Table Of Content

ASTRA 1994 Annual Report Building Toward the Twenty-first Century The pitirre is the symbol of ASPIRA. A small tropical bird found in Puerto Rico, the pitirre is known for its agility and rapid flight and for its ability to out- smart, tire, and The ASPIRA Association, Inc. is Associates and Affiliates, are sepa- defeat much larger the only national Latino organization rately incorporated in six states and birds. dedicated exclusively to promoting Puerto Rico. They are: ASPIRA believes youth leadership and education. * ASPIRA of Connecticut, Inc. that the pitirre is a Through its Associate ASPIRA organi- fitting symbol for zations and national demonstration * ASPIRA of Florida, Inc. young Latinos. projects, it provides a host of leader- * ASPIRA, Inc. of Illinois Aspirantes gain the ship development and education pro- * ASPIRA, Inc. of New Jersey confidence of the grams for Puerto Rican and other pitirre by acquiring. Latino youth. ASPIRA takes its name ‘+ ASPIRA of New York, Inc. knowledge and devel- from the Spanish verb aspirar, which * ASPIRA, Inc. of Pennsylvania oping their leader- means *to aspire to something * ASPIRA, Inc. de Puerto Rico. ship skills, They greater." Itis a forceful remindert o then can face and Latino youth that they can change The ASPIRA Association, Inc. has oovveerrwchoemlem isnege moidndgsl.y tfhoeri ra lgiovaels. ifT thheesye woArskp ihraarndt easn—dt hsotsrieve . iDt.sC .N aatniodn alis gOoffviecren eidn Wbays hai nNgattoionn,a l to become produc- who aspire to a brighter future—are Board of Directors. tive adults, returning the hope of the Latino community. This report covers the activities of to their communities. The ASPIRA Association, Inc. is a the ASPIRA National Office for the the benefits of their not-for-profit Latino youth leadership Fiscal Year ending June 30, 1994, skills and leadership. development organization incorporat- but to maintain continuity covers ser- abilities. ed under Section 501(c)(3) of the vices offered throughout calendar The symbol of the Internal Revenue Code. It is a volun- year 1994. pitirre reinforces tary association of commui based. ASPIRAG, An Investment in Latino ASPIRA's belief that nonprofit organizations sharing the Youth™, the “Pitirre” logo 7/ €, and even the smallest ASPIRA name, mission, and goals. MAS, are registered trademarks of and seemingly most State offices, called ASPIRA the ASPIRA Association, Inc. powerless can take control of their lives and produce change.a 1994 Annual Report ASPIRA Association, Inc. National Office Building Toward the Twenty-first Century 2 A from the of the Board of Dii and the i of the ASPIRA Association, Inc. T he year 1994 meant at ransition. has the responsibility to be a nation. for ASPIRA to new leadership. al leader in advocating for policies our first year as chairperson and that remove barriers to the education director of this thirty-three year old and advancement of our youth. organization, we have begun the Advocacy—making sure the Latino work to build ASPIRA into an organi- voice is heard and protecting gains. zation that can stand as a bulwark we have made over three decades of and a beacon into the 21st century. struggle—becomes increasingly criti: DNiCarhteaimcioertn paoelrR .rs s.BoS ona anrtodaf natoh,fe Esq. ytehTaorhsua,sn aknsAd SsPt Io RinAt h eo urrew sotcrsko momonuf nasi ot ryom cako-nvsyeo rl idt he wccalolir mkaientd e .th teo Tnhbaretociuoognm’heso utca hn a1ne9gv9ie4nn,g swpteor lointigcearl foundation. We must now build on voice for the Latino community, this foundation to take ASPIRA into a ensuring that Latinos are represent- new age, to grow as we reach out to ed and help shape the decisions that the thousands of youth who need us. affect us. One of our best tools to The new challenges our young people project this voice is unity of the will face as we approach the new Latino community, its organizations century mean we must also chal- and its leadership. Throughout the lenge ourselves and move into a new year we expanded our collaborations age. Like the time-tested, strong with other minority and especially casas of our parents and grandpar- Latino organizations and spearhead- ents, we are adding an extra room ed av oice for Latino unity like never for the newcomers, strengthening our before. rroeodfe stiog nwiintgh stthaen d poarncyh tsoor rewnet s,c ana ndb et- opOevde r a thuen iyqeuaer s,p roAcSePsIsR A anhda s and evaerlr-a y ter see the future. oofp meednutc atimoodnealls . andW el eahdaevres hilpe ardneevdel - As one of the most prominent national Latino organizations, ASPIRA much from these initiatives that we ASTRA can share with others so they can This is the future we envision as replicate our successes and multiply ASPIRA grows into the new millenni- their impact. During 1994, we um. We are a strong organization placed special emphasis on with a proud tradition. Each of the researching our own program out over 17,000 young people we work comes. We significantly strength- with is an example of what can hap- ened our capacity to collect the data pen with commitment to our youth necessary for a national dissemina- and our community, faith in their tmioodn elcsa mptao iogtnh ertso sspo reaalld caonu r bperneofgirta. m teon oprrmooduucse pcohtaenngtiea.l , aWned aar e stsrionncge rewlilyl RMNaootnriaeolnndao l BlEaxceckubtuirvne . Strengthening of the ASPIRA grateful for the opportunity we have. Director Association—providing enhanced to serve our community and be part assistance to our local offices serv. of its future. ing thousands of young people—is a major part of building for the upcom ing century. In 1994, we placed spe- tana, Esq. cial emphasis on work to enable our Associate offices to be more effec- tive voices in their communities, to dee Bidckbum-iorona expand their services to our youth, and to develop new national models. A strengthened financial base, enhanced communication, technology for the 21st century, and efforts to bring the Association more closely together, all contributed to the strengthening of our organizational infrastructure Reaffirming the The “I have more confidence in myself now. |l earned that if you really want to do some. thing, you can do it if you try hard. Jocelyn Luna, Aspirante, Illinois Participant ASPIRA Public Policy Leadership Program SPIRA's overarching mission has hope inherent in the ASPIRA mission addresses the educational needs of years: to empower the Latino com- young people from a positive per- munity through the education and spective of caring and confidence in leadership development of its youth. their potential. It unites pride in ASPIRA's mission leads directly to an one's culture with the drive to suc- organizational focus on investment in ceed. Aspirantes and young people. Over the decades, we have helped CNHaoetrritnoéansna,dl e za,In ndt eJrHonussgh ouW ai lson haSsi ncleo okietsd foatu nLdaitnign o iny o1u9t6h1 ,a ndA SPsIeReAn oyvoeurt h a tqo uarretaecrh otfh eiar mpiolltieonnt iaLla,t ino Andrade. bleoaudnedrlse swsa itpiontge nttioa ls.p riWnge uspe e antdh e tthharto utgeha cohuers thtrheeem- prtoo nbgeedc omper oceaswsa.r e tmyo vfeor watrhde.m seAlSvPeIsR Aa ndw ortkhse ir wictoh mmyuonutih- oitfs tcheoinrs ecquurreenncte ss,i tuaatnido n,t o ttoa kaen alacytzieo n to develop this potential—to nurture for change. We are exceedingly it, to eliminate the barriers to oppor proud of the forceful array of commit: ctuonmimtyi tstoe dw e lecaadne rsp.r oduce educated, tdeedv elPoupe rtoov erR itchaen s yewaer s.h avMeo shte lpmaeidn - to land Puerto Rican leaders were The ASPIRA model helps and inspired and encouraged by ASPIRA encourages young people to achieve their dreams and contribute their dAusrpiinrga nttheesi r aared olneoswc enprcoef.e ssiOounra ls, skills and dedication to the fullest development of communities in the pmoulniictyy mlaekaedresr,s eadt ucalalt olrevse,l s. and com- United States and Puerto Rico. The ASTRA Laying the Groundwork: A Vision for Growth T ASPIRA National Office works to strengthen the entire Association by enhancing program delivery and organizational impact. In 1994, the Association molded its vision for the future into three key areas: * To serve as a voice for the ASPIRA * To develop national model pro- Association as the preeminent grams in collaboration with the National Visibility national Latino organization Associates serving youth through educa- * To document and distribute these tion and leadership develop- models to communities across ment the nation * To advocate for the improvement * To collaborate with other national of education for Puerto Rican organizations and promote a uni- National Impact and other Latino youth at the fied voice for Hispanics as the national level fastest growing segment of the * To help develop the capacity of population Associates to be advocates for Latino youth before local and state governments. * To serve as the center of a * To provide assistance and sup. strong network and focal point for port to the ASPIRA Associates in Organizational Strength Association at ies by enhanc: all areas of their development, ing coordination and communica- including programs, funding, and. tions among all Associates management Reinforcing the Foundation: Service to our Community “Role models are extremely important. There is an urgent need for Latino profes- they can make it in our present society. These individuals need to identify themselves to kids who are desperately seeking to look up to someone." Jaime R. Santana, Esq. Aspirante, Illinois Chair ASPIRA National Board SPIRA’s calling is community eral distinct functions to increase ‘opportunities for Latino youth. The staff of over 300, the ASPIRA National Office: Associate offices provided leadership supports the local ASPIRA development and educational ser- Associates through planning, vices to more than 17,000 Latino training, technical assistance youth last year. In addition, its inten- and development; sive community involvement programs reached thousands of parents advocates for national policies in ten cities. Volunteers, over 1,000 that provide opportunities for in 1994, are vital contributors to Puerto Rican/Latino youth and these efforts, expanding ASPIRA's families; outreach across the community and maintains a broad national part- making every scarce dollar count. nership network with the federal By tapping into the resources of government and national organi- their communities, each Associate zations: office operates a host of local pro- conducts research and distrib- grams specific to their region. All utes data and analyses through have in common, though, ASPIRA's the ASPIRA Institute for Policy commitment to leadership develop- Research; ment and education. develops educational interven- To enhance this local work, the tion models that work in the ASPIRA National Office performs sev- Latino community, and disseminates ASPIRA's successes. The National Office coordinates sev. * Youth Leadership and Community eral national programs developing Service out of local needs that are common * Educational Access and Careers. to all ASPIRA Associate offices National programs encompass three * Community Mobilization for areas: Educational Excellence ‘Around the country, Aspirantes pro- Public Policy Leadership Program is vide thousands of hours of volunteer a three-pronged, year-round effort to Youth Leadership and service through local, studentrun help prepare promising young Latinos Community Service ASPIRA Clubs, the backbone of to become involved in public policy. ASPIRA's work. Through these youth It aims to produce leaders who can clubs, over 5,000 Aspirantes each affect policy at all levels of govern. year develop leadership and academ- ment for the well-being of the com- ic skills, learn to work together, study munities they represent. the needs of their communities, and The APPLP has three components: act to address those needs. In addition, several specific national pro- * Leadership Seminars for fifteen grams build on this core of youth weeks under the guidance of leadership and service. They local leadership facilitators, include: * Community Service Internships ASPIRA Public Policy Leadership. for eight weeks with local men: Program (APPLP) tors, leading to a final group “I developed skills for leadership, com- Community Service Project, and mitment, and lots of responsibility. Geraldine Franco, Aspirante * National Internships for five weeks in Washington, D.C. during Leadership Program the summer for outstanding par- National Interns of the With major support through 1995 ticipants, P1o9l9ic4y ALSePadIeRrAs hiPpu.b lic from the Ford Foundation and the Program pose at their Toyota USA Foundation, the ASPIRA graduation. APPLP keynote speaker Dr. Eugene Garcia with his intern, Amanda Ramos, and Amanda Marrero, OBEMLA. Leadership Seminars and internships culminated in August with Community Service Internships. a graduation ceremony in the Cannon During the winter of 1994, 94 stu- House Office Building featuring Dr. dents in six sites participated in Eugene García, Director of the Office Laneda deprrsahcitpic edS emsiuncahr s.sk illTsh eays liesasrunee d oLfa nBgiulianggeuasl AEfdfuaicrast ioatn thaen d U.MSi.n ority analysis, public speaking, debate, Department of Education. During the group facilitation, and working in a ceremony, Wilson Hernandez from cteoanmt.i nueIdn tihnet o spCroinmgm,u n9i3t ys tuSdeernvitcse Cfihristc argeoc,i piIelnlitn oiosf wtahes Mcihroasndean. as the Internships, spending forty hours Foundation's Outstanding National with local role models holding policy- Intern scholarship. making positions. Their varied place- Each year, ASPIRA sees partici- ments included the offices of pants in the Public Policy Leadership. Roberto Rexach Benitez, President of Program use their new-found skills the Senate of Puerto Rico, Chicago and confidence to take on leadership City Treasurer Miriam Santos, U.S. positions in ASPIRA and in the com- Congressman Luis Gutiérrez, and munity. The annual survey of ten Philadelphia City Councilmember years of APPLP alumni showed that Angel Ortiz. of respondents: National Internships * 90% have graduated from high During the summer, 15 participants school, with 76% of these gradu- were selected as Toyota Fellows to ates enrolled in college; come to Washington for National * 97% are involved in school or Internships funded by the Toyota community activities; USA Foundation. The APPLP supple- * 76% hold or have held office in mented internships with presenta- the groups with which they were tions by national leaders, visits to involved; policymaking bodies, and workshops toof spotlriecnygmtahkeinn g.th e Ai nhtiegrhnlsi’g htk noofw ltehdeg e i* ng afso urv olAuPnPtLePe rsa lugminviin g arae yesearrv - of sHouumsmee r briweafsi nga tbtye nLdaitnign o a mWehmitbee rs of sAemrevriicCeo ripn s thep rongerwa mA SPIRA/ the Executive Office staff. The