Junior Achievement USA and the Association of Latino Professionals For America Join Forces to Prepare Youth for Career Success
Junior Achievement USA and the Association of Latino Professionals For America Join Forces to Prepare Youth for Career Success
WASHINGTON, June 24, 2015 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — Junior Achievement USA® (JA) and ALPFA, Inc. (the Association of Latino Professionals For America) today signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) in Washington, D.C. The two organizations have agreed to work together on the shared goal of preparing young people to be work-ready and to provide them with a valuable means to explore career opportunities, entrepreneurship, and financial literacy. As part of this partnership, ALPFA Chief Executive Officer Charles P. Garcia today joins the Junior Achievement USA board of directors. Additionally, ALPFA will encourage its membership to become involved as volunteers and board members with JA’s 115 local offices across the United States. Finally, Junior Achievement USA will increase staff capacity to help manage the partnership.
“Each year, more than 200,000 business professionals volunteer to teach JA programs,” said Jack E. Kosakowski, president and CEO of Junior Achievement USA. “This agreement with ALPFA will help JA bring even more powerful role models into the lives of the young people we serve. We look forward to working with ALPFA in the years ahead as we empower young people to own their economic success.”
“Recent studies predict that forty percent of employment growth over the next five years will be from Latinos,” said Garcia. “If corporate America wants to recruit these Millennials, it will need to reflect Hispanics throughout its leadership ranks. Today, this is simply not the case. Nearly 90% of Fortune 1000 corporate boards lack any Latino representation. By ALPFA introducing our most talented Latinos to serve on JA’s local boards with senior corporate leaders, we hope to change that.”
About ALPFA:
Founded in 1972, ALPFA (www.alpfa.org) supports over 48,000 Latino students, professionals, and entrepreneurs through its 43 professional chapters across the country and 144 student chapters at major colleges and universities. ALPFA’s mission is to empower and develop Latino men and women as leaders of character for the nation, in every sector of the global economy.
About Junior Achievement USA® (JA):
Junior Achievement is the world’s largest organization dedicated to giving young people the knowledge and skills they need to own their economic success, plan for their future, and make smart academic and economic choices. JA programs are delivered by corporate and community volunteers, and provide relevant, hands-on experiences that give students from kindergarten through high school knowledge and skills in financial literacy, work readiness and entrepreneurship. Today, JA reaches more than 4.5 million students per year in 115 markets across the United States, with an additional 5.8 million students served by operations in 120 other countries worldwide. Junior Achievement USA is a member of JA Worldwide. Visit www.ja.org for more information.
$100,000 RMHC®/HACER® National Scholarships Make College Dreams A Reality For Four Hispanic Students
$100,000 RMHC®/HACER® National Scholarships Make College Dreams A Reality For Four Hispanic Students
More than $3 Million in National Scholarships Awarded Since 2008
OAK BROOK, Ill., June 24, 2015 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — To help pave the way toward higher education, Ronald McDonald House Charities® (RMHC®), with the exclusive support of McDonald’s® Hispanic owner/operators, will award four college-bound Hispanic high school seniors an RMHC®/HACER® National Scholarship of $100,000 each. The RMHC/HACER National Scholarship is part of the Charity’s and McDonald’s commitment to helping students reach their full potential.
This year’s scholarship recipients are Manuel Tejeda, Tampa, Fla.; Olivia Velasquez, Ottawa, Ohio; Yanet Gomez, Naples, Fla.; and Juliana Pena, Ashburnham, Mass. National scholarship recipients are selected based on academic achievement, community involvement and financial need. The rigorous selection process includes a completed application, essay and interviews with a distinguished panel of judges representing academia, business, media, RMHC and McDonald’s.
“We’re committed to providing Hispanic students across the country opportunities to continue building promising futures with the financial support of the RMHC/HACER National Scholarship,” said J.C. Gonzalez-Mendez, president and CEO of RMHC. “We know this year’s scholarship recipients have worked diligently to pursue their college dreams, and we’re proud to help make those dreams a reality.”
“Finding out that I won the RMHC/HACER National Scholarship was the greatest moment of my senior year, even more so than getting into college,” said Juliana Pena. “With this scholarship and the support of the entire organization, I will be able to pursue my college degree at the University of Pennsylvania and be one step closer to becoming a leader in this global world.”
The RMHC/HACER Scholarship was established in 1985 by McDonald’s owner/operator and former educator Richard Castro after noticing increasing school dropout rates among Hispanic students due to financial difficulties. RMHC/HACER, which stands for Hispanic American Commitment to Education Resources, counts on the support of RMHC, McDonald’s Corporation and McDonald’s Hispanic owner/operators. To date, more than $28 million in scholarship monies have been awarded.
In 2008, the national scholarship was founded, offering four $100,000 awards to Hispanic high school seniors. Since then, the national scholarship has provided $3.1 million in financial assistance to 31 students across the country.
Past scholarship recipients have attended prestigious universities, including Stanford University and Harvard University, and continued on to pursue careers in the medical, engineering and business fields, among others.
College-bound high school seniors are encouraged to apply for the upcoming 2016 RMHC/HACER Scholarship. Applications become available in October 2015 and awarded students are notified in the spring, which coincides with college acceptances.
About Ronald McDonald House Charities
Ronald McDonald House Charities (RMHC), an independent non-profit 501(c)(3) corporation, creates, finds and supports programs that directly improve the health and well-being of children. Through its global network of local Chapters in 62 countries and regions, its three core programs, the Ronald McDonald House®, the Ronald McDonald Family Room® and the Ronald McDonald Care Mobile®, and millions of dollars in grants to support children’s programs worldwide, RMHC provides stability and vital resources to families so they can get and keep their children healthy and happy. All RMHC-operated and supported programs provide access to quality health care and give children and families the time they need together to heal faster and cope better. For more information, visit www.rmhc.org, follow RMHC on Twitter (@RMHC), or like RMHC on Facebook (Facebook.com/RMHC Global).
About McDonald’s
McDonald’s USA, LLC, serves a variety of menu options made with quality ingredients to more than 27 million customers every day. Nearly 90 percent of McDonald’s 14,000 U.S. restaurants are independently owned and operated by businessmen and women. Customers can now log online for free at approximately 11,500 participating Wi-Fi enabled McDonald’s U.S. restaurants. For more information, visit www.mcdonalds.com, or follow us on Twitter @McDonalds and Facebook www.facebook.com/mcdonalds.
FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Jenina Nunez
McDonald’s USA
[email protected]
630-623-2069
Natalie Asorey
BodenPR
[email protected]
305-639-6770
Jennifer Smith
RMHC
[email protected]
858-229-7873
Innovative Research Probing Causes Of Preterm Birth Funded By The March Of Dimes
Innovative Research Probing Causes Of Preterm Birth Funded By The March Of Dimes
Scientists seek new ways to predict and prevent preterm birth
WHITE PLAINS, N.Y., June 23, 2015 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — Scientists from four states are aiming to improve understanding of the biology of labor and delivery and discover what triggers the onset of preterm labor, the March of Dimes announced today. What they learn could advance development of novel drugs and other treatments to help prevent preterm birth.
Logo – http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20150409/197662LOGO
These five scientists, who were awarded 2015 March of Dimes Prematurity Research Initiative (PRI) grants, are looking for answers in the placental microbiome, in genes and other factors that control cervical ripening, in the workings of uterine muscle cells, and in the amniotic sac (bag of waters) that surrounds the baby.
Premature birth is the leading cause of newborn death. Worldwide, more than one million children die each year due to complications of premature birth. Babies who survive an early birth often face lifetime health challenges, such as vision and breathing problems, cerebral palsy, and learning disabilities. In 2013, one out 10 babies in the US was born preterm and the US rate exceeded that of most other high-resource countries.
“The causes of about half of all preterm births are unknown. Research aimed at identifying the unknown causes of preterm birth is crucial for development of effective treatments to prevent premature births,” says Dr. Jennifer Howse, president of the March of Dimes. “Prevention is the way to save babies from the death and disability caused by preterm birth.”
Since 2004, the March of Dimes has committed more than $28 million to the PRI grants. The grants are one of several March of Dimes grant programs available to researchers.
The 2015 PRI grantees include:
- Kjersti Aagaard, MD, PhD, of Baylor College of Medicine in Houston, is using the latest technology to identify placental factors, including gene and metabolite variations alongside changes in placental microbes (microbiome), which may contribute to or better predict preterm birth.
- Sarah K. England, PhD, of Washington University School in St. Louis, is studying the role of a newly discovered channel (tiny opening) in the membrane of uterine muscle cells in initiating uterine contractions. Currently, the triggers of the onset of labor at or before term are unknown.
- Emmet Hirsch, MD, of NorthShore University HealthSystem, University of Chicago System in Evanston, Illinois, is investigating the role of autophagy — a process used by cells to eliminate damaged parts and dispose of bacteria and viruses — in maintaining a healthy pregnancy, and how disruptions may contribute to premature birth.
- John J. Moore, MD, of Case Western Reserve University and MetroHealth Medical Center in Cleveland, is working to understand what causes weakening of the amniotic sac (bag of waters) and preterm premature rupture of the membranes (PPROM). PPROM contributes to about 40 percent of preterm births.
- Ruth Ann Word, MD, of the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas, is trying to determine how body chemicals called prostaglandins control cervical ripening. She also aims to find out if certain drugs block the action of these chemicals in the cervix and help prevent preterm birth.
The March of Dimes is the leading nonprofit organization for pregnancy and baby health. For more than 75 years, moms and babies have benefited from March of Dimes research, education, vaccines, and breakthroughs. Find out how you can help raise funds to prevent premature birth and birth defects by walking in March for Babies at marchforbabies.org. Find us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter.
Health Advocates Remake Famous “Hilltop” Ad
Health Advocates Remake Famous “Hilltop” Ad
It’s Time to Change the Tune on Soda, Says CSPI
WASHINGTON, June 23, 2015 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — Real people suffering from diabetes, tooth decay, weight gain, and other diseases related to soda consumption are starring in a remake of Coca-Cola’s iconic “Hilltop” ad. The new video is health advocates’ latest salvo in their campaign to reduce the incidence of soda-related disease in America and around the world.
“Hilltop” first aired in 1971 and gained new cultural relevancy in the season finale of “Mad Men” on AMC. “I’d like to teach the world to sing in perfect harmony,” sang the original cast. “I’d like to buy the world a Coke, and keep it company.” But according to the nonprofit health advocacy organization behind the new video, the Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI), it’s time to change the tune. And, as it happens, the lyrics.
“For the past 45 years, Coca-Cola and other makers of sugar drinks have used the most sophisticated and manipulative advertising techniques to convince children and adults alike that a disease-promoting drink will make them feel warm and fuzzy inside,” said CSPI executive director Michael F. Jacobson. “It’s a multi-billion-dollar brainwashing campaign designed to distract us away from our diabetes with happy thoughts. We thought it was time to change the tune.”
Soda and other sugary drinks are the leading source of calories in the American diet, and raise one’s risks of diabetes, tooth decay, and weight gain—conditions experienced by the Denver-area residents who participated in the film.
“Soda is just one of several contributors to diet-related disease, but it’s a major one,” said Dr. Jeffry Gerber, a Denver-area physician who appeared in the film. “As a physician who asks all of my patients about the foods and drinks they choose, I see the connection between soda consumption and chronic conditions like diabetes, heart disease, and obesity every day of the week. It’s hard to ask patients to practice moderation when all of the advertising, marketing, and overall ubiquity of soda rewires people to overconsume sugary drinks.”
The film was produced by Scott McDonald and Gavin Anstey of the Lumenati agency, and was written by Mike Howard of Daughters & Howard. Alex Bogusky, formerly of Crispin Porter + Bogusky, provided overall creative direction. Bogusky also served as executive creative director for The Real Bears, CSPI’s 2012 short film that showed an animated family of polar bears suffering the consequences of soda-related disease. Coca-Cola called it “irresponsible and the usual grandstanding from CSPI,” while Mark Bittman of the New York Times called it “Depressing, touching, and effective.”
CSPI is providing Spanish, Portuguese, French, Hindi, and Mandarin translations of the lyrics used in the new film as a resource for health advocates around the world, where Coke and Pepsi are investing billions of dollars a year to promote the consumption of their products.
Change the Tune
Agency: Lumenati
Executive Creative Director: Alex Bogusky
Writer: Michael Howard
Executive Producer: Gavin Anstey
Creative Director: Scott McDonald
Director of Photography: Brad Conner
Director of Audio: Connor Birch
Lead Editor/Assistant DP: Frederick Remington
Producer: Andrew Aldrich
Assistant Audio: Jeff Cormack
Music and Sound: Play Plus Record
The Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI) is a nonprofit health-advocacy group based in Washington, D.C., that focuses on nutrition and food safety. CSPI is supported largely by the U.S. and Canadian subscribers to its Nutrition Action Healthletter and by foundation grants.
NOTE TO EDITORS: Multimedia assets are available at: http://hispanicprwire.com/multimedia/
CHCI Announces 38th Annual Hispanic Heritage Month Theme and Events
CHCI Announces 38th Annual Hispanic Heritage Month Theme and Events
“Powering Growth and Influence”
WASHINGTON, June 23, 2015 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — The Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute (CHCI), the nation’s leading Hispanic leadership development and educational services organization, today announced the theme Powering Growth and Influence for its 38th Annual Hispanic Heritage Month (HHM) celebration in Washington, D.C. on October 6-8, 2015. CHCI hosts the nation’s premier events commemorating HHM, which draw more than 3,000 Latino leaders from across the country, and 12,000 live stream viewers from across the globe, to its Public Policy Conference, Reyes of Comedy, and Annual Awards Gala in Washington, D.C.
“Hispanic Heritage Month is a time for all Americans to celebrate and reflect on the many contributions the Latino community has made to the nation,” said Rep. Linda T. Sánchez, CHCI Chair. “It’s also important to look ahead and understand what the growing Latino community means for the country as a whole. That’s why this year’s conference theme and events will focus on how American Latinos are translating growth in numbers into political, cultural and economic influence. Whether it’s through opening businesses, leading current social and political movements, or impacting culture – Latinos are making significant contributions to all facets of American life.”
Complete Public Policy Conference Agenda
CHCI kicks off its 2015 Hispanic Heritage Month events with its annual Public Policy Conference at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center on October 6-7. This year, CHCI Chair Rep. Linda Sanchez will be joined by Congressional Hispanic Caucus members, administration officials, and national experts and scholars to participate in timely discussions of major policy issues affecting the Latino community. To complement the conference, CHCI’s Ready to Lead (R2L®) program educates and engages high school students in policy discussions while preparing them for college.
On October 7, CHCI will hold its 15th Annual Reyes of Comedy. This popular event features both established Latino comedians as well as emerging Latino talent for a night of exceptional entertainment. This year’s event is a sponsor benefit only and all proceeds support CHCI’s youth leadership development programs
The closing and premier event of the conference is CHCI’s 38th Annual Awards Gala at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center. This prestigious dinner recognizes CHCI’s highest honorees and celebrates the outstanding accomplishments of Latino leaders who are giving back to their communities. The Gala draws more than 2,000 guests including federal and local elected officials, corporate and nonprofit leaders, and celebrities.
Hispanic Heritage Month is celebrated annually from September 15 – October 15. For CHCI, it also represents an opportunity to feature its highly competitive and nationally acclaimed Latino youth leadership development programs, including two fellowship programs, a congressional internship program, scholarship awards, and college readiness programs, Ready to Lead (R2L®) and R2L® NextGen, for high school students.
Important Dates
October 6-7, 2015
Public Policy Conference
October 6
Ready to Lead (R2L)
October 7
15th Annual Reyes of Comedy
October 8
CHCI 38th Annual Awards Gala
About CHCI
CHCI is the premier Hispanic nonprofit and nonpartisan 501(c)(3) leadership development organization in the country that educates, empowers, and connects Latino youth by providing leadership development programs and educational services. CHCI directly impacts the lives of more than 1,700 students and young professionals each year through its fellowships, congressional internships, scholarships, Ready to Lead (R2L®) college readiness program, and R2L NextGen program. CHCI NextOpp is its latest resource allowing young Latinos to save, search and share life-changing opportunities for Latinos across the United States.
The CHCI Board of Directors is comprised of Hispanic members of Congress, nonprofit, union and corporate leaders. Visit www.chci.org, or join us on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, YouTube, and Instagram.
KWHY-TV 22 Los Angeles Wins Six Prestigious Telly Awards
KWHY-TV 22 Los Angeles Wins Six Prestigious Telly Awards
Noticias 22 MundoFOX and Meruelo Media Studios win 2 Silver and 4 Bronze Telly 2015 Awards for Outstanding Creative and Production Achievement to include a first ever People’s Telly!
LOS ANGELES, June 23, 2015 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — Noticias 22 MundoFOX, KWHY-TV Canal 22’s news team and the Los Angeles flagship affiliate of the MundoFOX television network, has been awarded and recognized with six Telly Awards for their News campaign “La Voz de Tu Ciudad” (the Voice of Your City). This is the first time Noticias 22, has received this honor for their creative work. The award-winning team earned two coveted silver Telly for their excellence in Lighting and Local TV Commercial, and four bronze Telly awards for Art Direction, Copywriting and Directing, News Promotional Piece and they won the People’s Telly award as well.
“The Meruelo Media team is extremely honored to receive such prestigious recognition by the Telly Awards academy,” stated Otto Padron, President of Meruelo Media. “This is a tribute to high quality teamwork, and the multiple honors illustrate Meruelo Media Studio’s creativity, skill and dedication to their craft, talent and potential.”
This notable competition regularly receives more than 11,000 entries from all around the world and this year Canal 22 MundoFox received scores high enough to be among this year’s winners. Out of every award-winning applicant, approximately 18%-25% will receive a bronze accolade and even more impressively, only 7-10% will receive silver. This year, the station had the creative know-how to garner a total of four. The campaign crafted by O-TV creative and Canal 22 MundoFOX stood out to the judges of this year’s 36th annual Telly Awards to successfully distinguish it from all others in their respective categories.
The Telly Awards have grown to become the premiere competition recognizing achievements in local, regional and national TV commercials. Applications are received from a wide-array of talented advertising agencies, production companies, television stations, cable operators and corporate video departments worldwide. Past winners have included AEG, AOL Media, CBS Television, State Farm Insurance, The Weather Channel, and TV Guide Network to name a few. Canal 22 MundoFOX has now rightfully secured its place among that prestigious group of honorees.
For More information on Canal 22 MundoFOX, please visit http://www.mundofox22.com/. You can also find us on Facebook at http://www.Facebook.com/mundofox22, on Twitter at @mundofox22 and on Instagram at @mundofox22.
About Meruelo Media
Meruelo Media, the media division of Meruelo Group, which currently operates Los Angeles radio station KDAY, 93.5 FM and three television stations in Los Angeles, Houston and Santa Barbara; as well as a superstation on its digital KWHY-TV 22.2 stream with carriage on Time Warner Cable. KWHY-Channel 22 Los Angeles is the flagship and local affiliate station of the MundoFOX television network. Meruelo Group is a diversified management company overseeing 25 affiliated portfolio companies in 10 primary industries with holdings in banking and financial services, food services, construction and engineering, real estate, hotel and casino operations and public and private equity. Alex Meruelo is the principal of Meruelo Group. For more information please visit www.meruelogroup.com.
Press Contact:
Rebekah Salgado
[email protected]
562.228.8191
Cheezburger Launches Spanish Humor Platform: Eres Todo un Loquillo
Cheezburger Launches Spanish Humor Platform: Eres Todo un Loquillo
The Popular Humor Network Expands Into the Spanish-Language Market.
Already Racks Up More Than 1 Million Visits.
SEATTLE, June 23, 2015 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — Cheezburger, a leading online humor network known for popular websites such as I Can Has Cheezburger?, Know Your Meme, FAIL Blog and Memebase, today announced the launch of its newest venture, Eres Todo un Loquillo. The new site, iOS and Android apps will feature funny content in Spanish and will cater to Hispanic audiences both in the U.S. and abroad. During its pre-release period, Eres Todo un Loquillo has already racked up 1 million visits.
Cheezburger has established itself as a global brand. In fact, 50 percent of its 20 million monthly users are from outside the US. Starting with a Spanish only language site was the clear next step for Cheezburger.
“We’re committed to entertaining the world regardless of borders or language. Eres Todo un Loquillo is just the first step,” says CEO and Founder, Ben Huh. “Humor is specific to cultures and language plays a huge part. Giving users their own home in their native tongue is important in helping them express their sense of humor.”
Eres Todo un Loquillo’s content channels include: Curiosidades, Memes, Deportes, Animales, GIFs, Medios, Relaciones and Videos. The channels were chosen based on popular categories on Cheezburger, as well as thorough data analysis of the types of content preferred by Spanish-speaking audiences.
The company tapped Juan Pablo Chiquiza to serve as content Producer for the new site and apps. Chiquiza, a Colombian native, brings a decade of impressive experience to Eres Todo un Loquillo. Prior to joining the Cheezburger, Chiquiza worked for several major players in the media industry including The Washington Post, Google and Sony.
“Cheezburger’s existing editorial voice and style is appealing to me, and it’s an honor to be producing our new channel with a 100% focus in Spanish,” says Juan Pablo Chiquiza. “Being involved from the beginning of this new experience is a rare opportunity and I’m excited about leading it.”
Since its inception in 2007, Cheezburger has become a major player in the digital media and entertainment industry. The company already delivers mainstream fun to millions online, and now with the launch of Eres Todo un Loquillo, it hopes to reach new millennial readers who are seeking funny content in Spanish.
Contact: Emily Huh, 1-425-830-7743, [email protected]
El Latino Semanal Expands Its Digital Circulation To South Florida
El Latino Semanal Expands Its Digital Circulation To South Florida
WEST PALM BEACH, Fla., June 23, 2015 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — El Latino Semanal, www.ellatinodigital.com, and Hispanic Media Works Inc, the news and distribution site administrator for El Latino Semanal, will expand the Digital circulation to South Florida. The site surpassed 10 million hits in the first year of operation.
“Our marketplace had reached a strategic inflection point in both the way our content was distributed and consumed, as well as how it was utilized by marketers to communicate with their consumers. We launched www.ellatinodigital.com as a commitment to provide our readers and advertisers with a truly seamless approach to print and digital.”
“Our broadsheet format, 40 years of experience serving the growing DMA38 and a deep commitment to our community made the increased coverage of our digital distribution a natural step. With this expansion and our new distribution modes along with accurately generated statistics, our advertisers have the best ROI measurement possible,” commented Jose R. Uzal, National Sales Manager.
El Latino Semanal has an iconic format which reflects the present market realities for print media and strikes a balance between informing the readers, giving our advertisers maximum exposure and controlling operating costs.
About El Latino Semanal Inc: El Latino Semanal is the largest and oldest Spanish weekly in DMA 38/H28. It is the only Hispanic broadsheet publication with measured distribution and readership. It started in 1976 serving 30K Hispanics. Today, El Latino Semanal serves a Hispanic population approaching 500,000, as per the last census adjustment. El Latino Semanal markets to the English reluctant, the non-Hispanic whites who want to reach the Hispanics and its core community from Boca Raton to Ft Pierce. El Lattino Semanal is the minority newspaper of record. It publishes all the legal ads for the State, County and Municipalities.
Contact: Jose R. Uzal, National Sales Manager 561-310-5333 E-mail: [email protected]