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MAOF Board Announces the Retirement of the Organization’s President and Chief Executive Officer Martin Castro

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Martin Castro

MONTEBELLO, Calif., May 28, 2021 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — The Board of Directors of the Mexican American Opportunity Foundation (MAOF) has announced the retirement of Martin Castro, President and Chief Executive Officer. Mr. Castro informed the board of his decision to retire during the May board meeting after 21 years as President of the organization.

Martin Castro

“Martin is an exceptional organizational leader who has transformed MAOF making it one of the most responsive and best-performing organizations serving the needs of California’s diverse communities,” said Anita Quiñonez-Gabrielian, MAOF Board Chair. “Martin’s vision, drive and performance focus, combined with his commitment to serving the best interests of the diverse communities we serve, have materially strengthened MAOF and made it one of the most admired non-profit organizations.  He leaves a more agile and resilient organization, well placed to expand to better serve our community. I’d like to thank him personally, and on behalf of the Board, for his many contributions to MAOF, and we look forward to his continued leadership as we commence our search for his replacement.”

Castro has been employed with MAOF since 1979 with a five-year break in service while he was working in Washington D.C. with the National Council of Senior Citizens. Since 2000, he has played a critical role in the development and success of the organization. During his tenure MAOF grew from an annual budget of $33 million to $120 million, opened three preschools in San Bernardino County, expanded MAOF’s service area to seven Counties and increased the number of employees from 300 to 935 to expand services to low-income families. More importantly, he began operating services to seniors, including hot meals in congregate settings and home delivered hot meals to homebound seniors as well as started a transportation program.

Prior to 2000 Castro served as the Administrator and Director of the MAOF Kern County Programs, providing service to the entire county with a variety of programs, including computer training, medical worker training, bookkeeper training, basic skills training, foster grandparent program, senior citizens community service employment program, and literacy programs.

In 2003, he was named one of the 100 most influential Hispanics in the nation by Hispanic Business Magazine.

“I am grateful for the privilege and honor to serve MAOF,” said Castro.  “I’d like to thank the Board for allowing me the opportunity to have made a contribution in serving my community and improving the quality of life for so many families. What has been achieved during my time as President and CEO of MAOF reflects a remarkable team effort—the thoughtful and dedicated work of a committed and caring staff. The best part of my job has been working with such good, talented, and committed people.  I feel good about playing a role in the success of MAOF and having committed 100 percent emotionally all the way.”

Castro will continue as CEO for the foreseeable future while the search for his successor gets underway. To find an appropriate successor, the MAOF Board will engage an executive search firm to conduct a national search to find Castro’s replacement. He has committed to assisting with the transition and helping his successor become acclimated to the organization. Further inquiries may be sent to [email protected].

About the Mexican American Opportunity Foundation:
The Mexican American Opportunity Foundation (MAOF) is a non-profit, state-wide community-based organization that was established in 1963 by Founder Dionicio Morales to serve disadvantaged individuals and families in the Los Angeles area. MAOF is one of the largest family services organizations in the United States and has achieved this status by providing high quality social services and programs to diverse communities where the need is the greatest.  It currently operates in seven California counties with over 60 service locations and over 900 employees.  The annual budget exceeds $120,000,000.  MAOF Website; http://www.maof.org/

Contact:

Robert Alaniz

Milagro Strategy Group

(626) 437-3354

[email protected]

 

Mexican American Opportunity Foundation

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SOURCE Mexican American Opportunity Foundation

Zeel’s Partnership with New York City Vaccine Command Center Expands In-Home Vaccinations to Anyone Over 75, All Disabled, and Under-Vaccinated Buildings

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Zeel wellness on the way

NEW YORK, May 27, 2021 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — Zeel, a leading technology platform providing health and wellness services to the home and office, announces that it has expanded its partnership with the City of New York to provide for in-home vaccinations to thousands of individuals across the city.

Zeel wellness on the way

The in-home vaccination program is free to qualified individuals and their caregivers – and has now expanded to include anyone over the age of 75 and all disabled individuals, and under-vaccinated buildings. The initiative is supported entirely through the New York City Vaccine Command Center.

“We are thrilled to provide this critical service and honored to be working for our great city,” said Samer Hamadeh, CEO and co-founder, Zeel. “Vaccinating our city’s most vulnerable has inspired our entire team. We feel fortunate to be involved and will continue to dispatch the hard-working nurses on the Zeel platform to as many locations as possible. Our goal is to continue until every homebound, disabled, and elderly individual over the age of 75 in the city is fully vaccinated and then to return to them if a booster becomes necessary in the fall.”

Zeel dispatches up to 20 teams of three — a licensed nurse, a driver and an administrator — to each senior’s home and is capable of vaccinating up to 200 residents per day. The company expects to vaccinate up to 8,000 individuals between now and late summer. Zeel is one of several providers — which also include the Visiting Nurse Service of New York, Doral Health & Wellness and SeniorCare Emergency Medical Services — selected to work with the Vaccine Command Center for the homebound program.

Raymond Estrada, a former Captain in the FDNY and nurse on the Zeel platform, said he has been personally moved by the outpouring of gratitude, “When we arrive at their door, they feel like there’s hope, a real light at the end of this terrible tunnel.”

Eligible residents are encouraged to sign up for the program at www.zeel.com/vaccine or by calling 646-586-3593.

About Zeel: 
Zeel is an in-home healthcare, wellness and medical testing company, providing medical services through ZP Medical Services, PC, a licensed medical practice, lab partners, and a nationwide network of health and wellness practitioners. These trusted, vetted providers offer on-location COVID-19 PCR testing, massage therapy, physical therapy, and nursing care. All services are booked safely and securely using Zeel’s industry-leading, HIPAA-compliant technology and award-winning customer service team.  For more information, visit www.zeel.com. 

Media Contact
Beth Amorosi
917-208-7489
[email protected]

Logo – https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/746863/Zeel_wellness_on_the_way_Logo.jpg

SOURCE Zeel

Iconic Hybrid Makes a Bold Statement: Toyota Announces Prius Nightshade Edition

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2022 Toyota Prius Nightshade Edition

PLANO, Texas, May 27, 2021 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — The Toyota Prius is making a statement for model year 2022 with a new Nightshade special edition. Known for its wind-piercing shape, this Prius brings unexpectedly bold style to the car that made hybrid a household name. Featuring striking black exterior trim, wheels, and badges, it’s a Prius that brings a smart, confident addition to the versatile, road-trip ready carline.

2022 Toyota Prius Nightshade Edition

Available on the FWD and AWD-e grades, the Nightshade edition comes in Midnight Black Metallic, Super White, and Silver Metallic. Its unique exterior features include black headlight accents, mirror caps, door handles, color keyed rear deck spoiler and shark fin antenna. It rides on 17-inch five-spoke alloy wheels on the FWD, and 15-inch on the AWD-e, paired with black inserts and lug nuts.

On the inside, standard SofTex®-trimmed, heated, power adjustable front seats keep both driver and passenger in toasty, customizable comfort. While a Softex-trimmed heated steering wheel and semi-gloss black center console bring additional features to the Nightshade package.

Prius is the eleventh model, and the first hybrid to join the Nightshade family. Now, the lineup that gives customers a way to express themselves with unique details will boast the iconic car known for getting up to 54 miles per gallon.

No Limits to the Prius Family

First introduced to the world in 1997, the Toyota Prius was the world’s first mass production hybrid car. Since then, Toyota has sold more than 6 million Prius vehicles worldwide and more than 1.9 million in the U.S. Offered in the L Eco, LE, LE AWD-e, XLE, XLE AWD-e and Limited grades, the Prius Nightshade Special Edition rounds out a diverse family of sleek, sporty, and well-equipped options for customers.

For 2022, the Prius Nightshade special edition brings unexpectedly bold style to the storied, fuel efficient family. Powered by a combination of a high-efficiency 1.8-liter four-cylinder Atkinson-cycle gasoline engine and two motor-generators through an electronically controlled planetary-type continuously variable transmission (CVT), Prius Nightshade comes in both AWD-e and FWD models.

Recognized as the industry’s most fuel-efficient internal combustion AWD-e model, based on U.S. Department of Energy data as of March 11, 2021, excluding all-electric vehicles, the Prius AWD-e is rated at an EPA estimated 51 city/47 highway/49 combined MPG. The AWD-e system provides the power to the rear wheels to confidently pull away from a stop, yet the on-demand system recognizes when all-wheel-drive performance is not needed to provide great fuel economy.

The Nightshade edition is also available in front-wheel-drive (FWD) which is EPA estimated at 54 city/50 highway/52 combined MPG.

Form and Function Inside

The Prius’ iconic shape pushes the boundaries of interior space to the point that the EPA classifies it as a midsize car. Thanks to its unique liftback design, the Prius’ front-wheel drive model offers 50.7 cu. ft. of cargo space with the rear seatbacks folded down, which is more than in some small SUVs. 

Prius Nightshade edition comes with standard SofTex-trimmed seats throughout the cabin. On the FWD model, the driver’s seat is heated and has eight-way power adjustable controls and lumbar support while the passenger seat is four-way power adjustable (AWD-e model driver’s seat has six-way power adjustable controls with lumber support). Additional interior features include SofTex-trimmed heated tilt/telescopic steering wheel and door armrest area; chrome accent interior door handles; extended SofTex trimmed seatback pockets; 60/40 split fold-down rear seats with center armrest; and, retractable tonneau cover for the cargo area.

Prius Nightshade comes with a standard 7-inch touchscreen display and 6 speaker JBL® sound system with Android Auto™, Apple CarPlay® and Amazon Alexa compatibility. A SiriusXM® 3-month All Access trial subscription is also included (see toyota.com/audio-multimedia for details); a Toyota Safety Connect® 1-year trial, Service Connect 10-year trial, and Wi-Fi Connect with up to 2 GB within 3-month trial (see toyota.com/connected-services for details).

Customers can keep their devices connected and charged in their Prius Nightshade with an auxiliary audio jack, one USB 2.0 port with iPod® connectivity and two 2.1-amp USB charge ports, a Qi wireless phone charging tray that accommodates larger phones, and one 12V power outlet. Additional technology features include advanced voice recognition, Bluetooth® hands-free phone capability, phone book access and music streaming, Siri® Eyes Free, and an integrated backup camera display. All accessible with a 3-door Smart Key system and Push Button Start.

Nightshade also comes with the familiar central screen interface, a signature feature available in every Prius since the original. The 4.2-in. color Dual Multi-Information Display with customizable screens includes Energy Monitor and Hybrid System Indicator with Eco Score, Eco Savings Record, Drive Monitor, Eco Wallet, and Eco Diary features, plus displays for climate control, driver support systems, audio system content, and navigation system.

Designed for Safety in Style

Prius Nightshade edition brings sleek, sporty style and loads of safety tech.

It’s equipped with Toyota’s Star Safety system, which includes Enhanced Vehicle Stability Control (VSC), Traction Control (TRAC), Anti-lock Brake System (ABS), Electronic Brake-force Distribution (EBD), Brake Assist (BA) and Smart Stop Technology (SST).

It also comes with Toyota Safety Sense 2.0 (TSS-2.0) standard with features that include:

  • Pre-Collision System with Low-Light Pedestrian Detection
  • Full-Speed Range Dynamic Radar Cruise Control
  • Bicyclist Detection
  • Lane Departure Alert
  • Automatic High Beams
  • Road Sign Assist

Pre-Collision System with Pedestrian Detection is designed to help offer automatic braking capability under certain conditions should the driver not react in time in an emergency situation. Blind Spot Monitor with Rear Cross Traffic Alert and Intelligent Clearance Sonar with Intelligent Parking Assist are also standard.

Toyota Limited Warranty

All Toyota Prius models come with a 3 year/36,000-mile basic warranty and 60 month/60,000-mile powertrain warranty. Toyota’s hybrid battery warranty is for 10 years or 150,000 miles from the vehicle’s in-service date, whichever occurs first. The hybrid system warranty is for 8 years or 100,000 miles from the vehicle’s in-service date, whichever occurs first. For complete details visit Toyota.com/Prius.

All 2022 Prius models also comes standard with ToyotaCare, a complimentary plan covering normal factory-scheduled maintenance, for two years or 25,000 miles, whichever comes first, and 3 years of 24-hour Roadside Assistance, regardless of mileage.

About Toyota

Toyota (NYSE:TM) has been a part of the cultural fabric in the U.S. for more than 60 years, and is committed to advancing sustainable, next-generation mobility through our Toyota and Lexus brands, plus our nearly 1,500 dealerships. 

Toyota has created a tremendous value chain and directly employs more than 36,000 in the U.S. The company has contributed world-class design, engineering, and assembly of more than 30 million cars and trucks at our 9 manufacturing plants, 10 including our joint venture in Alabama that begins production in 2021.

To help inspire the next generation for a career in STEM-based fields, including mobility, Toyota launched its virtual education hub at www.TourToyota.com with an immersive experience and chance to visit many of our U.S. manufacturing facilities. The hub also includes a series of free STEM-based lessons and curriculum through Toyota USA Foundation partners, virtual field trips and more. For more information about Toyota, visit www.toyotanewsroom.com.

Media Contacts:
Paul Hogard
469-292-6791
[email protected]

For customer inquiries, please call: 800-331-4331

Toyota logo.

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SOURCE Toyota

First Farmer-Owned Online Marketplace Launches in Ecuador

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La Cosecha del Día (Daily Harvest) will sell food products from 400 small-scale agroecological farmers supported by Heifer Ecuador.

QUITO, Ecuador, May 27, 2021 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — Today, four farmer producer organizations launched La Cosecha del Día, Ecuador’s first farmer-owned marketplace for agroecological food products. The online marketplace will help local farmers that are part of Heifer Ecuador‘s Future of Food program to increase the supply of fresh, safe, healthy food, to families across the country. La Cosecha del Día sells goods produced by 400 mainly women small-scale producers from The Agroecological Solidarity Economy Network of the Kayambi Territory (RESAK) in Pichincha; The Association Pamar Chacrin of the Sigsig canton in Azuay province; The Network of Producers of Guayabillas of the Parish of Pacto in the northwest of Pichincha province; and The Association of Agroecological Producers (APA) in Azuay province.

The online marketplace offers 200 products, including vegetables, fruits, seafood, grains, flours, natural herbs, snacks and baked goods. Customers can see the full history and traceability of the products they purchase, increasing awareness of where their food comes from, while promoting local farmers who are producing high-quality, sustainable food.

“The pandemic revealed the environmental and equity issues with our food system. As an online store built and owned by farmers, La Cosecha del Día guarantees farmers a fair price for their agroecological crops, while providing consumers with fresh, safe food,” said Rosa Rodriguez, country director of Heifer Ecuador. “The marketplace will contribute to building a sustainable local food system that benefits farmers and consumers beyond the pandemic.”

La Cosecha del Día currently delivers to the cities of Quito and Cuenca, with plans to expand delivery to more cities across the country. Customers are able to schedule deliveries, with the food harvested on the day of delivery.

The online store emerged as a response to marketing demands during the COVID-19 pandemic when both farmers and consumers were affected by market disruptions. It was built by farmer producer organizations following standards that support sustainable food systems: 

  • Quality: Food sold on the marketplace is produced on farms practicing agroecology, balancing soil cycles and free from chemicals. Consumers receive fresh fruits and vegetables that are harvested the day orders are received.
  • Environmental: The distribution and consumption of local food reduces emissions from transportation.
  • Social Justice: Farmers are paid a fair price for their products that is affordable for consumers, supporting local farming families to improve their incomes.
  • Data Security: The marketplace is a secure way to shop for food online with a credit card.

At the beginning of the pandemic, the Heifer Ecuador Future of Food program expanded its network, following a request from the Government of Quito, setting up a food delivery service from local farms to urban areas. The program ensured sustainable incomes for farmers, who continued to sell their products while open-air marketplaces were closed, and food security for quarantined families. Designed and run by farmers and their organizations, the program brings harvested crops from local farms to collection centers, delivering fair prices for farmers by providing consumers with the ability to order affordable baskets of fresh, healthy food delivered safely to their doorsteps.

The Future of Food program is established in the Azuay, Pichincha, and Galapagos provinces. In the first two participating cities, 5,500 agroecological baskets have been delivered to-date.  

Run by youth of the farmer producer organizations, La Cosecha del Día will strengthen the commercial and technological capacities of the organizations involved in the platform, further supporting small-scale producers to grow their farm businesses.

For more information, visit http://www.lacosechadeldia.net/ or contact Kimberly Barbano at [email protected].

https://www.heifer.org/about-us/news/press/press-releases/farmer-owned-online-marketplace-ecuador.html

ABOUT HEIFER INTERNATIONAL

For 76 years, Heifer International has worked with more than 36 million people around the world to end hunger and poverty in a sustainable way. Working with rural communities in 21 countries in Africa, Asia, and the Americas, including the United States, Heifer International supports farmers and local food producers to strengthen local economies and build secure livelihoods that provide a living income. For information, visit https://www.heifer.org/

SOURCE Heifer International

(Español) Let’s Win! ¡Pancreatic Cancer cumple 5 años!

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Let's Win! Pancreatic Cancer (PRNewsfoto/Let's Win! Pancreatic Cancer)

Sorry, this entry is only available in Español.

Despite being disproportionately impacted by COVID-19 Latinos have stepped up for America during the pandemic and are poised to drive the nation’s economic recovery

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Latino Donor Collaborative

LOS ANGELES, May 27, 2021 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — Despite being disproportionately impacted by COVID-19, Latinos rebounded and stepped up for America during this pandemic and are poised to drive the nation’s economic recovery according to a recent report, The Latino Community Stepping Up for the Community and How They Will Drive America’s Recovery, commissioned by the Latino Donor Collaborative (LDC). Early data on unemployment rates since the pandemic indicate they will be the driving force of economic recovery.

Latino Donor Collaborative

“Latinos’ wellbeing and successful recovery from this pandemic have great implications for a strong American economy,” said Sol Trujillo, Chair, Latino Donor Collaborative. Latinos account for a substantial share of the working age population. Paired with higher productivity rates and younger ages, they are the driver of future workforce growth and their outcomes will determine the success of the future American workforce. Their wellbeing and success are important not just for Latinos, but for all Americans.”

The report also found that Latino workers were vital to the core functions of society during the COVID-19 pandemic. Their contributions are particularly significant in industries like agriculture, food processing, commercial cleaning services, health care, and construction. And not only in states where Latinos account for higher shares of the population (California, New Mexico, Arizona, Florida, Nevada, Texas, etc.), but in what we call ‘driver states’, which are states where Latinos now amount for 10-20% of the workforce, of the voters, and of the GDP production. Such ‘driver states” are Michigan, Wisconsin, Pennsylvania, Massachusetts, Connecticut, West Virginia, Rhode Island, Mississippi, Ohio, Maryland, Oklahoma, Kansas, and Louisiana.

The pandemic created a special job class – frontline essential workers who had to carry out their job functions to keep essential services online. Many of those essential worker positions were filled with Latinos who had to work to support their families.

Essential workers were most vulnerable to health risks, and many of these workers earned lower wages and were less likely to have health insurance than non-essential office workers.

Throughout the pandemic, Latinos have served on the frontlines as essential workers—from the fields in the Central Valley to the corridors of our hospitals in Los Angeles and they have stepped up for all Americans. In fact, two in three undocumented workers who file taxes with an Individual Taxpayer Number (ITIN) work in an industry deemed essential.

Early on Latinos were disproportionately impacted by the pandemic

From the onset of the pandemic, Latinos were most negatively impacted by the pandemic. In fact:

  • Latinos were three times as likely as whites to become infected with COVID-19 and nearly twice as likely to die from it.
  • The high number of Latinos employed as essential workers and the strong employment rebound, along with other socio-economic characteristics, contribute to the high rate of COVID-19 infection and significant death toll among Latinos.
  • Latino essential workers were more than three times as likely than non-Latino essential workers to be uninsured (25% versus 8%) — a fact that is especially devastating during the pandemic, when aggressive testing, early quarantining, and rigorous contact tracing is essential in containing COVID-19.
  • Latino essential workers had to confront limited ability to work from home, workplace overcrowding, inadequate workplace protections, reliance on public transportation to get to work, lack of paid sick leave, and crowded living conditions
  • Latino-owned businesses had less cash on hand during the pandemic, and when applying for funds from the Payroll Protection Program, Latinos had their loan applications approved at half the rate of white business owners.
  • Latinas suffered the biggest loss of jobs compared to any other cohort during the pandemic, with a decrease in employment of 24%. But, according to The New York Times, as of last month that 24% has been reduced to 7.5%.vi

The pandemic had a severe impact on the nation’s economy as businesses were shuttered, workers were laid off and commerce ground to a halt. Despite the economic and emotional hit, Latinos stepped up for America and saved the day. Nearly one year into the pandemic, Latino employment, especially that of immigrant Latino males, improved significantly. Their strong work ethic, commitment to family and their lack of access to unemployment and other government help compelled them to find other ways to support their families.

They continued to look for ways to work and provide for their families and contribute to the country, and statistics show that the level of Latino employment recovered at a remarkable rate. Latinos who lost their jobs due to COVID-19 shifted to essential industries to make up for income loss. They also found new jobs and created new businesses to the point that, as of March 2021, Hispanic males had the highest share of the working-age population who are employed in the United States. Unemployment for all Latinos decreased from 18.5 percent in April 2020 to 8.5 percent in October 2020, compared to 14.4 percent to 6.6 percent among all workers.

Early data on unemployment rates since the pandemic indicates Latinos will be the driving force of the nation’s economic recovery. Case studies of Latino entrepreneurs also demonstrate the flexibility to pivot and innovate faced with unprecedented challenges, a deep commitment to their community, and optimism about the future despite having fewer resources at hand and receiving fewer government-backed loans.

“Society needs to recognize the remarkable work ethic and sacrifice of Latinos during these difficult times, as well as ensure equal access to government programs supporting workers and business owners and continue to invest in health care access in the Latino community.,” said Ana Valdez, Executive Vice President, Latino Donor Collaborative.  “And anyone interested in restoring the United States’ Gross Domestic Product growth rate to healthy levels should care deeply about the well-being and invest in the fastest-growing segment of the nation’s GDP: the U.S. Latino Gross Domestic Product. Afterall. our nation’s future is intertwined with the health and welfare of this community and an investment in Latinos will pay major dividends in our full economic rebound and recovery”.

A copy of The Latino Community Stepping Up for the Community and How They will Drive America’s Recovery can be downloaded at:

https://www.dropbox.com/s/n53ivrhh9fdlfcl/Report-%20The%20Latino%20Community%20Stepping%20Up%20for%20America.pdf?dl=0

About the Latino Donor Collaborative
The Latino Donor Collaborative is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to reshaping the perception of Latinos as part of the American social mainstream. We are self-funded and independent, and created by an accomplished group of Latino national leaders that generously donate their time to promote friendly high-level dialogue, with the goal of finding best ways to grow revenue and market share – by targeting and serving the Latino audiences.

We do this through a nonpartisan agenda that includes outreach to influential people in media, advertising, politics, corporate America, and civil society by confronting stereotypes with data that brings understanding and appreciation of the actual roles being played by Latinos in society, politics, and commerce. The board is passionate about empowering every Latino to be the best they can be, and know that by empowering Latinos, they create a rich, united, and more powerful United States of America.

Contact:

Robert Alaniz

(626) 437-3354

[email protected]

Logo – https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1518390/Latino_Donor_Collaborative_Logo.jpg  

SOURCE Latino Donor Collaborative (LDC)

Pro Mujer furthers its commitment to the Northern Triangle by joining the Partnership for Central America in response to Vice President Kamala Harris’ Call to Action to promote inclusive economic opportunity in the region

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NEW YORK, May 27, 2021 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — Programs that address the immediate needs of vulnerable populations and offer hope that a secure and better future is possible for themselves and their children are essential to help stem migration due to need. Since its founding, Pro Mujer has targeted its social impact and development programs to precisely those segments of the population that are most likely to emigrate.

In remarks before a meeting with private sector leaders in which Pro Mujer participated to discuss economic development in the NCAC, Vice President Harris said today, “The call to action is to bring these leaders and others together so that we can do what I think we can do best, which is make a commitment to get something done and then see it through, understanding that giving hope is not about just having a dream of giving hope, it is about action that results in tangible benefit that gives people a sense of what is possible for themselves and for their families.”

For over 30 years, Pro Mujer has been at the forefront, driving inclusive economic opportunities for women in Latin America, and providing millions of families with access to finance, healthcare services, entrepreneurship support, and digital inclusion. By joining the Partnership for Central America in response to Vice President Harris’ Call to Action, Pro Mujer commits to reaching three million people in the Northern Triangle by bringing these services, directly and with the collaboration of local partners, to vulnerable communities, including low-income families, and rural and indigenous populations. In addition, Pro Mujer is structuring and launching blended finance vehicles to provide capital, technical assistance and capacity building support to Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) in the Northern Triangle.  This critical support to MSMEs and the services Pro Mujer intends to bring to individuals and families will generate economic opportunity for these communities and directly address a major cause of migration from the region.   

“We are honored to join Vice President Harris’ Call to Action to send a message of hope to millions of people, in particular to women, who must be given reason to believe that their immediate needs are being addressed and reason to expect that a secure and better future is possible for themselves and their children,” said Maria Cavalcanti, President and CEO of Pro Mujer. “We look forward to a close collaboration with the Partnership for Central America to design, deploy and scale solutions addressing systemic problems that take time to solve.”

Pro Mujer’s commitment to Central America extends back to 1996 when it established operations in Nicaragua, becoming a point of reference in the region and serving as a model for organizations delivering financial inclusion and health services to underserved families. Pro Mujer’s teams in Nicaragua and Mexico have long functioned as hubs for expansion into neighboring countries by collaborating with local partners in Guatemala, El Salvador and Honduras.

“With its deep knowledge and connection to the most marginalized segments of the population, and through three decades creating meaningful programs, Pro Mujer is uniquely positioned to rapidly create and implement the right programs. Pro Mujer’s presence in the region, will facilitate the execution of these initiatives, while its reputation as a trusted operator will facilitate critical partnerships with local civil society and the private sector,” added Sr. Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, Carmen Correa.

About Pro Mujer
For over 30 years, Pro Mujer has empowered women through an all-inclusive mix of services, enabling them to better provide for their families and play a critical role in the economic development of Latin America. Pro Mujer is a preeminent purpose-driven social enterprise and an industry leader in financial inclusion, impact investing, entrepreneurship, workforce reskilling, and healthcare with a women-centered approach in its innovative programs. 

Across its platforms and programs, Pro Mujer engages the most disadvantaged people, whose access to healthcare, education and financial services is often the most tenuous. Its programs and policies address the multiple interlocking systems of inequities women face at both macro and socio-structural levels, recognizing that a woman’s level of empowerment will vary, sometimes enormously, according to other criteria such as class or caste, ethnicity, relative wealth, age, education and family position among others. Pro Mujer leads thought leadership in gender lens investing in Latin America and plays an important role as an aggregator of blended capital focused on catalytic investment through innovative investment vehicles and financial products. 

Pro Mujer’s work is closely aligned with the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), delivering tangible results in eight SDGs: 1, 3, 4, 5, 8, 10, 11, and 16.

SOURCE Pro Mujer

Little Free Library Brings Diverse Books to Tulsa and Beyond, Promoting Equity and Inclusion

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Little Free Library is a nonprofit organization that inspires a love of reading and builds community.

HUDSON, Wis., May 27, 2021 /PRNewswire/ — The Little Free Library® (LFL) nonprofit organization launched Read in Color today in Tulsa, Okla. This marks the national rollout of the timely initiative, which brings diverse books to LFL book-sharing boxes to help grow understanding, equity and inclusion.

Little Free Library is a nonprofit organization that inspires a love of reading and builds community.

Twenty-six new Little Free Libraries will be established at Tulsa schools, with the first unveiled at Eugene Field Elementary this morning. The libraries are filled with books that provide perspectives on racism and social justice, and amplify BIPOC, LGBTQ and other diverse voices.

LFL and HarperCollins Publishers partnered to bring Read in Color to Tulsa and will launch the initiative in four more cities this year: Washington, D.C., Detroit, Atlanta and Phoenix. Additional Read in Color cities launching in 2021 are New York, Boston, Kalamazoo, Mich. and Ferguson, Mo. Scholastic is also providing generous support for the 2021 Read in Color efforts.

“Little Free Library believes that sharing diverse author perspectives across our nation’s communities deepens empathy and awareness,” said LFL Executive Director Greig Metzger. “This task is large but when advocates join together, significant gains can be made.”

“We are honored to be in Tulsa to launch the national rollout of Read in Color in collaboration with HarperCollins Publishers’ Read in Full Color and Scholastic Books’ The Power of Story,” he continued. “These robust, diverse book offerings combined with the local programming and placement assistance of Reading Partners Tulsa, will bring our Read in Color program to 26 local elementary schools this year. We are excited to mark the start of our national expansion with such great allies.”

As part of the initiative, HarperCollins Publishers is offering 100 copies of I Promise by LeBron James, with illustrations by Nina Mata, for a national giveaway. Artwork from I Promise, part of their “Read in Full Color” initiative, decorates the Tulsa Little Free Library unveiled today. Readers across the country can enter to win a copy of I Promise here.

“HarperCollins is thrilled to be partnering with Little Free Library in conjunction with our own ‘Read in Full Color’ initiative, which spotlights diverse creators and inclusive stories,” said Nellie Kurtzman, VP Marketing & Publicity, HarperCollins Children’s Publishing. “The books under our ‘Read in Full Color’ umbrella reflect the narratives of the young readers picking them up for the first time and serve as a reminder that these books are important, necessary and in demand.”

Lizette Serrano, Scholastic’s VP Educational Marketing, said, “When Read in Color launched last year, we were honored to play a part to align with Scholastic’s initiative, ‘The Power of Story’. At its core, Read in Color will encourage book ownership in more communities and help to grow lifelong readers. Our joint effort in choosing the books that reflect the experiences of young readers of color will inspire them to be true to themselves, embrace who they are and empower them to tell their own stories.”

‘Read in Color’ in Tulsa

The Reading Partners Tulsa region is a vital partner in Tulsa’s Read in Color rollout. Reading Partners, a nonprofit organization that tutors children in reading skills, participated in the planning and placement of the Little Free Libraries, and will help keep them filled with books.

As the Tulsa community commemorates the 100th anniversary of the Tulsa Race Massacre, organizers of The Black Wall Street Legacy Festival support partnerships that are bringing resources to the community and amplifying voices that share similar experiences to local students.

“We’re so excited that through the Little Free Library and Reading Partners partnership students, families and the greater community will have more access to texts that feature diverse characters, cultures and content,” said Dr. Tiffany Crutcher, Founder of the Terence Crutcher Foundation and the Black Wall Street Memorial.

LFL’s national Read in Color initiative, which was introduced in Minneapolis last year in response to George Floyd’s murder, has four key components:

  1. Read in Color pledge, allowing everyone to show their support for diverse books and access downloadable resources.
  2. Little Free Library installations full of culturally relevant books, placed in high-need communities.
  3. Free diverse books for applying LFL stewards, purchased from independent and BIPOC-owned bookstores when possible.
  4. Recommended reading lists representing Black, Indigenous, Asian American/Pacific Islander, Latinx, Muslim, LGBTQ+ and other communities.

Get involved: To learn more and sign the Read in Color pledge visit LittleFreeLibrary.org/Read-In-Color.

About Little Free Library:
Little Free Library® (LFL) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that builds community, inspires readers, and expands book access for all through a global network of volunteer-led Little Free Libraries. LFL received the 2020 World Literacy Award as well as honors from the Library of Congress and National Book Foundation. There are more than 100,000 registered Little Free Library book-sharing boxes worldwide in all 50 states, 110 countries and 7 continents; through them, more than 200 million books have been shared. LittleFreeLibrary.org.

About HarperCollins Children’s Books:
HarperCollins Children’s Books is one of the leading publishers of children’s and teen books. Respected worldwide for its tradition of publishing quality, award-winning books for young readers, HarperCollins is home to many timeless treasures and bestsellers such as Charlotte’s Web, Goodnight Moon, Where the Sidewalk Ends, Where the Wild Things Are, and The Hate U Give; series including The Chronicles of Narnia, Ramona, Warriors, A Series of Unfortunate Events, Pete the Cat, Fancy Nancy, Divergent, and Red Queen; and graphic and illustrated novels such as Nimona, Invisible Emmie, and New Kid. Consistently at the forefront of digital innovation, HarperCollins Children’s Books delights readers through engaging storytelling across a variety of formats and platforms, including the largest young adult (YA) book community, Epic Reads. HarperCollins Children’s Books is a division of HarperCollins Publishers, which is the second largest consumer book publisher in the world, has operations in 17 countries, and is a subsidiary of News Corp. You can visit HarperCollins Children’s Books at www.harpercollinschildrens.com and www.epicreads.com and HarperCollins Publishers at corporate.HC.com.

About Scholastic:
For more than 100 years, Scholastic has been a partner to schools. Today, it is the world’s largest publisher and distributor of children’s books, a leading provider of literacy curriculum, professional services and classroom magazines, and a producer of engaging children’s media. www.scholastic.com

Media Contact: Margret Aldrich
612-203-6856 / [email protected]  

Logo – https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/568238/Little_Free_Library_Logo.jpg  

SOURCE Little Free Library

Direct Relief Prepares Hurricane-Prone Communities for the 2021 Hurricane Season

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Direct Relief staff load critical medicines and supplies onto a helicopter in San Juan following Hurricane Maria in 2017. The medicines went to Health ProMed Health Center on the island of Vieques. (Photo by Donnie Hedden for Direct Relief)

SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico, May 27, 2021 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — With the 2021 Atlantic hurricane season officially starting on June 1, Direct Relief is prepositioning emergency medical supplies along the U.S. Gulf and Atlantic Coasts and throughout the Caribbean and Central America.

Direct Relief staff load critical medicines and supplies onto a helicopter in San Juan following Hurricane Maria in 2017. The medicines went to Health ProMed Health Center on the island of Vieques. (Photo by Donnie Hedden for Direct Relief)

The humanitarian effort comes as global temperatures keep rising and the frequency and intensity of hurricanes and other disasters continue to increase. The 2020 hurricane season was the most active on record, producing 30 named storms, 14 of them hurricanes. Two were Category 4 storms, Eta and Iota, that crashed into Nicaragua two weeks apart, causing catastrophic damage and triggering a massive wave of displacement.

Direct Relief’s prepositioned modules contain the medical items most needed in the wake of a disaster, including trauma supplies, antibiotics, and medications for diabetes, hypertension and other chronic conditions. The supplies are made available through local health organizations serving communities most vulnerable to natural disasters. The modules vary in size from 112 pounds for individual clinics to larger 1,680-pound modules for international destinations.

Direct Relief this year is staging the emergency modules at health facilities in every Southeastern and Gulf Coast state from Virginia to Texas, as well as in Hawaii, Puerto Rico, and Saipan.

Internationally, Direct Relief is prepositioning the modules throughout Central America and the Caribbean, including in Anguilla, the Bahamas, Barbados, British Virgin Islands, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Haiti, Honduras, Jamaica, Panama, St. Lucia, and St. Vincent and the Grenadines, as well as in Bangladesh, Fiji, and India.

Increasing Health Infrastructure Resilience

Where hurricanes go, power outages follow. Most notably, in 2017’s Hurricane Maria, Puerto Rico went dark for months. Much of the island’s temperature-sensitive medication spoiled, electronic health records were inaccessible, essential medical equipment was inoperable, and vital health services ceased. Hurricane Maria proved that power is a prerequisite for health. 

With the increase of climate change-driven disasters, building resilient health infrastructure has become a core element of Direct Relief’s response activities. The organization has installed solar power arrays and battery backup systems at community health centers across the U.S.

In Puerto Rico, Direct Relief, with support from AbbVie and others, is equipping health facilities with 1.2 megawatts of solar production capacity and 2.6 megawatts of battery storage. Projects include outfitting 89 health centers across the island with 164 FDA-compliant pharmaceutical and laboratory refrigerators and freezers capable of storing roughly 6 million vials of vaccines; furnishing 22 community water pumps with backup solar and battery storage; installing full backup solar power and battery storage on a fire station that lost grid power for months; and providing home-based generators to 32 children who depend on powered equipment to breathe and for other medical needs.

Data-Driven Disaster Preparation

Whether responding to storms, fires, or disease outbreaks, data increasingly guides Direct Relief’s work. 

Using various data sources, including the CDC/ATSDR Social Vulnerability Index and Facebook Disaster Maps, Direct Relief can identify areas at greatest risk from hurricanes, predict whether people will evacuate, and gauge the impact on local healthcare providers.

“We’re increasingly able to get a real-time, high-resolution view of evacuation dynamics, medical needs, and the pressure placed on healthcare infrastructure,” said Andrew Schroeder, Direct Relief’s VP of Research and Analysis.

Direct Relief is also looking at long-term displacement of people those livelihoods have been destroyed by hurricanes, such as those in parts of Central America hit sequentially last year by Hurricanes Eta and Iota. “There’s a geography to poverty that corresponds with physical risk,” Schroeder said.

Covid-19 + Summertime Disasters: Why This Year May Be Different

This hurricane and wildfire season is the second to overlap with the Covid-19 pandemic. While disease prevalence in the U.S. is down sharply from its 2020 peak, the summer of 2021 presents an additional challenge. Last year, emergency management agencies and aid groups could maintain social distancing by relocating disaster evacuees into hotels and motels, largely empty due to the steep drop in domestic travel. This summer, with travel rebounding sharply, those rooms will no longer be available, making it more challenging to safely shelter evacuees.

Photo – https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1519695/DHEDDEN_DR_1712190176.jpg

SOURCE Direct Relief