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Hispanic Americans with dreams of a college degree face different challenges than their White, and even Black, peers. For those who hold English as a second language, there are some inherent communication obstacles. For those who are first-generation Americans (or first-generation college students or both), extra guidance is needed to keep them from feeling overwhelmed by the college journey. Every college student faces obstacles, but the challenges in front of Hispanic ones are unique and growing in importance.

Some colleges and universities have recognized these specific struggles of Hispanic students and found ways to address them. READ MORE AT DIVERSE EDUCATION

Hispanics are way ahead of the general market for social and mobile usage. The more acculturated the Latino, the more likely they are to use these technologies. That has huge implications for your marketing plans, regardless of whether Hispanics are in your target market.
Latinos Lead Mobile Usage

Hispanics are no more likely than the rest of the population to own a cell phone or a smartphone. However, they are more “cell phone focused” than other demographics. Over 50% live in cell phone only households. Plus, they are twice as likely as Anglos to go online primarily via their mobile.

That’s only the beginning. Hispanics are early adopters of virtually all mobile activities. They are three times as likely as the general market to check into locations. Two thirds of Latinos listen to music on their phone vs. 42% of Anglos. And cell based video chat is used by one third of Hispanics compared to less than one fifth of the general population.

Hispanics’ affinity for mobile usage extends to shopping. Latinas index at 156 vs white women for making a mobile purchase in the past thirty days. They also do more pre-shopping research via their phone. READ MORE

The Center for Hispanic Leadership (CHL) has awarded a scholarship to the Samuel Curtis Johnson Graduate School of Management at Cornell University - that will provide all Hispanic/Latino MBA students with access to CHL’s online Hispanic Leadership Academy (HLA). The three-year grant is a fitting next chapter in the history between CHL and Cornell University as Frank Llopis, father to CHL Founder, Glenn Llopis, was the first Hispanic student to graduate with a Chemical Engineering degree in 1940.

Moving forward, CHL’s goal is to continue to cultivate a mutually rewarding long-term partnership that will benefit all incoming and existing Hispanic/Latino MBA students for generations to come. “We are delighted to share CHL’s Hispanic Leadership Academy with the standards of excellence that represent Cornell University and the Johnson Graduate School of Management,” says Llopis, whose 2009 book, Earning Serendipity, 4 Skills for Creating and Sustaining Good Fortune in Your Work, was inspired by the life lessons and wisdom his father taught him. READ MORE

According to a new study conducted by the Association of Hispanic Advertising Agencies (AHAA), Latinos that make above $50,000 a year are becoming a larger market segment and will most likely shape important consumption patterns in the overall U.S. marketplace.

The study found that in 2012, close to 15 million Latinos who earn between $50,000 and $100,000 a year represented over a quarter of the Hispanic population in the United States.

The study says, promisingly, that this number is expected to double by 2015.The Latino segment alone now has a spending capacity of about half a billion dollars, or 37 percent, of the $1.3 billion that the entire Latino population spend annually in the United States.

The study, "America's New Upscale Segment: Latinos," was designed by AHAA in collaboration with Nielsen and was presented by experts Reni Díaz and Carlos Santiago. READ MORE

Shopping has always been a family experience for me, whether I was heading out with my grandparents or my mother, with my boyfriend, or with my kids.

As a child in central California, I loved going to the weekly flea-markets with my grandparents. In my family, it was called "la ramada," a word I believe we used because of the covered, open-sided stalls that lined the rows of the dirt field. These days were exciting: There were samples being given out by the farmers; there was music blaring from the vendors' booths.

When I moved to Mexico after college, I spent six out of seven days at work. On my days off, my boyfriend and I looked forward to going shopping together. The tianguis that sprouted weekly in our neighborhood was much like the "ramada" experience of my childhood. The weekend trip to the big-box store was not that different: We'd either go to La Ley, Gigante or maybe Wal-Mart. Rather than been seen as a chore, it was fun.

In the stores, there almost always were "edecanes," young women offering samples of anything from crackers and cookies to cheese and tequila. Often, there was a DJ loudly playing banda music, with more pretty girls on hand to pass out balloons or to spin a lottery wheel to give away branded prizes.

I was reminded of all this when I spotted this article on the growing movement to capture the hearts and wallets of Hispanic consumers: PYMNTS.com Mobile, Social And Loyalty Savvy: Keys To Encouraging Hispanic Spending

If you read Gustavo Arellano's column Ask a Mexican, you may remember seeing a reader ask why Mexicans get dressed up and head out as whole families to go to the swap meet. From personal experience, I'd say it's because we see it as family time. Often it's something we do on a Sunday, maybe after church or before we go to some other family event. It's an outing for us, not a chore. It's time that we take advantage of, an opportunity for entertainment (and a budget- and family-friendly outing at that!) and time to spend together.

I hope retailers will catch onto this as they look to reach out to the Latino community. I sure miss those samples of cheese and tequila.

New America Media Q & A with Rose Castillo Guilbault, celebrated author of the memoir, “Farmworker’s Daughter: Growing Up Mexican in America,” has just released a new work with co-author Louis E.V. Nevaer, entitled “The Latinas Guide to Success in the Workplace.” Guilbault spoke to New America Media about the new book, and her own experience growing up as an immigrant in the U.S.

New America Media: Why focus on Latinas in the workplace?

Rose Castillo Guilbault: I’ve been in the business world for a long time, and I always felt that I had no one to talk to or seek advice from. So I kind of conceived it as a book of mentoring. If Latinas come and talk to me with various work-related, career-related questions, these would be the [types of] things that I would tell them.

NAM: What was your own experience in the workplace?

RCG: I went to college -- which was a big step to begin with -- and majored in journalism. Broadcasting was a field where they were welcoming women and minorities, because of affirmative action in the 1970’s.

There just wasn’t anybody at that time that could mentor me. The few of us that were in broadcasting… were all at the same level. We weren’t getting the kind of advice that we probably needed. So often I found myself as the only woman, the only Latina in meetings and boardrooms. It was lonely.

And then when I moved from broadcasting into the corporate world, it was a whole other thing. I was always looking for other women that could help you figure things out. [But] there wasn’t a lot of help along the way -- you have to make your own way. READ MORE

Arizona lawmakers passed a law to dismantle a Mexican American studies program in Tucson schools, but the legislation has had an unintended effect: The controversy is renewing interest in the state and nationwide in ethnic studies and Chicano and Latino literature.

Some Tucson students have found new ways to study the subject while receiving college credit to boot. Others who had no interest on the topic say they are now drawn to the material.

"Underground" libraries with Chicano literature are popping up across the Southwest and are set to open soon in unexpected places such as Milwaukee and Louisville.

"I guess the irony is ... that we have banded together and created a new civil rights movement, a renaissance in Latino literature. Now there are people in Louisville, Ky., who will be enjoying Chicano literature," said Tony Diaz. READ MORE

While Latinos are gaining in political clout, they are also falling down the economic ladder, new Census numbers show.

Latinos poverty rates climbed to 28 percent after the census reconfigured its algorithm to take into account medical costs and government programs. The Hispanic poverty level rose after the government took into account safety-net programs such as food stamps and housing, which have lower participation among immigrants and non-English speakers.

Among the Findings:

—If it weren't for Social Security payments, the poverty rate would rise to 54.1 percent for people 65 and older and 24.4 percent for all age groups.

—Without refundable tax credits such as the earned income tax credit, child poverty would rise from 18.1 percent to 24.4 percent.

—Without food stamps, the overall poverty rate would increase from 16.1 percent to 17.6 percent.

"These figures are timely given the looming expiration of two key measures that account for part of these programs' large antipoverty impact: federal emergency unemployment insurance and improvements in refundable tax credits" such as the Earned Income Tax Credit, said Arloc Sherman, a senior researcher at the Center for Budget and Policy Priorities, a liberal-leaning think-tank. "Letting these measures expire at year's end could push large numbers of families into poverty."

Overall, the ranks of America's poor edged up last year to a high of 49.7 million, based on the new census measure.

The numbers released Wednesday by the Census Bureau are part of a newly developed supplemental poverty measure. Devised a year ago, this measure provides a fuller picture of poverty that the government believes can be used to assess safety-net programs by factoring in living expenses and taxpayer-provided benefits that the official formula leaves out. READ MORE

It’s no secret young people live on their cell or smart phones, but for Latino youth –that rings even truer. A new report written by Mobile Future and the Hispanic institute underlines young Hispanics and new generations of Americans spend heavily on mobile broadband technology – $17.6 billion on mobile devices and more than $500 million on mobile apps in 2012.

The report Hispanic Broadband Access: Making the Most of the Mobile, Connected Future notes that the legal immigration of people from all over Latin America has actually been a significant factor in American Hispanics’ embrace of mobile broadband.

As it turns out in many developing nations, infrastructure problems actually limit the ability for landlines to be used, as a result home internet is not common. This has actually fostered more creativity in how people engage with the internet. As a result accessing the internet using cell phones is actually much more popular. When legal Hispanic migrants arrive in the United States they do so having grown up accessing the internet on their mobile phones. Transitioning to smart phones and other similar devices is actually easier for this population of immigrants. According to the report this partly explains why immigrants are more likely to have mobile phones even if they have relatively lower incomes than the average U.S. resident. READ MORE

Veterans Day "Appreciation Event & Rally"

Monday, November 12, 2012 | 8 a.m. - 3 p.m.

Great Hall of Union Station (210 S. Canal)

#53VETS

Fifth Third Bank Chicago announces plans for its annual “Veterans Day of Appreciation” event on Monday, November 12, 2012.  The bank will transform the Great Hall of Union Station (Canal & Jackson, Chicago) into a patriotic celebration for those serving in the military. 

· 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.:  Volunteers will join local veterans in collecting last minute donations for educational scholarships that will benefit the Folds of Honor Foundation.  Street teams will be out in Chicago and other suburban locations collecting donations.  The bank will match all donations received 100 percent, up to $50,000.

· 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.:  Volunteers will assemble 1,000 care packages that will be sent to Illinois troops now serving in Afghanistan.  Several of the items contained in the care packages are from Chicago-based companies.  This effort was inspired by local veteran group Heart of a Marine Foundation.  www.heartofamarine.org The public is invited – and encouraged – to come to the event and visit Appreciation Stations that will be set up where they can write notes of support and appreciation that will go into the soldiers care packages.

· 2 p.m. – 3 p.m.:  Fifth Third Bank will host an “Appreciation Rally,” where local veterans groups will be celebrated and spotlighted.  Special guest Rear Admiral David F. Steindl (Great Lakes Naval Base) will join civic and business leaders speaking at the event.  Highlights of the rally include:

· The bank will present a check for $100,000 from its month-long fundraising campaign to the Folds of Honor Foundation that will fund scholarships of Chicago-area families of wounded or lost soldiers.  www.foldsofhonor.org

· The bank will announce that in partnership with local non-profit, War Dogs Making It Home, it will sponsor a dog named Friday, recently rescued from a local animal shelter, to become trained as a certified service dog for local veteran suffering from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.  http://wardogsmakingithome.org/

· Sending off the 1,000 care packages for their journey to Afghanistan.  United States Postal Service (USPS) employees, who are veterans themselves, will be on hand to help.  Volunteers and event guests will form a human chain that will move all the care packages onto waiting USPS trucks.

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USHLI & HispanicPro Latino Professionals Conference Networking Reception & Entertainment Night Enjoy an open bar, hors d’oeuvres, comedy, live music, and dancing!!!

As USHLI celebrates its 30th National Conference, join USHLI and HispanicPro for the largest networking event of the year for Chicago's Latino professional community, and a fun-filled night of spirits, comedy, music, and dancing! The Celebration will be sponsored by Wells Fargo. Product will be provided by MillerCoors and Quaker Oats.

Comedian Shayla Rivera will be the host of the night and will share her 8-year career at NASA and her transition from rocket scientist to the comedy stage. Together, a highly talented eleven member band with diversified musical styles from pop to rhythm and blues to big band and Latin rock, will perform for the audience, showcasing an extraordinary and unique sound that is all their own.

Our Special Celebrity Guest will be Tejano Music Hall of Fame Inductee Johnny Hernandez.  For nearly five decades this music legend has entertained millions of fans along with his brother Little Joe, and their band La Familia.  He has also performed with other music greats including Santana, Los Tigres del Norte, and Willie Nelson.

Thursday, February 16
6 pm – 8 pm: Networking Reception – Open bar and hors d'oeuvres
8 pm – 9 pm: Together – Open bar and snacks
9 pm – 10 pm: Shayla Rivera Performance – Open bar and snacks
10 pm – 12 am: Together – Open bar and snacks

Sheraton Chicago Hotel & Towers
River Exhibit Hall
301 E. North Water St., Chicago IL 60611 

RSVP is required to attend. Please RSVP here: http://2012ushlinetworking.eventbrite.com/

A suggested $10 minimum donation, at the door, is requested to support the USHLI Scholarship Fund.

Click here for full conference registration. Discounted registration ends February 3, 2012.

The terms "Latino" and "Hispanic" are often used interchangeably. In fact, we, at the Fronteras Desk, have done so in our reporting. But we recently embarked on an investigative journey to figure out what those terms really mean, and which term most accurately describes the population we often assume it does.

It all started with a story my colleague Nadine Arroyo Rodriguez did a few weeks back – about a survey by the Pew Hispanic Center that found three-quarters of Hispanics/Latinos don't identify with either term.

Listener James Rogers, who's background is Brazilian, wrote in to say Hispanic and Latino don't mean the same thing.

“The story presupposed that the categories Hispanic and Latino only include Spanish-speakers," Rogers told reporter Devin Browne at his office in Phoenix, "and there’s a lot of Brazilians who would define themselves as being Latino, as well.”

Brazilians, of course, speak Portuguese. And as Rogers pointed out, there are more Portuguese speakers on the South American continent than Spanish speakers. Plus, there are more than 1 million Brazilians living in the U.S., according to the Brazilian government (the U.S. government says the number is closer to 400,000).

Rogers doesn't consider himself Hispanic, but he does fancy himself a Latino. READ MORE

Is there a need for the Hispanic Council on Federal Employment?

The next meeting of the advisory committee is scheduled for May 4, according to an announcement from the Office of Personnel Management. The purpose of the body, the Federal Register says, is to “advise the Director of the Office of Personnel Management on matters involving the recruitment, hiring, and advancement of Hispanics in the Federal workforce.”

Census data indicate that the Latino population will grow from about 16 percent today to about 28 percent by 2050.

The Federal Diary has reported, as it did last month, that Latinos — who in 2010 made up 7.9 percent of federal employees and 3.67 of those in senior pay level positions — are “underrepresented” in the workforce. READ MORE

The White House said Tuesday that Cecilia Muñoz, who has led its efforts to overhaul immigration laws, had been named director of the Domestic Policy Council, making her one of President Obama’s chief advisers on a broad swath of issues, including education and gay rights.

Ms. Muñoz, the highest-ranking Hispanic in the White House, had served as director of intergovernmental affairs. She replaces Melody Barnes, who left this month. Her promotion is notable because it comes at the start of an election year in which Hispanic voters are expected to play a major role.

“Over the past three years, Cecilia has been a trusted adviser who has demonstrated sound judgment day in and day out,” Mr. Obama said in a statement. “Cecilia has done an extraordinary job working on behalf of middle-class families, and I’m confident she’ll bring the same unwavering dedication to her new position.” READ MORE

by Lena Arnold

Copyright 2012

While shopping in the store the other day, I ran into an old friend. After talking for a few minutes I noticed my kids growing restless. “Hold on just a few more minutes, and then we will be on our way to the bookstore.” This sentence was met with squeals of joy and excitement. Their joy did not go unnoticed by my friend.

“What is that about?” She asked. “How did you do that? I have never seen kids get so excited about going to the bookstore? My kids would look at me like I was crazy if I’d said that to them.”

“My kids love reading.”” I responded.

“I can see that,” She replied. “But how did you get them to love it? All my kids want to do is play video games.”

I had to think about it for a minute. At the time I just took it for granted. I never thought I was doing anything special. I still don’t. But since she seemed to think it was, I started thinking about what I was doing. So for those of you who want to know the “secret.” I thought I would share some of the things I did, plus those of a few others. Really, all I did was model what our parents had done for us.

1. Read to Your Children Everyday. Sounds simple enough right? But you would be surprised how many parents don’t do it. I started reading to my children as soon as they were old enough to sit up in my lap and turn a book page. Now initially, all they wanted to do was eat the book, but that’s okay. They learned that books were fun-even if in their mind they were just fun to eat! Our kids are older, and can read for themselves, but we still read to them at night before bed. The special voices and inflections we use help bring the characters to life, and make the reading process more fun and meaningful. Plus they get to ask questions, which leads to other conversations and opportunities to bond with our children. Again, they are learning that books are fun! Fathers, this is even more important, because studies show that kids whose fathers read to them regularly are also more confident and less likely to engage in aberrant behaviors later in life.

2. Take Trips to Libraries and Bookstores! Kids like to go places. They learn from you what places are exciting. For example, the mom that makes the mall a priority, will most likely find herself raising a kids who thinks the mall is a priority. Why is going to the movies fun to a kid?-Because you made their first movie a fun experience. Do the same with reading. We made getting their first library card a big event. They talked to the librarian. We took pictures, and got a treat afterwards to celebrate. We make getting a new book a reward for reaching milestones instead of toys. If the book comes with a toy-BONUS!

3. Make Time for Reading.-Set aside a 30 minute quiet time for reading each day. Allow them to select a quiet place for reading. At first, I would question my kids about what they’d read to be sure they actually did it. But after awhile, I never had to ask because they naturally started telling me about what they were reading. They were excited to share. They asked me more questions, and the next thing I knew-we were bonding again. FUN!

4. Reading Time/Art Time-After reading, I encouraged them to draw pictures of what they’d read. Sometime we used clay. The point is to help their comprehension by tying a visual image to the story. Plus this is a convenient way to sneak in art. Thereby making reading fun.

5. Summer Reading Clubs-In the summer we attend the library book clubs, where they get prizes for reading.

6. Allow them to Select Books that Interest Them-Kids will read what they like. Last summer one of my children only wanted to read about dogs, another trains, another cars. Who cares? Not me. There was plenty of time to expand their world, but for now they were reading and loving it. Who cares if the book is tied to a movie they just watched? They are reading, but more than that, they are making comparisons, and they are adding to the story with their own imagination.

7. Refrain from making Reading a Punishment-Want to kill the love for reading. That’s easy. Just say something like, “If you don’t do what I tell you, I’m going to send you to your room and make you read and write a report.” Now if your kid loves to read this might be a reward-BUT I DOUBT IT. You will only tie reading to a bad experience.

8. Set Limits on Television, Gaming, Computer, and other Media Devices. Having a child know how to use the computer at age 7 is overrated. The same can be used practicing reading skills. Keeping the television on, even if no one is watching is a distraction and inhibits the development of language skills.

9. Be an Active Reader-children do what you do, not what you say.

10. Keep Books in the Bathroom. I know it sounds gross, but look, we all gotta go there. When kids gotta go for a while they get bored. Even a bored kid will pick up a book in the bathroom.

According to an article posted on Parenting online magazine reading is the fundamental skill at the base of all learning. It is simply a confirmed fact that students with strong reading skills tend to do better in school than those with less developed reading skills.

“...reading...nourishes your child's creativity, allowing them to create worlds of their own...think about new ideas and approach problems in imaginative ways...reading also increases the attention span of a child, something which is sadly limited in children today.” Said Kavita Nambissan, a regular contributor on Yahoo Voices

Video games and digital media cannot replace the active reading process. Our brains are hardwired to actively think and it needs time to process the information that is put into it. While video games, computer activities and social media have their place, they were never intended to replace the benefits of dynamic reading practices.

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Lena M. Fields-ARNOLD is the author of For This Child We Prayed: Living with the Secret Shame of Infertility, For This Dream We Prayed Companion Journal, Strong Black Coffee: Poetry and Prose to Enlighten, Encourage, and Entertain Americans of African Descent; and In the Absence of My Father.

Her work has been featured in numerous periodicals, including the recently released “Free to Fly: Transitions for the Seasons in a Woman’s Life,” published by InSCRIBEd Inspirations and “The Speaker Anthology,” published by Blooming Twig Books; as well as the soon to be released, “Jackie’s Way: A Children’s Book on Dealing with Anger,” in collaboration with the Columbus based Jazz Artist Mike Fields.

As a motivational speaker, Lena applies the lessons learned from clinical infertility to the social, emotional and spiritual infertility many of us feel in various areas of our lives. As a wife, and mother of three—including her “double blessing” of twin sons—Lena seeks to encourage and empower women, men, and young people to “give birth” to all their dreams!

Lena is also a respected consultant on family and youth issues and has spent the last 20 years working tirelessly on their behalf. She is primarily responsible for helping non-profits & businesses achieve organizational goals through the creation of effective development strategies.

Lena attended Lincoln University in Missouri on a theater scholarship before returning home to Dayton, where she completed her degree in Communications from the Wright State University School of Liberal Arts. She began her career as a journalist and has written for several publications within the Dayton community where she currently resides.

NOTE: PERMISSION IS GRANTED TO TRANSLATE TEXT INTO SPANISH FOR EDUCATIONAL PURPOSES ONLY, SO LONG AS COPYRIGHT CREDIT IS GRANTED AND AUTHOR IS NOTED

American Honda Motor Co. Inc. (NYSE:HMC) and the Hispanic Scholarship Fund (HSF) Friday awarded eight outstanding Latino undergraduate students a scholarship based on their academic success and interest in a career in the automotive industry. One of the eight scholars has also accepted internship positions at Honda operations in the U.S. The $50,000 scholarship fund for the 2011-12 academic year marks the latest step in a partnership between HSF and Honda that began in 2003.

Each winning student received a scholarship award and eligibility to participate in Honda’s summer immersion/internship program. Additionally, this year’s winners were invited to get an inside look into Honda’s Manufacturing and Research and Development operations in Ohio. The students will also have an opportunity to meet and interact with top Honda executives to discuss the future of the industry. In order to be considered, students were required to have declared their major in the areas of business administration, chemical, electrical, industrial, or mechanical engineering, and maintain at least a 3.0 GPA. Selections were also based on students’ demonstrated knowledge of the auto industry. This year’s winners are:

•Claudia Morales, DePaul University – Business Administration
•Dustin Gallegos, University of Illinois – Electrical Engineering
•Elizabeth Santos, Kettering University – Industrial Engineering
•Francisco Michaud, Drexel University – Accounting/Business Administration
•Henri Idrovo, Illinois Institute of Technology – Electrical Engineering
•Kenneth Castaneda, Yale University – Mechanical Engineering
•Nicholas Diaz, Ohio State University – Business Administration
•Tanya Miracle, University of Akron – Chemical Engineering
“On behalf of Honda, I’d like to congratulate the eight outstanding students who have received this award,” said Marc Burt, senior manager, Office of Inclusion and Diversity at American Honda. “We hope these scholarships will help reduce the financial strain of pursuing higher education and allow these talented scholars to focus on their academic pursuits.”

"Honda’s partnership with HSF demonstrates its commitment to improving access to higher education for Latino students,” said Frank D. Alvarez, President & CEO of the Hispanic Scholarship Fund. “We appreciate Honda’s willingness to invest in Hispanic youth through HSF and join us in our work to give more Hispanics the opportunity to pursue their dreams of earning a college degree.”

For more information about Honda’s partnership with the Hispanic Scholarship Fund, please visit at www.HSF.net.

About Honda

Honda is the world’s largest engine maker, producing a vast array of products, including automobiles, motorcycles, power equipment and, soon, jet aircraft – all designed to advance mobility and improve the lives of people through continued innovations in technology and design. Based on its belief in The Power of Dreams and in the ability of individuals to create a new and better future for society, Honda supports a variety of initiatives aimed at advancing education and creating experiences of discovery that help young people see and achieve their own dreams. Honda’s partnership with the Hispanic Scholarship Fund is one of many programs that demonstrate Honda’s commitment to the Latino community and to helping young people access The Power of Dreams.

About Hispanic Scholarship Fund

Founded in 1975, the Hispanic Scholarship Fund believes that the country prospers when all Americans have access to the opportunities a college education can afford. As the nation’s leading Hispanic higher education fund, HSF works to address the barriers that keep many Latinos from earning a college degree. HSF has awarded over $330 million in scholarships over the past 36 years and has supported a broad range of outreach and education programs to help students and their families navigate collegiate life, from gaining admission and securing financial aid to finding employment after graduation. HSF envisions a future where every Latino household will have at least one college graduate, creating an enduring impact on the college outlook of Latino families nationwide, and strengthening the American economy for generations to come. READ MORE

Robert Renteria's story needs to be heard. Young people are living in neighborhoods with more violence than ever before and gangs havebecome a routine part of the environment. For some of our young people, survival is all they know. We have to show them that there is more. We have to encourage them to look beyond, and have a sense of the future and look to where they want to be 10 or 20 years from now. Robert clearly illustrates that life is full of choices, and the choices you make will determine which way you go.

From the Barrio to the Board Room shows young people that others who were just like them, with similar experiences, have made something positive happen in their lives. How did we do this? Both Robert and I were able to disconnect from our environment to a certain degree so that we could not only continue to survive within it, but also look toward the future. Our personal experiences gave us the upper hand in dealing with gangs, violence, drug and alcohol abuse and our youth dropping out of school. We are committed to our community because we recognize that many of these young men and women need role models and individuals who can nurture and mentor them.

This is the message that Robert and I have in common. We've been there, yet here we are. We made it out from the Barrio and our kids can do the same. But the Barrio should stay with us as a reminder of who we are. I always say that you can take me out of the Barrio but you can't take the Barrio out of me. I also say that although I am the first Latina in the State Senate, I won't be the last!

When I visit schools I tell young people that education is the most precious gift that you can give yourself and your community. By becoming educated, you can understand the social injustice and economic issues that exist out there. What you capture in the classroom is something that nobody can ever take away from you. And you can choose to make it a positive experience!

A book like Robert's can make a difference and change the course of someone's life because it is a story that hits home. From the Barrio tells you that it does not matter where you are born, what community you grow up in, or where in society you may be; what matters is you and what you want to do with your life. Everything that Robert has shared-the words, his commitment and his philosophy-is a reality. He is living proof that a kid from the Barrio can make it, and his story will change lives.

-The Honorable Iris Y. Martinez

Illinois State Senator

For more information, please contact Corey Michael Blake at 224.475.0392 or corey@roundtablecompanies.com.

New U.S. census figures herald a future where Spanish is more likely to be heard inside classrooms and everything from politics to fashion and food will be executed with a Latin flair.

After a steady increase of Latinos in the area due to births and immigration, one out of every three children under 5 in Cook County now come from a Latino ethnic background, according to the recently released data.

In Chicago, more than 40 percent of children younger than 5 are Latino. In more than 30 suburbs including Carpentersville and Franklin Park, more than half of preschool-age children are Latino. In a few communities such as Cicero and Melrose Park, more than 80 percent are Latino.

What that means for the area depends on how well local schools and other community institutions can absorb one of the country's fastest-growing Latino populations, experts said.

School districts that have seen dramatic increases of Latino students during the last decade have sought to keep up with the population surge through dual-language programs and workshops for parents and teachers.

"Our goal is not to teach children English, per se," said Carol Crum, who oversees early childhood education in School District 130 in south suburban Cook County, a district where more than half of the student population is Latino. "That can be controversial. But it's about us building a strong language foundation and a pre-academic readiness for our children whatever their home language is."

In parts of Chicago and suburban communities where Latino enclaves have formed, the demand for such services often exceeds the capacity to supply them, studies show.

That has particularly been the case with early childhood education programs, which in Latino neighborhoods have seen longer waitlists as more young Latino families try to enroll their children in preschool.

A partial consequence: About 35 percent of Latino 4-year-olds in Illinois are enrolled in preschool, compared with 66 percent of white children and 54 percent of African-American children, according to a University of California at Berkeley report published last fall. READ MORE

The New Futuro Summit presented by Allstate is planned to be the largest one-day college-prep fair in the Midwest. Parents and students will learn how to prepare, apply and pay for college while avoiding the mistakes that may hurt their chances for success. The summit includes bilingual representatives from over 50 organizations, 30 bilingual workshops throughout the day with topics such as “Paying for College” by ISAC-College Illinois, “Your Roadmap to College” by New Futuro and “Navigating College” by University of Illinois at Chicago, plus a chance a to win $4,500 Allstate scholarship and much more.

WHO:
Latino families (parents & students) - Over 6,000 attendees expected

WHAT:
New Futuro "Road to College" Workshop presented by Allstate

WHEN:
Saturday, November 12 from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
11:00 a.m. - Live TV Town Hall broadcast with Univision
12:30 p.m. – Estimated time of arrival for Governor Pat Quinn – agenda still TBD
1:00 p.m. - “From the Barrio to the Board Room” - Robert Renteria, renowned author and Latino hero, will guide you to achieve your education and career dreams.
2:00 p.m. - Live Performances from Ballet Folklórico Revolución and Africaribe.
3:00 p.m. - “Plan to Win” - Marlene Gonzalez, expert life coach and Latina Hero, will help you use the power of education in your personal life plan to success.
4:15 p.m. - Co-founders Peter Wilkins and Marty Castro, among others, will be available for interviews with the press.
4:45 p.m. - Allstate Scholarship Award Presentation
5:00 p.m. - Headline Performance from Sones de México

COST:
All activities are FREE!
For more information, visit newfuturo.com/free-event

WHERE:
UIC Forum (University of Illinois Chicago), 725 W. Roosevelt Rd., Chicago, 60607

CONTACT:
Ixta Gerard
773-543-0652
email: ixta@sayhitopaco.com