Cinco de Mayo and the Mexican American War

Being from Mexico myself, I am very proud of my roots. My favorite memory of Mexico City is when I visited the memorial statue in Chapultepec Park of “Los Niños Héroes.” In English, the "Boy Heroes" or "Heroic Cadets" were six teenage military cadets who died defending Mexico at Mexico City"s Chapultepec Castle (then serving as the Mexican army"s military academy) from invading U.S. forces which included the U.S. Marines in the 13 September 1847 Battle of Chapultepec during the Mexican-American War. One of the cadets, Juan Escutia, wrapped himself in the Mexican flag before jumping to his death.

The Mexican-American War of 1846-1848 was disastrous for Mexico, as it was forced to sign away nearly half of its national territory, including California, New Mexico, Nevada, Utah and parts of several other current US states. 

Fourteen years after the Mexican-American War, many Americans chose to fight along the side of their Mexican neighbors in the Battle of Puebla, Mexico against the French Army. Today, all over the United States in most of our major cities, this historic event is why Americans celebrate the Mexican Holiday of May the 5th—”Cinco de Mayo.”

Cinco de Mayo is a Mexican Holiday celebrating the Battle of Puebla, which took place on May 5, 1862. The French army was much larger (7 times larger in numbers than the Mexicans), better trained and equipped than the Mexicans struggling to defend the road to Mexico City. It rolled through Mexico until it reached Puebla, where the Mexicans along with some brave American volunteers made a valiant stand, and, against all logic, won a huge victory—this is what is celebrated every year in both Mexico and the U.S. to this day. This also had an impact here in the States because this stopped the French’s supply of weapons to the Confederate Army during the Civil War going on at the time. 

I have a strong belief that I can be just as proud of my Mexican heritage as I am of being an American citizen. I am very proud to say that I married into a Marine Corps family because all three of my wife’s older brothers served in the U.S. Marine Corps. I was a Marine myself and feel privileged and honored to be part of this elite brotherhood of men and women whose motto, “Semper Fi” epitomizes much more meaning than the words imply because our faithfulness extends not only to the country we serve but to each other as well.

Having said that I also want to explain to my Marine family why I chose to never wear the Marines’ formal “dress blues” uniform when I was on active duty. You see, the dress blues uniforms have a red stripe running along both sides of the outside part of the pant legs—symbolizing the Battle of Chapultepec during the Mexican-American War.

We are getting ready to celebrate the Cinco de Mayo here during the Kentucky Derby for the first time in history on Sunday, May 5, 2013 at 4th Street Live. This will be a huge day for the city of Louisville being that this will be the first event of its kind in the state of Kentucky. More information about this new Derby weekend event can be found online at www.cincoat4thst.org.

Remembering Cesar Chavez on 3-31-13

Cesar Chavez was born on March 31, 1927 an American farm worker, labor leader and civil rights activist, who, with Dolores Huerta, co-founded the National Farm Workers Association.

“We cannot seek achievement for ourselves and forget about progress and prosperity for our community... Our ambitions must be broad enough to include the aspirations and needs of others, for their sakes and for our own.” – Cesar Chavez 

Behold 1500 Latinos—Everyone Graduates (B1500LEG)

B1500LEG is a great example of how one community in Louisville, Kentucky is taking the lead in addressing the needs of others, for their sakes and for our own. Starting on Saturday, March 23rd a group of volunteers, tutors and mentors are providing one-on-one instruction to twelve Latino families to help their teenage children prepare for college.

On Saturday, March 30 Dr. Antonio Perez, B1500LEG’s Training Director, introduced each student with their assigned tutors and mentors in order to give each student the help they needed most. From reading, writing and math to calculus and chemistry—tutors took turns with each student in order supplement their learning in specific subjects of their choosing.

Dr. Wes Lites, Dr. Rhonda Buchanan, Dr. Angelica Muñoz, Sonia Ruiz and Ben Ruiz (along with Dr. Perez and Dr. Maria C. Martinez Blanco) are helping to organize this Saturday Pilot Program for the entire twelve weeks, ending on June 15, 2013. Starting in the middle of April, they will schedule special presentations of other resources that will augment the B1500LEG program.

In the meantime, Dr. Perez and his volunteers (now being referred to as The B1500LEG Innovation Team) are already scheduling extra consultations with tutors on after school weekdays with certain students helping them with ACT preparation, English, math as well as applying for FAFSA and scholarship applications.

Congratulations! B1500LEG Innovation Team: 

Dr. Antonio Perez
Dr. Maria C. Martinez Blanco
Dr. Wes Lites
Dr. Angelica Muñoz
Dr. Rhonda Buchanan
Eva Gonzalez

Yolanda Moore
Sonia Ruiz and Ben Ruiz
Spencer Scruggs
Brandon Barnhill

Sarah Garza

Erran Huber

Greter Sierra

Cristin M. Redmond
Matthew Hufford

Tonya Schumaker
Kenny Karem

John Norton

Cynthia Norton

Richard Campbell

Omar Gutierrez Rebollo

Welcome! New B1500LEG Students:

Jose Andre

Rachael Lezcano
Salvador Lopez

The Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Spirituality Lives On In People Like Dr. Renee Campbell

I believe that there are, among us, champions for minorities—unsung heroes in our community who, like Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., are devoting their every waking moments to the pursuit of equality for those among us who are disadvantaged. And, they happen to belong to the largest minority group in the world as women who have the courage to stand up for those who through no fault of their own are challenged socially and economically.

As the co-founder of both GLI’s Hispanic Latino Business Council and La Camara (the Chamber of Commerce for People of all Colors on Preston Highway), I have witnessed the tremendous development of social services programs this one individual has organized in the middle of the very community that needs those services the most. Services that are helping “people to help themselves” through adult education, childcare, youth development, income tax preparation, ESL, computer classes and providing affordable clothing for families.

I am talking about Dr. Renee Campbell—the Executive Director for Wesley House Community Services, a 501(c)(3) organization. Dr. Campbell is one of the five “2013 Women of Distinction” who will be honored on Wednesday, February 13, 2013 at the The Center for Women and Families’ 26th Annual Celebration of Service & Survival to be held at the Louisville Marriott Downtown dinner program which will also recognize the other four “Women of Distinction:” Madeline Abramson, Susan Ely, Tori Murden McClure and Mary Gwen Wheeler.

Dr. Campbell distinguishes herself as not only a full-time public service social services community leader, but also an inspirational community volunteer whose avocation is to contribute to the community locally, regionally and globally.

This year, Wesley House is celebrating its 110th Anniversary. Wesley House Community Services, was founded in 1903 by the Women’s Board of City Missions of the Methodist Episcopal Church South, of the City of Louisville and was the first Metro United Way Agency in Louisville, Wesley House’s programs are designed to meet the needs of the community it serves in the Metro Louisville Community. 

In 2006, Wesley House Community Services moved to Preston Highway United Methodist Church at 5114 Preston Highway where, to this day, extends its social services helping a very diverse community of people of all colors—of which 45% are Hispanic Latinos. 

Outside of her job at Wesley House Community Services, Dr. Campbell is Adjunct Faculty at the University of Louisville School of Education and an advocate for women and families. She is a founding mother and steering committee member of the Louisville Clothesline Project that brings attention to the widespread abuse of women.

Dr. Campbell was recently appointed to the Mayor’s Violence Prevention Task Force.  She has served on numerous Boards of Directors which include the following: Kentucky Mental Health Association, Center for Non-Profit Excellence Board of Directors, Louisville Clothesline Project Founding Member and Steering Committee, and continues to serve on the Metropolitan Housing Coalition Board of Directors and the Mary Byron Project Board of Directors.  

Regionally, Dr. Campbell is an Approved Domestic Violence Training Provider through the Kentucky Governor's Office of Child Abuse and Domestic Violence. Dr. Campbell was the first director of a transitional housing program in Louisville/Jefferson County, which was one of seven pilot transitional housing programs nationally. Dr. Campbell received local, state, and national recognition while directing this program.  

Internationally, Dr. Campbell has traveled to West African and obtained information about the challenging circumstances of many of the residents of Northern Ghana.  She visited non-governmental organizations, government officials, villages and other stakeholders to discuss and assess poverty rates, disease and illiteracy, and other issues such as family domestic violence and abuse.   She spearheaded and implemented fundraising initiatives to provide individuals with seed money to start small businesses, raised money for school uniforms and supplies for needed children.  Her grassroots efforts recently funded the implementation of a Internet Technology Center in Tolon Ghana West Africa.  She developed a partnership with the Girls Growth and Development Project; a local community based Non-Governmental Organization in the Northern Region of Ghana, West Africa.

Dr. Campbell is a native of Adairville, KY and earned her undergraduate degree from Kentucky State University in 1978 majoring in social work; earned a masters degree from the University of Louisville, Kentucky, Kent School of Social Work, with a specialization in Mental Health in 1982. Dr. Campbell received her Doctorate degree in Leadership Education from Spalding University in March 1999. Her dissertation topic was “Factors That Influence Success of African American Women.”

Dr. Campbell considers herself a very spiritual person who believes that individuals who are successful have a responsibility to reach out and help someone else.

BEN RUIZ

(Co-Founder of La Camara @ Wesley House, The Mayor’s Office for Globalization’s Magnificent 7 International Council and the Hispanic Latino Business Council).

Mayor Announces $7,400 or $10,400 in FAFSA Cash Available for College Now!

Mayor Greg Fischer and more than 100 students and education advocates gathered downtown Tuesday morning to promote the availability of college financial aid to those who act soon.

The event at the KFC Yum! Center lobby was part of the city’s 55,000 Degree program, the public-private partnership trying to add 55,000 more college graduates to Louisville by 2020.

The idea was to encourage students to act before the end of January by filling out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid form (FAFSA), at fafsa.ed.gov.

“Too many people pass up the chance to go to college because they assume they can’t afford it,” Fischer said. “I’m here to tell you that hundreds of thousands of dollars in financial aid and scholarships are available to those who fill out a simple on-line form.”

Students can qualify for more than $7,400 a year in state and federal grants for public colleges ($10,400 for private colleges) by completing the FAFSA, which is also commonly used to help determine eligibility for scholarships.

Grants, work-study funds and some loans are given based on need to lower-income households. Some funds are limited and distributed on a first-come, first-served basis; Kentucky’s funds will likely be committed for students at public colleges by early February and at private colleges by late February.

55,000 Degrees is working to help students and parents complete the FAFSA this weekend as part of College Goal Sunday, a nationwide program that provides free information and assistance to families applying for college financial aid. College Goal Sunday mobilizes financial aid professionals from Kentucky and Indiana colleges and universities to help college-bound students and their families complete the FAFSA.

College Goal Sunday events will take place at 17 sites across Kentucky on Sunday, including in Louisville at the Gheens Academy / Male High School, 4425 Preston Highway, from 2 to 4 p.m. For information on other locations, go to kasfaa.com

Indiana’s College Goal Sunday is set for Feb. 24 at 2 p.m., with the nearest location at Indiana University Southeast, 4201 Grant Line Road, University Center North-Hoosier Room.

Filling out the FAFSA can help students get money from other sources beyond federal aid programs, such as universities and foundations, Fischer said.

Filing a FAFSA is a requirement for many need-based scholarships. To complete the FAFSA, students need the following information for both themselves and their parents where applicable:

• 2011 income tax return.

• Estimate of 2012 income (or W-2s).

• Final 2012 pay stub.

• Driver’s license (student only).

• Social Security number.

“After making my appointment, the helpful service techs at UsedTire-Warehouse picked up my car while I went to eat lunch and they dropped my car back off in an hour! My car is running smoother than ever with the four slightly used tires I bought from Used Tire Warehouse—plus, it didn’t cost me an arm and a leg, either—I saved big!”   - By Ben Ruiz

Behold 1500 Latinos! A Special Article

A Special Article on Behold 1500 Latinos!
written by Courtney Groszhans for Ben Ruiz


A fact that connects all Americans: at some point their families were foreigners and encountered xenophobia from fellow Americans. Ask yourself, what hardships did my ancestors face when they first settled here? The new wave of immigrants are predominately from Latin countries, according to the US Census over half of foreign-born immigrants in the United States are Latino, thus the need for a community wide effort to ensure the need for a more educated tomorrow, enter BeHold 1500 Latinos!

Behold 1500 Latinos! is a city wide initiative to help a minimum of 1500 Latinos obtain college degrees by the year 2020 in Louisville. This is a part of the 55,000 Degrees Initiative in Jefferson County. Behold 1500 Latinos is seeking funds to guarantee the success of Latinos in Jefferson County. This grass roots effort is compiled of hardworking individuals, all of the leaders are successful Latinos professionals, helping Latino students find their own path to college. Behold would support and introduce new programs into the Louisville community promising the success of Latino students and promoting the importance of obtaining a college degree.

One of the goals of Behold 1500 Latinos! is to create a college-going atmosphere within the Latino community. As you know, children of immigrants in the United States face challenges their American born counterparts do not. Initiatives such as Behold are progressive as they are addressing a recurring problem in the United States. According to the U.S. Department of Education's National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), “Hispanic students lag [behind white students] by the same amount today as they did in 1990, which means that the achievement gap between Hispanic and white students has been largely unchanged for the past two decades,” (Time, 2011). These disparities have been explained as a ‘language barrier’ as 4 million Latino-Americans first language is not English. However, the difference is Latinos may no longer be a minority here in the United States, as they have the fastest growing population. States such as Arizona have taken an alternate approach in their dealings with Latino immigrants, but Louisville has been recognized as a city of compassion and has chosen to embrace diversity. Contributing to this idea, we have innovative ideas and compassionate people willing to help a community of immigrants achieve their own American dream of going to college and becoming a magnate in their community.

Funding could contribute to already existing programs that successfully impact Latino students in Jefferson County. Two such programs are La Camara@Wesley House and Adelante Hispanic Achievers, Inc. Adelante serves 80 Latino students, helping them socially, personally, and educationally. In Adelante’s eighth year of programming, the average GPA of their Latino students who have been in the program over three years is a 3.4 (a B+ average). By supporting an already existing program, this would expand the outreach of Adelante to greatly impact more Latino students.

Embracing the Latino community here in Louisville would not only cement the idea that Louisville is a city of compassion, but Louisville would be a prime example of how we as Americans should be embracing diversity in our community. By supporting Latino students, we are investing in our own future. By 2020, Latinos are estimated to represent over half of the American population. What better way to ensure success than invest in Latino students and ensure their likelihood of obtaining a degree and contributing back to society?

By 2020 Louisville could see 1500 Latinos with a college degree and be compassionate members of society. They would in turn be role models to the younger generation of Latinos that yes it is possible to be successful in America. By 2025, 1500 will easily turn into 3,000 Latinos with a college degree and so on. The hardest part is starting this process and showing people that it is possible and it will happen. The leaders of this initiative will not stop until these goals are met and will not stop working when they are. Funding is an investment in someone’s future and in Louisville’s future as well.

The organizers of Behold 1500! Latinos are accepting volunteers who would like to discuss this initiative and the future possibilities of collaboration. Please contact Ben Ruiz at 589-3224 or ben@adhawks.com

We Latinos are very lucky!

We are very lucky to be standing here united.

In the state that is called a commonwealth with its own state motto of “United we stand, divided we fall.”

It’s our motto as Hispanics and Latinos. After all, in Spanish, one of our most popular chants is: “Unidos—no podemos ser vencidos.” (United—we can not be conquered).

We are very lucky to have politicians like Steven Riggs, Reginald Meeks, Gerald Neal, Crit Luallen, Steve Beshear and John Yarmuth who, all along with others, helped us repeal the bill that mirrored Arizona’s SB 1070—which is now, unfortunately, gaining popularity with similar legislation in other states like Alabama and Georgia.

We are lucky to be living in Louisville with Mayor Greg Fischer who promised us Hispanic and Latinos that there would be no racial profiling within the city—a city that now has an immigrant population of more than 50% and represents over 80 countries.

And now, we are very lucky to be part of the 55,000 Degrees initiative because higher education is the most common denominator for people of all colors: brown, black, red, yellow and white!

Today, we Hispanic Latinos stand united in Jefferson County and surrounding areas including southern Indiana to support our own part of the the 55,000 Degrees initiative we have named “Behold 1500 Latinos!”

Through the Mayor’s Office for Globalization and one of its first International Councils, named “The Magnificent 7” we have called upon all of our local networks of Hispanic Latino organizations and other organizations that support us to help us organize a voluntary collaboration in order for “Behold 1500 Latinos!” will begin to assist Kentucky Hispanic Latinos in overcoming the barriers that hinder postsecondary participation and success and set Kentucky on track for college attainment and completion. The aim is to help 1,500 Latinos in Jefferson County attain college degrees or credentials by 2020 as part of Jefferson County’s 55,000 Degrees Initiative.

In our meeting on May 9, 2012 at the UFCW 227 Union Hall Headquarters, we are presenting this agenda for “Behold 1500 Latinos!”:

1. Dr. Antonio Perez will explain the “Behold 1500 Latinos!” plan and how the personal counseling will work eventually through a system of volunteers at various community centers.
   
2. Volunteers will be recruited for future tutoring, mentoring, counseling and training.
   
3. FIVE main collaborative groups will be identified in their respective category:

1). Community Centers (like Wesley House, Churches, etc.) where training classes can be held.

2). Collaborating organizations (such as the Greater Louisville’s 55,000 Degrees Educational Commitment, the Kentucky Latino Educational Alliance, La Camara, Hispanic Latino Coalition, the Hispanic Latino Business Council, etc.) who will use their web sites as portals for the information and ongoing communication about “Behold 1500 Latinos!” progress.

3). Social services organizations (groups such as Adelante Hispanic Achievers, Catholic Health Charities, etc.) who will provide direct services to youth and their families.

4). Educational Institutions (groups such as U of L and the Latin American & Latino Studies Club, JCTCS, Bellarmine University, etc.) that will also have resources for ongoing information/training/counseling.

5). Philanthropic organizations/corporations (organizations with foundations, etc.) that will invite grant proposals by Behold 1500 Latinos.

Our main objective is to create a real collaboration between all these five groups and to recruit a “Behold 1500 Latinos!” representative at each of the groups that can keep the lines of communication open as one or another group makes significant progress. Once the first funding is obtained for communication materials and training programs (these will start in the fall and will take place at centers designated by Adelante Hispanic Achievers, La Camara @ Wesley House) then all collaborating organizations can take an active role in the “Behold 1500 Latinos!” initiative through:

1. Grassroots outreach efforts for families and Hispanic Latino youth;

2. Student support through Hispanic Latino outreach coordinators;

3. Financial aid application support and financial literacy training;

4. Career counseling and employment support;

5. Peer mentoring;

6. Two-year to four-year transfer and articulation support; and

7. "Latino Student Success" training for mentors and facilitators.

”BEHOLD 1500 LATINOS!”

Announcing:
”BEHOLD 1500 LATINOS!” INITIATIVE
FOR COLLEGE COMPLETION: 2020

Behold1500 Latinos! is the newest initiative started by Adelante Hispanic Achievers,La Camara @ Wesley House Community Services, the Metro Louisville Office forGlobalization’s Magnificent7 Hispanic Latino International Council, theUniversity of Louisville’s Latin American Latino Studies and JeffersonCommunity & Technical College’s International Department. It is a grassroots effort aimed directly at Hispanic Latino student success in JeffersonCounty and part of the 55,000 Degrees initiative!

55,000Degrees, a partnership formed to support the Greater Louisville EducationalCommitment, was formed in 2010 with leaders in education, business, governmentand civic life who are committed to increase the percentage of our workforcewith college diplomas to 50 percent over a 10-year period. 55,000 Degrees isgrateful for support from both individuals and foundations, including the JamesGraham Brown Foundation, the C.E&S. Foundation, The Community Foundation ofLouisville, the Humana Foundation, the JPMorgan Chase Foundation andBrown-Forman.

Theprojected outcomes for Behold 1500 Latinos! are to assist Kentucky HispanicLatinos in overcoming the barriers that hinder postsecondary participation andsuccess and set Kentucky on track for college attainment and completion. Theaim is to help 1,500 Latinos in Jefferson County attain college degrees orcredentials by 2020 as part of Jefferson County’s 55,000 Degrees Initiative.

Strategies of the Behold 1500 Latinos! initiative include:

1.Grassroots outreach efforts for families and Hispanic Latino youth;
2.Student support through Hispanic Latino outreach coordinators;
3.Financial aid application support and financial literacy training;
4.Career counseling and employment support;
5.Peer mentoring;
6.Two-year to four-year transfer and articulation support; and

7. "Latino Student Success" training for mentors and facilitators.

Atmore than 50 million, Hispanic Latinos represent the largest and fastest-growingpopulation group in the United States. Fifty-six percent of Kentucky’s Latinopopulation is represented in the two largest cities in the state, along withtheir surrounding counties. Currently, only 19 percent of those individuals inKentucky have an associate’s degree or higher.

Representatives from the following 53 organizations (listed below) in and around Jefferson County will be invited to a collaboration meeting of Jefferson County’s “Behold 1500 Latinos” in May, 2012 (meeting time, date and place TBD):

Adelante Hispanic Achievers

Adhawks

ACLU

Americana Community Center

AlDia en America Spanish Language Newspaper

Big Brothers Big Sisters Hispanic Leadership Council

Brown-Forman’s COPA Latino Group

Boy Scouts of Kentuckiana Hispanic Council

Catholic Health Charities

Center for Health Equity

Center for Women and Families

Churchill Downs Backside Learning Center

El Kentubano

Exatec

Girl Scouts of Kentuckiana Hispanic Program

GLI’s Hispanic Latino Business Council

Greater Louisville’s International Professionals

Hispanic Connection of Southern Indiana

Hispanic Latino Coalition of Louisville

Jefferson Community & Technical College’s International Dept.

Jefferson County Public Schools

Jewish Family Community Services Center

Kentucky Commission on Human Rights

Kentucky Interfaith Task Force on Latin America & the Caribbean

Kentucky Mexican American Relations Institute

Kentucky Refugee Ministries

La Camara @ Wesley House Community Services Center

La Casita Center

La Poderosa Spanish Radio Station

Leadership Louisville

League of United Latin American Citizens

Latin American Club of Louisville

Los Aztecas

Los Monitos

Louisville Free Public Library

Louisville Metro Public Health & Wellness

Louisville Urban League

Magnificent7 - Metro Louisville’s Hispanic Latino International Council

Metro Louisville’s Human Relations Commission

Metro Louisville’s Office for Globalization

National Center for Family Literacy

National Society Hispanic MBA’s

Passport Health Care’s Cultural & Linguistic Services

Presbyterian Church, U.S.A.

Salsa Rythyms

Seven Counties

Sisters of Loretto

Sysco

St. Rita’s Catholic Church

Tri-State Minority Supplier Development Council

University of Louisville’s Cultural Center

University of Louisville’s Latin American Latino Studies

United Food & Commercial Workers- UFCW, Local 227

United States Post Office

For more details and updated information, contact: Ben Ruiz at 502-589-3224 or ben@adhawks.com.