$998,111 Grant to boost Georgia Legal Services
The Latino Journal E-News, Vol. 2, Issue 7
In this time of economic hardship, the state’s largest nonprofit law firm for the poor — Georgia Legal Services — has received a three-year grant of $998,111 from the Goizueta Foundation to bolster the organization’s work to address the impact of the economy on the civil legal problems of low-income Latinos outside metro Atlanta.
“We are excited about this opportunity to better serve the Latino community,” said Phyllis Holmen, executive director of Georgia Legal Services.
Georgia Legal Services will employ four bilingual staff attorneys and two bilingual paralegals to provide legal services and outreach to low-income Latinos in 60 counties in the regions of Albany, Dalton, Gainesville and Savannah. In addition, the grant will support a statewide centralized phone intake system for Latino callers who have legal aid inquiries and needs for services. “The centralized phone intake system will serve a dual role to help us handle incoming calls from Latinos more effectively, and help increase the number of cases we handle for low-income Latinos,” said Holmen.
“Our partnership with the Goizueta Foundation promises enormous benefits for the state in making access to our civil justice system and opportunities out of poverty more available for low-income Latinos,” said Holmen. “With the problems in our economy, we’ve seen an increase of 111 percent in cases for Latino clients this year compared to last year, especially in the areas of health care, employment, public benefits, education and consumer issues. A majority of our clients are working poor people trying to stay afloat. Our advocacy makes a difference in helping them keep their homes, keep food on the table, obtain medical care or obtain payment for wages earned — life’s basic needs.”
“The civil legal needs of low-income Latinos are a high priority for us, especially given the cultural and language barriers experienced by many Latinos in Georgia. Our vision is to build a community in Georgia committed to fairness and access to justice for low-income Georgians. We want to increase our visibility in the Latino community and our services to Latino clients, so they will not be left out of that vision,” said Holmen.
Georgia Legal Services was awarded an initial grant from the Goizueta Foundation in 2003 to address the socio-cultural and informational barriers that prevent full access to justice and opportunities out of poverty for low-income Latinos in the Dalton and Gainesville regions. Latino clients learned about their rights to receive services in Spanish.
“We advocated for clients who experienced problems receiving services in Spanish. We persuaded state agencies to change their English-only practices by changing forms and making interpreters and Spanish-speaking staff available. We are grateful and appreciative of the continued support from the Goizueta Foundation,” said Holmen.
Outside metro Atlanta, Georgia Legal Services is the primary source of free legal services for low-income Georgians in 154 counties. “Last year, we closed more than 9,000 cases for clients, and more than 5,000 individuals were assisted through our Landlord/Tenant Helpline,” said Holmen.
A 2009 study of the civil legal needs of low and moderate income households in Georgia sponsored by the Committee on Civil Justice–Supreme Court of Georgia Equal Justice Commission found that more than 60 percent of these households in Georgia experience one or more civil legal needs per year. The most prevalent needs involved consumer issues, housing, health, employment, public benefits, education and family problems.
Georgia Legal Services provides legal services in 154 counties outside the metro Atlanta area. Services include advice and counsel, brief service, representation in administrative hearings and court, educational programs, and referrals to private attorneys and to other services. Georgia Legal Services offers legal help for non-criminal problems involving family/domestic violence, housing, public benefits, consumer, health care, education and employment. Callers are also referred to www.legalaid-GA.org for information and resources.
Georgia Legal Services began to take shape in the late 1960s when the Younger Lawyers Section (YLS) of the State Bar of Georgia undertook an initial study of the need for lawyers for the poor. The study concluded that there was a “distressing disproportion” between the true need for legal services by the needy and the availability of legal services for them. In addition, the study found that lawyers tend to concentrate in urban areas, whereas many of the needy live in rural areas where legal help is less available. This was followed the next year by another extensive report by the YLS aimed at promoting “provision of legal services to indigent persons to the fullest extent possible.” It was through the efforts of individual young lawyers of the YLS that Georgia Legal Services was created in 1971.
Because of the critical need and its demonstrated successes in lifting people out of desperate situations, Georgia Legal Services enjoys financial support from more than 70 funding sources. Funds are received from government agencies, the federal Legal Services Corporation, United Way agencies, foundations and more than 5,000 individual lawyers across the state.
The Goizueta Foundation was established by Roberto C. Goizueta in 1992 to provide financial assistance to educational and charitable institutions. The foundation is a private, general-purpose grant-making foundation. Goizueta was chairman, board of directors, and chief executive officer of the Coca-Cola Co. until his death in 1997.
For more information on Georgia Legal Services, log on to www.glsp.org or contact the Georgia Legal Services office in your area.
Wednesday, December 9, 2009
Latinos keeping money in the mattress
25.6% of U.S. households have limited or no access to conventional banking, FDIC survey reveals
By Tiffany Hsu, LA Times, December 2, 2009
More than a quarter of American households, and nearly the same percentage of households in the Los Angeles-Orange County area, have limited or no access to conventional banking services, according to a first-time federal survey released today.
The 25.6% of households that are either unbanked or under-banked disproportionally feature low-income and minority families, including more than half of black households, according to the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. survey.
The Census Bureau, on behalf of the FDIC, conducted the first-of-its-kind survey in January to cover data at the national, regional, state and metropolitan levels.
Nationally, 7.7% of households were unbanked, meaning that the 17 million adults included in the 9 million households currently had no checking or savings accounts.
Still more had those accounts, but relied on other non-bank services such as money orders, check cashing, payday loans or pawn shops. About 17.9%, or 21 million households, were in that under-banked category.
Nearly 22% of black households were unbanked, as well as 19.3% of Latino households and 15.6% of Native American households. Just 3.5% of Asians and 3.3% of whites did not use banking services.
Similarly, just 7.2% of Asians and 14.9% of whites were under-banked, while 31.6% of blacks, 28.9% of Native Americans and 24% of Latinos fell into that category.
At least 71% of households without a bank account had an annual income under $30,000, comprising about a fifth of those in that income bracket. But only 4.2% of households earning $30,000 to $50,000, and less than 1% of households making $75,000 or more, don't use conventional banking services.
Last year, 1.3 million U.S. households stopped using bank accounts, with more than 31% blaming high minimum balance limits, overdraft fees and service charges. About 34% of the total said they did not have enough funds to justify an account.
In the Los Angeles-Orange County area, 9.2% of households were unbanked and 14.4% were under-banked, according to the survey.
Of the 406,000 unbanked households in the region, 23.3% of households were making $30,000 or less, and 18.4% were Latino and 17.8% were black.
An additional 637,000 households were under-banked. Of those, 19.6% of households have an annual income of $30,000 or less, and 32.3% are black and 21.2% are Latino.
By Tiffany Hsu, LA Times, December 2, 2009
More than a quarter of American households, and nearly the same percentage of households in the Los Angeles-Orange County area, have limited or no access to conventional banking services, according to a first-time federal survey released today.
The 25.6% of households that are either unbanked or under-banked disproportionally feature low-income and minority families, including more than half of black households, according to the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. survey.
The Census Bureau, on behalf of the FDIC, conducted the first-of-its-kind survey in January to cover data at the national, regional, state and metropolitan levels.
Nationally, 7.7% of households were unbanked, meaning that the 17 million adults included in the 9 million households currently had no checking or savings accounts.
Still more had those accounts, but relied on other non-bank services such as money orders, check cashing, payday loans or pawn shops. About 17.9%, or 21 million households, were in that under-banked category.
Nearly 22% of black households were unbanked, as well as 19.3% of Latino households and 15.6% of Native American households. Just 3.5% of Asians and 3.3% of whites did not use banking services.
Similarly, just 7.2% of Asians and 14.9% of whites were under-banked, while 31.6% of blacks, 28.9% of Native Americans and 24% of Latinos fell into that category.
At least 71% of households without a bank account had an annual income under $30,000, comprising about a fifth of those in that income bracket. But only 4.2% of households earning $30,000 to $50,000, and less than 1% of households making $75,000 or more, don't use conventional banking services.
Last year, 1.3 million U.S. households stopped using bank accounts, with more than 31% blaming high minimum balance limits, overdraft fees and service charges. About 34% of the total said they did not have enough funds to justify an account.
In the Los Angeles-Orange County area, 9.2% of households were unbanked and 14.4% were under-banked, according to the survey.
Of the 406,000 unbanked households in the region, 23.3% of households were making $30,000 or less, and 18.4% were Latino and 17.8% were black.
An additional 637,000 households were under-banked. Of those, 19.6% of households have an annual income of $30,000 or less, and 32.3% are black and 21.2% are Latino.
Latinos watching Monday Night Football
Saints-Patriots March Before Second-Largest Audience In Cable History
by Mike Reynolds -- Multichannel News, 12/2/2009
Boy did the Saints came marching in on Monday Night Football.
New Orleans' 38-17 throttling of the New England Patriots on Nov. 30 became the second-biggest telecast in cable history, averaging 21.4 million viewers, a 15.0 rating and almost 14.9 million households, according to Nielsen data.
As New Orleans raised its record to 11-0, the Saints-Pats fell some 400,000 viewers short of the 21.8 million viewers Monday Night Football tackled on Oct. 5, when Brett Favre and the Minnesota Vikings hosted his old team the Green Bay Packers. That game averaged a 15.3 household ratings.
The pair of MNF contests now stand as the top two telecasts in cable history.
ESPN has set the cable household viewership record four times in as many years since acquiring the rights to MNF, as the franchise is now in its 40th season.
The Nov. 30 MNF telecast also ranks as the top primetime program of the past two weeks -- since Nov. 16 -- among all broadcast and cable networks in households, viewers, and all key male and adult demos, according to ESPN officials.
Through 12 weeks (13 games) of the NFL season, ESPN's MNF averaged a 10.6 rating, 10.5 million households and 14.6 million watchers, gains of 18%, 18% and 19%, respectively, from last season.
Monday's game delivered a combined 35.0 rating in Boston (13.1 on ESPN and 21.9 on WCVB-ABC), as well as a combined 66.7 rating in New Orleans (23.3 on ESPN and 43.4 on WDSU-NBC). The New Orleans rating is the highest combined local rating for ESPN's MNF this season, surpassing the 63.9 in New Orleans for the Falcons-Saints game (Nov. 2).
For its part, ESPN Deportes' Spanish-language coverage of MNF delivered its highest rating and most-watched NFL game ever. The Saints-Patriots delivered a 1.5 Hispanic rating and 77,000 Hispanic households, surpassing the 1.4 Hispanic rating and 68,000 Hispanic households from the Jets-Dolphins game on Oct. 12.
For the season to date, MNF games on ESPN Deportes averaged a 1.0 Hispanic rating, 46,000 Hispanic households and 62,000 Hispanic viewers, increases of 150%, 171% and 100%, respectively, from the 2008 campaign, according to Nielsen data.
by Mike Reynolds -- Multichannel News, 12/2/2009
Boy did the Saints came marching in on Monday Night Football.
New Orleans' 38-17 throttling of the New England Patriots on Nov. 30 became the second-biggest telecast in cable history, averaging 21.4 million viewers, a 15.0 rating and almost 14.9 million households, according to Nielsen data.
As New Orleans raised its record to 11-0, the Saints-Pats fell some 400,000 viewers short of the 21.8 million viewers Monday Night Football tackled on Oct. 5, when Brett Favre and the Minnesota Vikings hosted his old team the Green Bay Packers. That game averaged a 15.3 household ratings.
The pair of MNF contests now stand as the top two telecasts in cable history.
ESPN has set the cable household viewership record four times in as many years since acquiring the rights to MNF, as the franchise is now in its 40th season.
The Nov. 30 MNF telecast also ranks as the top primetime program of the past two weeks -- since Nov. 16 -- among all broadcast and cable networks in households, viewers, and all key male and adult demos, according to ESPN officials.
Through 12 weeks (13 games) of the NFL season, ESPN's MNF averaged a 10.6 rating, 10.5 million households and 14.6 million watchers, gains of 18%, 18% and 19%, respectively, from last season.
Monday's game delivered a combined 35.0 rating in Boston (13.1 on ESPN and 21.9 on WCVB-ABC), as well as a combined 66.7 rating in New Orleans (23.3 on ESPN and 43.4 on WDSU-NBC). The New Orleans rating is the highest combined local rating for ESPN's MNF this season, surpassing the 63.9 in New Orleans for the Falcons-Saints game (Nov. 2).
For its part, ESPN Deportes' Spanish-language coverage of MNF delivered its highest rating and most-watched NFL game ever. The Saints-Patriots delivered a 1.5 Hispanic rating and 77,000 Hispanic households, surpassing the 1.4 Hispanic rating and 68,000 Hispanic households from the Jets-Dolphins game on Oct. 12.
For the season to date, MNF games on ESPN Deportes averaged a 1.0 Hispanic rating, 46,000 Hispanic households and 62,000 Hispanic viewers, increases of 150%, 171% and 100%, respectively, from the 2008 campaign, according to Nielsen data.
LISTA to recognize MicroTech CEO
MicroTech’s Tómas Esterrich to be Honored with the Chief Financial Officer of the Year 2009 Award by Latinos in Information Sciences and Technology Association
The Latino Journal E-News, Vol. 2, Issue 7
Latinos in Information Sciences and Technology Association (LISTA) announced that it is presenting Tómas Esterrich, Chief Financial Officer of the Virginia-based technology firm, MicroTech with the 2009 LISTA Chief Financial Officer of the Year Award. Mr. Esterrich earned the honor for his long-standing commitment to the advancement of the Latino community and his philanthropic support of youth programs and initiatives in Puerto Rico, Washington, D.C. and Virginia.
As CFO of Microtech, Esterrich has played a critical role in spearheading the company’s business and financial strategy, helping propel MicroTech to the No. 1 Fastest-Growing Hispanic-Owned Business in the Nation, according to HispanicBusiness.com. MicroTech's 130% annual compounded revenue growth rate since being founded in 2004 pushed the company to the top of the list, along with an astounding 2693% revenue increase during the five-year period.
Away from MicroTech, Tomás Esterrich is also a founding member and the current Vice President of the Association of University of Puerto Rico Alumni and Friends Abroad (UPRAA). In this role, Esterrich leads the convergence of UPRAA members in the D.C. -area and supports charitable and scholarship programs for Latino youth entering the University of Puerto Rico educational system. His educational and leadership development efforts have proven instrumental in helping young people understand the power of technology for 21st Century jobs and empowering them to go after and secure those positions.
“We are proud to recognize Tómas Esterrich with our Chief Financial Officer of the Year award,” says Jose Marquez, President and CEO of LISTA. “His passion for the advancement of Hispanic community and business acumen is a great example of what makes Micro Tech’s so successful in the technology field. Tómas is why LISTA came into existence. To recognize outstanding members of our community who go above and beyond their day to day.”
“I’m deeply honored with this recognition,” said Tomas Esterrich. “The LISTA Award is truly unique in that it comes from the industry and provides a benchmark for my efforts towards my community and my career —both of which have been hallmarks throughout my life”
Latinos in Information Sciences and Technology Association will honor other top Latino industry executives from across the country at its 2009 National Latino Technology Achievers Gala Awards.
The Latino Journal E-News, Vol. 2, Issue 7
Latinos in Information Sciences and Technology Association (LISTA) announced that it is presenting Tómas Esterrich, Chief Financial Officer of the Virginia-based technology firm, MicroTech with the 2009 LISTA Chief Financial Officer of the Year Award. Mr. Esterrich earned the honor for his long-standing commitment to the advancement of the Latino community and his philanthropic support of youth programs and initiatives in Puerto Rico, Washington, D.C. and Virginia.
As CFO of Microtech, Esterrich has played a critical role in spearheading the company’s business and financial strategy, helping propel MicroTech to the No. 1 Fastest-Growing Hispanic-Owned Business in the Nation, according to HispanicBusiness.com. MicroTech's 130% annual compounded revenue growth rate since being founded in 2004 pushed the company to the top of the list, along with an astounding 2693% revenue increase during the five-year period.
Away from MicroTech, Tomás Esterrich is also a founding member and the current Vice President of the Association of University of Puerto Rico Alumni and Friends Abroad (UPRAA). In this role, Esterrich leads the convergence of UPRAA members in the D.C. -area and supports charitable and scholarship programs for Latino youth entering the University of Puerto Rico educational system. His educational and leadership development efforts have proven instrumental in helping young people understand the power of technology for 21st Century jobs and empowering them to go after and secure those positions.
“We are proud to recognize Tómas Esterrich with our Chief Financial Officer of the Year award,” says Jose Marquez, President and CEO of LISTA. “His passion for the advancement of Hispanic community and business acumen is a great example of what makes Micro Tech’s so successful in the technology field. Tómas is why LISTA came into existence. To recognize outstanding members of our community who go above and beyond their day to day.”
“I’m deeply honored with this recognition,” said Tomas Esterrich. “The LISTA Award is truly unique in that it comes from the industry and provides a benchmark for my efforts towards my community and my career —both of which have been hallmarks throughout my life”
Latinos in Information Sciences and Technology Association will honor other top Latino industry executives from across the country at its 2009 National Latino Technology Achievers Gala Awards.
Hispanics are driven to news by events
Hispanics are driven to news by events
The Latino Journal E-News, Vol. 2, Issue 7
Most of what the public learns about the Hispanic population comes from event-driven news stories in which Hispanics are one of many elements discussed, according to a study released jointly by the Pew Research Center's Project for Excellence in Journalism (PEJ) and the Pew Hispanic Center.
And from February through August, 2009, only a fraction of the news stories--57 out of all 34,451 studied--focused directly on the life experiences of Hispanics in the U.S.
The event that drove far more of the coverage than any other was the historic nomination of Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor. The issue of immigration drove less than a quarter as much.
Among the key Findings:
- During the six months examined, 2.9% of the news content studied contained substantial references to Hispanics. That was more attention than any other group studied except for Muslims. Nearly all of the Muslim coverage involved foreign affairs, while the majority of Hispanic coverage concerned domestic issues and events.
- The nomination of Sonia Sotomayor made up the largest share of this Hispanic-related news, 39.4%, more than twice than of any other storyline. The Mexican drug war came second at 15.1%; the outbreak of H1NI flu (with its origin in Mexico City) was third, at 13.0%.
- Immigration, the number four topic, accounted for just 8.4% of the coverage involving Hispanics during these six months. When immigration was discussed, however, Hispanics were the group mentioned most often. Looking at all of the news about immigration, 34% referenced Hispanics, 10 times that of any other ethnic group.
- In the small portion of coverage that dealt with the experiences of Hispanics living in the U.S., the most common story line was the effect of the recession. Next was the immigrant experience, after that was population growth and changing demographics, and then the question of fair treatment and discrimination.
- Looking at Hispanic figures mentioned in the news, Justice Sotomayor received far more coverage than anyone else. She was a lead newsmaker in 30% of all stories with a Hispanic element. The only other people to garner of the total even one percent were leaders of Latin American countries: ousted Honduran president Manuel Zelaya (1.7%), Venezuelan president Hugo Chavez (1.4%), and Mexican president Felipe Calderon (1.1%).
- The degree to which Hispanics are covered in the news varied by media sector. Newspapers gave them then most attention, with Hispanic references in 4.3% of the front-page coverage studied. Hispanics were least likely to be referenced on cable television, appearing in 1.9% of the newshole studied. (Newshole is the percent of total time on TV and radio and space online or in print studied.)
These are some of the findings of a study that examined coverage of four prominent ethnic, racial and religious groups--Asians, Africans/African-Americans, Hispanics and Muslims--in 55 U.S. news outlets including 13 newspapers, 15 cable programs, the 7 broadcast network evening and morning news programs, 12 prominent news websites and 9 news radio and talk programs. This study was designed and produced jointly by PEJ and the Pew Hispanic Center, both of which are projects of the Pew Research Center in Washington, D.C.
For more information: www.pewhispanic.org.
The Latino Journal E-News, Vol. 2, Issue 7
Most of what the public learns about the Hispanic population comes from event-driven news stories in which Hispanics are one of many elements discussed, according to a study released jointly by the Pew Research Center's Project for Excellence in Journalism (PEJ) and the Pew Hispanic Center.
And from February through August, 2009, only a fraction of the news stories--57 out of all 34,451 studied--focused directly on the life experiences of Hispanics in the U.S.
The event that drove far more of the coverage than any other was the historic nomination of Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor. The issue of immigration drove less than a quarter as much.
Among the key Findings:
- During the six months examined, 2.9% of the news content studied contained substantial references to Hispanics. That was more attention than any other group studied except for Muslims. Nearly all of the Muslim coverage involved foreign affairs, while the majority of Hispanic coverage concerned domestic issues and events.
- The nomination of Sonia Sotomayor made up the largest share of this Hispanic-related news, 39.4%, more than twice than of any other storyline. The Mexican drug war came second at 15.1%; the outbreak of H1NI flu (with its origin in Mexico City) was third, at 13.0%.
- Immigration, the number four topic, accounted for just 8.4% of the coverage involving Hispanics during these six months. When immigration was discussed, however, Hispanics were the group mentioned most often. Looking at all of the news about immigration, 34% referenced Hispanics, 10 times that of any other ethnic group.
- In the small portion of coverage that dealt with the experiences of Hispanics living in the U.S., the most common story line was the effect of the recession. Next was the immigrant experience, after that was population growth and changing demographics, and then the question of fair treatment and discrimination.
- Looking at Hispanic figures mentioned in the news, Justice Sotomayor received far more coverage than anyone else. She was a lead newsmaker in 30% of all stories with a Hispanic element. The only other people to garner of the total even one percent were leaders of Latin American countries: ousted Honduran president Manuel Zelaya (1.7%), Venezuelan president Hugo Chavez (1.4%), and Mexican president Felipe Calderon (1.1%).
- The degree to which Hispanics are covered in the news varied by media sector. Newspapers gave them then most attention, with Hispanic references in 4.3% of the front-page coverage studied. Hispanics were least likely to be referenced on cable television, appearing in 1.9% of the newshole studied. (Newshole is the percent of total time on TV and radio and space online or in print studied.)
These are some of the findings of a study that examined coverage of four prominent ethnic, racial and religious groups--Asians, Africans/African-Americans, Hispanics and Muslims--in 55 U.S. news outlets including 13 newspapers, 15 cable programs, the 7 broadcast network evening and morning news programs, 12 prominent news websites and 9 news radio and talk programs. This study was designed and produced jointly by PEJ and the Pew Hispanic Center, both of which are projects of the Pew Research Center in Washington, D.C.
For more information: www.pewhispanic.org.
Hispanic group expresses disappointment over recovery efforts
RECOVERY EFFORTS MUST NO LONGER IGNORE COMMUNITIES OF COLOR, SAYS NCLR
The Latino Journal E-News, Vol. 2, Issue 7
In a statement submitted to the U.S. House of Representatives Financial Services Committee,Janet Murguía, President and CEO of NCLR (National Council of La Raza), the largest national Latino civil rights and advocacy organization in the United States, today expressed disappointment with the federal government’s lack of a targeted response to the foreclosure crisis and its devastating effects on minority communities.
While news headlines are pointing to early signs of economic recovery, this is not the experience of Hispanic families. More than 400,000 Latino families may lose their homes to foreclosure this year, with as many as 1.3 million Latino families expected to enter foreclosure over the next four years. Latinos have experienced the largest increase in unemployment of any group since the recession began two years ago.
NCLR has long urged Congress to break the cycle of financial devastation that has occurred as a result of the foreclosure crisis. The government’s lack of intervention in the housing market allowed for mass foreclosures, leading to this great recession that has left more than one million Latinos unemployed. Rising unemployment further jeopardizes Hispanic homeownership and financial security.
“NCLR and the civil rights community have urged Congress and the administration to move swiftly to provide relief to families facing foreclosures. Instead, policymakers have relied on the voluntary efforts by the private sector,” said Murguía. “The ineffective responses to the foreclosure crisis are one of the greatest threats to a full economic recovery. It is critical that policymakers and industry stakeholders reevaluate and adjust their approach.”
NCLR recommends that Congress finally address communities of color in recovery efforts by:
- Making participation in the Making Home Affordable loan modification program mandatory and enforceable for companies that accept taxpayer funding
- Supporting community-based organizations involved in foreclosure prevention efforts by paying counseling agencies for their work similarly to how servicers are paid for loan modifications
- Holding federal programs publicly accountable for spending and performance
- Providing relief in the form of loss mitigation tools for the underemployed and unemployed, including allowing judges to modify home mortgages in bankruptcy court; automatic and mandatory forbearance of government-insured loans; and affordable loans
For more information, visit www.nclr.org.
The Latino Journal E-News, Vol. 2, Issue 7
In a statement submitted to the U.S. House of Representatives Financial Services Committee,Janet Murguía, President and CEO of NCLR (National Council of La Raza), the largest national Latino civil rights and advocacy organization in the United States, today expressed disappointment with the federal government’s lack of a targeted response to the foreclosure crisis and its devastating effects on minority communities.
While news headlines are pointing to early signs of economic recovery, this is not the experience of Hispanic families. More than 400,000 Latino families may lose their homes to foreclosure this year, with as many as 1.3 million Latino families expected to enter foreclosure over the next four years. Latinos have experienced the largest increase in unemployment of any group since the recession began two years ago.
NCLR has long urged Congress to break the cycle of financial devastation that has occurred as a result of the foreclosure crisis. The government’s lack of intervention in the housing market allowed for mass foreclosures, leading to this great recession that has left more than one million Latinos unemployed. Rising unemployment further jeopardizes Hispanic homeownership and financial security.
“NCLR and the civil rights community have urged Congress and the administration to move swiftly to provide relief to families facing foreclosures. Instead, policymakers have relied on the voluntary efforts by the private sector,” said Murguía. “The ineffective responses to the foreclosure crisis are one of the greatest threats to a full economic recovery. It is critical that policymakers and industry stakeholders reevaluate and adjust their approach.”
NCLR recommends that Congress finally address communities of color in recovery efforts by:
- Making participation in the Making Home Affordable loan modification program mandatory and enforceable for companies that accept taxpayer funding
- Supporting community-based organizations involved in foreclosure prevention efforts by paying counseling agencies for their work similarly to how servicers are paid for loan modifications
- Holding federal programs publicly accountable for spending and performance
- Providing relief in the form of loss mitigation tools for the underemployed and unemployed, including allowing judges to modify home mortgages in bankruptcy court; automatic and mandatory forbearance of government-insured loans; and affordable loans
For more information, visit www.nclr.org.
Wednesday, December 2, 2009
Being a minority business owner is not enough
Minority status alone isn't a plan for success
By: John Rosenthal, Chicago Business, November 30, 2009
Just being a minority business owner isn't enough to win deals. Even at companies thoroughly committed to diversity, suppliers must show they add value to the bottom line. "You can't lead with diversity," says Gregg Ontiveros, owner of Group O Inc., one of the largest Hispanic-owned businesses in the country. "Diversity will get you in the door, but the products and services you provide are what matters." Here are some more tips from the experts.
Get big: In the global economy, corporations are streamlining their supply chains, replacing local businesses with national and international providers. For minority-owned enterprises, the message is clear: Get bigger, whether it's by rapidly expanding operations, partnering with firms outside the U.S., or merging with other companies.
"You need a national footprint to be able to play in the game of supplier diversity," says Ralph Moore, president of Ralph G. Moore Associates, a Chicago-based diversity consulting firm. He recognizes that consolidation runs counter to most minority business owners' entrepreneurial nature, which is why he advises them to "put your ego aside."
Yoshio Dan Gotoh, a former co-chair of the Chicago Minority Business Development Council, advises looking beyond U.S. borders. "Chinese companies are maturing and want to export products with their own brand, but they need a U.S. partner," he says.
Join as many chambers of commerce as you can afford. "We can provide business owners with help getting certified, services like loan packaging, and technical assistance that will ensure they have the capacity to compete," says Roberto Cornelio of the Illinois Hispanic Chamber of Commerce.
"We always try to get businesses involved in local chambers of commerce that are not their own ethnic group," says Rose Olea, president of the Chicago chapter of the National Assn. of Asian Professionals. "They're not expensive to join, and doing so expands the scope of who you can approach and offer your services to."
Network, network, network. The business adage — it's not what you know, it's who you know — still holds true. "A lot of business deals have to do not only with the quality of the firm and services rendered, but also with relationships at the highest level," says James Lowry, a senior adviser at management consultancy Boston Consulting Group. "That's why I tell minorities you have to establish these relationships."
By: John Rosenthal, Chicago Business, November 30, 2009
Just being a minority business owner isn't enough to win deals. Even at companies thoroughly committed to diversity, suppliers must show they add value to the bottom line. "You can't lead with diversity," says Gregg Ontiveros, owner of Group O Inc., one of the largest Hispanic-owned businesses in the country. "Diversity will get you in the door, but the products and services you provide are what matters." Here are some more tips from the experts.
Get big: In the global economy, corporations are streamlining their supply chains, replacing local businesses with national and international providers. For minority-owned enterprises, the message is clear: Get bigger, whether it's by rapidly expanding operations, partnering with firms outside the U.S., or merging with other companies.
"You need a national footprint to be able to play in the game of supplier diversity," says Ralph Moore, president of Ralph G. Moore Associates, a Chicago-based diversity consulting firm. He recognizes that consolidation runs counter to most minority business owners' entrepreneurial nature, which is why he advises them to "put your ego aside."
Yoshio Dan Gotoh, a former co-chair of the Chicago Minority Business Development Council, advises looking beyond U.S. borders. "Chinese companies are maturing and want to export products with their own brand, but they need a U.S. partner," he says.
Join as many chambers of commerce as you can afford. "We can provide business owners with help getting certified, services like loan packaging, and technical assistance that will ensure they have the capacity to compete," says Roberto Cornelio of the Illinois Hispanic Chamber of Commerce.
"We always try to get businesses involved in local chambers of commerce that are not their own ethnic group," says Rose Olea, president of the Chicago chapter of the National Assn. of Asian Professionals. "They're not expensive to join, and doing so expands the scope of who you can approach and offer your services to."
Network, network, network. The business adage — it's not what you know, it's who you know — still holds true. "A lot of business deals have to do not only with the quality of the firm and services rendered, but also with relationships at the highest level," says James Lowry, a senior adviser at management consultancy Boston Consulting Group. "That's why I tell minorities you have to establish these relationships."
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