.jpg)
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact:
Joseph Rendeiro
(202) 776-1566
jrendeiro@nclr.org
NCLR (National Council of La Raza) presented the 2013 Affiliate of the Year Award to Southwest Key Programs, a nonprofit organization based in Austin, Texas, that helps Latinos build a brighter future through the 55 programs it operates in six states. Southwest Key Programs, the fifth-largest Hispanic-led nonprofit in the U.S., was recognized on July 23 at the Awards Gala, the closing event of the 2013 NCLR Annual Conference held in New Orleans.
“We are pleased to recognize this exemplary organization with the NCLR Affiliate of the Year Award and honor their dedication to the Latino community. NCLR’s work would not be possible without strong partnerships with community organizations who share our vision for empowering Hispanic Americans. There is no stronger advocate for Latino youth and no stronger advocate for NCLR Affiliates than Southwest Key Programs and its Founder and CEO, Dr. Juan Sanchez. He has been a personal mentor to me and I’m truly inspired by his leadership,” said Janet Murguía, President and CEO, NCLR.
The Affiliate of the Year Award, sponsored by Ford Motor Company Fund, is the highest honor bestowed on an NCLR Affiliate for its exemplary work in empowering the Latino community and advancing the mission of NCLR. Presented annually, the award provides NCLR with an opportunity to showcase the achievements of the winning Affiliate and the positive impact it has made on the lives of Latinos.
Founded in 1987, Southwest Key Programs, is a private, nonprofit organization that provides transformative education, innovative safe shelters and alternatives to incarceration for youth while creating opportunities for their families to become self-sufficient in Arizona, California, Georgia, New York, Texas and Wisconsin. Southwest Key Programs’ El Centro de Familia is home to programs and initiatives that include advocacy efforts, voter registration, workforce development, health and wellness initiatives, social business enterprises, a community technology center, East Austin College Prep (an NCLR Affiliate), a Boys & Girls Club, adult literacy and education programs, youth empowerment services and cultural arts programs. Southwest Key Programs has been a member of NCLR’s Affiliate Network since 1995 and has leveraged its expertise to support, guide and advance NCLR’s programmatic and advocacy initiatives.
"It is heartwarming and gratifying to receive NCLR’s Affiliate of the Year Award, and especially humbling knowing that there are so many worthy Affiliates throughout the country doing great work for our Latino communities,” said Dr. Juan Sanchez, El Presidente/CEO, Southwest Key Programs. “For 25 years, Southwest Key has held a commitment to not only empower the people we serve, but also ensure that our staff reflect that community. Thanks to NCLR and the Ford Motor Company, this generous award will help us continue our mission of opening doors to opportunity so that individuals can achieve their dreams."
In addition to honoring Southwest Key Programs—an Affiliate in NCLR’s Texas Region—with a $25,000 cash award, NCLR recognized Regional Awardees from its Affiliate Network. Each honoree was presented with a $5,000 cash award on Monday, July 22, at the Affiliate Leadership Breakfast. The 2013 Regional Awardees included:
• TODEC Legal Center (Perris, CA), California Affiliate of the Year
• Mi Casa Resource Center (Denver, CO), Far West Affiliate of the Year
• Latino Community Development Agency (Oklahoma City, OK), Midwest Affiliate of the Year
• Asociación Puertorriqueños en Marcha (Philadelphia, PA), Northeast Affiliate of the Year
• Latino Memphis (Memphis, TN), Southeast Affiliate of the Year
“We applaud the work being done by Southwest Key Programs to help Latino youth overcome challenges and become productive, well-rounded individuals,” said Joe Avila, Community Outreach Manager, Ford Motor Company Fund. “This work is critical, not only for the success of the individuals involved, but also for the future of our country.”
About Ford Motor Company Fund and Community Services
Ford Motor Company Fund and Community Services works with community partners to advance driving safety, education and American heritage and community life. The Ford Motor Company Fund has operated for more than 60 years with ongoing funding from Ford Motor Company. The award-winning Ford Driving Skills for Life program teaches new drivers through a variety of hands-on and interactive methods. Innovation in education is encouraged through programs that enhance high school learning and provide college scholarships and university grants. Through the Ford Volunteer Corps, more than 25,000 Ford employees and retirees each year work on projects that better their communities in 30 countries. For more information, visit http://community.ford.com.
###