ARCHIVE DATE:  6 MAY 2008 

Ohio Latino Affairs Legislative Visit Day
Tuesday, May 6, 2008

Register your "Place at The Table" today!

Columbus – The Ohio Latino Affairs Commission is hosting a statewide Latino Legislative Visit Day on May 6, 2008, on Capitol Square in Columbus.  This full day event will bring Latino leaders from across the state together with Ohio legislators to discuss important public policy issues, and dialogue about needs and opportunities faced by Hispanic Ohioans.  The registration deadline is Monday, April 28, 2008, and community members may register by calling the Office of Latino Affairs at 614-466-8333.

The May 6th visit will include a welcome meeting with a brief overview on legislative advocacy, special guests who will provide a legislative update from the General Assembly, and specific meetings with local State Representatives and State Senators to discuss particular issues of mutual interest.  The day will end with a debriefing led by Ohio Latino Affairs Commission. 

The Legislative Visit Day is a part of the Grassroots Capacity Building Initiative of the Ohio Latino Affairs Commission.  Additional information may be found on the Grassroots Web Page.

“The Latino Legislative Visit Day is a great way to help Hispanics become involved in the legislative process.  As a growing community, we need to actively participate in the proceedings of state government, and educate stakeholders regarding the many positive contributions and potential that Latinos have to offer. This exchange of information is vital to inspire effective policy solutions that foster understanding and collaboration,” said Richard Romero, Chairman of Ohio Latino Affairs. 

During the last two months, the state's Office of Latino Affairs has visited eight major cities around the state, offering training on Legislative Advocacy to Latino leaders and organizations in preparation for the May 6th visit, as a part of the Grassroots Capacity Building Initiative.

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ARCHIVE DATE:  22 APRIL 2008 

Distinguished Hispanic Ohioan Awards Gala
Friday, April 18, 2008

Purchase your gala tickets today!

COLUMBUS - On Friday, April 18th, the Ohio Latino Affairs Commission will host its annual Distinguished Hispanic Ohioan Awards Gala at the Renaissance Hotel in Downtown Columbus.  The deadline for buying tickets is Friday, April 11th.

Additional history and background about the Distinguished Hispanic Ohioan Awards can be found here.

“Over the years, more than one hundred amazing individuals have been recognized for their efforts to serve and strive to make a better Ohio for all,” stated Ezra C. Escudero, Director of Ohio Latino Affairs.

The Distinguished Hispanic Ohioan Award has been a part of Ohio Latino Affairs for nearly 30 years, tracing back its history to the Distinguished Service Awards of the Commission in the early 1980's.  Each spring, commissioners award the "DHO" to Latinos in Ohio for their exemplary service, and the "Nuestra Familia" award to non-Ohioans or non-Latinos who have in some way made a beneficial impact to the Hispanic community in Ohio. 

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ARCHIVE DATE:  8 APRIL 2008 

Ohio Latino Affairs Commission Launches
Grassroots Capacity Building Initiative

COLUMBUS - Through the Grassroots Capacity Building Initiative, the Ohio Commission on Hispanic/Latino Affairs, OCHLA, is launching a series of workshops during the months of March and April across the state of Ohio.  The program seeks to build the capacity of Latino leadership and community organizations through training in grant writing, leadership, board governance, and legislative advocacy.

In turn, stronger organizations with greater capacity can better serve the community through English classes, workforce development programs, and other services to help integrate Hispanic Ohioans and New Americans.

The Grant Writing Training program will equip participants to identify projects with grant funding appeal, learn how to locate and select potential grant funders, and understand how to organize and produce an effective grant proposal.

Participants will also learn how to effectively engage in Legislative Advocacy by recognizing the areas of responsibility within the House and Senate. At the end of the workshop, they will be prepared to identify and select appropriate officials with whom to speak, participants will also learn to evaluate the best approach of engagement– written correspondence, telephone calls and/or visits. 

“Building the capacity of grassroots organizations is critical so they may better serve the growing needs of Hispanic Ohioans and support their integration into society. We support OCHLA’s efforts to partner with local groups and welcome this kind of training for the community,” commented Rosa Caskey, Ohio Director for the League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC).

For additional information about training workshops for organizations, please follow this link to the Grassroots Capacity Building Initiative webpage.

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ARCHIVE DATE:  8 APRIL 2008

Distinguished Hispanic Ohioan Awards Gala
on Friday, April 18, 2008

COLUMBUS - The Ohio Commission on Hispanic/Latino Affairs (OCHLA) will be presenting two different awards:  Distinguished Hispanic Ohioan, which recognize individuals, and Nuestra Familia which acknowledge organizations for performing service of exceptional benefit to Latino Ohioans.   

Awardees will be recognized during the Annual Distinguished Hispanic Ohioan Awards Gala on Friday, April 18, 2008, at the Renaissance Hotel in Downtown Columbus.  This gathering is attended by Latino community leaders, legislators, and representatives of state government, including the Office of the Governor.

Recent past recipients have been former OSU wide receiver Anthony Gonzalez, publisher George Perez from The Spanish Journal Newspaper, and Chairwoman Donna Alvarado of the Ohio Board of Regents.  CAPA in Columbus and Midwest Latino from Cincinnati are two of the organizations honored as well.

Additional history and background about the Distinguished Hispanic Ohioan Awards can be found here.

“Over one hundred amazing individuals have been recognized for their efforts to serve and strive to make a better Ohio for all,” stated Ezra Escudero, Director of the Commission.

The Distinguished Hispanic Ohioan Award has been a part of Ohio Latino Affairs for nearly 30 years, tracing back its history to the Distinguished Service Awards of the Commission in the early 1980's.  Each spring, commissioners award the "DHO" to Latinos in Ohio for their exemplary service, and the "Nuestra Familia" award to non-Ohioans or non-Latinos who have in some way made a beneficial impact to the Hispanic community in Ohio.

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ARCHIVE DATE:  8 APRIL 2008

OLAnet technology tools at the service of Latinos across Ohio

COLUMBUS - In an effort to gather and disseminate information, stimulate public awareness and enhance the outreach of the Ohio Commission on Hispanic/Latino Affairs (OCHLA), the Commission has announced the launch of OLAnet.  OLAnet is a web-based technology resource that will enable everyone across the state to find, distribute, and communicate information of interest to Latino and varied audiences in each community.

"OLAnet will bring together resources, information and knowledge from across Ohio.  We believe this tool comes at a critical time for Hispanic Ohioans and Latino community organizations, to take advantage of technology to close gaps and open our communication channels across Ohio," expressed Ezra C. Escudero, OCHLA's Executive Director.

To facilitate training, OCHLA staff will conduct two sessions in each of eight cities statewide.  Those cities include Cincinnati, Dayton, Lorain, Cleveland, Youngstown, Toledo, Bowling Green, and Columbus, all during the months of November and December.

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