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E Newsletter

March/April 2007 E-Newsletter

Fotos De Mi Alma Auction May 2nd

Latinitas is hosting the 2nd annual Fotos De Mi Alma Auction on May 2nd at Copa Bar and Restaurant and calls all photographers - hobbyist to professional - to donate "Latino-themed" photography for the event.

“Latino-themed photography includes any images from abstract to literal reflections of Latino life.” says event organizer and Latinitas volunteer Sarah Garza.

Donation deadline is April 27th. Latinitas encourages framed donations, but they are not necessary.

“This event engages the community’s creativity, as well as that of the youth who contribute photo pieces from our outreach programming.” said Garza. Contact laura@latinitasmaga zine.org or call 512.322.9947 to submit a photo donation.

in this issue


  1. Latinitasfest Goes National
  2. Honoring Mami In May
  3. April/May Saturday Camps
  4. TRIP Travis H.S. Nursery
  5. Volunteer Spotlight - Las Hermanas Garza
  6. Donor Spotlight - Latina Sororities & Cafe Mangu
Latinitasfest Goes National

In a partnership with Las Comadres' National Comadrazo, Latinitas presents Latinitasfest, a media conference for girls on April 20-21st at El Buen Samaritano.

Hispanic girls will discover the excitement of multimedia expression through lessons on web design, photography, magazine publishing, radio production, poetry, film-making and more.

Latinitasfest offers two tracks: one for girls in 4-8th grades and another for teens in 9-12th grades.

Participants will explore their passion for media by trying new outlets for creative expression, diving into the latest digital technology, and sampling different media careers.

Las Comadres Logo

At the conclusion of the conference, girls will be amazed at their new skills in learning how to star in a video, design a website, layout a publication, write for a teen magazine, be a radio DJ, and snap digital photos like the pros - all in one weekend.

These hands-on workshops will also connect girls with media-minded professional mentors who will share their career experience, tricks of the media trade, and a glimpse into a typical day on the job. To register for the camp, visit www.lascomadres. org. For more information, visit www.latinitasmagazi ne.org.

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Honoring Mami In May

For girls looking for a special way to thank their mami for her unconditional love and support, Latinitas Magazine is hosting a mother's day writing and art contest for Hispanic girls from Central Texas. Latinitas Magazine, the bilingual webzine by, for, and about Latina youth, is now accepting submissions for the annual Día de las Madres (Mother's Day) Contest.

The third annual contest is focused on inspiring Hispanic girls in 4th – 12th grade to write essays commending their mothers for their love or to create artwork capturing the inspiration their mothers give their families all year long. Latinitas encourages participants to submit their work via e-mail to latinitasawards@ yahoo.com or by mail to PO Box 4284, Austin, TX 78765 or through the Latinitas website at http://www.latinita smagazine. org.

The contest deadline is April 27, 2007. Winning submissions will be announced and published on www.latinitasmagazi ne.org and in a printed publication. In addition, the top winners in each category will be presented with prizes at a special awards reception.

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April/May Saturday Camps

Fab Fotos - April 28, 2007
Girls are invited to learn how to create their lasting impression through digital photography at a free Latinitas Saturday Camp on April 28th from 10:30am to 12:30pm at St. John's Library (7500 Blessing Ave). Girls in grades 4-8th will learn how to take the perfect picture applying tips from the pros on lighting, composition and exposure. Use digital cameras, manipulate your images and tell a story with your photos. Fab Photos is hosted by Latinitas, a grassroots group dedicated to empowering Latina youth.



Zany Zines - May 26, 2007
Meet a teen magazine editor! Discover how you can create your own zine. Research magazine layout, surf cool websites, write stories, make stylish designs, and publish your newsletter to share with friends. Become a graphic guru by practicing with desktop publishing software. For more information, visit www.latinitasmagazi ne.org or email latinitasmag@ yahoo.com.

Latinitas Volunteer showing student to take a photo
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TRIP Travis H.S. Nursery

In addition to the existing Latinitas after school Teen Reporter Intern Program (TRIP) at Travis High School, Latinitas volunteers have been meeting weekly with another group of special young women there.

Travis has a substantial population of teen parents enrolled, who face the daily challenge of balancing academics and parenting.

Because Travis has the provision of a nursery, many of these students are able to complete their regular academic schedules, but are limited in participating in after school programming.

To engage these students in Latinitas media and technology activities, while introducing young women to flexible career paths in journalism, Latinitas curriculum activities have been altered to include these teen parents and their children.

Traditional lessons in digital photography such as use of light and the rule of thirds are applied while using children as subjects. These students developed family webzines, beginning a narrative of their new developing nuclear family. And, this week T.R.I.P. Travis Nursery will engage in radio production, incorporating child sounds into sound documentary.

Anyone interested in helping with this program - activities or assisting with childcare, please contact Laura at 512.322.9947 or by emailing laura@latinitasmaga zine.org.

Picture taken by TRIP participant of a baby's foot

TRIP participant's picture of a baby's face
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Volunteer Spotlight - Las Hermanas Garza

Anyone in non-profit will affirm that it just takes a few great volunteers to propel an agency forward in leaps and bounds. At Latinitas, the dedication, sweat, tears and passion of committed volunteers further our mission, enhance the magazine, expand programming and help attain Latinitas' goals on a daily basis. Sarah and Vicky Garza personify that type of volunteer.

Vicky

Born in Texas and raised in Miami, FL, Vicky Garza is employed at Freescale and recently earned an MBA with a focus in marketing from St. Edwards University. Vicky initially got involved with the editorial part of Latinitas, but later filled an important leadership role that binds the whole organization -that of the volunteer chair. She runs the monthly volunteer informational and is the main liaison to new volunteers placing them on tasks and in commitees.

Sarah (L) and Vicky (R)

Vicky also works hands on with girls monthly at Latinitas free Saturday workshops, in addition to brainstorming and implementing fundraising plans.

She enjoys running, family and has aspirations to work abroad. She is truly a Latinitas role model.

Sarah

Like her sister, Sarah Garza has a strong interest in social change. Interested in non-profit management, Sarah works at Austin Community College right now and, a fan of discounted organic food, at Whole Foods in her spare time. Sarah is the backbone of Latinitas' fundraising committee organizing raffles and raising money and in-kind donations of supplies for Latinitas after school programming. Her recent solicitations have brought in gift cards and certificates and an invitation for a foundation award that could potentially award Latinitas $2000. This was all in a day's work for Sarah.

What Vicky and Sarah bring to Latinitas transcends their volunteer duties. They bring generous and entrepreneurial spirits and Latina pride. They make themselves available as examples for girls in Latinitas programming, making professional and personal success look easy. They motivate everyone around them and we are grateful for their dedication.

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Donor Spotlight: Latina Sororities and Cafe Mangú

Latina Sororities Rally College Campuses to Donate

This Spring, Latina sororities at the University of Texas and Texas State supported Latina youth by organizing school supply drives on both campuses. Thanks go out to the amazing young women in the following sororities:

  • Kappa Delta Chi (UT)
  • Sigma Delta Lambda (UT)
  • Sigma Lambda Gamma (UT)
  • Lamda Theta Alpha (UT and Texas State)

These same sororities also donated proceeds of a joint Spring social held the night of the supply drive - which was truly unexpected and appreciated.

Cafe Mangú

On Feb. 18th, Cafe Mangú donated a portion of the evening's dinner proceeds to Latinitas. Arranged by Latinitas volunteer Sonia Diaz and supported by Mangú owner Rafael Montes de Oca, the evening was a delicious feast of the finest Dominican/Carribean cuisine in Central Texas. (I know, I'm from NY!)

Cafe Mangú is easily found, getting off I35 N at the exit for Pflugerville. Head through the first light and Mangú comes up brightly painted yellow on your left. Please support this Latinitas-friendly establishment.

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Latinitas, Inc. is an Austin-based nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering Hispanic girls in media and technology. We accomplish this by publishing a bilingual webzine for Hispanic girls, hosting innovative media workshops in the community, and facilitating an after-school program for junior reporters.


Mailing address:
PO Box 4284
Austin, Texas 78765

Email: latinitasmag@yahoo.com
Website: www.latinitasmagazine.org Top
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