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7am—9am 15th Annual Community Awards and

Appreciation Breakfast Mount Airy Casino Resort

312 Woodland Road, Mount Pocono, PA 18344

A message from The Latino American Alliance of Northeast Pennsylvania’s President, Pedro L. Anés

During this celebration of The Latino American Alliance’s legacy of helping our most vulnerable residents and serving the greater community, we are planting the seeds to grow future leaders and collaborative partnerships that will continue to enhance the quality of life for all in the communities of northeast Pennsylvania.

Our success and motivation have been deeply rooted in our mission: “to enhance and promote the quality of life in the communities of Northeast Pennsylvania by empowering and supporting the involvement of the Latino community.” Our vision is bold and we believe that, “By encouraging Community involvement, Unity, Respect, and Education, LAANEPA will enhance the political, economic, and socio-cultural diversity and richness of the region.”

Our history, like our service, was preceded by an emergent need. LAANEPA started in the early 1990’s at a kitchen table over a discussion about the influx of new Hispanics and our needs. In 1998, we became a 501(c)3 Non-Profit Charitable organization. Subsequently, the Latino Community Services Offices was created through the generous support of the Monroe County Commissioner’s Community Service Block Grant (CSBG). Today, LAANEPA has served over 2,000 clients, engaged in over 100 collaborative partnerships and continues to create services to meet the growing need. Our Signature Latino Impact Programs include: The Latino Community Services Office, The Familias Saludables Project, Step Up to Leadership and The “Latino-American Dream” Scholarship Fund. These projects promote economic self-sufficiency, support healthy families, help make a college education possible and inspire our youth to become the future leaders of Northeast Pennsylvania.

Success could not have been possible without the selfless service of our volunteers, employees, board of directors and business/community partners. Throughout the years, volunteers have logged thousands of community service hours, collaborative partners have worked diligently with us to provide their constituents equal access and quality services, businesses have sponsored scores of community events and we have graduated over 100 students through our Step Up to Leadership Program, in partnership with Penn State Cooperative Extension and 4H of Monroe County. I salute each of our volunteers, staff, collaborative partners, and sponsors.

To keep up with the growing Hispanic population and our commitment to meeting the community’s needs, we are continuing plans to expand our reach. The Loder Senior Center, Coolbaugh Township’s Community Center and our Scranton office at the O’Malley & Langan building allows us to reach over 75,000 Hispanic individuals and families giving us a base of operations from East Stroudsburg to Scranton to further promote collaborative partnerships for decades to come.

Thank you for your continued support of The Latino American Alliance of Northeast Pennsylvania. Looking forward, there are so many ways you can support our mission such as attending Hispanic Heritage Month events, Dia de Los Reyes/Toys for Kids, Cinco de Mayo dinner, La Fiesta en Stroudsburg at Stroudfest, volunteering your time, serving on the board of directors/committees or making a donation to support one of our projects.

We hope you will embrace our past, present and future throughout the coming years. Help us share the story of how we make an impact on the lives of our clients and those in our community as we continue to “Bridge the Latino Community to Northeast Pennsylvania.”

Pedro Luis Anes, President

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www.ccbh.com

Se habla Espanol

Congratulations to LAANEPA

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7:00am Registration and Networking 7:30am Welcome 7:35am Pledge of Allegiance Singing of the American National Anthem, The Star Spangled Banner Mrs. Mandy Gambal and students from the Pocono Mountain West High School Choral Class Invocation: Pastor Emilio Quintero 7:40am Breakfast - Latin Dance Performance by Gigi & Company Dance Studio 8:05am President’s Message: Pedro L. Anés 8:15am The LAANEPA Story: Testimonials 8:30am Guest Speaker WNEP 16 News Co-Anchor, Sofia Ojeda 8:45am Awards Presentation: Pedro L. Anés 9:00am Closing Remarks Vice President of Development, Elika Almeida

If you didn’t have an opportunity to network earlier, please stay a few more minutes to network and take pictures with us and Sofia Ojeda at our Photo Booth

Studio provided by Kate Duffy Photography.

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What is National Hispanic Heritage Month?

Each year, Americans observe National Hispanic Heritage Month from September 15 to October 15, by celebrating the histories, cultures and contributions of American citizens whose ancestors came from Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean and Central and South America. The observation started in 1968 as Hispanic Heritage Week under President Lyndon Johnson and was expanded by President Ronald Reagan in 1988 to cover a 30-day period starting on September 15 and ending on October 15.

Today, we not only celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month, we are proud to celebrate LAANEPA’s 15th Anniversary and we are so glad you are here at our 15th Annual Community Awards and Appreciation Breakfast to celebrate with us. All proceeds and charitable donations from this event directly fund Our Signature Latino Impact Programs including: The Latino Community Services Office, The Familias Saludables Project, Step Up to Leadership and The “Latino-American Dream” Scholarship Fund. These projects promote economic self-sufficiency, support healthy families, help make a college education possible and inspire our youth to become the future leaders of Northeast Pennsylvania. About The Latino American Alliance of Northeast Pennsylvania: LAANEPA is a Pennsylvania registered Non-profit Organization with 501c3 status since 1998. The mission of LAANEPA is to enhance and promote the quality of life in the communities of Northeast Pennsylvania by empowering and supporting the involvement of the Latino community. By encouraging Community involvement, Unity, Respect and Education, LAANEPA seeks to enhance the political, economic and sociocultural diversity and richness of the region.

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Can you identify these Spanish Speaking Countries?

Argentina * Bolivia * Chile * Colombia *Costa Rica * Cuba * Dominican Republic * Ecuador * El Salvador *

Guatemala * Honduras * Mexico * Nicaragua * Panama * Paraguay * Peru * Puerto Rico * Spain *

United States * Uruguay * Venezuela *Equatorial Guinea

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Interesting and important facts about each of these countries is available on your tables.

Can you identify this Spanish speaking country? Hint: It's not in Latin America!

Sofia Ojeda is the Weeknight 7, 10, 11 Co-anchor with Scott Shaffer. She joined the Newswatch 16 team in November, 2010 as the Lackawanna County beat reporter... and a few months later became the weekend anchor. In 2013 she moved up to the prime-time seat, and looks forward to being your first choice of news you trust. Before hitting up the great state of Pennsylvania, she spent quite some time in the Empire State. Sofia worked as the morning anchor and reporter at WETM in Elmira.

She also worked at WIVT/WBGH in Binghamton as an an-chor/reporter for three years. Before getting to the southern tier, she was in New York City; first at WABC as a Desk Assistant, and then a freelance reporter at News 12 the Bronx. Sofia was born in Lima, Peru and moved to U.S. when she was a little girl. She grew up in New Jersey and later graduated from The College of New Jersey with a degree in Communications. Sofia is fluent in Spanish and loves learning other languages and cultures. She played basketball in college and still loves an occasional pick-up game. Sofia loves taking road trips and spending time with friends and family.

Meet our Guest Speaker, Sofia Ojeda WNEP—Channel 16 News Co-Anchor

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Sofia Ojeda: Un Orgullo Hispano

570-994-4119 Elika@ptd.net www.eaweddingplanner.com

Event Planning Services:

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Spanish/American Cuisine and Take Out

Pocono Creek Plaza Rt. 611

570-620-2400

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BAYADA is a trusted leader in providing clinical care and support services at home for adults and seniors. We understand that

nothing is more important than the safety and well-being of our clients.

Call 570-424-9455. Serving Monroe, Pike, and Wayne counties

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Latino Community Services

Project (LCS)

Latino Community Service Offices: Latino Community Service Offices: The Latino Community Service Offices (LCS) provide free & confidential services to individuals in the community. The purpose of the LCS office is to connect people to the relevant resources that solve a critical problem, empowers them to help themselves and that may ultimately improve their quality of life.

SERVICES: Information and Referrals Employment and Education Assistance System Advocacy Translation/Interpretations

Contact: Johanna Ortegon Community Services Manager

Case Manager LAANEPA Office: 570.420.3725 Email: Johanna@laanepa.org

www.laanepa.org 7

Step up to Leadership Program The Step up to Leadership Program is a partnership between Penn State University and the 4H of Monroe County. The program prepares today’s youth by teaching them basic leadership skills to become tomorrow’s leaders. Youth Learning Objectives are: Learning to identify your own leadership skills and build on your

strengths and those of teammates. Acquire competencies in communication, group process,

relationship building, planning and organizing, diversity, assessment, and service learning.

Apply leadership skills to real life experiences. Learn to influence and support others in a positive manner

towards a common goal. Learn about career and community service possibilities. Understanding, accepting and valuing diverse backgrounds.

Teaches Youth Relationship Building Communication Skills

Planning & Organizing Group Process

Diversity Peer Mediation

Assessing their leadership abilities

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Thank you to our Volunteers

Jorge Almeida, Jr. Divena Marcano Steven Burgoon

Brittney Offutt Carmen Fernandez Brian Kistler

Aida Montanez Liliana Cesarano Don Slepian

Jasmin Sacarello Gus Pinzon Jan Slepian

Yazmin Malpica Keiba Bragg Best Fatima DaSilva

Francisca Ortiz Paola Tavera Isela Martinez

Enrique Montalvo Ashley Smith Emma Avci

Maria P. Aparicio Robyn Macey Evan Douglas Johnson Agustin A. Rodriguez Anna K.Governali

We value our volunteers and the selfless service they provide! If interested in volunteering, please contact Johanna Ortegon at: Johanna@laanepa.org

Thank you Mrs. Mandy Gambal, Pocono Mountain West High School Choral Director and her talented students for being part of our 15th Anniversary Celebration!

Jeremiah Abrun Michele Brisco Sarah Corchado Jaysen Engle Armando Hopson Marquai Jardine Kelsey Lewis Isaac Moodie Quiani Richardson Madison Williams Chase Weiss Emily Young

THANK YOU TO POCONO MOUNTAIN WEST HIGH SCHOOL’S CHORAL CLASS

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Collaborative Partners Opportunity Associates Immigration - The Foundation of America Conference The Monroe County Commissioners, Community Service Block Grant (CSBG) Pocono Medical Center- Familias Saludables Grant Youth Infusion, Inc.- Shape Up!/ Step Up To Leadership Pocono Alliance- Bridges Out of Poverty Penn State University, Monroe County Cooperative Extension 4H of Monroe County Northampton Community College- Adult Literacy

Media Partners WNEP 16 News Pocono Record

Business Sponsors and Supporters Gigi and Company Dance Studio Welcome To Salsa Kate Duffy Photography EA Business Consultants ELysian Events Mrs. Mandy Gambal, Choral Director PMWHS Sherman Theater Jacob Stroud Foundation O’Malley and Langan Law Firm Best Buy Tannersville Physical Therapy and Wellness Center Manpower Shawnee Playhouse White Ink International Cypress Moon Healing Arts Popcorn Buddha Advanced Cleanroom Microclean Balloonworks by the Party Girls

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We would like to congratulate our

Youth graduates from our Fall Session- Step up to Leadership Program

Current Step up to Leadership Youth Graduates Sophia Saavedra Iman Montanez Destiny Cartagena Amani Ellerbee Nia Esposito

Past Graduates: Peer Mentors Rocio Saavadra Ben Mestonek These students are currently working on a service-learning project that includes raising awareness and support for the new Latin-American Dream Scholarship Award. Join these future leaders and our LAANEPA volunteers on November 10, 2013 at the Walmart in Mount Pocono. Please stop by to support them. Spring Step up to Leadership enrollment is now open. Spring session is for students in grades 8-12. Email: Elika@laanepa.org for more information and to enroll your child. A SPECIAL THANK YOU TO JANET FORD FROM ADVANCED CLEANROOM MICROCLEAN for sponsoring the students from the Step up to Leadership program.

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LAANEPA’s Latin American Dream Award is our new multi-year, performance-based scholarship fund targeted toward entry and completion of a post secondary education. Awards will be given to students selected from across NEPA. The student selection criteria includes academic potential, financial need, participation in our Step Up to Leadership program and volunteer work. Our goal is to ensure our scholarships help get students into college and see them through to graduation, instead of just supporting them their first year. It is a tragedy when students drop out, for financial reasons, before they can complete their degree. Scholarship awards range from $250 and $1,000. The scholarships may be renewable and growing in amount each year. General scholarships for college prep, STEM specific, students accepted to the Commonwealth Medical College, Dreamers, Disabled Veterans, Youth Infusion youth volunteers and students who have worked on service-learning projects, and Hispanic students will be offered. Eligible students must have graduated from high school and already be enrolled in a postsecondary degree or certificate program. Non-traditional students are eligible on a case by case basis. Applicants must have a cumulative 3.0+ GPA and demonstrate financial need. Students will be required to submit an essay. The scholarship will be paid to the school in the student’s financial aid package. Visit: www.laanepa.org/LatinoAmericanDreamScholarship

LAANEPA’s Latin American Dream Award

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Special Thank You to Sofia Ojeda

and to our Media Sponsor

Address: WNEP 16 Montage Mountain Road Moosic, PA 18507 Phone: News Tip Hotline: 1-800-533-NEWS (6397), *1616 (mobile phone) Newsroom FAX: 570-207-1344 Talkback 16: 1-800-228-WNEP Action 16: 1-866-ACT-WNEP

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