by Ileana Martinez | Sep 15, 2023 | News & Updates
As we embark on the vibrant journey of Hispanic Heritage Month, from September 15 to October 15, SER National and our esteemed Network of Affiliates proudly celebrate the rich tapestry of Hispanic culture, history, and achievements that have enriched the United States.
“The SER Network of Affiliates reflects the very best of why we celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month,” says SER National President and CEO Ignacio Salazar. “They are the dedicated people who care for, house, nourish, and share knowledge with program participants in their communities. They are very worthy of our gratitude.”
The inception of Hispanic Heritage Month, timed to coincide with the week of September 15 and 16, is a poignant homage to the profound contributions of Hispanic Americans and the legacies of independence held dear by the Latin American countries of Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, and Mexico. These historic milestones resonate with our mission at SER National and our Network of Affiliates, reflecting our shared dedication to nurturing thriving communities.
SER California stands as a beacon of hope and transformation among our stellar affiliates. SER California is steadfast in its commitment to providing individuals with the tools they need to become self-sustaining. It offers access to quality education, job training, career opportunities, and essential childcare services. Moreover, SER California is at the forefront of addressing the pressing need for affordable housing and other invaluable social services that benefit individuals and enrich their communities.
In the vibrant city of Atlanta, LaAmistad Inc. is a vital community agency that uplifts the Latino community. LaAmistad’s diverse array of programs meets families where they are, providing afterschool services that encompass homework help, remediation, enrichment, a vibrant summer academy, and workshops that foster parent partnerships. LaAmistad’s unwavering commitment to educational empowerment echoes the spirit of Hispanic Heritage Month by ensuring that Latino youth have the resources and support they need to succeed.
Further north, in Connecticut, Casa Otoñal embodies the essence of community and cultural preservation. Since 1976, Casa Otoñal has been dedicated to offering affordable, carefree living for adults aged 62 and over or persons with disabilities. Their mission is to create an environment where seniors can comfortably speak their language, savor culturally familiar meals, and partake in a setting that respects the community’s celebrations and beliefs. Casa Otoñal cherishes the intrinsic value of every individual, embodying the spirit of unity and inclusion that Hispanic Heritage Month symbolizes.
“May this month be a time to celebrate with pride and joy the many talents and skills SER Affiliates offer America, in more than 200 locations serving over 1,000,000 people annually, helping to make this a land of opportunity, blessings, and hope,” says Salazar. “Together, we stand united in recognizing the profound impact of Hispanic Americans and the enduring legacy of our shared heritage, fostering a nation where diversity is celebrated, opportunities abound, and hope flourishes.”
by Ileana Martinez | Sep 8, 2023 | News & Updates
This September 11, 2023, is the 22nd anniversary since that fateful day when nearly 3,000 Americans lost their lives in a deadly terrorist attack on the United States. In the years since then, observance activities have become fewer, some memories of that day have faded, and a new generation may even be unfamiliar with the significance of 9-11.
We at SER National and the SER Network of Affiliates believe every day is an opportunity to acknowledge the people who died in that horrible tragedy, even if we did not know them or their names. Each of us can honor these fallen Americans by faithfully carrying on our endeavors in service to others, much as those men and women from all backgrounds and walks of life did before their lives were suddenly cut short.
For example, in New York’s Bronx Borough, not far from where the World Trade Center Towers once stood before collapsing in the attack, SER Network of Affiliates partner, Neighborhood Association for Inter-Cultural Affairs (NAICA), continues to provide vital services daily to its predominantly Latino stakeholders as it has since 1974. Its mission is to provide a safety net of social services that enable the people NAICA reaches to become self-sufficient and have a better quality of life for themselves and their families.
Another SER affiliate in the nearby Brooklyn Borough is Southside United HDFC, Los Sures. This organization began with just a handful of volunteers in 1972 to reclaim, preserve, and rebuild the area known as the Southside of Williamsburg, Brooklyn. Over five decades later, Los Sures remains a loyal and enduring hope for generations of residents in one of our country’s iconic, increasingly diverse, and vibrant communities.
“My heart is filled with joy and overwhelmed by the dedication of all these men and women who pour their energy and souls into their mission for long hours every day,” says Ignacio Salazar, SER National President and CEO. “I cannot help but think and say without equivocation that out of the pain and sadness of 9-11 has arisen a renewed strength and resilience among the people of New York, and indeed America. No matter what, we can and will endure. The lesson for each of us is that no matter where we live and how little we think our talents or resources may allow us to contribute, our granito de arena, our tiny grains of sand, will multiply to form the shores of this great land.”
SER National and the SER Network of Affiliates stand with the families whose loved ones perished on 9-11. We join together and say, America will never forget, and we shall always respect and honor their sacrifice through our selfless service to others. May they rest in peace and power.
by Ileana Martinez | Sep 1, 2023 | News & Updates
This Labor Day is a time to honor workers’ contributions nationwide. SER National stands as a proud advocate for championing those men and women whose daily contributions often go unnoticed because we do not see them or they work in the background. Yet what they do is invaluable and deserves our praise.
For example, the National Farmworker Jobs Program (NFJP), also known as the Farmworker’s Program. This program provides services for migrant and seasonal farmworkers and their dependents. SER assists farmworkers and their dependents in acquiring the necessary skills to stabilize or advance their agricultural jobs or obtain employment in new industries. In addition, SER ensures farmworkers have equitable access to career services, skill development, and workforce protections offered by American Job Centers to improve their living and working conditions.
“We congratulate all of our nation’s workers in every walk of life because together, you are the backbone and strength of our country,” says Ignacio Salazar, SER National President and CEO. “Especially significant are the contributions of those men and women who toil in our farm fields to nourish America. We are proud to include serving them through our NFJP, uplifting entire families, and changing lives for generations.”
The Senior Community Service Employment Program (SCSEP) is another noteworthy success, a community service and work-based job training program for older Americans. Participants must be at least 55, unemployed, and meet income criteria. Authorized by the Older Americans Act, the program provides training for low-income, unemployed seniors. SCSEP participants gain work experience in various community service activities at non-profit and public facilities, including schools, hospitals, day-care centers, and senior centers. The program provides over 40 million community service hours, allowing them to enhance and provide needed services.
“Seniors have so much to offer our society, and SCSEP brings them together with outstanding local agencies and organizations that benefit also,” says Salazar. “Time and again, the lasting friendships and bonds the programs foster strengthen our neighborhoods and give purpose to countless lives.”
As we observe Labor Day, let us pay homage to the dedication and hard work of individuals who drive our nation’s progress. SER National and the SER Network of Affiliates thank the more than one million program participants we serve annually and congratulate your spirit and will to work. Together, we are achieving greater heights every day.
