El Reflejo April 2015

RODOLFO “RUDY” RAMIREZ Executive Director BOARD OF COMISSIONERS 2015 EDUARDO GONZALEZ CHAIRMAN

ARMANDO BARRERA VICE-CHAIRMAN

JOE RODRIGUEZ COMMISSIONER

CRIS TORRES COMMISSIONER

JUAN GUZMAN

RESIDENT COMMISSIONER

Main Office Ciro Trevino Administration Building

910 S. Sugar Rd. Edinburg, Texas, 78539 Mon.—Thurs.

8 a.m.—5:30 p.m.

Students inspired by actress America Ferrera As part of the educational initiatives at the Edinburg Housing Authority, agency staff took a group of 21 housing students to see Emmy Award-winning actress and activist America Ferrera speak at the University of Texas-Pan American (UTPA) on Monday, April 13, 2015.

Ferrera was the last presenter of UTPA’s 11th Distinguished Speaker series.

During her speech, she shared her own personal struggles and the story of a DREAMer who made her realize the importance of an immigration reform.

According to Gladys Sanchez, a 16-year-old housing resident, it was that particular story that affected her the most.

“When she (Ferrera) spoke

Photo Credit: Zeeshan Noor SI SE PUEDE! – Housing students and staff went to listen to America Ferrera.

of the high school student who had a bright and brilliant future, but because of his legal status he could never reach his full potential made me reflect on my life and how lucky I am,” Sanchez shared.

The students who attended were all members of the agency’s Youth Leadership Association (YLA), a group that encourages education and leadership to housing students through community service.

As a result, having attended the event and listened to America Ferrera speak was life changing for many of the YLA members.

According to the 16-year-old, the actress inspired her to take action in her community and realize the importance of voting.

“Before her speech I had my mind set in not getting involved in politics in any shape or form,” Sanchez said. “But she (Ferrera) made a good See page 2

Live on 97.7 FM “The City”

Friday 8 a.m.—12 p.m.

Photo Credit: Claudia Lemus

ON THE RADIO - EHA gets exclusive live radio interview on 97.7 FM.

This month, the Edinburg Housing Authority was featured in an exclusive radio interview on KCYP-LP 97.7 FM The City Thurs. April 9.

According to Joe L.

Martinez, the station’s president, The City 97.7 FM is a nonprofit radio organization dedicated to promote local bands and encourage kids to get involved in the media arts See page 2

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SAY CHEESE- Supervisor Liz Hernandez and Youth Leadership Association members excited for Ferrera.

point. If we don’t vote, someone else will make the decisions for us.”

The students were able to attend the event thanks to Edinburg Housing Authority’s (EHA) partnership with UTPA and outreach conducted by staff member, Robert De Leon.

De Leon who is also a graduate student in the UTPA Masters of Public Administration program said he realized the impact the event had on

the students as he helped drive them home.

“The conversations they had amongst themselves after the event…is a night I’ll never forget,” the graduate student said.

“It was great to hear them discuss how they could relate to her story or simply how they too now believe that they are able, that they can and that they will succeed.”

As a result, Rodolfo “Rudy” Ramirez, the EHA executive director, was

happy to see the students become inspired by the actress.

“Taking our students was part of our efforts to show kids the value of leadership skills,” Ramirez said. “We want to encourage them to continue their education and make them productive citizens of the community.”

Giving back to the community

Immigration attorney speaks during Resident Council Meeting During this month’s Resident Council meeting on April 16, EHA invited guest speaker attorney Oralia de Luna to help inform residents about immigration benefits and the status of President Barack Obama’s executive actions.

Attorney de Luna who specializes in immigration and nationality law

at De Luna Law Offices in Houston and the Rio Grande Valley, shared helpful information to residents and answered some of their most pressing questions.

For any residents interested in more immigration information, she offered to help and can be contacted at 713589-5269 or via email at

ATTORNEY HELPS RESIDENTS - Attorney Oralia De Luna spoke to residents about immigration and offered to help them with questions. Pictured left to right: Attorney Oralia de Luna, Executive Director Rodolfo “Rudy” Ramirez, Supervisor Liz Hernandez.

inquiry@delunafirm.com.

After the meeting concluded, EHA staff, residents and guests enjoyed another healthy lunch cooked by Chef Rafael Zuniga and his students.

Having attended class

every Tuesday and Thursday from 10:30 a.m. to 12 p.m., Marilu Rios, Edith Reyes, Francisca Guzman, Maricruz Maldonado and Consuelo Sanchez were happy to prepare another dish for the group.

Continued from the front page...

HEALTHY LIVES - Chef Zuniga and his students Marilu Rios, Edith Reyes, Francisca Guzman, Rosa Zuniga and Consuelo Sanchez cooked another delicious meal for the meeting.

through interactive radio classes and on-air experience.

Thanks to President Martinez, Executive Director Rodolfo “Rudy” Ramirez and the Agency

Media Outreach Relations Coordinator Claudia Lemus were interviewed by Joe Sanchez also known live as “Dr. J.” Through a series of questions, they were able to share the See page 3

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THE CITY- 97.7 FM is a nonprofit radio station that plays local bands and offers opportunities for students to learn media arts.

As the fiscal year came to an end, the Edinburg Housing Authority issued PILOT (payment in lieu of taxes) checks to the Edinburg Consolidated School District and the City of Edinburg.

Because EHA is tax exempt, both checks in the amount of $23,382.92 were given to benefit the community.

agency’s mission and its goals of emphasizing education.

As a result, the executive director is thankful for the opportunity to have shared some of EHA’s work live on the radio with the community.

“Thank you for allowing EHA to participate in this great interview,” said Ramirez. “It was a great experience. Mil gracias!”

In addition to giving lo-

cal bands the opportunity to play their music on the radio, EHA learned that 97.7 FM offers incredible opportunities to students.

According to President Martinez, the station offers free radio broadcasting classes at the McAllen Creative Incubator every Tuesday and Thursday from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. He said that all children 10 to 17 years of age are welcomed to attend.

With this in mind, Mr. Ramirez plans to encourage EHA students to participate in the classes in the near future to help them become better leaders.

“We are hoping to take our EHA Youth Leadership Association students to get interviewed,” Ramirez shared. “It will help them develop their leadership skills.”

TAX EXEMPT?

State law precludes municipalities from collecting property tax on housing projects owned by the federal government or by local public housing authorities.

GIVING TO EDUCATION- EHA was invited by ECISD to award the pilot check during a ceremony. Pictured left

to right: Superintendent Dr. Rene Gutierrez, EHA Chairman Eduardo Gonzalez, Supervisor Liz Hernandez and President Robert Peña, Jr.

McCoy’s Building Supply donates tools for community gardens and La Posada develop-

Our agency received a generous donation of gardening tools from McCoy’s Building Supply thanks to the efforts of Commissioner Cris Torres and the store manager Victor Galvan on April 16, 2015.

The donated tools— which included hoes, axes, shovels, and blowers— will be used to help improve and maintain the community gardens at the Lantana Apartments

ments.

Supervisors Liz Hernandez and Eric Aranda were able to help transport the donations from the store to the Edinburg Housing Authority.

The agency feels grateful for the items donated and thanks McCoy’s Building Supply Company for its generous contribution to the community gardens.

MCCOY’S DONATIONS- McCoy’s Building Supply donated dozens of tools to EHA that will be used to improve and maintain the community gardens.

LOAD IT UP- Eric Aranda helped load and transport the tools back to EHA.

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ALL SMILES- Liz Hernandez, Victor Galvan and Eric Aranda finish loading the tools to be taken to EHA.

Join YLA!

Our agency has created the Youth Leadership Association (YLA) to provide students with an opportunity to become involved in their community and learn important

leadership skills to help them be successful.

Students who join YLA have the chance to learn from educational activities like visiting UTPA and museums and earn

community service hours through volunteer events.

EHA welcomes any housing students 13 to 19-years-old to join YLA. If you have a child that would like to be a

part of the Youth Leadership Association or learn more, he/she can contact Diego Oros at doros@ edinburgha.org or call 956-383-3839.

IIIIMPORTANT REMINDERS Rent deadline

Resident Council Meeting

Due monthly by the 1st, but EHA gives you until the 5th to pay in full. There is a $15 late fee for late payments.

Interested in finding out what’s happening at EHA or your development? Come find out at our next Resident Council Meeting. Meetings are led by the Executive Director Rodolfo “Rudy” Ramirez and residents.

Our next meeting will be:

Community service

May 21, 2015 @10 a.m at El Jardin

Residents 18+ years old who are not employed 30 hours or more a week, must comply with the 8 hour HUD’s community service

(Snacks will be provided) Contact your property managers for the complete schedule of days and locations of our next meetings.

Serving families since 1949.

With more than 65 years of service, the Edinburg Housing Authority takes pride in providing assistance to those who need it most in the Rio Grande Valley.

As a result, throughout the years we have focused our agency’s efforts and resources to ensure struggling low-income families with an equal opportunity to obtain safe, decent and affordable public housing, and thus improve their quality of life.

But even though we help hundreds of families in need, we realize that to truly help impoverished residents rise out of poverty and better themselves our agency has to do much more than providing them with a place to live.

As a result, in addition to providing housing for our residents we have now made it our mission to promote self-sufficiency throughout the agency and do everything in our power to help those we serve develop the necessary work skills and education to succeed and ultimately provide for their loved ones on their own.

With dedication, integrity and compassion we take pride in helping our residents each and every day. We believe and ardently hope that through every family we help we make a difference in the present and someday future of the city of Edinburg and the Rio Grande Valley.

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