Portland, September 25th, 2015. Castaway was the place to support the Latino Network. Latino Network provides transformative opportunities, services, and advocacy for the education, leadership and civic engagement of youth, families and communities. At the party, Woodburn City Council member Teresa Alonso was pictured with Cynthia Gomez, Portland State University; Victoria Lara, Lara Media Services and Latino Network board member; and Oscar Arana, Native American Youth & Family Center.
Governor Kate Brown attended the cocktail reception where she had the opportunity to meet with key Latino leaders and Noche Bella honorees. (photo credit, Andie Petkus)
Mayor Charlie Hales, Governor Kate Brown, Carmen Rubio Latino Network Executive Director and PPS Superintendent Carole Smith
Izzy Ventura, Nanci Luna Jimenez, Jonath Colon, and Melinda Veliz.
Jonath and Melinda participated in the Latino Network executive leadership program Unid@s, which Nanci Luna Jimenez facilitates the opening retreat.
Latino Network’s Board of Directors: Annette Campista, Maria Elena Campisteguy, Hector Ignacio, Carmen Rubio, Jilma Meneses, (seated) Hector Chavez, Alan Finn, Nate Waas Shull, Jose Klein (Not pictured: Jessica Howard, Victoria Lara, Santos Cash, Paulina Menchaca)
Representative Joe Gallegos was honored with the Aguila Award, recognizing his outstanding commitment to the Latino community throughout his career, and especially for his recent accomplishment of working with the Legislature to pass the English Language Learner reform bill. Latino Network Board Chair Jilma Meneses presented Rep. Gallegos with the award.
The Oregon Lottery presented our student honoree, Aurora Resendiz, with a surprise scholarship for $2,000. Deputy Director Roland Iparraguirre encouraged Aurora to defy stereotypes by pursuing education. Aurora graduated from Madison HS in June and is now enrolled at Portland Community College.
Lai-Lani Ovalles of United Way of the Columbia Willamette; Sita Symonette, Jesse Beason, of Northwest Health Foundation; and Dani Ledezma, of Gov. Brown’s office
Renowned Mariachi singer, and former Latino Network staff member, Edna Vazquez performed with her mariachi band to start off the night.
Presenting Sponsor Portland Development Commission’s Director of Communications and Social Equity John Jackley welcomed everyone to the event, followed by a welcome from Latino Network Executive Director Carmen Rubio.
“Tonight, we are celebrating what we can accomplish when we cultivate the power and the amazing leadership of our community. When community comes together, rooted in our many stories, background and cultures yet reaching for our own futures, our communities thrive.
Our participants are mothers, nursery workers, bussers, teacher aides, students, infants, fathers, abuelos, factory workers, college students, professionals and homemakers. While these people sound diverse, the one thing they all are is leaders. These leaders, big and small, are being supported to lead their families, friends, coworkers and their own futures.”
Guests enjoyed four courses from Mayahuel Catering, which owns and operates Tamale Boy food truck and restaurant in NE Portland. Owner Jaime Soltero, Jr and Chef Abel Hernandez brought together the flavors of Latin America, featuring dishes from Puebla, Oaxaca, and Guadelajara, Mexico as well as Peru and traditional Mayan and Incan dishes.
The organization honored incoming Portland Community College freshman Aurora Resendiz. Aurora participated in our college and career readiness program Escalera, which works with juniors and seniors in high school to support students and parents in achieving graduation and post-secondary success.
Aurora also received a generous, surprise scholarship from the Oregon Lottery, presented by Deputy Director Roland Iparraguirre for $2,000 toward her education.
From Latino Network
Vision
Our thriving Latino community is respected and engaged.
History
Latino Network was founded in 1996 by community leaders who grew concerned about the lack of adequate resources to meet the needs of the growing Latino community. Since that time, we have evolved to become an organization that also encompasses transformational programs aimed at educating and empowering Multnomah County Latinos. Low achievement scores, youth violence and high drop out rates undermine the Latino community’s potential. We address these issues by promoting early literacy, encouraging parent involvement, working with gang-involved and adjudicated youth and families, and providing academic support and activities to high school aged youth.
Focus
Latino Network provides opportunities, services and advocacy for the education, leadership development and civic engagement of Latino youth and families in Multnomah County every year. Our work springs from the core belief in Latino community self-determination—that is, the ability of community members to participate meaningfully in the decisions that affect their lives and the lives of their families.
We Value:
- The advocacy, leadership and engagement of Latinos in the decisions that affect their lives.
- Our history and languages and our continued connection to them.
- The power of partnership and collaboration.
- The strength of our community’s rich diversity.
- Education and the advancement of our children and youth.
Our programs for children and parents, youth and adults help improve community livability, foster civic participation, and prepare for educational and life success. Our programs for children and parents, youth and adults help improve community livability, foster civic participation, and prepare for educational and life success.
For more information about any of our programs, please contact Edgar Ortega at [email protected]. .
