Our community is in the midst of a new celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month. As usual, these four weeks of celebration, which began last Monday, will extend until October 15. And once again, our Hispanic Federation and the legendary New York store Macy’s have renewed an alliance that makes possible fundraising and donations that help us help our people. In this case, the funds raised are directed toward education and job training through our initiatives. CREATE Futures and the Digital Equity Campaign.
Another aspect of Macy’s solidarity campaign this Hispanic Heritage Month that I want to highlight is that this department store, which also operates online, takes advantage of the opportunity to advertise and highlight the Latin firms whose products and services it offers.
“In the name CREATE Futures”, notes Perla Rodríguez, Senior Director of Education Programs at the Hispanic Federation, “aside from the obvious meaning of CREATEthese are the initials in English of College Preparation, Achievement and Retention. That is to say, that CREATE Futures “It is aimed at increasing the success of Latino university students.”
In practice, CREATE Futures recruits qualified Latino students at participating educational institutions to mentor, mentor, and support first-year students and those who are the first in their families to pursue college. This help refers to aspects as diverse as tutoring and counseling on financial aid and other available resources, including those offered by the organizations that make up our federation.
As for the Campaign and the Digital Equity Centersthis is an initiative aimed at ensuring that the members of our community in many parts of the country have the opportunity to become familiar with the world of computing and computers, and can obtain everything from the most basic digital skills to the most complex skills and knowledge.
Those Digital Equity Centers They operate in non-profit organizations under Latino leadership, which provide services to our community in various continental states and in Puerto Rico.
“The main reason why the federation participates in the Digital Equity Campaign is that the Latino population, on average, is lagging behind other sectors when it comes to digital knowledge and skills,” explains Peter Michelen, Director of Workforce Initiatives at the Hispanic Federation. “In the community organizations of the federation and our allies, they can obtain in a fraternal atmosphere that knowledge and skills and, if necessary, support and help with other services, from immigration to violence domestic.”
Through this alliance on the occasion of Hispanic Heritage Month, it is possible to make donations in person at Macy’s stores, or through its website.
One way to participate in this Hispanic Heritage Month campaign is by making contributions when you shop at that firm’s stores. But the quickest and most direct way is via Macy’s website. There you will find various products from Latin brands and firms, and you can make donations of 1, 5, 10, 25, 50 and 100 dollars.
Additionally, if you visit that page you will be able to see the testimonies of young people from our community who participated and participate in CREATE Futuresas well as the data of the Latin firms that supply Macy’s with products and services.
And to learn more about other aspects of the Hispanic Federation, you can visit our websiteor call us at (866) HF AYUDA or (866) 432-9832.
Celebrate with us the 35th anniversary of the Hispanic Federation, and until the next column!
Frankie Miranda is the president of the Hispanic Federation