Hispanic Family Center Graduates First Class from New Green Jobs Training Program
On July 1, 2009, the first training class graduated from the Hispanic Family Center’s Green Jobs Training Program in Camden. The program, launched as a new initiative in April, is funded by the New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development and is part of a statewide effort to stimulate the economy by creating jobs in the energy efficiency field. Training workers for green jobs is part of Governor Corzine’s ambitious Energy Master Plan which calls for the public and private sectors to work together over the next year to invest nearly $1 billion in energy efficiency and renewable energy. "Governor Corzine recognizes that new approaches to energy will create new pathways to economic prosperity for the Garden State," said Department of Labor and Workforce Development Commissioner David J. Socolow. The Green Jobs sector is expected to experience exponential growth in the coming years as state and federal officials focus their efforts on economic recovery.
Fifteen men and one woman were trained to perform energy audits, to air-seal buildings and inspect weatherization, install insulation, and be familiar with the basic thermodynamics of a home. The twelve-week training program included classroom instruction, team building and workplace readiness as well as safety training and hands-on exposure to real-work occupational settings. After completing the coursework, trainees graduate to paid internships with regional energy efficiency organizations which provide hands-on experience in the field. Green Jobs Program Director, Altie Carrasquillo, feels the comprehensive training approach gives workers an advantage when reentering the workforce, “Through this program, we are trying to give our students all the tools they need to succeed in their chosen careers. We believe comprehensive training that includes both vocational and general skills will make students more well rounded candidates for employment.”
Camden City was chosen as one of the four sites in New Jersey due partly to the high unemployment rate in the area and also to increase opportunities for underserved populations. According to data from the NJ Department of Labor, the current unemployment rate for Camden City is estimated at 16.1 percent, one of the highest rates throughout the state. This month, the state’s unemployment rate moved to 8.8 percent, but remains lower than the national rate of 9.4 percent. Hispanic Family Center Executive Director, Elsa Candelario is hoping to change that with the implementation of this program. “The goal is to get our consumers employed in well paying jobs. At HFC we believe that the Green Jobs Training Program will provide a path towards attaining growing careers in a field that offers many opportunities for both men and women,” says Candelario. HFC will begin the second round of training July 6, with one more training session to follow in year one. Persons interested in the program should call Program Coordinator, Megan Barbano Maxwell at (856)-964-4692.
View Courier Post Article about Green Jobs here.
Governor Corzine awarded 2009 Vision Award at Annual CSI Conference
New Jersey Governor Jon S. Corzine was presented with the 2009 Vision Award from the Hispanic Family Center of Southern New Jersey during its 7th Annual Cultural Sensitivity Conference. The Governor was selected to receive the award for creating the Blue Ribbon Panel on Immigrant Policy which was established by the signing of a 2007 Executive Order. It marked the first time in New Jersey’s history that a state entity has been charged solely with the task of examining state issues as they relate to immigrants. The mission of the panel was to develop recommendations for a comprehensive and strategic statewide approach to successfully integrate immigrants into New Jersey’s population.
Throughout the panel’s lifespan, its work focused broadly on the immigrant workforce and labor, the role of the state in the delivery of social services and public benefits to the immigrant population, local government best practices, and education issues involving children in early childhood settings, primary and secondary schools and college. The 34 member panel, which included HFC Executive Director, Elsa Candelario, submitted their final report to the Governor in March of this year. Ronald K. Chen, the NJ Public Advocate and Chairperson of the Blue Ribbon Panel,was one of two persons to receive the 2009 Excellence Award from the Hispanic Family Center. Albert Alvarez, Deputy Chief of Staff to Gov. Corzine, received the other for his role in providing leadership to panel. The two men attended the conference to accept their awards, as well as accept the Vision Award on behalf of Governor Corzine.
The 7th Annual Cultural Sensitivity Conference, "Keeping Culture in the Mix," took place on Thursday, June 25, 2009. This year's conference featured keynote speaker, Lee Mun Wah, who delivered the speech, "Only a World Away." A nationally acclaimed lecturer, Lee Mun Wah is a Chinese American community therapist, documentary film maker, Special Education educator, performing poet, Asian folk teller, and author. The Conference, which celebrates diversity, will included educational workshops on topics like cultural competency and immigrant integration.
Executive Director Honored by The Parada San Juan Bautista at Annual Gala
Elsa Candelario, Executive Director of the Hispanic Family Center of Southern New Jersey, was awarded one of several 2009 Achievement Awards for her achievement and dedication to the community by the Parada San Juan Bautista. The award was presented to her and five other distinguished individuals during the 52nd Annual Gala and Dinner Dance at the Crowne Plaza Hotel. The Gala was held in conjunction with several other events this month sponsored by the San Juan Bautista organization which celebrates Ruerto Rican culture and heritage. All events lead up to the annual Puerto Rican Day Parade and concert held in downtown Camden on June 28. Congratulations, Elsa!
HFC Holds Community Health Fair in Honor of National HIV/AIDS Testing Month
A community health fair was held in June in recognition of national HIV/AIDS testing month by the Hispanic Family Center. The agency invited over twenty area service providers to participate in the event which raised awareness about HIV/AIDS and promoted community resources. Attendees were entertained by various activities for children, music, giveaways, and free food. Kids enjoyed a moonbounce, games, a clown, and arts and crafts. HFC will hold another large community health fair in October. Special thanks to all of our partners who participated in the fair to make it a successful event!
Seniors Show Their Style during Fashion Show
Personal style was the talk of the day at the Senior Fashion Show held at the Family Counseling Clinic earlier this month. Eight models from HFC's Senior Day Care program walked the runway for guests attending the show. Each modeled outfits from their personal wardrobe which best showcased their own sense of style. The models are pictured here along with Yahaira Walters-Banks, the geriatric worker for the program (far left, seated), and Margie Graber, Director of the Family Counseling Clinic (Far right, standing). Seniors who attended and participated hope to make this fashion show and annual event.
Puppet Show Teaches ChildrenHow to Manage their Asthma
Teens from HFC's Youth Center program joined forces with members of the Pediatric Asthma Prevention staff to put on a puppet show for kids. The free event, held at the Camden Family Success Center, drew a variety of parents and kids from the community. Held in honor of Asthma Awareness month in May, the show was meant to teach children how to manage their asthma.
NJAfter 3 Program Holds Tennis Night for Kids at Sumner Elementary School
Friends and family came out to Sumner Elementary to celebrate "Tennis Night" for kids. The program, sponsored by the Hispanic Family Center's NJ After 3 Program at Sumner Elementary and the Arthur Ashe Youth Tennis and Education AfterSchool Tennis N' Tutoring Program, provides tennis lessons to kids aged 7 to 11. The children split time between the classroom, getting homework help from the teacher as needed, and the tennis court - learning the game, performing drills and learning the benefits of physical fitness. At "Tennis Night" parents were invited to view their sons and daughters perform their new tennis skills as well as participate in a number of interactive activities. Special thanks to all the staff from NJ After 3 and Arthur Ashe who made this such a successful program!
Prevention Walk Raises Awareness on Asthma
HFC Staff along with students and faculty from St. Joseph's Pro-Cathedral School participated in an Asthma Prevention Walk-a-Thon in East Camden in May. Participants walked the streets in the surrounding neighborhood to give out free information on asthma and to increase awareness about asthma treatment and prevention. The walk is part of a larger series of events designated for Asthma Awareness Month.
Cultural Sensitivity Insititute Announces Newest Class and Conference
The Hispanic Family Center would like to announce the upcoming schedule for the Camden County Cultural Sensitity Insititute. Professionals from all areas of human services undergo training to gain a greater understanding of what Cultural Sensitivity means through CSI workshops. Through classroom and interactive experiences, professionals learn how they can be more culturally competent in their interactions. Topics include understanding gender, racial, ethnic, sexual orientation, religious stereotypes, etc. Below is the next scheduled workshop and conference:
Class Five: "Triple A - Adolescents, Anger, and Addiction" June 30, 2009.
Seventh Annual Cultural Sensitivity Conference “Keeping Culture in the Mix” Thursday, June 25, 2009, 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM
Featuring Master Diversity & Communications Trainer: Lee Mun Wah Delivering “Only a World Away”
A nationally acclaimed lecturer, Lee Mun Wah is a Chinese American community therapist, documentary filmmaker, Special Education educator, performing poet, Asian folkteller, and author. He is also the Executive Director of StuFry Seminars & Consulting, which works with corporations, government agencies, educational institutions, and social agencies to facilitate diversity issues through healthy and authentic cross cultural relationships.Please call or email Andrea Marshall at 856-427-6553 or CSICamdenCounty@verizon.net by 6/10/09 to register.
Hispanic Directors Endorse Blue Ribbon Immigration Report
The Hispanic Directors Association of New Jersey (HDANJ) today endorsed the findings of the Governor’s Blue Ribbon Panel on Immigration taking special note of the recommendations issued by the panel with regards to the establishment of a “Commission of New Americans,” a greater emphasis on cultural competency in state programs, and in-state college tuition for immigrant children.
The Hispanic Directors Association of New Jersey (HDANJ) today endorsed the findings of the Governor’s Blue Ribbon Panel on Immigration taking special note of the recommendations issued by the panel with regards to the establishment of a “Commission of New Americans,” a greater emphasis on cultural competency in state programs, and in-state college tuition for immigrant children.
“We are encouraged by Governor Corzine’s assurances that he will put into effect most of the recommendations set forth by the panel,” said Elsa Candelario, Chairperson of the Hispanic Directors Association and member of the Blue Ribbon Panel. “We anticipate that his endorsement will result in establishing in the near future a Commission on New Americans in the State Department of the Public Advocate. This commission can serve as both a watchdog for civil rights and a promoter of immigrant integration into the larger New Jersey community.” Candelario is also Executive Director of the Hispanic Family Center of Southern New Jersey.
Daniel Santo Pietro, Executive Director of HDANJ added: “We appreciate the Governor believes that cultural competency in state programs is essential if we are to deliver programs to our growing immigrant community, which will be a key component in New Jersey’s economic revival. The data is very clear – Immigrants are essential to our economy. If we are to succeed, programs such as English as a Second Language courses, workforce training, and health services need to be delivered in a culturally sensitive way.”
There are dozens of recommendations in the report which will take many months to digest and analyze. Among them, the recommendation to provide in-state tuition for immigrant children who have lived here all their lives, but may not be documented, is critical. “We cannot condemn these children to a life of ignorance and ourselves to the consequences of closing off opportunity to many motivated youths,” Santo Pietro concluded.HDANJ is an umbrella organization representing more than two dozen Latino community-based organizations, including the Hispanic Family Center, from across the state. The agencies serve hundreds of thousands of low income clients a year.
Read the executive summary of the report
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