4
Portada / Front Page FirstLight and a New Light for Nueva Esperanza The second season of Holyoke’s FirstLight opened with a successful dinner fundraising event. On Friday September 23, Nueva Esperanza, Inc., one of the most recognizable Latino organizations in Holyoke, hosted the event to benefit the second season of FirstLight for a Brighter Holyoke project that decorates the Canal Walk during the holidays. Last year the canal walk was decorated with LED lighting on the fence, and wreaths and garlands on the lamp posts. In addition, trees were decorated by community groups and youth organizations. FirstLight is an part of other area events such as the annual lighting of the City’s Christmas Tree, the arrival of the Santa Claus train to Heritage State Park, the Merry-Go-Round, the Children’s Museum and the Volleyball Hall of Fame. According to the organizers, this year’s display will be expanded and will incorporate new and creative technology and designs hoping to persuade other local businesses to join in the decorating process. FirstLight is an achievement organized by community members with support from Nueva Esperanza. Joshua A García, FirstLight’s founder, points out that “this establishment has been a rewarding experience for the people of the community and for the City of Holyoke. For that reason, we continue our efforts for expanding FirstLight to truly create a Brighter Holyoke!” Joshua is an “old familiar face”, as he grew up in Holyoke. During his preteen years he participated in El Arco Iris Program, a youth program overseen by Nueva Esperanza. In 2010, he became a board member of Nueva Esperanza. He explained “I decided to join the board because I was highly grateful for what the organization did for me as well as for other youth residing in South Holyoke,
El Sol Latino October 2011
MANUEL FRAU RAMOS
which is an area of Holyoke that is high in crime and poverty. Being on the board of Nueva Esperanza keeps South Holyoke still a part of me and it gives me a chance to give back to the community that I came from.” He has been working closely with the Safe Neighborhood Initiative on behalf of Nueva Esperanza. This initiative has been put together by the Hampden County Sheriffs Department and has brought together every service agency in Holyoke for one main purpose, to improve the quality of life of South Holyoke residents. During the fundraising event, Gustavo Acosta, president of the board of Submitted photo. Joshua A García Nueva Esperanza for the past 7 years, talked about FirstLight, emphasizing that “Nueva Esperanza is proud of supporting this initiative, as we have done with others for more than 25 years.” Acosta also recognized the importante of having Joshua García, currently a Nueva Esperanza board member and an ex-member of El Arco Iris Program, now be the principal organizar of FirstLight. Acosta ended by saying that, “Nueva Esperanza is very pleased to see how the new generations see themselves as part of Holyoke’s future.”
¡FECHAS PARA LAS PRÓXIMAS CONVERSACIONES!
EMBARAZO de ADOLESCENTES
¿Por qué debería usted preocuparse? Puede haber personas que creen que las altas
tasas de natalidad adolescente y enfermedades de transmisión sexual entre los jóvenes es el problema de otras personas. En realidad, el embarazo en la adolescencia se conecta a muchos issues sociales, educativos y económicos que actualmente abundan en nuestras comunidades. Si estás preocupado por nuestra fuerza laboral del futuro, deserción de escuela, el desarrollo infantil temprano, violencia juvenil, la pobreza, resiliencia familiar y prosperidad entonces el embarazo en la adolescencia es también tu problema. ¿Cómo pueden ser parte de la solución? Únase a nosotros en la serie Conversaciones de la Comunidad para la ACCION! El propósito de estas reuniones es tener la participación de la comunidad más amplia y no sólo hablar sobre el tema pero crear las soluciones innovadoras que ayuden a los adolescentes a tomar decisiones saludables que posponen la maternidad temprana y aumentan sus posibilidades de un futuro próspero.
Comunidad de Fe Viernes, 28 de octubre de 2011 en el Basketball Hall of Fame, 8AM -10:30AM Cuidado de Crianza (Foster Care), Defensores de la Justicia Juvenil y Menores sin Hogar Viernes, 18 de noviembre de 2011 en el Basketball Hall of Fame 8AM - 10:30AM Dueños de Negocios, Financiadores y Responsables de la Política Públicas Viernes, 16 de diciembre de 2011 en el Basketball Hall of Fame 8AM - 10:30AM
¡Todos somos parte de la solución! Los eventos son gratis y abiertos a todos los residentes de Holyoke y Springfield. Se proporcionan alimentos, pero el espacio es limitado. Para reservar un asiento llama a YEAH! en 413-533-9324 o escríbanos a cca@yeahnetwork.org