by Raul Santa | Nov 21, 2019 | Affiliate News, News & Updates
Every year, since its inception, LCDA—the SER Affiliate in the State of Oklahoma—convenes at the National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum in Oklahoma City to recognize community partners that further the mission of the organization. On Wednesday, September 25, 2019, LCDA celebrated the 28th LCDA Annual Award by selling out the event center. Close to 650 community partners gathered to recognize the year’s winners as well as hear about the new expansion of services into Tulsa, Oklahoma – the second largest city in the State who hosts the second largest Latino population.
The event began with a proclamation from the Governor of Oklahoma, Kevin Stitt, followed by a Latino-inspired lunch, and ending with 12 awards. Among the many dignitaries at the Luncheon, was the Consuls of Guatemala and Mexico. The event also served as a LCDA fundraiser.
The Latino Community Development Agency (LCDA) is a nonprofit social services organization founded in 1991 to address the unique needs of Spanish-speaking newcomers in central Oklahoma. The organization’s mission: To improve the quality of life in the Latino community through education, leadership, services and advocacy. No other social services provider in the state has the same level of program depth, experience or collaborative connections or offers all of their programs bilingually. Last year, LCDA served nearly 50,000 members of the community.
by Raul Santa | Oct 28, 2019 | News & Updates
The Stephen J. Brady Stop Hunger Scholarships, funded by the Sodexo Stop Hunger Foundation, recognize student innovation and youth-led solutions to fight hunger across the country. Applicants must have demonstrated ongoing commitment to their community by performing unpaid volunteer services impacting hunger in the United States within the last 12 months. Students between the ages of five and 25 are eligible to apply. The winners receive a $5,000 scholarship, as well as a $5,000 grant made in their name to the hunger-related charity of their choice in their local community. In addition, regional honorees receive a $1,000 grant made in their name to the hunger-related charity of their choice. Applications may be submitted through December 5, 2019. Visit the Foundation’s website to review the Official Rules and Factsheet, and to access the online application.
Learn More Here
by Raul Santa | Oct 16, 2019 | DC Updates
Unemoployment Insurance
The Employment and Training Administration delivered a long awaited regulation that would allow states to drug test unemployment insurance recipients.
The new regulation will take effect as soon as next month.
It is not the first time this regulation has been developed. This time, unlike others, states will be allowed to justify the circumstances for drug testing.
States will not be able to begin testing until they have submitted paperwork and have their plans approved by ETA officials.
John Pallasch, Assistant Secretary for Employment and Training, stated ‘’This rule lays out…that states can…meet under the facts of their specific economies and practices.’’
Read more about the new regulation here.
Workforce Development
A new resource for understanding workforce development systems was released by the National Association of State Workforce Agencies.
On September 12th, NASWA released its inaugural State of the Workforce Report. The state-by-state factbook presents how workforce development programs are managed, labor market information about states and innovations put forth by state officials.
States will have access to key labor market information and how their workforce is structured.
Read the State of the Workforce Report here.
Final Overtime Rule
1.3 million Americans are now eligible for overtime pay.
The news comes after the U.S. Department of Labor announced a final rule on the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA).
The new thresholds will account for growth in employee salaries since the thresholds were last set in 2004. The final rule will be effective January 1, 2020.
Special salaries were revised for workers in U.S. territories and the motion picture industries.
More information about the final rule is available here.
by Raul Santa | Oct 15, 2019 | News & Updates, Press Release
SER in partnership with NNMC Hosts STEM-Focused Community Day for 2,000+ Students in Española on October 18, 2019
Activities include robotics competitions, hands-on science experiments, and presentation by former NASA Astronaut José M. Hernández
Española, NM, October 14, 2019 — More than 2,000 students from Northern New Mexico are expected to participate in SER’s Community Day at Northern New Mexico College (NNMC), on Friday, October 18, 2019. Community Day was added as part of SER’s STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) programs as interest in SER’s year-round Robotics Program has grown. Engineering students and professionals lead SER’s hands-on educational experience. The program also enhances high school and middle students’ academic, technical, and leadership skills.
Former migrant worker turned NASA astronaut and engineer José M. Hernández will be the featured keynote speaker. He decided as a high school senior that he wanted to travel into space and made that dream a reality. Community Day will be held on Friday, October 18, 2019, at Northern New Mexico College in Española, NM. This event features exhibits, where young people will have an opportunity to apply for jobs, internships, and co-ops or work-study programs. Workshops and displays from an array of corporations and the Armed Forces, including the U.S. Army, NASA, FBI, FedEx, Wells Fargo, and Los Alamos and Sandia Laboratories will also be presented.
“Northern New Mexico College is honored to host this important event. We are very grateful for our partnership with SER, and look forward to continuing our efforts to provide pathways for enduring high-paying careers in our community,” said NNMC President Richard J. Bailey, Jr., PhD.
For more information, please contact Rafaela Schwan via e-mail at rschwan@ser-national.org or by phone at (469) 549-3694.
About SER – SER Jobs for Progress National, Inc. (SER National) was created in 1964 by a collaboration of the American GI Forum and the League of United Latin American Citizens. Since then, SER National has played a key role in the nation’s workforce and education service delivery systems focusing on underrepresented and underserved populations. Today, SER National serves over 1,200,000 individuals annually through its national network. SER is the Spanish verb for “to be” and an acronym for Service, Employment, and Redevelopment. SER National’s mission is to formulate, advocate, and implement initiatives that will result in the increased development and utilization of America’s human resources, with emphasis on the needs of Hispanics, in the areas of education, training, literacy, employment, affordable housing, business, and economic opportunity. SER’s vision is to enable underserved populations to fully participate in the socio-economic mainstream and achieve equal access and parity in society. To learn about SER, please visit www.ser-national.org.
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Northern New Mexico College has served the communities of northern New
Mexico for over a century. Since we opened our doors in 1909 as The Spanish American Normal
School in El Rito, the institution has strived to provide education programs that meet the changing
economic and cultural needs of the region. In 2005, in response to community demands for higher
education that meets the requirements of the modern age, the College began offering four-year
degrees. In just 14 short years, Northern has developed an academic infrastructure offering over 40
bachelor’s, associate and certificate programs, in addition to community and continuing education
programs. Northern New Mexico College is fully accredited by the Higher Learning Commission
(HLC) and has earned prestigious national accreditations for its Engineering, Nursing, Education
and Business programs. To learn more about Northern, visit www.nnmc.edu.
by Raul Santa | Oct 4, 2019 | News & Updates
Since 1989, HWNT’s Latinas In Progress (LIP) EDUCATION AND SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM aims to provide students with comprehensive and enriching learning experiences that allow them access to opportunities, information, financial resources, and exposure to universities.
Latinas In Progress aims to provide students with comprehensive and enriching learning experiences that allow them access to opportunities, information, financial resources, and exposure to universities. Each year’s curriculum is based upon our five founding pillars:
- Preparation for College and Vocational Schools
- Civic Enrichment & Leadership Skills
- Health Awareness and Self-improvement
- Writing Skills
- Assertiveness Training
Sessions are taught at local partner colleges or universities and held on Saturdays throughout the school year. The LIP Education Series mentoring component consists of Latina women who share their stories of adversity, educational achievement and professional success. Each session provides enriching learning experiences and encouragement while providing access to information, financial resources, and access to our partner colleges/universities.
LIP is open to all 10th-12th grade students in the Dallas Metro Area.
Download More Information HERE
