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On January 29, 2012; Dr. Lissette Torres-Chair, Federico Rios-Board Member and D. Franklin Freeman PhD - Chief Operations Officer presented a proposal to the ASPIRA National Board of Directors to establish a merger between ASPIRE Inc. and ASPIRA Association that would create ASPIRA of North Carolina. This merger would bring over 50 years of programming experience focused on education and youth leadership development for the Latino Community to the Carolinas. "In the current state of the Latino community in the Carolinas; there is not an organization dedicated fully to the educational and leadership development of our youth" stated Dr. Freeman. "The opportunity to bring a national presence to this region would help bring attention to the needs of the Latino Community to funders and politicians."
ASPIRA of North Carolina would be initially based out of Charlotte-Mecklenburg, North Carolina and would focus out-of-school and charter school programming within Mecklenburg, Cabarrus, Union and Gaston County within North Carolina and York County within South Carolina. Programming would be focused on STEM (science, technology, engineering and math), Literacy and Arts Education.
The ASPIRA Association, a 501C3 organization, is the only national Hispanic organization dedicated exclusively to developing the educational and leadership capacity of Hispanic youth. Since 1961, ASPIRA has been working at the grass-roots level to provide programs that encourage Hispanic students to stay in school, prepare them to succeed in the educational arena, develop their leadership skills, and to serve their community. They currently operate in Connecticut, Florida, Illinois, Massachusetts, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Washington DC and Puerto Rico.
www.aspira.org
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A Brief 8 Minute Introduction to ASPIRA, a National Non-profit Agency geared towards helping youth achieve success.
Introduction to ASPIRA
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This video was produced for ASPIRA's 50th Anniversary Gala held in New York City on May 19, 2011. The video features interviews with actor Jimmy Smits, Verizon executive Magda Irizarry and educational advocate Digna Sanchez. ASPIRA, a Latino youth leadership organization was founded in New York City in 1961 by Dr. Antonia Pantoja, leading to the creation in 1968 of ASPIRA of America—today known as The ASPIRA Association—and the establishment of ASPIRA associate offices in Connecticut, Florida, Illinois, New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Puerto Rico.
ASPIRA Association 50th Anniversary - "Make the Future"
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ASPIRE Inc. attended the 2011 SAAM Family Festival as a vendor this year. The SAAM Festival is in it's 4th year and is the national celebration OCTOBER IS SUBSTANCE ABUSE AWARENESS MONTH (SAAM):LET'S CELEBRATE LIFE!! The SAAM Festival was put on by the Center for Substance Abuse Prevention Services, Latino Programs Manager, Alba Sanchez.
www.preventionservices.org
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Statewide events result in nearly 100 applying for special public charter school funding Flood of applications come in after hundreds attend information sessions.
RALEIGH (October 21, 2011) – With only one public charter school in Union County, which also has a long waiting list, Dr. D. Franklin Freeman knows well of the demand for additional quality education options in the growing Charlotte suburb, especially for Latino students. Freeman, co-founder and chief operations officer for Aspire, Inc., a Charlotte-based Latino educational services agency, was one of more than 350 people who attended an information session last month hosted by Parents for Educational Freedom in North Carolina (PEFNC) and Partners for Developing Futures for leaders of color interested in special funding to help start public charter schools. Partners for Developing Futures is a national social venture fund that invests in high-quality, minority-led, early-stage public charter schools. Freeman, who recently applied for the funding, wants to start a Latino-focused pre-k through 12 public charter school in Union County, which is the fastest growing area for Hispanics in the state. “When we look at the availability of quality education options for Latino students in the Charlotte area, we’ve found that there is a demand for schools that address the unique needs of the Latino community, including a desire for more bilingual services,” Freeman said.
Out of the more than 600 African-Americans, Latinos, Native Americans and others who attended sessions in Charlotte, Greensboro, Raleigh and Wilmington, nearly 1 in 7 submitted applications, including more than 30 from the Charlotte area. "This response not only exceeded our expectations, but also indicates a strong desire from leaders of color across North Carolina for more quality public charter schools in their communities," said Darrell Allison, PEFNC president. "As North Carolina prepares to welcome more public charter schools, we want our children to attend high quality schools that will help close the achievement gap. We believe the applicants ultimately chosen for this funding will help do just that."
PEFNC joined with Partners for Developing Futures in search of leaders of color interested in serving their neighborhoods through educational entrepreneurship. Only 28 percent of the state’s current public charter schools are minority-led, and of the total number of public charter schools that have been shut down since 1996, nearly 40 percent were minority-led, according to research conducted by PEFNC based on data from the Department of Public Instruction. “Interestingly enough, these schools were not shut down solely on the basis of poor academic performance, but
in fact, these schools failed due to a lack of critical components that are key to running successful public charter schools,” Allison said. “These include the lack of financial accountability, the lack of strong board governance and the lack of strategic leadership and planning.”
PEFNC recruited Partners for Developing Futures to come to North Carolina because they provide guidance for these same critical issues that have led to a significant number of closures for minority-led public charter schools, Allison said. Since 2008, Partners for Developing Futures has distributed millions in grants to help start and sustain quality public charter schools across the country. "When we came to North Carolina, we knew there was a need for leaders of color to create and sustain high quality public charter schools,” said Ref Rodriguez, president & CEO of Partners for Developing Futures. “As our team reviews the applications received from North Carolina, we are excited to be a part of a process that will benefit many families who demand quality educational options."
Applicants invited to submit a full proposal will be notified by October 25. Those selected will go through an intense vetting process. Final selections from the highly competitive process for funding and technical assistance are expected by the middle of next year. "These leaders of color are not only potential educational ambassadors for the children they hope to serve, but they also represent hope for minority and low-income families in underserved communities across North Carolina," Allison said. "It is why the public charter school application process is not for the faint of heart, but for those who are serious about serving the communities they reflect and addressing the issues their students face."
Parents for Educational Freedom in North Carolina (PEFNC) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to effectively improve North Carolina’s K-12 educational system. PEFNC supports all programs that provide parents and children with greater educational options and highlight the need for more educational choice. This includes allowing more families to educate their children in nontraditional ways, which is currently unavailable in North Carolina. For more information, please visit www.pefnc.org.
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ASPIRE in an effort to reestablish it's athletics programs; will be partnering with MAS Youth Soccer Academy to provide Soccer programming. This programming will consist of skills training, summer camps and a league.
MAS Youth Soccer Academy is dedicated and committed to impact the lives of youth positively through our soccer program. We share decades of soccer and life experience, creating great soccer players. We teach youth the rules of the game, fundamental and technical skills such as passing, ball control, dribbling, shooting, and much more. Our approach helps youth develop and strengthen their bodies, enhances flexibility, coordination, and motor skills, and teaches successful habits while providing a fun and energetic atmosphere.
www.masysa.com/
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In an effort to enhance the Latino community knowledge of afterschool programming that occurs in their communities, Dr. Freeman has become the NC CAP Liaison for Mecklenburg and Union Counties for 2011-2012. The role of the Liaison is to share information between NC CAP and the afterschool providers in their perspective communities. As well each Liaison will serve as an afterschool advocate within their community by urging local decision makers to support increased availability of high quality afterschool programs.
"This is a great opportunity to further connect the disenfranchised Latino community with statewide efforts to enhance educational and leadership opportunities for our youth" stated Dr. Freeman
The North Carolina Center for Afterschool Programming (NC CAP), was created in 2003 by the Governor’s Office to bring together our state’s afterschool providers, community leaders and policy makers to build a network that addresses the afterschool program issues of quality, accessibility, and sustainable funding. NC CAP envisions that the result of this collective work will make access to quality afterschool a reality for all children and youth.
The NC CAP County Liaison initiative was created as a result of Sampson County Commissioner Roland Hall’s suggestion to designate an afterschool contact person in each county whom policymakers and government officials can have access for information about afterschool programs in their locality.
www.nccap.net
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In an effort to further enhance, our Reading Institute; ASPIRE has joined the Charlotte Mecklenburg Literacy Roundtable. The Literacy Roundtable is a collaboration among many of the non-profit literacy organizations in Charlotte, North Carolina.
Our Reading Institute operates on one simple and astounding fact: being read to as a youngster is the foremost predictor of academic success in childhood. If a child can read at grade level by 3rd grade, she will continue to read at grade level throughout her academic career. A child who succeeds in school will remain there, earning a chance at a better job and a better life in the years ahead. A child who lacks early exposure to reading often suffers from low self-esteem, struggles academically, and is at higher risk for substance abuse, teen pregnancy, and delinquency. Succeeding begins with reading.
Children with literacy problems typically come from low-income families, have no books at home, and have caregivers who are not aware of the importance of reading to their children. Yet studies have proven, beyond dispute, that access to age-appropriate books and reading aloud to children are essential to developing language and reading skills.
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Dr. Torres has been invited to attend the upcoming year of Leadership Charlotte. The upcoming year starts in August 2012; and will bring together other Community Leaders across Charlotte to further build leadership capacity.
The Leadership Charlotte program is for emerging and existing leaders. It is considered a “backstage” pass to the Charlotte community. It is a two-part program, starting with ten, once-a-month program days where approximately 50 participants explore current issues with a variety of community leaders. The program is complete after participants serve on a committee that coordinates one of these program days for the incoming class.
www.leadershipcharlotte.org
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| ASPIRE, in step with their application to become the North Carolina Statewide affiliate of ASPIRA Association; has joined the NC Stem Collaborative Community to further enhance their new Math and Science Academy that will roll out in January 2012.
CASA MAS (Community Allies for Smart Access to Math And Science) – This program provides access to information, resources, discourse, and strategies in math and science education. The program will manage a minimum of 100 at-risk youth per site.
NC STEM Community Collaborative aligns communities’ strengths with state and national needs. STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) education gives everyone a chance to succeed in North Carolina. As communities work together – building on each other’s strengths – our state will prosper and lead its children to success.
www.ncstem.org
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Dr. Torres and Dr. Freeman will join 120 members from 35 states and 1 territory to attend the NNEDLearn 2011 conference to network and participate in training on five different evidence-based practices used effectively in diverse communities and one organizational capacity building track.
To address disparities in behavioral health care, the National Network to Eliminate Disparities (NNED) in Behavioral Health was formed with support from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration in partnership with the National Alliance of Multi-ethnic Behavioral Health Associations (NAMBHA).
The NNED supports information sharing, training and technical assistance among organizations and communities dedicated to the behavioral health and well-being of diverse communities. The NNED identifies and links "pockets of excellence" in reducing disparities and promoting behavioral health equity. It works to reduce the tendency to “reinvent the wheel.” The NNED works with network members to:
- Coordinate the sharing of community-based knowledge and training of cultural, indigenous, and community-based best practices
- Foster new collaborative partnerships to grow and spread "pockets of excellence;"
- Leverage resources through partnering and collaborative initiatives;
- Research and design new practices and adapt existing practices; and
- Collectively advance political will
www.nned.net
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On behalf of the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) and the National Network to Eliminate Disparities in Behavioral Health (NNED), Dr. Lissette Torres, Executive Director and Dr. D Franklin Freeman, Executive Vice President have been invited to attend NNEDLearn@ 2011.
Dr. Torres will be attending the Mental Health First Aid track; which is a public education program that helps the public identify, understand, and respond to signs of mental illnesses and substance use disorders. Participants will learn a 5-step action plan to help an individual in crisis connect with appropriate professional, peer, social, and self-help care. The training is geared for a variety of audiences and key professions, including: primary care professionals, faith communities, school personnel and educators, state police and corrections officers, young people, and families.
Dr. Freeman will be attending the Four C’s: Culture, Communication, Conflict, and Collaboration track; which is designed to build organizational capacity for community leaders. Combining best practices in collaboration, organizational development, team building, and conflict management, this interactive training offers strategies that will enhance performance and improve relationships and explore the impact of culture on collaboration and conflict and provide a framework to promote cross-cultural dialogue.
National NNEDLearn© 2011 Training from June 27-28 is an opportunity for leaders to engage in one of six possible trainings over the course of two days. This is a unique chance to network with other NNED Members and bring back valuable knowledge and skills to our organization and community. The NNED will provide the training, travel and lodging at no cost to NNED Members. This event is supported by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA).
To address disparities in behavioral health care, the National Network to Eliminate Disparities (NNED) in Behavioral Health was formed with support from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration in partnership with the National Alliance of Multi-ethnic Behavioral Health Associations (NAMBHA).
www.nned.net
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Dr. Lissette Torres, Executive Director and Dr. D. Franklin Freeman will be attending the North Carolina Latino Coaltion's 2011-2012 Leadership Academy. "This is a great opportunity as an Executive Director to learn some new skills focused towards organizations of color; who face additional obstacles surrounding fundraising and marketing efforts" stated Dr. Torres.
The North Carolina Latino Nonprofit Leadership Academy was presented in partnership with the North Carolina Latino Coalition and developed in collaboration with Hispanics in Philanthropy and North Carolina Gives.
TCLI brought together a Local Latino Advisory Committee comprised of local Latino nonprofit, philanthropic, and community building leaders that selected program participants through a competitive application process.
The North Carolina Latino Coalition (NCLC), TLCI’s Latino Co-Training Partner in the first year, has transitioned to the stewardship role. Their mission as a statewide Latino policy and advocacy organization enhances connectivity of first year graduates to policy issues that impact North Carolina’s Latino communities. All first year Academy alumni organizations are enrolled in the 2nd year of the Academy, continuing on their growth paths and mentoring ten new organizations.
The North Carolina Latino Nonprofit Leadership Academy is beginning its 4th year. TCLI continues to play a role in developing North Carolina’s Latino nonprofits as a member of the Onsite Technical Assistance Team.
www.centerforleadershipinnovation.org/
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In an effort to establish a stronger foundation of Latino-based organizations, ASPIRE has submitted a Letter of Interest on behalf of a local group of Latino-based/focused organizations to establish the North Carolina Affiliate of the National Aspira Association. This affiliate would be based out of the Charlotte-Mecklenburg region but would consists of a Board of Directors of Latino individuals and partnering agencies across the State of North Carolina who are dedicated to the strengthening of the Latino Community in this state.
Dr. Torres stated "The goal is not to replace what we are all already doing but to find a common foundation that would allow us to strengthen our resources for the good of our community." "Also, this affiliation would allow us to have a stronger foundation to stand on when chasing not only local grants but Federal and Statewide grants. Funding that our organizations need desperately here in this region" stated Dr. Torres.
The ASPIRA Association, a 501(C)(3) organization, is the only national Hispanic organization dedicated exclusively to developing the educational and leadership capacity of Hispanic youth. Since 1961, ASPIRA has been working at the grass-roots level to provide programs that encourage Hispanic students to stay in school, prepare them to succeed in the educational arena, develop their leadership skills, and to serve their community. It is organized in eight states and Puerto Rico and has extensive national presence through its partnerships with hundreds of regional, state and local education CBOs. It currently serves over 85,000 students each year through its ASPIRA Clubs in schools and its after-school education and guidance programs. ASPIRA is a very diverse organization working with substantial numbers of Puerto Ricans, Dominicans, Central Americans, Mexicans, and Cubans, as well as with African Americans, non-Hispanic whites, and Haitians, among others.
www.aspira.org
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In an effort to better support the Ranson area, ASPIRE and Firm Foundations of the Carolinas will partner to present the 2011 Summer Camp. This collaboration of resources and programs will allow 60 campers the opportunity to engage in educational, spiritual and physical activities for 8-weeks.
The summer camp will run from June 20 through August 12, 2011; and will be held at Ranson Middle School, 5850 Statesville Road Charlotte, NC 28269. Camp time runs from 8 to 5:30; M-F; with early pick-up from 7:30-8am and late pick-up from 5:30-6pm, M-F. The cost of the camp will be $40 a week; with a prorated fee for multiple campers in families. There are 40 spots being held for Title 1 students to be able to attend free of charge because of the 4 year grant received from 21st Century/North Carolina Department of Public Instruction.
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In an effort to expand services to Charlotte-Mecklenburg based Latinos as well as Monroe based Latinos; ASPIRE is partnering with Tu Agencia Latina. This partnership is but another collaboration effort of Latino agencies trying to better support the ever growing and very underserved Latino Community here in Mecklenburg, Union, Iredell and Gaston Counties.
"The goal of ASPIRE is to partner with other Latino focused agencies that have a differentiation of services" stated Dr. Torres. "Tu Agencia brings not only a strong and long reputation of great service to her community; but a diverse set of services that ASPIRE does not provide".
Tu Agencia is s a locally recognized, community based non-profit organization that primarily serves the neighborhoods of Charlotte and surrounding communities where the majority of the city's hispanic population resides. This area is a culturally vibrant community challenged by issues of poverty, access to health care, low educational attainment and unemployment.
Tu Agencia Latina is dedicated to improving the quality of life for the hispanic community in the Greater Charlotte area. Through a multifaceted and diverse mission and a comprehensive array of life-improving social services, we quickly assess and institute meaningful remedies for societal problems prevalent in today’s world.
www.tuagencialatina.org
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In an effort to better support the Hidden Valley area, ASPIRE and Mayfield Memorial Missionary Baptist Church will partner to present the 2011 Summer Camp. This collaboration of resources and programs will allow 120 campers the opportunity to engage in educational, spiritual and physical activities for 8-weeks.
The summer camp will run from June 20 through August 12, 2011; and will be held at the Mayfield Memorial Missionary Baptist Church facility located at 700 West Sugar Creek Road, Charlotte, North Carolina 28213. Camp time runs from 8 to 5:30; M-F; with early pick-up from 7:30-8am and late pick-up from 5:30-6pm, M-F. The cost of the camp will be $50 a week; with a prorated fee for multiple campers in families. There are 60 spots being held for Title 1 students to be able to attend free of charge because of the 4 year grant received from 21st Century/North Carolina Department of Public Instruction.
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ASPIRE Inc. was represented by Dr. D. Franklin Freeman, Executive Vice President; at the February 2011 MenConnect Event at Reid Park Elementary. John Kirkpatrick, Communities in Schools Representative at Reid Park Elementary; hosted seminars on positive image and etiquette as well as a formal dinner for all participants.
MENCONNECT is the male mentoring program designed last year by Federico Rios, the Community In Schools (CIS) Site Coordinator at Hidden Valley Elementary School. In May of 2010. Rios came to the conclusion that his school tragically lacked mentors and role-models for the male students on site. In response to this need, Rios organized a one-day event, where professional men from the local community could come to the school to volunteer in a series of structured events, side by side with the students of Hidden Valley.
All three schools participating in MENCONNECT this year (Hidden Valley, Druid Hills, and Reid Park) are located in areas that are notorious for high poverty levels, increased crime and violence, or poor educational performance.
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Dr. D Franklin Freeman has been appointed to the Mental Health Association of the Central Carolinas (MHACC) Refugee/Immigrant Coalition as Vice Chairperson. Dr. Freeman will be working in this official capacity for the July 2011-June 2012 fiscal year.
Since 1933, the Mental Health Association of Central Carolinas (MHA) has been the voice of hope for persons affected by mental illness. Though the organization's name has changed over the years, also coverage has widened to include Mecklenburg and Cabarrus Counties, our focus of advocacy and education has not altered.
Today, the MHA is a fully staffed organization with a Board of Directors driven to improve and enhance the local mental health services' delivery system through a variety of programs.
www.mhacentralcarolinas.org
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