The Colorado Trust Recognizes HAP with the John Moran Leadership Award

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1 We are an organization dedicated to the development of leadership, community organizing, and the provision of key services for the integration of the western Colorado community. HISPANIC AFFAIRS PROJECT May 2016 The Colorado Trust Recognizes HAP with the John Moran Leadership Award The executive director and CEO of the Colorado Trust, Ned Calonge, delivered this recognition to HAP last Monday May 16th, in a reception at the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of the Grand Valley, in the presence of leaders and representatives of both public and private organizations. HAP was chosen because of their important achievements in the immigrant community and for their constant commitment to health equity, stated Mr. Calonge. This recognition which is the last that Colorado Trust gives for the John Moran Leadership Award, included a contribution of $25,000 to continue advocating for the rights of immigrants on the west slope of Colorado.

2 HAP ~ May 2016 Ricardo Perez, the executive director of HAP expressed that this recognition should be shared with all the organizations and agencies that collaborate with HAP in the integration of the immigrant community on the western slope. He recalled the close relationship between Colorado Trust and HAP through various programs; the first of which was the Supporting Immigrant and Refugee Family Initiative, known as Project Common Ground in Grand Junction between 2006 and Tom Acker, the president of HAP expressed his appreciation and said the it is thanks to the commitment of leaders. Together we have won important victories like establishing legal assistance in immigration, getting a wage increase for the H2A workers, making policy changes with local agencies to improve integration for minority groups, and to promote important legislation in coalition with other organizations that share the same values of improving society with opportunity for all. Aurora Duran (below), spoke about her personal experience as an immigrant and HAP leader during these 10 years. Our Immigration Legal Assistance Program Turns One Year Old This past April 15, our BIA program celebrated its first anniversary in service. Being the only organization in the region authorized by the Justice Department to provide legal assistance in immigration this has been a very busy year but a very satisfying one in helping to keep immigrant families together, Nicole Bernal, director of the program said. This is a critical program for our community and we assisted many low-income families that had stopped their application process for lack of funds; other families didn t have necessary information and others had started their applications through unauthorized people who had ruined their cases. We have tried to help each family, advising them on their cases, representing them or recommending them to a list of trustworthy attorneys, she added. In addition to this, HAP played a direct role in policy change at the state level in contributing to the passage of a new law to stop unauthorized people that for years have provided legal immigration services. Individuals and businesses, many of them notaries, have offered these services without the training nor the authorization to do it. HAP members presented testimony and proof to legislators about immigration fraud. Immigration status is the future of the immigrant family in this country, and the laws should help to protect this right, they stated as part of their testimony.

3 HAP ~ May 2015 A Nation of Immigrants The HAP family is pleased to present Adela Valera Pardo, who was sworn in as an American Citizen on May 18 in Grand Junction, alongside Roxanna Gonzalez. They were the first clients to receive HAP s legal assistance with the citizenship application process. Another 19 people are waiting to complete the interview and ceremony processes in the coming months. HAP is a member organization of the Colorado Immigrant Rights Coalition, The Colorado Citizenship Now Campaign and Welcoming Colorado Initiative. Together we are working to increase the number of Legal Permanent Residents applying for citizenship. HAP also participates in and supports monthly naturalization ceremonies. Photo: New Americans register to vote during April and May ceremonies in Grand Junction

4 HAP ~ May 2016 The Youth of Our Community This is Jorge Pantoja, recent graduate magna cum laude from CMU with a Bachelor of Science degree with a double major in Accounting and Finance, and member of the Western Colorado Latino Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors. Jorge received legal assistance from HAP, and will soon have his ceremony to become American Citizen, just in time to vote in November. Going to college is a priority for my family. As an immigrant, communicating in another language was my first major challenge, both understanding and expressing myself. We [Latinos] are a minority in the university; they don t expect much from us, but I used this as motivation to prove that neither race nor culture matter, and that all of us can accomplish what we set out to do. What does your family think about your great achievement? They are very proud of me, and I of them. My education has been a family endeavor. What does it mean to you to be a citizen? I am looking forward to being able to fully participate in the decisions made in this country. I have received a great deal from this country, and I am committed to giving back for all I have received. I really respect and admire this nation. I am proud to be a citizen, and I feel like a greater part of the community. This is Lizbeth Luna, recent graduate magna cum laude from CMU with a BS in Accounting and a Masters of Business Administration. She is the daughter of Seferina Luna, committed leader of the Grand Junction HAP Committee. Lizbeth is the first in her immigrant family to attain a university degree. I am graduating with a BS in Public Accounting with a GPA of 3.78 and a Master in Business Administration with a GPA of 4.0, magna cum laude. I saw the MBA as an opportunity to give me an edge in the competitive market so I would stand out. My family is my motivation. My father works in construction, my mother in the orchards; I know that my family has always wanted me to become educated. What was your biggest challenge? I had to work and go to school full time. For the first three years of my college career, I was a manager at McDonald s and worked 40+ hours per week. I knew I wanted to go to college, and that I needed to finance it myself. I did get some scholarships, but I paid the rest of my schooling out of pocket. I had some help from my parents. I started working at McDonald s when I was 16, and became a manager by 18. It was very eye opening working at McDonalds. It really humbled me. Everyone was so involved with me going to school and they encouraged me. What does your graduation mean to your family, especially in light of our immigration system? I am the first person on my dad s side to graduate from college. I can see their excitement. They mean the world to me. If it weren t for them, I wouldn t be where I am. My parents and my sisters have always encouraged me. They have always been there for me. Photo below: Seferina Luna, facilitating a Know your Rights training in Palisade

5 HAP ~ May 2016 Campaign to Unite Colorado HAP has established fruitful relationships to create trust between law enforcement and the immigrant community. But ICE is using new methods to detain people, such as showing up outside of courts or DUI classes. If you have been detained by ICE outside the court, at a probation appointment, or if you have been denied the opportunity to pay a bond, HAP and CIRC invite you to report your story. You can help us show that constitutional rights are being violated. These methods used by ICE are affecting the good work of local police departments, but together we can make a change. Saturday June 11, at the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of the Grand Valley, 536 Ouray Ave, Grand Junction from 9:00 am 5:00pm They Make the Difference Legislative Update This is a note of appreciation for the Committees and allies who have worked in recent months to pass pro-immigrant laws and other important legislation for Colorado. Thank you! One of the struggles was making changes in the driver license law. There were some advances which we will be sharing in the upcoming information session community meetings.

6 HISPANIC AFFAIRS PROJECT 300 N. Cascade Avenue suite C4 Montrose, CO Return Service Requested