Jackson
Heights Group Part Of ‘Latino Spirit’
2/7/08 Queens Chronicle
by Annmarie Fertoli , Assistant Editor
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(Carolina
Arnedo) Students at work
in one of the computer labs at Latin Technologies Inc.,
a non-profit workforce development group located in Jackson
Heights.
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Latin Technologies Inc., a non-profit
workforce development group in Jackson Heights, is part of a new
initiative celebrating the achievements of Latinos.
Under Espiritu De Progreso Latino,
or the Latino Spirit of Progress, four Hispanic-serving institutions
— three in New York and one in Los Angeles — will
receive funding to help support their goals.
A total of $75,000, provided by program sponsors
Chivas Regal Scotch, Malibu Rum and Stolichnaya Vodka will be
distributed among the four groups, according to program spokeswoman
Bessie Santiago.
The initiative focuses on three main issues
— immigration, health and economic development — as
part of its overall mission to empower Latinos, she said. The
participating groups were selected based on the services they
provide to the Latino community.
“At the same time, it also looks to rally
the community around that effort,” Santiago said. “We
still have a ways to go.”
Each group receives a set amount of money.
In addition, each has the opportunity to earn more money based
on the number of people it gets to participate in an online initiative.
The non-profits must work to encourage their clients to upload
pictures and stories showcasing their achievements to the program’s
Web site, www.espiritudeprogresolatino.org. Santiago said the
submissions can focus on almost anything, from a graduation to
the purchase of a new home. “It’s what is representative
to you of the spirit of progress,” she said.
Since 2002, Latin Technologies Inc. has been
providing services including computer education and work training
courses to the community free of charge.
“It’s about helping the community
to get stable jobs,” said group founder and executive director
Rodolfo Herrera. Latin Technologies also provides resume help
and interview preparation to its students.
Herrera estimates the group serves about 2,200
people a year. Most are from New York City, but the group also
has some students from New Jersey and Connecticut.
He added that a recent grant awarded to the
group through the City Council will eventually allow it to expand
its programming and move from its current location, at 79-02 Roosevelt
Ave. in Jackson Heights, to a new building.
One of the other New York groups participating
in the initiative is Mercy Center, a Bronx community group for
women and families.
“We wanted to make sure these were programs
established that we could help take to the next level,”
Santiago said. “I think a true test of success for this
program is the number of people going through these programs as
well as the community engagement.”
