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About Us Section History øOÌste? The Massaschusetts Latino Political Organization (501 C4) was founded in 1999 by several Latino activists from accross the state who were concerned about the lack of Latino political representation and participation in Massachusetts. The purpose of øOÌste? is to build a solid, educated and participatory electoral base of Latinos, active in civic and electoral processes at the federal, state, and local levels. At the heart of this effort is a deeply held belief in the importance of direct involvement by Latinos in the development of the public programs and policies that shape the context for the future of the community in the Commonwealth. øOÌste? is structured geographically around six regions that together cover the entire state: Greater Boston, Western Massachusetts, Merrimack Valley, North Shore, Central Massachusetts, and Southeastern Massachusetts. For the past†six years, øOÌste? has been actively involved in several issues of importance to the Latino community of the state, including redistricting, bilingual education, Clean Elections and civic participation. (see Policy Issues section) øOÌste? The Massachusetts Latino Civic Education Initiative (501 C3) was created in 2001. Its primary purpose is to create an educated and actively engaged Latino civic base through grassroots organizing and civic education efforts. øOÌste? has designed localized educational trainings and materials in Spanish and English, to educate Latinos on how government works and also on specific issues of importance to the community (see Programs section). These bilingual trainings are offered locally and free of charge. The Civic Education Initiative (501 C3) has also helped coordinate a campaign for civic participation and serves as a resource for those organizations that conduct voter registration drives. Bilingual materials have been produced such as a "Get Out the Vote" radio jingle in Spanish, and, more recently, a "Yes on Clean Elections" and "No on Unz" jingles in Spanish. (see Programs section). In addtion, øOÌste? sponsored the first annual†Latino Legislative Breakfast and Lobby Day in Massachusetts history in October of 2001. Close to 500 Latinos convened at the Great Hall of the State House for a day of advocacy and lobbying. Mission Statement Our mission is to promote the principles and practice of democracy and to advance the political, social and economic standing of Latinos and Latinas in the state. We seek to reach these goals by impacting public policy through leadership development, civic and issue trainings, electoral reform and voter mobilization. Board Members Ismael RamÌrez-Soto, Board President (501c3) Esta dirección de correo electrónico está protegida contra los robots de spam, necesita tener Javascript activado para poder verla † JosÈ MassÛ, Board President (501c4) Esta dirección de correo electrónico está protegida contra los robots de spam, necesita tener Javascript activado para poder verla † Boston Chapter Esta dirección de correo electrónico está protegida contra los robots de spam, necesita tener Javascript activado para poder verla † Lucia Mayerson-David Jaime Rodriguez Ernesto Gonzalez Howard Leibowitz Gerry Algere Andres Paniagua † Southeast Chapter Esta dirección de correo electrónico está protegida contra los robots de spam, necesita tener Javascript activado para poder verla † Jose Torres Emilio Cruz Linda Ruiz Rosa Sanchez † Merrimack Valley Chapter Esta dirección de correo electrónico está protegida contra los robots de spam, necesita tener Javascript activado para poder verla † Barbara Gonzalez Oscar PatiÒo Carlos Matos † Western MA Chapter Esta dirección de correo electrónico está protegida contra los robots de spam, necesita tener Javascript activado para poder verla † Gumersindo Gomez Natalia Munoz Agma Sweeney Vladimir Morales † Central MA Chapter Esta dirección de correo electrónico está protegida contra los robots de spam, necesita tener Javascript activado para poder verla † Jennithen Cortes Maritza Cruz † Staff Giovanna Negretti, Executive Director Esta dirección de correo electrónico está protegida contra los robots de spam, necesita tener Javascript activado para poder verla Giovanna Negretti is the founding Executive Director of øOÌste? (Translation: Have You Heard?), the first and only statewide Latino political organization in Massachusetts. øOÌste? is a membership organization with a mission to promote the principles and practice of democracy and to advance the political, social and economic standing of Latinos and Latinas in the state. øOÌste? offers programs in leadership development, civic education, campaign training and advocacy. Born and raised in Puerto Rico, Giovanna arrived to Massachusetts in 1992. She began her local political work serving as a legislative aide to State Senator Dianne Wilkerson and Senior Advisor to the Joint Committee on Insurance. Simultaneously, she served as President of the Massachusetts Chapter of the National Congress for Puerto Rican Rights, an organization which advocates for civil rights of Puerto Ricans in the United States while promoting independence for Puerto Rico. On a national level, Giovanna is part of the Executive Committees of the National Boricua Human Rights Network, Boricua Initiative, Santiago’s List and the Fannie Lou Hamer Project. She has coordinated rallies and demonstrations in Washington DC, including “March for Amnesty for the Puerto Rican Political Prisoners” (1997); “A Un Siglo de InvasiÛn, A·n Marcha Nuestra NaciÛn” (1998); and the “National Day of Solidarity With the People of Vieques” (2000) and the March for Legalization of Immigrants (2002). Giovanna has also coordinated several humanitarian delegations to Central America and South America and the Caribbean. Giovanna was listed by Boston Magazine as one of 40 Bostonians to Watch (June 2002) and as one of the 100 Most Powerful Women in Boston (May 2003). She graduated from Emerson College with a BFA, magna cum laude, is a fellow of the National Hispana Leadership Institute and has a MPA with a concentration in Leadership from the Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University. Maria Alamo, Program Director Esta dirección de correo electrónico está protegida contra los robots de spam, necesita tener Javascript activado para poder verla Maria Alamo is a well-known and respected community activist who now serves as Program Director at øOÌste? Maria was born in BayamÛn, Puerto Rico and moved to Massachusetts fifteen years ago. She graduated from Roxbury Community College holds an Associate Degree in Art in Social Science. Maria has been involved in community organizing for eleven years. During this period Maria has developed effective networks of community leaders, local businesses, non- profit organizations, media, municipal and state agencies. Whether as an individual civic leader or as part of a community-based organization, Maria has earned an excellent reputation for successfully addressing such diverse issues as neighborhood crime, tenants’ rights and responsibilities, voter registration, and neighborhood clean up. Maria worked for community empowerment and implemented programs for youth mentoring and advocacy that included spearheading and working with the City of Boston to create community gardens and children tot lots in Jamaica Plain and Roxbury. Maria served as the first community coordinator for the innovative PATCH Program: a partnership between the community-based Dorchester CARES, and the Commonwealth’s Department of Social Services (DSS), and Department of Youth Services (DYS). She succeeded in laying the foundation for coordination of the partnership’s operations for improved comprehensive delivery of services for Dorchester families for the prevention of child abuse. As Director of the PLENA Program for the Hispanic Office of Planning & Evaluation (HOPE), Maria successfully increased community participation in the HIV and drug abuse awareness program by 75% within the first nine months. This was an unprecedented success for HOPE. Maria has also worked with the Chelsea Human Service Collaborative as a community organizer for the immigrants and refugees of Chelsea and East Boston where she succeeded in establishing resident associations, revitalized the Hispanic Business Association and increased the agency’s support network. Maria was specifically recruited as Program Director of øOÌste? because of her experience and success in program development and creating effective networks of support with community-based organizations, faith-based organizations, state and city officials, foundations, grass roots groups and the media. Maria has lent her expertise and experience to a range of other community organizations. She served as a member of the Board of Directors for the Brook View House, President of the Forbes Street Crime Watch Committee, member of the Advisory Committee of Hennigan Community School, member of the Chelsea Latino Task Force, Board member of the Theatre Zone in Chelsea, past Trustee of the Jamaica Plain Trust Fund. Maria also founded ALMA, an empowerment group for professional Latina women. Ms. Alamo’s dedication has not gone unnoticed. She has been recipient of numerous awards and honors: the Crime fighter of the Year Award (National Crime Watch), The Community Service Award (Boston Police Department), Appreciation of Service Award (Egleston Square Neighborhood Association), Community Service Award (Massachusetts House of Representatives), Certificate of Achievement for Leadership and Vision of a Positive Future for the Minority Community (Massachusetts Association of Hispanic Attorneys), Leadership Award (Metropolitan Boston Housing Partnership), and the Community Latino’s Leadership Award (Boston Police Department - Area E-13). Anna Lucia Stifano, Community Organizer Esta dirección de correo electrónico está protegida contra los robots de spam, necesita tener Javascript activado para poder verla Anna Lucia Stifano is the statewide community organizer for øOÌste?. Born and raised in Caracas, Venezuela,, Ms. Stifano arrived to Massachusetts in 1997 to attend Suffolk University, where she graduated in 2000 majoring in Political Science. Anna Lucia obtained a Master’s degree in International Politics from Suffolk University in 2001. Since arriving in the United States, Ms. Stifano has worked on a volunteer basis with the local Latino community. She served as community organizer at the Cambridge office of the American Friends Services Committee. Anna Lucia was formally recognized by the Boston Police Department in 2004 and 2005 her outstanding efforts in developing leaders within the Latino community in Boston. She also received an official resolution from the City of Boston in 2004, recognizing her tireless efforts on behalf of Latinos. Anna Lucia began her work with øOÌste? in 2002 as an intern. Today, Anna Lucia is the lead organizer for the organization. In addition, Anna Lucia is an expert trainer in Leadership Development. Most recently, Anna Lucia has been leading all advocacy efforts for øOÌste?. Her main area of interest and expertise is immigration reform and immigrant rights. † Rita Lara, Grantwriter (consultant) Adrian Carrillo, Accountant (consultant) Supporters and Funders Thank you to our funders and supporters! † Access Strategies Comcast Harbinger Partners Hispanics in Philanthropy Hyams Foundation Miller Foundation Verizon Vision Fund Acknowledgement We would like to acknowledge the support of Despierta! alumni EslabÛn Council Argus Communications Boston Police Department Boston Police Academy Suffolk County District Attorney's Office |