR Board of Directors voted unanimously to support marriage equality and incorporate LGBT issues into the organization’s core work. As the Supreme Court considers these cases, NCLR is reaffirming its commitment to fairness for all Latino families and to uplift the voices of the couples and families who are affected by the Court’s decisions.

It was only a generation ago when the freedom to marry was denied to interracial couples. The Supreme Court understood then the deep injustices perpetrated against couples in committed, loving relationships. NCLR hopes that the Supreme Court will once again rule in favor of fairness and recognize that equal protection in marriage is not a privilege but a fundamental right that is withheld from millions of LGBT Americans.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact:
Joseph Rendeiro
(202) 776-1566
jrendeiro@nclr.org

Last night, Congress approved a plan to extend tax relief for middle-and working-class families and avert the consequences of the fiscal cliff. While the deal includes some compromises and leaves sequestration to be dealt with in the next congressional session, NCLR (National Council of La Raza) supports the overall plan, which meets many of our stated principles for a fair and prosperous economy.

“We applaud the White House and Congress for working together to deliver a fair approach to reducing our deficit that doesn’t come at the expense of vulnerable, working and middle-class families,” said Janet Murguía, President and CEO of NCLR. “The overall tax plan passed today is a strong first step toward ensuring that the burden of deficit reduction is shared more fairly, without jeopardizing the health of our economy and the financial security of Latinos and other vulnerable communities."

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact:
Julian Teixeira
jteixeira@nclr.org
(202) 776-1812

WASHINGTON, D.C.—Yesterday the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) issued guidelines for their Qualified Mortgage (QM) regulation, which requires lenders to ensure that borrowers are able to repay loans. The QM regulation will help prevent lenders from issuing mortgages to consumers that they cannot afford—a key abuse that contributed to the collapse of the housing market. While the final rule does not reflect all of our recommendations, NCLR (National Council of La Raza) is pleased that CFPB has crafted a broad and inclusive definition of a Qualified Mortgage, which will ensure that Hispanic homebuyers are better protected from predatory lenders. 

“Greater numbers of Latinos will become first-time homeowners in the years to come, helping both the economic mobility of their families and the prosperity of our nation as a whole,” said Janet Murguía, President and CEO of NCLR. “We commend CFPB for adopting a broad definition of a Qualified Mortgage, which will foster an inclusive housing market for Hispanic families just starting out. The rule will require lenders to be sure that borrowers can afford their loans, a commonsense protection that will benefit the entire market.”

According to the CFPB, any home loan purchased by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, as well as any mortgages insured by the Federal Housing Administration, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), will be considered a QM loan. In addition, all loans issued to borrowers whose debt-to-income ratio does not exceed 43 percent will also fall under QM parameters.

“The CFPB’s stance on the Qualified Residential Mortgage (QRM) demonstrates Director Richard Cordray’s commitment to equal access to homeownership for all qualified borrowers regardless of race, geography or economic strata. The Qualified Mortgage Rule is a critically important step in the broader movement toward rebuilding a housing finance system and promoting affordability and accessibility. In rejecting a restrictive QRM definition, the CFPB is sending a clear message that it seeks to foster a competitive marketplace with clear guidelines for industry underwriting and consumer readiness,” said Marc H. Morial, President and CEO, National Urban League.

“Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders lost 54 percent of their wealth between 2005 and 2009, largely as a result of the foreclosure crisis, and the homeownership rate of our communities remains significantly lower compared with the national average,” said Lisa Hasegawa, Executive Director of the National Coalition for Asian Pacific American Community Development. “The CFPB’s announcement of a broad definition of Qualified Mortgage will ensure that more families can afford homeownership and will help communities and future generations rebuild their wealth.”

The National Urban League (www.nul.org) is a historic civil rights organization dedicated to economic empowerment in order to elevate the standard of living in historically underserved urban communities. Founded in 1910 and headquartered in New York City, the National Urban League spearheads the efforts of its local affiliates through the development of direct service programs; and through the public policy research and advocacy activities of the National Urban League Policy Institute in Washington, D.C. Today, there are nearly 100 local Urban League affiliates in 36 states and the District of Columbia, providing direct services that impact and improve the lives of more than two million people nationwide.

The National Coalition for Asian Pacific American Community Development (National CAPACD) was founded in 1999 with the mission to be a powerful voice for the unique community development needs of AAPI communities and to strengthen the capacity of community‐based organizations to create neighborhoods of hope and opportunity. For more information, visit our website here and follow us on Twitter: @CAPACD.

NCLR—the largest national Hispanic civil rights and advocacy organization in the United States—works to improve opportunities for Hispanic Americans. For more information on NCLR, please visit www.nclr.org or follow along on Facebook and Twitter.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact:
Joseph Rendeiro
(202) 776-1566
jrendeiro@nclr.org

Earlier today, Janet Murguía, President and CEO of NCLR (National Council of La Raza), joined Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa of Los Angeles at the National Press Club, where the mayor stressed the urgent need for Congress and the White House to pass comprehensive immigration reform this year.

“The time for half-measures and one-sided approaches is over,” said Villaraigosa. “The bottom line in this debate is full citizenship. There can be no second-class citizens in America. This doesn’t just make moral sense. It makes economic sense."

NCLR applauds Mayor Villaraigosa for his staunch support of this issue, as he echoes the chorus of civil rights, faith, labor, business and law enforcement leaders who are urging lawmakers to work together to fix our broken immigration system.

“Now is the time to get immigration reform passed,” said Murguía. “This election wrote the obituary for self-deportation proposals and the fantasy that we will hunt down 11 million people. The moral, economic and political imperatives are clearly aligned, providing unprecedented momentum for the White House and legislators to deliver the rational solutions that the American people want. This is not an issue of Democrats versus Republicans. This is about doing what is best for the American people and the American economy, and doing it swiftly.”

Murguía continued, “We join Mayor Villaraigosa in issuing an urgent call to action. And we stand ready to work with anyone who is serious about delivering reform that brings order to our immigration system, provides a path to legality and citizenship for the undocumented population, upholds the value of family and safeguards the needs of our economy and the American workforce.”

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact:
Joseph Rendeiro
(202) 776-1566
jrendeiro@nclr.org

NCLR, General Mills and Walmart expand program designed to teach Latinos how to be healthier consumers

Latino populations are disproportionately affected by chronic diseases related to a lack of physical activity and poor diet. Lower socioeconomic status and ready access to cheap, unhealthy foods are just some of the contributing factors that have set far too many Latinos on the path to an unhealthy lifestyle. In an effort to address this issue, the NCLR (National Council of La Raza) Institute for Hispanic Health, in collaboration with General Mills and Walmart, is expanding its healthy shopping program, Comprando Rico y Sano, which is designed to teach Latinos how to be health-conscious consumers and make the correct food choices for their families.

“To truly contribute to the health of Latino families, we have to move beyond just telling people that they need to be healthier and actually show them how to shop, making the most of their money without sacrificing the foods that are good for their families,” said Delia Pompa, NCLR Senior Vice President of Programs. “We are all dealing with tightened budgets. Thankfully this program identifies how to make adjustments to your shopping so that you’re putting the healthiest and highest-quality products on the table without breaking the bank.”

To date, NCLR has partnered with 12 community-based organizations from its national Affiliate Network to increase awareness about health-conscious shopping and food choices through this program. Using a promotores de salud (lay health educators) model, the project has successfully reached over 3,000 Latino community members through interactive educational sessions, or charlas. The new partnership hopes to expand outreach to an additional 6,000 Hispanics across the country.

“We at General Mills are so proud to have been sponsoring NCLR for more than 25 years, and the Comprando Rico y Sano program is one that we are extremely passionate about since it aligns perfectly with our company’s mission of Nourishing Lives,” said Maria Rodas, Multicultural Marketing Manager at General Mills. “We believe that this program has a lot to offer to the Hispanic community, providing them resources to make smart decisions when shopping and eating in order to live better, healthier and richer lives. This year we are excited to have Walmart as a partner because with our joint efforts we will be able to grow this initiative even more.”

The expanded program will include an updated curriculum that more fully addresses Latinos’ need for simple, accurate information about healthy shopping, with special consideration for limited budgets and supplemental nutrition programs. The new materials will also include an emphasis on strategies that can help consumers easily identify healthy foods. For example, shoppers will be instructed to look for aids such as the Whole Grains stamp, the Walmart “Great for You” logo, the White Check on General Mills cereals, and low sodium labels.

“At Walmart we strongly believe that no Latino family should ever have to choose between food they can afford and food that is healthier for their children,” said Mark Espinoza, Senior Director at Walmart. “To make it easier for them, we are supporting nutrition education programs, reducing sodium and sugar from some foods, providing everyday low prices, bringing stores to food deserts and facilitating healthier choices with our Great for You icon. By working together, we can help families live better.”

Walmart, General Mills and NCLR will also help increase awareness about this issue by organizing cooking demonstrations, grocery store tours and other community events. For updated information about the program, please contact Paul Aguilar at paguilar@nclr.org.

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PARA DIVULGACIÓN INMEDIATA

Contacto:
Joseph Rendeiro
(202) 776-1566
jrendeiro@nclr.org

NCLR, General Mills y Walmart amplían el programa diseñado para enseñar a los latinos cómo ser consumidores más sanos

Las enfermedades crónicas relacionadas con la falta de actividad física y la mala alimentación están afectando desproporcionadamente a la población latina. El nivel socioeconómico bajo y el fácil acceso a los alimentos baratos y poco saludables son sólo algunos de los factores que contribuyen a que muchos latinos lleven un estilo de vida poco saludable. En un esfuerzo para abordar este problema, el Instituto para la Salud Hispana del NCLR (Consejo Nacional de La Raza), en colaboración con General Mills y Walmart, está ampliando su programa de compra saludable, “Comprando Rico y Sano”, diseñado para concientizar a los latinos sobre la salud y enseñarles a elegir los alimentos adecuados para sus familias.

“Para contribuir verdaderamente a la salud de las familias latinas, hay que hacer más que tan sólo decirles que necesitan estar sanos, tenemos que mostrarles cómo comprar, aprovechando al máximo su dinero sin sacrificar los alimentos que son buenos para sus familias”, dijo Delia Pompa, vicepresidenta sénior de programas del NCLR. “Todos tenemos presupuestos apretados. Afortunadamente, este programa determina cómo hacer ajustes a la compra para que lleve a la mesa de su familia los alimentos más saludables y de mejor calidad sin irse a la quiebra”.

Hasta la fecha, el NCLR se ha asociado con 12 organizaciones comunitarias de su Red Nacional de Afiliados para desarrollar una conciencia sobre la compra de alimentos saludables a través de este programa. Usando el modelo de promotores de salud (lay health educators), el programa ha llegado exitosamente a más de 3,000 latinos mediante sesiones interactivas o charlas. La nueva asociación espera llegar a 6,000 hispanos más en todo el país.

“En General Mills estamos muy orgullosos de haber estado patrocinando al NCLR por más de 25 años, y el programa “Comprando Rico y Sano” es uno de los programas que más nos apasiona porque coincide perfectamente con la misión de la compañía de Nutrir Vidas”, dijo María Rodas, gerente de mercadotecnia multicultural de General Mills. “Creemos que este programa tiene mucho que ofrecer a la comunidad hispana porque les proporciona los recursos que les ayudarán a tomar decisiones inteligentes a la hora de comprar y comer para vivir mejor y estar más sanos. Estamos muy contentos de contar este año con Walmart como socio porque con nuestros esfuerzos conjuntos podremos hacer crecer esta iniciativa todavía más”.

El programa ampliado incluirá un currículo actualizado que abordará mejor la necesidad de los latinos de información sencilla y precisa sobre cómo comprar alimentos saludables, considerando los presupuestos limitados y los programas de nutrición suplementaria. En el nuevo material también se enfatizarán las estrategias que pueden ayudar a los consumidores a identificar fácilmente los alimentos saludables. Por ejemplo, se les enseñará a los compradores a buscar en los paquetes de los productos las palabras Whole Grains (Integral), el logo de Walmart de “Great for You”, la Palomita Blanca en los cereales de General Mills y las etiquetas de “bajo en sodio”.

“En Walmart creemos firmemente que ninguna familia latina debería tener que elegir entre los alimentos que puede pagar y los que son saludables para sus hijos”, dijo Mark Espinoza, director sénior de Walmart. “Para hacerlo más fácil, estamos apoyando los programas de educación nutricional, reduciendo la cantidad de sodio y azúcar de algunos alimentos, proporcionando precios bajos todos los días, abriendo tiendas en desiertos alimentarios y facilitando su elección por las opciones saludables al poner el icono de “Great for You” en nuestros paquetes. Trabajando juntos, podemos ayudar a las familias a vivir mejor”.

Walmart, General Mills y NCLR también ayudarán a desarrollar conciencia sobre este tema, organizando demostraciones de cocina, visitas a tiendas de comestibles y otros eventos comunitarios. Para obtener información actualizada sobre este programa, por favor póngase en contacto con Paul Aguilar en paguilar@nclr.org.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact:
Kathy Mimberg
(202) 776-1714
kmimberg@nclr.org

January is Cervical Health Awareness Month, and for women across the country that should serve as an all-too-important reminder to schedule a Pap test, since Cervical cancer is easily preventable. Unfortunately, many Latinas don’t take the time to schedule this simple test and are losing the battle against this disease. Every year, 10,000 women are diagnosed with cervical cancer and approximately 3,700 die from the illness. For Latinas, the outlook of surviving this disease is bleak. Latinas have the highest rate of cervical cancer and the second-highest mortality rate among all racial and ethnic groups.

The root of the problem is early detection. Latinas are simply not getting Pap tests regularly.

“What’s most frustrating is that there are so many Latinas suffering and dying from this disease who simply don’t have to,” said Manuela McDonough, Program Manager for the Institute for Hispanic Health (IHH) at NCLR (National Council of La Raza). “Doctors know how to find this disease and treat it, but they can’t do either of those things unless women get tested regularly.”

Despite high rates of disease and death, Latinas age 18 to 44 have lower screening rates for cervical cancer than non-Hispanic Whites. Overall, only 73.6 percent of Hispanic women have had a Pap test in the last three years.

Having Human Papillomavirus (HPV) or conditions that weaken the immune system such as HIV are risk factors that can increase the likelihood of cervical cancer. Other factors include smoking, using birth control pills for more than five years and having given birth to at least three children. However, cervical cancer does not always cause symptoms, thus underscoring the importance of visiting a physician. IHH recommends that women should begin getting regular Pap tests at the age 21.

“One of the biggest obstacles that we face is simply educating our community about the disease,” said Marcela Vargas, Project Coordinator for IHH. Vargas helps run the Mujer Sana, Familia Fuerte (Healthy Woman, Strong Family) project, which uses the promotores de salud (lay health workers) model to teach Latinas about cervical cancer prevention.

“We’re lucky to have an opportunity to train people who actually live and work in these communities about why it’s so important to get cervical cancer screenings and how to find appropriate care,” Vargas stated. “Hearing it from someone you know and work with is the most effective way to get across the seriousness of this issue.”

Vargas and McDonough plan to host a promotores training on cervical cancer in Chicago on January 28–30. For more information about the training or to speak with an NCLR project coordinator about cervical cancer in the Latina community, please contact Kathy Mimberg at kmimberg@nclr.org.

Lower-income individuals or those who do not have insurance may be eligible for free or low-cost Pap tests through the National Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program. For more information, call 1-800-CDC-INFO or visit http://www.cdc.gov/cancer/nbccedp.

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