Opportunity/Oportunidad
May 9th in Texas is Willie Velásquez Day
by CHRISTY MARTINEZ-GARCIA FOR LATINO LUBBOCK MAGAZINE
ay 9th in Texas is desigM nated as a day to honoring Willie C. Velásquez.
BILINGUAL FINANCIAL LITERACY FOR SUCCESS: In partnership with local companies and organizations, Los Hermanos Familia held a workshop series to improve financial security in English and Spanish to individuals. The event drew about 44 participants, each Tuesday during the month of April. Los Hermanos Familia believes that with guidance individuals and families can build confidence and understanding in their personal finances. A special thanks to Lubbock National Bank, Latino Lubbock Magazine, KEY, Primerica - Aguilar Acumen, Northwest Texas Legal Aid and Our Lady of Guadalupe Church.
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Velásquez was the founder of the Southwest Voter Registration Education Project (SVREP) founded in 1974. He envisioned for Latinos to play an important role in the American Democratic process. He was born on May 9, 1944, and was raised in the west side of San Antonio, Texas. Velásquez was one of the founding members of the Mexican American Youth Organization (MAYO); a Chicano youth organization aimed at social action. His role in MAYO led to becoming Texas' first statewide Coordinator of El Movimiento Social de la Raza Unida, the precursor of La Raza Unida Party. His involvement with Latino organizations was extensive. In 1968 as Boycott Coordinator for the United Farm Workers (UFW), he organized strikes at the Rio Grande Valley of Texas. After leaving the UFW he became the founder and director of the Mexican American Unity Council in San Antonio, Texas. In 1970 he was named Field Director of the Southwest Council of La Raza. From 1972 to July 1974, he concentrated his efforts on building the Southwest Voter Registration Education Project (SVREP). Willie opened SVREP in 1974, to focus on increasing Latino political participation in the American democratic process. Over the next fourteen years Willie organized a massive increase in Latino voting across the southwest principally using the tactic of nonpartisan voter registration and voting rights lawsuits. He enlisted the aid of Community organizers, and together they launched hundreds of voter
registrations and get-outthe-vote (GOTV) campaigns throughout the southwest. In 1985, W i l l i e launched Southwest Voter Research Institute to develop research and policy for the growing cohort of Latino elected officials. But Velásquez did not get to see the fruits of his dreams, he passed away on June 15, 1988 of complications from kidney cancer. The legacy of Velásquez is apparent-since its inception, SVREP has cultivated 50,000 community leaders, successfully litigated 85 voting rights law suits and has conducted 2,300 non-partisan,voter registration and GOTV campaigns. Consequently, voter registration has grown over the years from 2.4 million registered Latinos in 1974 to 7 million nationwide in 1998. But his vision involved more than just getting Latinos to the ballot box, Velásquez sought to bring into the democratic process an active and informed Latino electorate. In 1995, President Bill Clinton awarded Velásquez the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the highest honor any civilian can receive - and the second Latino ever to earn that honor. In 1996, his name was attached to the US Senate version of the Voting Rights Reauthorization and Amendments Act of 1996. And in 1997, the Southwest Voter Research Institute was changed to the William C Velásquez Institute (WCVI) as a way to honor and perpetuate Velásquez's vision and legacy.
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Professional Development FREE GED TEST P R E PA R AT I O N CLASSES. Need to study to pass the GED? Literacy Lubbock offers free, flexible, and casual prep classes at various times to fit in with your busy schedule. Call us at 806-7753636 for more information or register for Free classes at www.literacylubbock.org. FREE GED AND ESL CLASSES for Lubbock and the surrounding area offered by Adult Education Center. We accept new students on a bimonthly basis. You must be at least 17 years old and not enrolled in public school to be eligible for the classes. For more info call 806-2815750. Open Mon. thru Fri. from 8 A.M. to 5 P.M. BASIC ENGLISH CLASS – Clase de Inglés – aprender Inglés básico, 3211 58th Street, (east of Indiana) Lubbock. Horas: Cada Miércoles a las 7:30-8:30 de la noche. 806-239-5352 GRATIS!! CHILD CARE AVAILABLE FOR INCOME-ELIGIBLE FAMILIES Families who are income eligible may receive fee assistance to attend one of the Early Learning Center’s five centers for child care. Parents or caretakers must be employed or in school. The program is open from 6:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday. Call (806) 765-9981 for more information. CLASES DE INGLÉS COMO SEGUNDA IDIOMA La Literacia de Lubbock (Literacy Lubbock) ofrecen clases gratis de inglés como segundo idioma (English as Second Language) para la comunidad. Todos los adultos están bienvenido en estas clases. Para más información, llame a (806) 775-3636. FREE CRIMINAL DEFENSE ATTORNEY: The Caprock Regional Public Defender Office offers free legal representation to 13 surrounding West Texas Counties. The office handles Felony, Misdemeanor and Juvenile cases for citizens that cannot afford to hire a criminal defense lawyer. Call (806) 742-4312 to see if your county qualifies for this service. IMMIGRATION SERVICES If you need help with immigration issues call 806-741-0409. SERVICIOS DE INMIGRACIÓN Si necesitan ayuda con asuntos de inmigración llame a este numero (806) 7410409. REFERRAL FOR QUALITY CHILD CARE in Lubbock by the South Plains Day Home Association helps parents with free referrals to licensed or registered day care facilities that are routinely monitored by the Texas Department and Protective Services. Call 796-0606 or 792-1847 for more information. DO YOU HAVE NEWS? Submit your business news online at www.latinolubbock.net/ have-a-story or call (806)792-1212
