JANUARY PROGRAMS & EVENTS
(EL PASO, TX)

CREATIVE CHICAS SATURDAY CAMPS
January 12 from 12:30-2:30pm
Judge Marquez Public Library (610 N. Yarbrough)
Girls Grades 4-8
Girls are invited to get in touch with their creative side in this series of creative expression classes. Girls in grades 4-8 will explore ways to express themselves creatively through photos, writing, arts & crafts and film. This creative expression series is hosted monthly at the Judge Marquez Public Library (610 N. Yarbrough). To register, call 915.219.8554, email latinitaselpaso@yahoo.com or register online at:

http://laslatinitas.com/programs/registration

CHICAS ADVANCING IN MEDIA PROJECT
January 19 from 12:30pm to 3:30pm
Main Public Library (501 N. Oregon)
Chicas Advancing in Media Project is a multimedia training program for teen girls with a focus on helping girls build confidence through multimedia expression. With bi-weekly meetings, teens will have an opportunity to get tips from the pros and learn about self-expression through writing, photography, audio production, poetry and film-making. The program includes hands-on media projects, publishing opportunities in our magazine and field trips to local media stations and community events. On January 19th, our team will participate in a photography workshop and take a photo field trip of the El Paso Downtown Cultural District. We will also tour the El Paso International Museum of Art and Holocaust Museum. To register, call 915.219.8554, email latinitaselpaso@yahoo.com or visit www.LatinitasMagazine.org

TEEN LEADERSHIP INSTITUTE
Application Deadline: January 21
Kick-Off Conference: February 2
Teens are invited to discover their leadership talents through our semester-long leadership institute. A select group of high school girls from El Paso, Texas will be chosen to participate in monthly leadership workshops to learn how they can become a strong voice for their community. Members will commit to two meetings a month to learn about civic engagement, develop leadership techniques, build communication skills, connect with community leaders, attend field trips, create multimedia social justice projects and organize volunteer projects. The material fee for the semester-long program is $15 (scholarships available). Latinitas is currently recruiting new members for our next institute. The program kicks off on February 2nd at the Main Public Library Downtown. For more information, email latinitaselpaso@yahoo.com, call 915.219.8554 or visit http://laslatinitas.com/teen-leadership-institute

CINEMA CHICAS
January 26 from 10:00am to 1:00pm
La Fe Cultural & Technology Center (721 S. Ochoa – Rear building)
Have you ever watched a TV show wondering what goes on behind the scenes? Get ready for an audio-visual adventure. Latinitas will host a video workshop where girls can learn about film-making from script writing to video editing as a form of self-expression. Girls are invited to get an insider sneak peek with Latinitas to make their own video production. Create your own skit and make your video debut. The workshop fee is $5 and covers lunch and supplies. To register, call 915.219.8554, email latinitaselpaso@yahoo.com or register online at:

http://laslatinitas.com/programs/registration.

START A CLUB AT YOUR SCHOOL
Latinitas partners with local schools to offer girl empowerment programs aimed at helping local girls build confidence through creative multimedia expression. Contact Latinitas to start a girl empowerment club at your school. Latinitas is also hosting a series of Be YOUnique workshops for local partners with hands-on sessions on building a positive body image through media literacy. For more information about bringing Latinitas to your neighborhood, contact us at latinitaselpaso@yahoo.com.

YOUR VOICE – NEW YEAR’S RESOLUTION CONTEST
This holiday season, Latinitas Magazine is sponsoring an essay contest for pre-teen and teen girls ages 11 to 18. The winner of the contest will win a back pack with prizes as well as having their winning work published in our magazine. Students are asked to write an essay between 300-750 words describing their New Year’s resolution, their hopes for this year or the goals they plan to accomplish this year. Submissions are due on January 15th. You may e-mail submissions at latinitaselpaso@yahoo.com, mail it to 1359 Lomaland #502, El Paso, TX 79935 or click on the link: http://laslatinitas.com/reporteritas-submission

TEEN VOLUNTEERS WANTED
Would you like to mentor younger girls? Gain leadership skills and earn community service hours. Latinitas is currently recruiting high school female volunteers to serve as mentors in our weekly girl empowerment clubs, Saturday workshops and special events You can serve as a positive role model to encourage, motive and educate middle school girls. To volunteer, contact Rossie Lopez at latinitasrossie@yahoo.com.

ABOUT LATINITAS
Latinitas is a non-profit organization dedicated to the empowerment and advancement of Latina youth through media, art, culture and technology. This grassroots coalition of women leaders provides media enrichment programs focused on helping Hispanic girls build confidence through creative expression. Girls in our programs publish LatinitasMagazine.org, the first digital magazine by and for Latina youth. Our youth-produced on-line magazine is focused on informing, entertaining and inspiring young Latinas to succeed. We encourage local girls to express themselves and foster a positive self-esteem through multimedia enrichment lessons on writing, arts & crafts, photography, filmmaking and radio production. By hosting educational media outreach workshops, internships, camps, conferences, retreats and after-school programs, we connect girls with positive mentors who encourage them to build their self-esteem, confidence, cultural pride, body image, leadership skills, academic skills, efficacy and resiliency to at-risk behavior.

Contact Information
phone: (915) 219.8554
(915)282.5639
latinitaselpaso@yahoo.com
1359 Lomaland # 502
El Paso, TX 79935

http://www.LatinitasMagazine.org

Hello! I am Courtney Francisco and I was the lucky club leader to have the Ysleta library club. After Thanksgiving, it was sad to say goodbye to them! The first few weeks I spent promoting the club by going to various schools around the area and getting teachers and librarians excited about Latinitas. I gave them flyers and book marks and told them what we represent. I had expected a large group with all of the promoting I had done; but I actually came out having just a few special girls. While this might be discouraging to others, it was a great blessing to me. By having a smaller group, it made the discussion easier and more open. I was able to get to know these girls a lot easier and the trust seemed to be higher between them. Total, I had five girls. Something that I remember is the two girls that came every time who were both artists and although they are four years apart in age, they seem to have really built a friendship. Because of Latinitas, these girls made new friends!

Some of the lessons we worked on were Hispanic Heritage, Dia de los Muertos, Body Image, “What if?” college lesson, Presidential campagn lesson, and Domestic Violence Awareness. I think the girls enjoyed most the “Love yourself” body image lesson. It was a great discussion and they really got into the video that we made about photoshop. The letters they wrote to themselves were so inspiring to me that I even started to think about my own body image and reflected on how I can be a better role model to them by having higher self esteem myself. This group had an eccentric and unique personality and I think they fit in so well with each other. It seemed as though these girls are a little different from other girls their age in that a majority of them were very involved and serious about school and very talented in their artistic abilities

The main thing that I take away from Ysleta and from the Latinitas experience overall is that to be a model for these girls I should consider the lessons myself and think of how I can be the best I can be for myself and for them. I feel that in the Ysleta club, these girls really just wanted someone to listen to them. After the club, I remember waiting for their rides with them and we would have the best conversations about so many things.

Career Spotlight on Catalina Rosales

Position & Title: Air Defense Battery Commander

Employer:
United States Army

What are some of your job responsibilities?
I am a Captain in the U.S. Army; specifically my title is “Commander.” As Commander I am in charge of the training, morale, welfare and readiness to deploy of 91 Soldiers tasked to operate a medium to high altitude Patriot missile system in defense of critical assets to American national security. As the Commander, I am responsible for making decisions on a daily basis that affect my Soldiers’ lives as well as their families and am overall responsible for the successes and failures or my organization.

How did you find your current job?
I actually stumbled upon this. I never thought I’d be a Commissioned Officer in the United States Army; much less make it a career. All of my life growing up I wanted to be a doctor, so I prepared myself for this throughout school; taking advanced science classes and focusing in that area. I was accepted to a 6 year medical program in the Instituto Tecnologico y de Estudios Superiores de Monterrey.

However, after a few short weeks, I realized that that was not my calling. I changed my major to International Business and ended up graduating from Stephen F. Austin State University in 2003. I now had a different goal: to be in business for myself. Simultaneously, I was very attracted to the area of international business that dealt with forming and bridging relationships across different countries; the international “relations” piece of things. This would play a bigger role in my future. But for the mean time, I set my sights on becoming my own boss. So I tried my luck at opening up my own small business. With the right planning and resourcing, the business actually thrived. Meanwhile, I was continuing to prepare myself because I knew that the business world would be competitive. So while I owned my business I also went to the University of Texas-Tyler full-time as an graduate student pursuing a Master of Business Administration.

While studying my MBA I discovered I had a passion for business law; particularly business law and business formations and transactions. The more educated I became, the more the world opened up itself to me and I learned that there are a great deal of choices out there! After being my own boss and getting an MBA by 2005, I decided, “why not merge business and law?” So I went after the Law Schools Admission Test (LSAT). I decided I would sell my small business and pursue a degree in law.

However, one night, as I was reflecting on all of the great opportunities I have had as an immigrant in this country, I realized that I felt like I had not contributed enough. With Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom at their height, I felt that as an American I needed to contribute more; to something bigger than myself. I figured that since I had already taken the LSAT and scored well, law school could wait a few years so that I could serve my country.

I knew I wanted to be a leader and I wanted to use my skills and talents for something great while at the same time volunteering to support our country in a time of struggle. I applied to become a Commissioned Officer in the United States Army and was accepted in 2006. After initial training and being assigned to my first unit in Air Defense, I realized that this was my true calling. Being a leader and mentor for young Soldiers and earning the satisfaction of knowing your hard work goes into the greater good of society is a feeling that I will never want to give up. After seven years, I am still serving my country and plan to continue serving for as long as I am allowed.

I had an interest in international relations in college and by being part of the Air and Missile Defense community I gained exposure to many national security challenges that I chose to explore in my independent studies. Wanting to know more and how I could best serve my branch, my Army and my country, I enrolled in a Graduate Certificate Program in Advanced International Affairs from Texas A&M University. After completing the program, I went on to apply many of the things I learned in my studies. Some of that work in conjunction with my operational work was noticed and I was offered three opportunities: to earn a Master of Leadership from Columbia University with a follow-on assignment to West Point; to earn a Master in Public Policy from Georgetown with a follow-on assignment at the Pentagon Army Staff and Joint Chiefs of Staff or a Master in Public Administration from George Washington University with a follow-on 2-year assignment as an Army Congressional Fellow. I still haven’t decided what I’m going to do, but I know whatever I choose, I will excell because I am confident and I have worked hard all of my life for these opportunities!

What is your favorite part of your job?
I love leading Soldiers and making a positive impact in their lives. When Soldiers tell me that I made a positive influence in their lives, it makes my job worthwhile. Knowing that I am contributing to making people better and making this country safer, is all of the personal satisfaction I need in life.

What is the most challenging part of your job?
Hmmm….I face challenges on a daily basis. I think challenges are fun because they really test my abilities, will, problem solving skills, tenacity, and everything else. Sometimes challenges can be because there’s not enough resources to do the things I need to prepare my Soldiers for war. This is where I have to be creative to provide those resources to complete the mission at hand. Sometimes challenges are tactical and technical and I really have to roll up my sleeves to come up with a solution that meets the mission given by my higher Commanders. Sometimes it’s just a challenge getting out of bed at 4:30 every morning. I am not a morning person, believe it or not!

What advice would you give to help a girl prepare for a job like yours?
Be confident! Be a leader! Take charge! Be mentally and physically tough. Always be the standard setter. Don’t let anyone set it for you. Be proud to be an American and confident in everything that you can contribute to the greater good for our nation and society.

What do you do for fun when you aren’t working?
I love to work out and run and stay physically fit. I am on the Women’s Army Ten Miler Team representing Fort Bliss. I do Crossfit and also train small groups in circuit-based endurance training. I compete in Marathons, Half-Marathons, local races, mud races (like the Tough Mudder and the Super Spartan Race) as well as adventure races (if you don’t know what an adventure race is, look it up online. They are so much fun!!).

I also like to read and stay current with current events and I also like hanging out with my friends and having fun. Having a balanced lifestyle is very important to me.

Escrito por Jacqueline Martinez
Traducido por Marivel Ramirez

¿Te apasiona  ayudar  a los animales? He aquí 5 maneras con  las que puedes ayudar a nuestros melenudos amigos sin hogar! De acuerdo con la Sociedad Americana para la Prevención de la Crueldad en contra de los Animales por sus siglas en inglés (ASPCA), entre cinco y siete millones de mascotas abandonadas ingresan a los refugios de animales en nuestro país cada año, de estos, cuatro millones son aniquilados. Tristemente, la mayoría de estas mascotas estaban saludables o podrían haber recibido tratamiento y hubieran sido excelentes compañeros.

Desafortunadamente, hay más mascotas desamparadas, que casas disponibles, lo cuál da como resultado lo que es conocido como sobrepoblación de mascotas. Según AnimalKind.org, la sobrepoblación de mascotas es el asesino principal de gatos y perros en nuestro país. La buena noticia es que no tienes que tolerarlo y permitir que esto suceda! A continuación he algunos pasos para ayudar a mascotas sin hogar.

1.  Adopta un animal de los refugios locales o grupos de rescate

Según la ASPCA, cinco de cada 10 perros y siete de cada 10 gatos son sacrificados en los refugios, simplemente porque no hay quien los adopte. ¿Por qué adoptar de un refugio cuando puedes comprarlo en una tienda o en un criadero? Bueno, para empezar, estás salvando una vida! Adoptar a una mascota de un refugio crea espacio para otras mascotas abandonadas que están en programación para ser sacrificadas, lo cual significa que estás salvando dos vidas a la vez – tu nuevo lanudo compañero que podría eventualmente haber sido exterminado,  y la mascota para la cual se hizo espacio. Elige adoptar y salva una vida! También, las mascotas de los albergues  ya han sido tratadas, vacunadas además de injertarles un microchip (esto no sucede con las mascotas de las tiendas). Las mascotas de los refugios se entregan por una fracción del costo de lo que te cobrarían en una tienda de mascotas o criaderos.

2.  Sé un dueño de mascota responsable y esteriliza o castra a tu mascota

De acuerdo con la Sociedad Humanitaria de los Estados Unidos por sus siglas en inglés (HSUS), un gato o perro es sacrificado cada ocho segundos en alberges alrededor del país. Algunos son entregados por sus propios dueños, otros se extravían y son levantados por el Control de Animales. Para prevenir que cualquier deshecho accidental o indeseable termine en un refugio y finalmente sea destruido, lo mejor que puedes hacer es conseguir esterilizar o castrar a tus mascotas. Esto evitará  traer más animales a un mundo ya sobrepoblado.

3. Reporta crueldad hacia los animales

La crueldad hacia los animales es ilegal en los 50 estados y considerada una felonía en 46, según la HSUS. Sé la voz para los que no tienen voz. La única manera de detener la crueldad hacia los animales es, al momento de reconocerla repórtala a la agencia de control de los animales local o al departamento de policía. Los detalles tales como fecha, ubicación y descripción de la gente y animales involucrados son muy importantes. Fotografías, hasta de cámara de teléfono celular, serían útiles también.

4.  Sé voluntario

El rescate de animales siempre tiene necesidad de de manos extras para ayudar, y hay varias maneras para participar. El ofrecer un hogar temporal a una mascota permite a la vez mantener espacio para que otras mascotas sin hogar ingresen. También  puedes ayudar cuando los voluntarios llevan mascotas del albergue a lugares públicos, como  las tiendas de artículos para animales, y tratan de encontrarles un buen hogar. Además de esto los refugios siempre están necesitando consejeros  para ayudar a quienes estén muy interesados en una adopción.

5. Donar

No tienes que ganar muchísimo para poder donar. Aunque las donaciones monetarias son siempre necesarias  y apreciadas los refugios normalmente tienen una lista de artículos necesarios publicada en sus sitios de internet. Entre estos productos se incluyen cobijas, detergente y artículos de oficina. Además podrías organizar una campaña de donaciones en tu escuela, lo cual arrojaría luz al albergue y posiblemente podría resultar en adopciones al mismo tiempo ¡Nunca se sabe!