La Liga: Weekly Newsletter
January 31, 2020

Issue No. 2
LULAC.org

Hello John,

We have a very special issue today beginning with what we saw on our visit to Puerto Rico. LULAC’s big week is coming up with events including: the State of Latino America Summit, Emerge Latino Conference, Legislative Awards Gala, and the WeRun National Campaign Training Institute. And don’t forget to apply to bring our programs to your community.

By Diego Tum-Monge

Sindy Benavides and Domingo Garcia speak with a pastor of a damaged historic church.

Let’s recap: LULAC’s Puerto Rico Delegation Visit

Late last week, LULAC assembled a delegation of leaders to visit Yauco, Guayanilla, and Ponce, the three most earthquake-impacted cities located in the southern region of Puerto Rico. At each stop, we spoke with local families, victims, community members, and elected officials to better understand firsthand the situation on the ground. Also, our hardworking LULAC volunteers helped distribute desperately needed food and vital supplies including water, toiletries and personal hygiene items. This fact-finding mission was to see the damage ourselves, speak with the families living in makeshift shelters and assess how LULAC can best help our members and community in their recovery.Domingo Garcia, LULAC National President, spoke with local media including Univision Puerto Rico one day ahead of the scheduled delegation’s arrival. He shared LULAC’s commitment to advocating for long-term re-building assistance and working with the people of Puerto Rico. Also, Puerto Rican Senators and elected officials from both parties briefed President Garcia on local relief efforts and the latest data on recovery funds. On Friday, January 24, Sindy Benavides, LULAC National CEO, and Rafaela Schwan representing Program Operations at SER Jobs for Progress arrived and joined the delegation on the island.

What we have seen is that families will continue living in fear and with earthquake-related trauma without the proper aid and medical assistance. This is especially true for children since schools are closed and flooding occurs constantly from heavy rains. As importantly, LULAC has found that there is a discrepancy in the count of the number of people living in shelters and what FEMA is reporting officially. Local officials on the ground count more people who have been displaced than what is being reported by FEMA. LULAC urgently calls for proper management of this crisis recovery, and is advocating for an increased allocation of disaster relief funding without further conditions or delays. An in-depth investigation must be started immediately to accurately determine the number of people displaced and to address the long-term medical and economic impact, which inevitably disenfranchises Puerto Ricans. Third-party partner solutions are necessary to allow for nonprofits and community organizations to focus on rebuilding infrastructure such as schools and power grids. Puerto Ricans can no longer be treated like second-class citizens by the U.S. government and it is up to us to help our fellow Americans.

Stand #ConPuertoRico and help provide for the immediate needs of displaced families by donating to our LULAC Relief Fund. Text "PUERTO RICO" to 52886 and join our action network. You will opt-in to receive text updates and details on ways you can help.

Mobilizing to Build Democracy ahead of 2020 Iowa Caucuses

#LatinosInIowa: Tomorrow, at 2:00pm CT, LULAC National and LULAC Iowa will join Poder Latinx, Democratic Municipal Officials (DMO), and Voto Latino, for a phone banking event aimed at engaging voters ahead of the caucuses. This event is open to the press. If you are interested in phone banking alongside LULAC, volunteers are needed! Register here »

Follow us on the ground using #LatinosInIowa.

The Iowa Caucuses Are in 3 Days and LULAC Iowa has led a grassroots campaign to register Latino voters, helping ensure that one out of four Iowa Caucus-goers will be Latino. Read more about how our community is mobilizing at “El Caucus”.

Did you catch our Press Conference? LULAC held a press conference yesterday at the Iowa State Capitol to announce the results of the organization’s Latino voter outreach efforts in the state, as well as to discuss issues of importance to the powerful Latino electorate.

A Rally to "Stop the Hate": Community members joined LULAC at Drake University yesterday evening for the “Stop the Hate Rally” in response to President Trump’s visit. The purpose of this peaceful rally is to call out the harmful policies that have affected our immigrant and Latino community.

Photo Credit: SomosArandas.com. Local authorities tended to Jose Luis Gutierrez, 52, before being taken to a hospital.

Can you help my family?

A father, sister and grandfather were physically assaulted during a holiday trip to Mexico last year. Luis Gutierrez was not present, but this is his family. His father received gunshots that left him in critical condition. They were all beaten and left in the middle of nowhere. Luis says, “My father’s name is Jose Luis Gutierrez. He is about 52 years old and he has dedicated his life to protecting his family and providing us with a better future. I am not sure why this happened to us but I am extremely thankful for the community coming together to help.”

LULAC has agreed to support this family as we see the struggle they are facing. Will you join with us in supporting Luis and his family?

State of Latino America Summit: Where Do Latinos Stand in 2020?

The State of Latino America Summit brings together leaders from various sectors to discuss common policy issues, affirm shared values and commit to concerted actions at the national level.

The summit creates a space to address critical issues affecting Hispanic Americans in the U.S, such as the economy, education, census, health, and immigration.

This year’s summit will be held on Wednesday, February 26, 2020, at the AT&T Forum for Technology, Entertainment, and Policy in Washington, DC. Following the Summit, LULAC will hold its 91st Legislative Awards Gala bringing together a cross-section of national and DC-based Latino leadership.

Driving our Future Latino Leaders: EMERGE Latino Conference
Tuesday, February, 25 - Thursday, February, 27

LULAC is busy recruiting a group of young #LatinoLeaders nationwide to participate in a 3-day conference catered to a diverse group of college students with programming dedicated to navigating professional fields in the environment, health, technology, immigration and education. This opportunity will provide a formative experience in their professional careers, guaranteeing them the skills in networking necessary to excel in leadership.

Empowering Latino Youth: WeRun National Campaign Training Institute
Friday, February 28

Behind the scenes, LULAC is working to empower the future generation of #LatinoLeaders. Our upcoming Campaign Training Institute hopes to provide young Latinos from age 18 - 27 the opportunity to learn about policy issues, campaign strategies, and civic engagement approaches so they can one day represent their communities back home. This initiative is a part of LULAC’s goal to drive Latino political power and voting power in the generations to come.

Middle school students explore the power of technology through TECHNOLOchicas Lift.

TECHNOLOchicas LiFT

LULAC Institute, the Televisa Foundation and the Eva Longoria Foundation, with the support of the Intel Foundation, have partnered to increase Hispanic female representation in STEM to close the educational and economic gaps prevalent in our communities resulting in part from the lack of representation in the STEAM fields.

Through the culturally-relevant STEM education program, TECHNOLOchicas Lift (TC Lift), the coalition is empowering Latina middle school students with technological skills through hands-on workshops and Latina STEM professionals as role models to encourage their interest in STEM while building their self-esteem.

APPLY: $20,000 Ford Driving Dreams Grant to Support STEAM Education in Your Community
DEADLINE: March 31, 2020

The Ford Driving Dreams Grants program, a collaboration of Ford Motor Company Fund and LULAC Institute, is awarding grants to LULAC Councils and their educational partners to address Latino graduation rates in their communities. We invite LULAC Councils across the country and Puerto Rico to apply for this esteemed two-year grant totaling $20,000.

Ford Fund and LULAC will support innovative top-notch programs that help stimulate STEAM academic achievement, high school completion, and promote college enrollment.

Access the application through the link in the title. For questions, contact us at [email protected] or visit LULAC.org/ford.

Mujeres Poderosas: The Next Entrepreneurs

Do you want to start your own business?

Do you have a skill or passion that you want to use to make money?

Hear from women entrepreneurs who have used Airbnb Experiences to do just that! Airbnb and LULAC are launching a new partnership to expand entrepreneurship and empower Latinas—Mujeres Poderosas!

Our meet and greet in San Antonio with Airbnb representatives was a success! We learned about the opportunity to be an Airbnb Experience host and make extra income. There will be more events just like this one in the future.

Keep an eye out for new events in your area!

Watch: Domingo Garcia sobre el apoyo de LULAC en Puerto Rico [empezando a 40:00]
MegaTV Puerto Rico; Thursday, January 23

In Los Angeles, Latinos Are Mourning Kobe Bryant as a ‘Compa’
The New York Times; Monday, January 27

Kobe Bryant is said to have spoken Spanish and embraced Latino culture throughout this life and career in basketball. His impact and inspiration to many Latinos has been present in the days after his tragic death.

How Will Thousands of Latinos in Iowa Be Greeted at ‘El Caucus’?
The New York Times; Friday, January 24

LULAC councils in Iowa have been leading the local effort to increase Latino representation in the Iowa caucus. LULAC is working to cultivate a welcoming and active culture for Latinos in all elections, despite limited outreach from candidates and political parties.

D.C.’s LULAC Lambda council receives award and grant
The Washington Blade; Monday, January 27

“The D.C.-based LGBTQ Latinx group LULAC Lambda received the Billy Collison Award for being a grantee ‘who does a lot with little resources.’”

UTEP LULAC council partners with local Telemundo to raise Latino student voter turnout
The Prospector; Monday, January 27

“The two organizations tabled together outside of the student union building amongst dozens of other student organizations advertising their programs to new and returning students on their daily commute between classes.”

Tag us on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram using @LULAC and #LULAC for a chance to be in the next issue of La Liga! Here are the Highlights of the Week.

That’s it for now. See you next week!

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