La Liga: Weekly Newsletter
September 16, 2020

Issue No. 25
LULAC.org

Good morning,

Happy Hispanic Heritage Month! This week we center the needs of the victims affected by the fires in California, Oregon, and Washington. Join us in celebrating this month as we highlight the voices of our members and program participants. Also, take a look at this Friday’s screening and panel discussion of “Blood on the Wall”.

Here’s what else you will find in this issue:

• Also today, the #StopHateForProfit Week of Action is holding an Instagram freeze. See how you can join in!
• Sign up for our FTIP's Community Outreach events.
• LULAC now has a series of volunteer opportunities with our various Programs, including mentoring. See how you can get involved.
  

By Diego Tum-Monge

There is a humanitarian crisis in the West!

“I want to chip in!” | Help families devastated by the fires.

The worst wildfires in years are racing across California, Oregon and Washington State. Many people are missing, entire neighborhoods are being wiped out, and firefighters are battling day and night to help stop or slow the flames. Thus far, 500,000 people have been forced out of their communities in Oregon. Thousands of Latinos have lost their homes. In California alone, 3-million acres and 20,000 homes have been scorched.

Local LULAC leaders on the scene describe a dire situation with many Spanish-speaking or undocumented essential farmworkers feeling stranded and unsure of what to do. Jobs are gone and families are having trouble getting help, many of which are sleeping outdoors, without access to food, showers, bathrooms, and water.

We ask that you please donate what you can to the #LULACHelps: Wildfires Relief Fund. Our Latino brothers and sisters need our help and every day, hour and minute that passes makes the situation worse. It’s easy and simple to help displaced families from home by visiting LULAC.org/wildfiresrelieffund.

Happy Hispanic Heritage Month!

Join us! | Let’s celebrate the stories of our community.

This month, from September 15 to October 15, we want to acknowledge and celebrate the impact that Latinos have across the U.S. Our community holds a rich history, we are essential workers, we are teachers, we are entrepreneurs, we are students and aspiring leaders, and much more. Join us in sharing the stories of our members and program participants as we honor the strengths and inspiration of our unique culture and heritage. You can follow us for new stories and events throughout the month at LULAC.org/heritage.

Blood on the Wall - Documentary Screening

Sign up! | Friday, September 20 at 7 p.m ET & 7 p.m. PT

In partnership with National Geographic, join us for a virtual screening of Blood on the Wall and a panel discussion on the crisis at the border. Blood on the Wall is an indepth look at the corruption plaguing Mexico and Central America and the policies of the past that have made it impossible for everyday people to find justice. See more about the documentary and take a look at the unique gallery of photos around it’s story. Don’t forget to sign up to join us this Friday!

Follow LULAC on social media and never miss our notifications for live events!

#StopHateForProfit Week of Action

Join in! | Call out hate and misinformation.

Have you seen or heard about the #StopHateForProfit movement? It’s an effort by over 1,200 companies and nonprofits demanding change from Facebook to address hate and misinformation. Stop Hate For Profit was founded by some of the most prominent civil rights groups and nonprofit organizations in the country, and is joined by some of the most well-known brands in the world. This week marks a series of virtual actions, and we hope you can join us in calling out hate.

For the rest of this week, you can post a specific message about the harms that Facebook has inflicted on our society and the importance of voting. Don’t worry, we provide some example text you can use at stophateforprofit.org. Today, we are asking people to join a 24-hour Instagram “Freeze”, in which everyone will put up one message focusing on the damage Facebook does and refrain from otherwise posting on Instagram for that day. Tomorrow, September 17th, everyone will share a post focused on how Facebook’s failures lead to real-life violence and sow division, calling on the company to improve its policies. The week of action will culminate on Friday, September 18th, when we post about how Facebook spreads misinformation about the election and urge people to vote and demand Facebook stop undermining our democracy.

Help us lead the conversation about Facebook’s danger to society by coming together to explicitly call out Facebook to #StopHateForProfit.

Join the 2020 FTIP Development Month

Only a few more sessions remaining! | Free of charge to all federal employees.

The LULAC Federal Training Institute (FTI), The National Council of Hispanic Employment Program Managers (NCHEPM), Leadership Consultants and several Federal agencies have come together to coordinate and provide training through the 2020 Virtual LULAC Federal Training Institute Partnership “A Month of Development” for Federal employees and the community during these challenging times. All this is free of charge and it’s an opportunity attendees can enjoy thanks to the generosity, collaboration, and in-kind support of all the partners.

Register today at LULAC.org/ftipreg. You can also explore the full list of workshops at LULAC.org/ftip/agenda.

2020 FTIP Community Outreach Events

Don’t miss it! | Wednesday, October 7 and Thursday, October 8

Thanks to the generosity, collaboration, and in-kind support of all of our partners, we are able to provide this wonderful series of virtual events free of charge. Now more than ever, it is vital that we recruit, retain, motivate, and develop a diverse federal workforce — one that will understand, be sensitive to, and address the needs of our community. Learn more and register by visiting LULAC.org/ftipcommunity.

The FTIP Community Outreach workshops will take place Wednesday, October 7 and Thursday, October 8. We invite you all to join us!

See our workshops below:

• Workshop #1 - Uncover the Secrets of Finding and Applying for a Job in the Federal Government
• Workshop #2 - Descubra los Secretos de Encontrar y Solicitar Empleo en el Gobierno Federal
• Workshop #3 - Identify and Eliminate Harassment in the Workplace
• Workshop #4 - Veteran's Town Hall
• Workshop #5 - Como Identificar y Eliminar el Hostigamiento o Acoso Laboral
• Workshop # 6 - The Census and You

The Federal Training Institute Partnership (FTIP) Community Outreach series of virtual events is made possible by the great support of Federal agencies, the National Council of Hispanic Employment Managers, LULAC National Women's Commission, and LULAC Puerto Rico.

Submit your local event or stay up-to-date with our LULAC Calendar.

Virtual Volunteer Opportunities With LULAC Programs

Be a Mentor and/or Webinar Facilitator From Home!

Volunteer virtually with our Youth Educational Enrichment Series (YE2S) program as a mentor and/or webinar facilitator! This online 10-month webinar series and mentoring program is designed to serve students between the ages of 13 to 18 and empower Latino youth to decrease the digital divide by immersing them in a STEAM-focused curriculum. Join our volunteers, have fun and help increase representation of Latinos in the STEAM-fields through social engagement and mentorship!!

LULAC has plenty of ways for you to get involved! Become a mentor and share important life, educational, and professional skills with students eager to learn. Lead a webinar to engage students in critical thinking, exploration of STEAM fields, and helping them get ready for a profession or trade in career fields of the future.

If you are interested in joining and making a difference in your community, visit LULAC.org/volunteer or contact [email protected].

An Amazing Pilot Year with Conexiones

Learn more! | A program in partnership with Spectrum.

We’d like to congratulate our two Conexiones sites in El Paso, TX and Kansas City, MO for successfully completing our pilot cycle of Conexiones.

Conexiones is designed to train, motivate, and inspire young adults to succeed in the technology sector. This program provides the necessary tools for our participants to continue learning beyond their high school education.

Grow With Google Playlist

Take a look! | Free workshops on YouTube at any time!

We’ve created a playlist of Grow with Google workshops in Spanish, in partnership with the Grow with Google Program. These videos are centered around small business topics to help Latino business owners thrive amongst challenges due from the COVID-19 pandemic and/or the lack of access to technology.

Join our very own Program Coordinator as we explore topics such as how to create and use a YouTube business channel to grow your business. Do not miss out on these FREE resources! See what’s available on our YouTube channel, now!

Support these programs and others by donating today!

LULAC Councils

Census Outreach Caravan held in San Antonio

Texas LULAC District XV Director Mari Sandoval has worked with the City of San Antonio, Methodist Healthcare Ministries, and Bexar County & State U.S. Census representatives to organize these caravans throughout the city. The Outreach Caravans are to promote more participation in the Census and were done throughout the city in critical neighborhoods and hard-to-count areas. Recently, Councilwoman Dr. Adriana Garcia from City Council District 4 partnered & participated in an Outreach Caravan.

LULAC Council 354

Thank you to LULAC Council 354 of Kenosha, WI for helping residents in their communities going through food insecurities with the help of the COVID-19 Council Relief Micro Stipend. Council members came together and were able to donate food baskets to families in need and collaborated with St. Mark's church to help others in the community. Visit their Facebook page to explore more photos and information about their efforts.

Tell us what you’re doing to support your communities! Email us at [email protected].

National Partners

American Kidney Fund’s Action Week

Now through Friday, September 18—With a focus on prevention and education, the American Kidney Fund's Kidney Action Week is a series of virtual activities designed to enlighten, entertain and encourage you to live your healthiest life by preventing kidney disease. Join us for kidney-friendly cooking demonstrations, fitness activities, chats with a nephrologist and dietitian, and much more.

Join the Facebook group and learn more about prevention, staying healthy and resources available to you or a loved one. Click here: Facebook group

T‑Mobile Launches Project 10Million

Thursday, September 3—Project 10Million is a $10.7 billion initiative to close the homework gap and connect those students who need it most. The project aims to deliver internet connectivity to millions of underserved student households across the country with free wireless hotspots, free high-speed data, and access to at-cost laptops and tablets. Learn more!

Smithfield pledges $2 million over the next two years to help with job readiness in North Carolina

Friday, September 4—Watch LULAC National CEO, Sindy Benavides, contribute to the conversation on why access to broadband is important to providing education and training for our communities. Students in rural areas need internet access, and this is a step in the right direction to long-term challenges for many disadvantaged communities.

Take part in supporting our communities by donating today!

Upcoming Elections

Many states have taken measures to protect citizens from exposure during the COVID-19 outbreak. Here are the latest updates and what you should keep an eye on.

47 Days Left to Election Day

Be sure you are registered and request a mail-in ballot, if available. Also, become a poll worker in your area to help your community vote.

News and Updates

She Can't Vote Herself, But This DACA Recipient Is Working To Register Others

Tuesday, September 15—NPR

Latino, Hispanic, Latinx, Chicano: The History Behind the Terms

Monday, September 14—HISTORY

Latino construction workers have enabled construction boom, but at a cost, documentary shows

Monday, September 14—NBC News

Women who inspire: Black and Latina entrepreneurs who are excelling amid COVID-19

Sunday, September 13—NBC News

'He should still be alive:' Father of man who was killed in officer-involved shooting said

Saturday, September 12—KTRK

Hispanic voters say economy, health care and COVID-19 are top issues in 2020 presidential election

Friday, September 11—Pew Research Center

LULAC in the News

LULAC National President, Domingo Garcia, speaks on Latino voters

Monday, September 14—AP News

'Used-Mexicans' billboard taken down after days of complaints [by LULAC leaders]

Monday, September 14—KENS5

Our Press Releases

Read our latest press releases published at LULAC.org/news/pr. The following are selected highlights:

LULAC Says Firing Of Houston Police Officers Is The Right First Step

Friday, September 11

Read our latest press releases published at LULAC.org.

Do you have a special story? Connect with us via email!

Latino Discovery Hub
Look here to find new authors, stories, artists, podcasts, and social influencers who helped shape the identities, cultures, and thoughts of your fellow readers.

This week is about: LATINO SMALL BUSINESSES

Check out these small businesses from our Latino Flash Pitch winners!

College Thrifts by Patricia Garcia, CEO & Founder

“‘college thrifts’ is a platform for college students by college students. We seek to to create an inclusive college experience for all students by providing an affordable and sustainable way for students to represent their schools through means of a reselling app.

ConciergeBot by James Silva, CEO and Founder

“ConciergeBot is a white label, AI-powered virtual concierge for vacation rentals, boutique hotels and conferences. We are taking the vacation rental experience to the next level by providing an AI-driven conversational assistant platform to inform guests of key time-sensitive events and respond to their inquiries 24/7.”

Bodega Makeover by Evelyn Brito, Executive Producer

“An independently produced web series by Keep it Simple Productions, LLC, Bodega Makeover is a bold reinvention of the makeover series featuring communities around the United States that have largely been left behind by chain grocery and retailers. Bodegas and their owners are the soul and lifeblood of their urban neighborhoods. This series showcases their stories and thank them for being there when others weren’t by modernizing their storefront, helping to build relationships with new partners, and therefore breathing new life into the community.”

Machitia by Joél-Léhi Organista, Founder

“Machitia is designed to help educators dedicated to education for liberation to improve their lesson plans, apply various pedagogies, and build community. Machitia will make it easier for educators to create, collaborate, and share transformative lesson plans.”

Next time, we will talk about LATINO SMALL BUSINESSES you should know about. Do you have an idea for something we can feature? Email us at [email protected]!

Engage with us online.

Use @LULAC and #LULAC for a chance to be in the next issue of La Liga!

That’s it for now!

As a reminder, La Liga will now be sent out bi-weekly. We are committed to keeping you connected and this change is only a step in bringing more topics that matter to you, right to your inbox.

WHAT’S NEXT?

• Follow our stories and events for Hispanic Heritage Month at LULAC.org/hertiage.
• We look forward to bringing you more workshops and content on our YouTube channel, so be sure to subscribe for our notifications!
• Look ahead: Don’t forget to TAKE THE CENSUS and encourage others to get counted before the deadline on September 30.

Did a friend share La Liga with you? Sign up to receive it here.

What do you think of the newsletter? What would you like to see in the next issue? Email us with your suggestions or questions at [email protected].