Dear Fellow Delegates, Members and Friends:
Happy Holidays to you and yours! The Latino Leadership Alliance of New Jersey (LLANJ) has championed the needs and interests of the Latino community for well over a decade. Because of the hard work of dedicated community and business leaders, volunteers, education, health, arts and legal professionals, coupled with the trust placed in us by the Latino community; we have become an influential force among major stakeholders and in policy driven circles throughout the State. It is important that LLANJ continues to lead the conversation about creating opportunities and developing an aggressive agenda that will advance our communities.
LLANJ must now act to ensure that the work we have accomplished so far is long-lasting. Much of the activity carried out by LLANJ is managed and funded through the Latino Leadership Alliance Foundation (LLAF). As the fundraising arm of the Alliance, LLAFis at a critical juncture in its growth and development. We must raise funds to increase our operational capacity in order to continue the mission, which has inspired and guided our work to this point.
Your “giving spirit” especially during the holiday season, is essential to OUR growth and YOUR empowerment. Our work has long-term impact, for so many people, in so many communities and neighborhoods throughout the State. Your contribution is urgently needed and we encourage you to make a donation to the Latino Leadership Alliance Foundation,
A few highlights of LLAF’s2012 accomplishments are;
- In partnership with the Center for Disease Control, LLAFauthored “Assessing Latino Health Policy in New Jersey” completing 2 years of researching health conditions and opportunities and establishinga strategic course and model for addressing health disparities in Latino communities throughout the state as well as the nation.
- In 2010, the Emmy-award winning Latino series “Images/Imagenes” was taken off the air by NJN Public Television. In order to preserve its history and legacy of educating and enriching the lives of Latinos throughout New Jersey, LLAFmerged “Imagenes/Images” under its programmatic umbrella. LLAFstarted production of "Raices de Buena Salud", a television series that will help address and implement the health initiatives developed by The Latino Health Institute (LHI).
- In September 2012 LLAFconvened a Biennial Conference including over 250 community based organizations, leaders, and constituents. LLAFreported on two years of work in specific issue areas such as; health, education, immigration reform, leadership, culture and economic development that have impacted and strengthened the state of Latinos in New Jersey. LLAFincorporated constituent input into the FY2012-2014 agenda.
The Latino community expects results from us that will make a difference in their lives… and in their children’s lives. We cannot sustain the momentum and the stature the Alliance has achieved on a statewide level without your support.
This is the 11th hour, and I am counting on each one of us to come through for LLAF and the community we serve. Best wishes for a Happy Holiday and a prosperous New Year!
Thank you for your support,
Martin Perez, Esq.
President/CEO