I Live Here, I Give Here…Amplify AUSTIN!

Can you imagine how $1 million could change the Austin community?

Well, pretty soon you may see this turn into a reality!

Amplify Austin is Austin’s first community-wide giving festival and they are challenging our local community to raise $1 million in 24 hours. That’s right $1 million in ONE DAY.

The results of this campaign can do wonders for ATX as well as our local non-profits.

Here’s why:

Starting on March 4th at 7PM, the website AmplifyATX.org will be turned into a giving site where you can search for a non-profit that you love by name (or by any nonprofit whose cause you support). At that time you can donate any amount you want to the non-profit. Remember, every donation—no matter what size—counts.

Then, not only will donations be matched, but every hour Amplify Austin will give out $1,000 to the nonprofits that generate the most dollars or donors!

This could really help the missions of nonprofits like Con Mi MADRE, and we are proud to say we are a part of the Amplify Austin campaign. Look for us on March 4th until the end of the campaign on March 5th at 7PM.

We’re hoping to make an impact to help increase the representation of Latina girls in higher education as well as building a stronger bi-lingual workforce in the Austin community.

Help us continue our tradition of success in our beloved ATX!

Thanksgiving with Latino Flair

Being a Latino in the US makes for a unique experience growing up. It means shifting between an English-speaking world and a Spanish-speaking one almost seamlessly. It means being a part of two cultures, each with its own set of traditions, cuisine, history and values. A Latino life, quite simply, is a fusion in more ways than one.

Thanksgiving is one holiday coming up where we see this fusion of cultures, where a little Latino flair is sometimes added to what is traditionally known as an American holiday. In the US, it’s not strange to see Hispanic families place pumpkin flan, pumpkin empanadas, or calabaza de tacha on the Thanksgiving table to celebrate this special holiday of family and hope. In fact, society is starting to take notice. Just take a look at this infographic, courtesy of Hispanically Speaking News, on how Thanksgiving is celebrated in Hispanic households.

Does it ring true for your household? Is there a Latin twist to your Thanksgiving table? If you would like to add a little Latin cuisine to your Dia del Pavo, click on the link below to view a video for a simple pumpkin flan recipe that’s delicious and healthy.

Pumpkin Flan Recipe

Dia De Los Muertos vs. Halloween

Halloween and Dia De Los Muertos are two holidays that are often misconstrued by people to be the one and the same. Some believe Dia De Los Muertos to be the Mexican version of Halloween – which is not true. …

Con Mi MADRE Recives UT Community Partnership Award 2012

The lovely ladies of Con Mi Madre standing with President Bill Powers and Gregory Vincent.

This month on October 3, 2012, Con Mi MADRE was given the great honor of receiving the Community Partnership Award given by The University of Texas at Austin’s Division of Diversity and Community Engagement. This award recognizes exceptional leadership and commitment to university-community partnerships that strive for equality on the educational playing field for under-served populations.

 

Sandy Alcala receiving the UT Community Partnership Award with a huge smile!

The event took place at the Mexican American Cultural Center and Sandy Segura Alcala, our current Executive Director, graciously accepted the award on Con Mi MADRE’s behalf from UT President Bill Powers and Vice President for Diversity and Community Engagement Gregory Vincent. When asked about the award and what it means to her organization, she responded with the following:” Con Mi MADRE has shared a wonderful partnership with the School of Social Work and we are truly honored to be recognized for our 20 years of commitment and service in the Austin community.”

Additionally, we would like to congratulate The Tejano Monument, In. – an organization that honors early Spanish and Mexican pioneers and their contributions to Texas – for receiving a Community Partnership Award as well. 

Other guests in attendance included: Coah Jody Conradt,who received a special recognition for her work with the Neighborhood Longhorns Program (NLP); David M. Garza and John S. Hogg, who both won the Community Leadership Circle Award; and S.A. and Viola Garza, who were given the Joe R. and Teresa Lozano Long Legacy Award.

It was a special night and Con Mi MADRE was honored to be in the presence of such amazing organizations and people who share the same love for their community. We look forward to serving the Austin area for many more years to come and increasing the representation of Hispanic girls in higher education.  Hook’em

Austin Bucket List by Lauren

 

By Lauren Mendoza, Con Mi MADRE alumni

During fall, our wonderful city celebrates our Latino community from Hispanic Heritage Month (Sept. 15- Oct. 15) to Día de los Muertos. Experiencing what Austin has to offer is a fun way to stay active, keep up with our ever-expanding city, and is a great opportunity to engage in our community. There’s a lot going on in the upcoming weeks and the weather is finally agreeable, so be sure to take advantage of some of the fun cultural festivities. Here’s a quick guide to help you get started celebrating our Hispanic community right here in Austin during this beautiful time of year.

ACTIVO

If you need a boost of energy to get you motivated to go out to the celebrations, get moving! Literally. No matter what your fitness level is, yoga and zumba are wonderful ways to get active and feel good. Whether you want to reduce stress, build muscle strength, improve your flexibility, or just stretch your tired muscles after a long day, millions of people have found yoga to benefit their mind, body, and spirit. This month the Mexican American Cultural Center is offering Yoga en Español on Wednesdays from Sept. 12 – Oct. 10, 6-7pm, for just $6.

If you’re looking for a workout that feels more like fun than work, try a zumba class. The Latin beats will get you moving to the salsa, flamenco, and hip-hop dance moves, and it’s great for people with all levels of dance experience. Take your mom, she’ll love it! It burns fat and stress, and is a great way to get back into exercising (even if it’s been a while). Zumba classes at the MACC are on Tuesdays and Thursdays from Sept. 11- Oct. 16. As with any exercise it is always wise to consult a physician beforehand.

Mexican American Cultural Center, 600 River Street. $6 per class.

 

ARTE

In case you missed the Dieciseis festivities this month, you can still see Jose Antonio Garciaguerra’s artwork celebrating the epoch of Mexico’s Independence, “La Epoca de la Independencia de Mexico.” Concurrently on display at the Mexican American Cultural Center in the Community Gallery is “Plastic Eye,” photographs by Faustinus Deraet presenting images of Mexico captured by a plastic toy camera. Bring a friend and enjoy the live music at 3 p.m. It’s more like a fiesta than a museum. And in case you’re feeling creative, hang around for one of their classes on Glitter nichos, sugar skull making, or altar making.

Mexican American Cultural Center, 600 River Street.

M-Th 10am – 6pm, F 10am – 5:30 pm, Sat 10am – 4 pm. Free admission.

 

Mexic-arte Museum’s current exhibition, Elements of Day of the Dead, examines contemporary interpretations of Día de los Muertos iconography and customs. Check it out on September 23, when they’ll also showcase live screen-printing from local latino artists and have other fun hands-on activities for the whole family. It’s a great opportunity to get creative and learn about an exciting new trade.

Mexic-arte Museum, 419 Congress Avenue 12 – 5 PM, Activities 12 – 3, Free admission Sundays.

 

CELEBRACIONES

On Saturday, October 13, Highland Mall is inviting all students (K-12) to perform talent acts celebrating Hispanic Heritage month. Perform in a group or solo act that honors Hispanic culture and win a cash prize up to $100. After the talent show there will be more celebrating with live music by Mauricio Callejas Band and La Frenetika. You can register online by Sept. 28 at http://www.highlandmall.com/event/hispanic-heritage-month-talent-show/ or pick up an entry form at the mall office Monday-Friday 8:30am-5pm.

Good Luck!

Highland Mall, 6001 Airport Boulevard.

 

COMIDA

Of all the 24 hour food stops in Austin, La Mexicana is one of my favorites. This family owned panaderia and taquería has an all day breakfast and lunch menu, cakes, pralines, homemade flour tortillas and leading up to Día de los Muertos, much more. They have everything you need to celebrate, including sugar skulls and bread of the dead. Since they’re 24 hrs, it’s perfect for fueling up for late night studying or the morning before a big test. And since it’s fall, be sure to take advantage of the delicious pumpkin empanadas. Mmm.

La Mexicana, 1924 South First St. Open 24 hours everyday.

COMPRA

Tesoros Trading Co. has a beautiful assortment of traditional and contemporary folk arts and crafts from over 20 different countries including Mexico, Chile, Columbia, and Spain. This month they have beautiful and affordable skull and bone jewelry to help you celebrate Día de los Muertos con estilo. Then it’s just a short walk down the block to Lucy in Disguise with Diamonds to pick out your Halloween costume. They really do have just about anything you could think of. Why not try Superwoman?

Tesoros Trading Co., 1500 South Congress Avenue, 11am-6pm.

 

 

 

Alumni Story: A Change in Plans

By: Tracey Reyna

I have never been so disappointed in myself as the day I went to school to drop out of my college courses. Up until that day, I was sure that I would graduate as I did from high school, back in 2008. I aspired to complete an Associate’s degree and follow through into a university right after. I was so focused and determined that I never thought I would have to face a host of challenges in the coming years.

After graduating from high school with honors, I felt like I was on top of the world. All of my hard work had paid off and I had something to show for it. I had a solid plan of what I was going to do. I would go to ACC (Austin Community College) to earn an Associate’s degree and from there, get accepted to a first-tier university where I’d graduate with a Bachelor’s by 2012.

But life has a way of changing one’s plans…

During my last two years of high school, there were some problems that had come up within my family. Problems that weren’t mine, but involved people I loved, and it made me feel like I needed to be financially responsible for myself. I witnessed my parents facing financial hardship and I felt obligated to help as soon as possible. Therefore, at the first opportunity I had to make my own decisions, I decided to get two jobs while still being a full-time college student. I didn’t want to be a burden to my parents and I wanted to begin paying for some of my own things, like my cell phone bill and gas. To me, that didn’t seem like much, and my parents were opposed, but I wanted to help in any way possible.

I soon realized that the responsibilities I chose to burden myself with were not going to be as easy as I thought.

During my third semester at ACC, it had all caught up to me. Assisting my family, managing two jobs, going to school full-time and taking on an engagement with my long time boyfriend all played a part in me becoming stressed and exhausted everyday. I lost focus, started falling behind in school and ended up having to drop all of my classes.

Dropping out of school was something I was not proud of. I was disappointed in myself because I didn’t follow through with what I said I was going to and I couldn’t help but feel ashamed. This wasn’t what I wanted for myself, but at the time, what my family was going through and what I could do to help, seemed as a good enough reason to justify what I had done. So I kept working hard to achieve my new goal of becoming financially independent.

After a small break from school, I realized I was comfortable with where I was at in life. I was making good money from working two jobs, so I didn’t see a reason to go back to school. However, my persistent mother always questioned my intentions of not going back and didn’t let me forget how important school was for my future. So after a lot of long conversations with her, she won me over and convinced me to take some classes again. At that time, the family problems were still haunting us, so even though I wanted to go back to school, I wanted something I could finish fast to help me get a better job than what I had. That’s why I looked into trade schools and wound up attending Everest Institute. It wasn’t my Associates degree that I was working towards, but I thought surely something was better than nothing. So to a degree, I was happy. After I enrolled to Everest and studied to be a Medical Administrative Assistant, I was able to quit both of my jobs. With the help of God, I graduated on a Saturday and got hired the following Tuesday at the OB/GYN office where I currently work full-time.

During the process of it all, my fiancé and I tied the knot and shortly after bought a house, something I am very proud of.

It is now 2012, and even though everything I have accomplished to this day has made me extremely happy and content, I have to be honest with myself. Nothing would satisfy me more than to finish what I initially started: my college education. That is why I am looking into going back to ACC this fall to pick up where I left off. I know it’s not going to be easy and it’s going to be a lot of work, but I also believe it is something that is going to pay off in the end. I feel I’m in a good place in life right now where I can give myself that opportunity of doing something even better for myself. So all in all, I’m very excited for what the future holds in store for me.

Tracey Reyna graduated high school in 2008 and was a Con Mi MADRE program participant for six years. Her favorite parts about the program were college visits and Con mi Padre events. She is continuing college courses this fall.

New Immigration Policy FAQs

We have had a lot of questions about the new immigration policy President Obama announced about stopping deportations of certain undocumented youth, often referred to as DREAMers.

To answer your questions, we are holding an information session on Monday, July 16th at Manchaca Public Library from 6 pm – 8 pm. Griselda Ponce, an immigration attorney, will discuss the policy and who is eligible to apply for it. Besides families involved with Con Mi MADRE, our Austin College Access Network partners Breakthrough, College Forward, and KIPP and their families are welcome to attend.

Until then, here are is some information regarding this policy:
What shift has occurred recently regarding immigration policy and undocumented students?

The policy shift means young immigrants can qualify for deferred action—a temporary legal status—and work authorization if they meet the following criteria:

• They are not older than 30 and were younger than 16 when they arrived in the United States.
• They lived in the United States at the time of the announcement, and had been here at least five years.
• They are enrolled in school, have graduated from high school or have earned a GED, or have served in the military.
• They have a relatively clean criminal history—meaning no felony or serious misdemeanor convictions.

Deferred action means no threat of deportation for two years. When that time is up, students will need to reapply. Students must present documentation—school records, medical records, financial records—to prove they are eligible. Qualifying for deferred action also means students age 15 and older can legally work in the U.S. if they apply for a work permit, pay the $380 fee, and are approved, according to the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) website. Details of what the June 15 announcement means for undocumented students and their college and work prospects should become clearer as the date to apply for deferred status approaches. The Department of Homeland Security website estimates another 60 days before UCSIS will start taking applications for deferred status.

The following questions and answers have been provided by Griselda Ponce, the immigration attorney who will be discussing the policy at the information session. For further questions, please attend the information session.

If I am granted deferred action, will I be eligible for employment authorization?

You will be eligible for employment authorization, but you will have to apply for it separately. State driver’s license requirements for immigrants, and the documents accepted as proof of status, vary by state. It may take advocacy to ensure that your state recognizes persons with deferred action status as eligible for a license. Since deferred action status is listed in the federal Real ID Act as a status that makes you eligible for a license that’s recognized for certain federal purposes, there are strong arguments for states to grant driver’s licenses to people with deferred action status.

If I am denied deferred action, will I be placed in deportation proceedings?

If you are denied deferred action under this process, USCIS will refer your case to ICE only if you have a criminal conviction or if there is a finding of fraud in your request. It is against USCIS policy to refer cases to ICE where there is no evidence of fraud or criminal conviction. Before you apply, however, it is really important that you first consult with a DREAM advocate or a reputable attorney – especially if you have ever been convicted of any kind of crime.

If you are in deportation proceedings, you can visit the ICE website at www.ice.gov or call the ICE hotline at 1-888-351-4024 (9 a.m. – 5 p.m., English and Spanish). Everyone else can visit USCIS’s website (www.uscis.gov) or call the USCIS hotline at 1-800-375-5283 (8 a.m. – 8 p.m., English and Spanish). Additional information is available from the website of the ICE Office of the Public Advocate, www.ice.gov/about/offices/enforcement-removal-operations/publicadvocate/.

Summertime at Sustainable Food Center’s Farmers’ Markets

By: Bianca Bidiuc & Molly Costigan, SFC Community Health Organizers (AmeriCorps VISTA)

Sustainable Food Center (SFC) shines in the summertime by offering fun activities and promoting healthy living at all four of our farmers’ markets (Downtown, Sunset Valley, Triangle, East). The farmers’ market is an ideal place to learn about new varieties of fresh fruits and vegetables, watch a cooking demonstration, sample new foods, and participate in children’s activities. We’ve highlighted a few of the top reasons to visit:

1. A trip to the farmers’ market is a great way to spend time outside relaxing and learning. All four SFC markets have green space for playing, sitting, strolling, eating, and more. The Downtown and Sunset Valley markets feature the Imagination Playground, and the East market has become a great destination for educational fieldtrips. The Triangle market is especially popular for pet owners!

2. There is no better way to try fresh, seasonal fruits and vegetables than with a visit to the farmers’ market. Been looking for that perfectly ripe melon? Craving peaches, figs, and cherry tomatoes? Find out what’s in season and enjoy a wide variety of produce at its peak. Our farmers pick their produce when it’s ripe, just before market day. Be sure to check out the Taste the Place table and sample produce and products from different vendors. And don’t forget, you can beat the heat during the summer months and start shopping as early as 8:30 at the Sunset Valley and Downtown markets on Saturdays.

3. Bring your kids to the SFC Farmers’ Market Downtown for a variety of free activities designed just for kids! On the 2^nd and 4^th Saturdays of the month, they can make a healthy snack in The Little Kitchen from 10 am – 12 noon, and on the 3^rd Saturday the Li’l Sprouts program offers fun, educational activities about eating healthy, nutritious, and local food! The market runs every Saturday from 9 am – 1 pm at 4^th and Guadalupe.

4. Make your food dollars go further at the SFC Farmers’ Market East every Tuesday from 10 am – 1 pm at the YMCA East Communities Branch (51^st St. and Highway 183)! This market features a Double Dollar Incentive Program/Doble Dólares Programa, so if you purchase $10 in fruits and vegetables with your SNAP – Lone Star Card, or your WIC FMNP (Farmers Market Nutrition Program) vouchers, the Market Information booth coordinator will give you $10 DDIP/Doble Dólares money to spend on more fruits and vegetables. We will match your fruit and vegetable purchases every week! Families can also visit with vendors, enjoy the playground, and have lunch in the shaded picnic area.

For more information on SFC market locations, days, and hours, check out SFC’s website www.sustainablefoodcenter.org and www.sfcmarkets.org.

Con Mi MADRE is very fortunate that Sustainable Food Center is one of our partners. They will be providing a cooking/nutrition class for our Summer Champ Camp. They are a great resource in our community.

Have a Safe 4th of July

Happy Independence Day! If you have the day off, enjoy it outside. Whether you are going to see the Austin Symphony Orchestra perform during the fireworks display, going on a picnic or BBQ, or just spending some time with the family, here are some tips to keep in mind for the hot weather.

• Stay hydrated. Be sure to drink water in order to stay hydrated in the heat. Soda, tea, coffee, and other beverages are dehydrating, so stick to pure water or flavored water.
• Avoid cross-contamination. If you are outside grilling, keep raw meat separated from other foods and don’t use the same utensils or cutting boards to handle the meat and everything else. Keep cold foods cold and hot foods hot. If you have had a food out of the refrigerator for over two hours, even if it has been in a cooler, toss it.
• Pack a picnic. For an easy, fun dinner, pack a picnic and take it with you to watch the fireworks. Keep it simple – one drink, a main course, a side dish or two, and a no-mess dessert. Popular picnic classics include lemonade, iced tea, sandwiches, mac and cheese, potato salad, brownies, and cupcakes.
• Don’t forget! If you are outside, you might need: bug spray, sunscreen, a blanket to sit on, trash bags, moist towelettes, eating utensils, water, and toys, like Frisbees and footballs, to play with.
• Stay in the shade. The shade is always cooler than being in direct sunlight. Whether you are picnicking, watching fireworks, or just spending some time at the park, try to come early and find a shady spot to sit in.
• Always apply sunscreen. Getting a sunburn is not just an uncomfortable experience, but it increases your risk for skin cancer. Apply sunscreen at least 15 minutes before sun exposure, and reapply every hour or two.
• Most importantly – have fun! Spend some time with friends or family and be sure to relax.

Have a happy 4^th of July and stay safe! If you are looking for fun things to do in your area, check out this website for local activities: http://www.freefuninaustin.com/2012/06/4th-of-july-events-in-austin-and-beyond.html

How are you planning on spending your 4^th of July? Let us know in the comments.

The Prepárte Conference

by Sonia Castellanos, Program Director

In May, I attended the Prepárte: Educating Latinos for the Future of America conference (http://preparate.collegeboard.org/) hosted by College Board (http://www.collegeboard.org/) in Miami, Florida. The event lasted three days and featured a variety of panels and sessions hosted by various experts in the industry, all focused around college preparedness and the college experience for Latinos. Overall, I felt this conference was extremely beneficial to me as Con Mi MADRE’s Program Director because it dealt directly with the Latino demographic, while other similar conferences are not as focused. I returned with knowledge that will help our community and program participants here in central Texas.

Several sessions were focused around the college admissions process, with topics such as the “Helping Students Get Ready for College: Resources, Access, and Equity,” “Helping Students Showcase Their Strengths to Colleges,” and “AP and Latino Student Success.” I learned about The College Board’s free SAT prep tools and resources, how to utilize them, and how to connect students and their families to them for greater success, as well as how to encourage and maintain enrollment in AP courses.

An interesting session was titled “Strengthening and Ensuring Male Latino Success in Higher Education.,” which focused on the personal stories of Latino undergraduate students and identified key elements for success in college. A 2006 report by UCLA’s Chicano Studies Research Center revealed that, for every 100 Latina children who begin school, 54 will graduate from high school, 11 will graduate from college, and four will pursue graduate or professional education. For Latinos, the numbers are slightly lower.

In order for Latinos, male and female, to succeed in college, they must have support from their family and community, a good understanding of financial aid and scholarships, and a strong determination to obtain a degree. This idea aligns with Con Mi MADRE’s holistic approach to college persistence, so it was very relevant to us! A similar session focused on “Cultural Relevance in the Classroom,” showcasing the importance of connecting Latino culture with a student’s school experience, and another explained how to bridge the gap between college readiness and college success through similar methods. All of these sessions match Con Mi MADRE’s mission and goals, so they were useful and informative.

Other sessions focused on various policies which would have an effect on the Latino population. One such policy is the DREAM Act, which has been passed in California and Illinois and which allows high-achieving undocumented students to be eligible for state financial assistance. In many states, an undocumented student does not qualify for in-state tuition, even if they have spent almost their entire life in the same state. Thankfully, Texas allows undocumented students to receive in-state tuition. For other states, the DREAM Act would change this policy to allow some qualified students in-state tuition. This would eliminate another hurdle in place for undocumented students wishing to earn a degree. As a current issue in the Latino community, it is important to stay informed about the DREAM Act.

For more resources for you and your family about AP classes, test preparation, financial aid, and more, check out the Prepárte website here (http://preparate.collegeboard.org/resources). Most resources are in both English and Spanish.