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Orquidea Lulo Finds a Landscape for Success |
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 Meet Orquidea Lulo, a 49-year-old who came to the U.S. from the Dominican Republic in search of a better life for herself and her family. With little English and no work experience in the U.S., Orquidea took a job working for tips as a delivery driver for Pizza Hut. Her meager earnings made it difficult to make ends meet for her family, and she wondered how she would provide for them in the way that would lead to success in a new country. When she heard on the radio about a special landscaping training program offered by the LAA’s employment services, Orquidea was excited about the possibilities. |
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The 49-year-old’s love of plants started in the Dominican Republic where she had extensive experience with gardening through work and her own personal garden. After moving to Atlanta, however, Orquidea was not able to match her skills and experience with steady work. She immediately contacted the program coordinator with hopes of better employment that she so desperately needed. |
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| The landscape training program is part of the LAA’s larger Transitional Employment Program, which also includes construction training, nanny training and substitute teacher training. The goal of the transitional employment program is to help jobseekers who are having difficulty finding sustainable employment increase their skills and consequently, secure and maintain a stable job while providing them a path toward upward mobility.
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| In the LAA’s four-week landscaping training course, offered in collaboration with the University of Georgia, Orquidea was able to build on the skills and interests she already had. Along with fellow program participants, she visited various landscaping companies and nurseries, learned new landscaping skills, improved her English through classes, and received certification in pesticide distribution. Orquidea also received several credits that allowed her to continue her training with the University of Georgia.
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| After graduating from the program, Orquidea applied for a job with Lowe’s. Her application fell into the hands of a manager who had attended her graduation ceremony at the LAA. Already familiar with her skills, he immediately hired her. |
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“I am so proud of Orquidea and happy for her success,” says Marlen Ruiz, Career Counselor at the Latin American Association. “She is now working close to home and is very happy. In addition, there are possibilities for advancement! She does what she loves every day and feels that the investment she made with the LAA’s transitional employment program has more than paid her back.”
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300 Youth Join LAA's ¡INSPIRA! Summer Camp Program! |
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 The ¡INSPIRA! summer camp, a four-week math and science program for Latino children in first through seventh grade, kicked off June 2 with 300 participants. Staffed by certified teachers, college-age interns from local universities and high school volunteers, each session will include hands-on instruction in math and science, daily physical activity and enrichment activities such as visual arts, dance and drama.
Participants will take weekly field trips, visit local universities and hear career presentations from community members. Participants’ parents are also required to attend certain days to work together with their children as they conduct science experiments. |
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The summer camp is part of the LAA’s overall ¡INSPIRA! youth initiative, designed to improve academic achievement at the middle school level. In addition to the summer camp, the ¡INSPIRA! initiative includes the Mami y Yo early learning program, after school programs and the annual Latino Youth Leadership Conference. |
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According to Letycia Pastrana, managing director of community relations and development at the LAA’s Atlanta Outreach Center, the ¡INSPIRA! experience is not like an ordinary summer camp. “¡INSPIRA! is an enrichment program that supports what the schools are doing,” she said. “Participants will enjoy the hands-on activities and have fun while they are learning.” |
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The LAA identified a math coach in Gwinnett County Public Schools who developed a math and science curriculum for the students attending. Teachers received instructional calendars for each grade level, suggested lessons and additional resources. This way, the activities students participate in while enrolled in the camp will help them once they return to the classroom. |
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There are two sessions of the summer camp: June 2-27 and July 7-August 1. The camp is offered at three locations: the LAA’s Gwinnett Center, Summerour Middle School and the LAA’s Atlanta Center. |
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Volunteers Celebrate Cinco de Mayo with the LAA |
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LAA volunteers celebrated Cinco de Mayo with service and community outreach by spreading the word about vital LAA programs and services. Making good use of their Spanish skills, volunteers served the LAA’s booth at Lanza Group's Fiesta Atlanta celebration at Centennial Olympic Park and Plaza Fiesta’s Mariachi Festival.
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Latino students and parents from Georgia State University also joined in at Fiesta Atlanta, where they raised $1,150 for the Estudia scholarship, a partnership between the LAA and Georgia State that will provide some financial support each year to students who are not eligible for other scholarships to attend Georgia State University. |
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Kevin Carini, a volunteer who served at Plaza Fiesta, said he enjoyed spreading the word about the LAA. “The programs the LAA offers are valuable to an entire community of people,” he said. He especially enjoyed interacting with event participants, telling them about great opportunities with the LAA and knowing he was making a difference in the Latino community. |
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The LAA’s volunteer coordinator, Carisa Hettich, said that volunteer presence at both of the events was a great way to reach out to others in the community who need our help and reconnect with those we have served. We are always looking for more volunteers! To get involved, contact Carisa at volunteer@latinamericanassoc.org. |
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The LAA Announces Patricia Hoyos as Interim Executive Director |
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The Board of Directors of the Latin American Association announced that Patricia Hoyos will serve as interim executive director for the organization while a search is conducted for a permanent director. |
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Hoyos has worked with the Latin American Association for approximately 18 years during which she has taken an active part in the organization's growth and held several key positions. She began her career at the LAA as a counselor in the Employment Department, which she later headed up as director. During the past eight years, she served as director of human resources and operations. |
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“We saw Patricia as the right candidate for the interim position because she has a deep understanding of the organization's guiding principles and mission to help families achieve their aspirations for academic, social and economic advancement,” said Carlos Díaz, Board Chair of the LAA. “Patricia is well known in the community and well respected by her fellow employees. I have every confidence she will serve as a very capable leader during this time of change.”
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A Smart Partnership for a Great Start |
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The Latin American Association and Smart Start, the early childhood division of United Way of Metropolitan Atlanta, are partnering up to organize a substitute daycare teacher training program in Spanish. The program recruits and instructs adults on the needs of young children, how children develop and learn, and the needs of a child care program. Graduates of the program will be able to provide children with a caring and knowledgeable substitute teacher when their regular teacher is out.
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“As an organization dedicated to helping Latinos gain the knowledge and skills necessary to bring about positive changes in their lives and communities, we are excited about this program partnership with Smart Start,” said Patricia Hoyos, interim executive director of the LAA. “By contributing to quality early childhood education opportunities, the LAA is proud to be able to make such a difference not to only job seekers and their families but the next generation of Latino youth as well.” |
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Dr. Ari Acevado, a former professor in the Early Childhood Education Department of the University of Puerto Rico, will teach the Spanish language, five-day program. Participants will gain a sound foundation of young children's developmental stages and needs, current early care and learning best practices, the role and responsibilities of substitute teachers, CPR and first aid and more. The program also forms part of the LAA’s Transitional Employment initiative which provides job seekers with intensive, career-specific training and other supportive services leading to sustainable employment at a living wage and ultimately, family stability. |
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