Many have described the birth of a child as miraculous, but any mom or dad knows that after that, parenting can be difficult work, and there is an awful lot to learn. "Regardless of the language they speak, all parents want to raise responsible, caring and cooperative children," says Irma Walker, the LAA's Manager of Family Services and facilitator for the parenting classes. "That's why we created a program to help parents share their experiences and gain new information about parenting. But in reality, it is so much more."

Successful, long-term partnerships are a vital piece of any organization's success. For several years, Delta Air Lines has worked alongside the LAA to heighten the awareness of the needs of Atlanta's Latinos and highlight the benefits of living in a diverse community. They have been trusted advisors and generous supporters. Delta's commitment to the LAA demonstrates their understanding of the significant positive impact the LAA has on the community.

Delta supports the LAA through several initiatives. The LAA is a partner in Delta's SkyWish Program, a program in which people can donate their unused Skymiles to the LAA to use for charitable purposes. Members of the Delta Latino affinity group, LAHEN, donate gifts to participating families in our holiday Spirit of Giving Campaign and volunteer their time at the LAA's annual youth leadership conference, offering critical planning and logistics support. Delta is also a proud sponsor of all of our major events from Latin Fever and Latino Summit to the housing and career fairs. Support from Delta helps the LAA improve the quality of life in the communities where we live and work.

Jim Sarvis, Director of the Latin America and Caribbean Business Unit for Delta, recently joined the LAA Board of Directors and brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to the LAA. "As Delta reaches out to underserved markets in Latin America, it is vitally important that we stay connected to the community. It is an honor to work with such an important organization like the LAA who does so much for so many in the Atlanta Latino community."

The LAA is pleased to recognize Delta Air Lines as a featured sponsor.

Creativity, energy and dedication. Those words characterize many of the volunteers who give their time to help in the work of the LAA. But no volunteer embodies those characteristics more than Juan Pablo Gnecco. A member of the fundraising committee and chair, along with his wife Elvia Cecilia, of this year's Latin Fever Ball. Mr. Gnecco seems to have boundless amounts of creativity, energy and dedication, which he uses in giving to those in need here and in his native Colombia. 

Mr Gnecco founded Studiocom in 1998, a full-service interactive agency that creates engaging brand experiences.

Mr. Gnecco says he founded the company because he wanted to provide an environment that was creative and fun.

Studiocom provides the Latin American Association with services to create and maintain its website and design marketing materials. "The LAA does so many good things," says Mr. Gnecco. "Through professional organizations like this, we can give back to the community."

Mr. Gnecco already gives back to the community in a big way. He is the founder of Colombianitos, a nonprofit organization that helps Colombian children who are victims of the terrorism and violence that has affected Colombia for the last forty years. Through its many programs, Colombianitos helps to reestablish the confidence and ability of these children to live a normal life, giving them the tools to move forward and to alleviate, in part, their suffering. Mr. Gnecco believes that it is important to go back and help those in need. "There are two types of people in the world," he says, "those who are lucky and those who are not. The lucky ones need to help out the others."

Mr. Gnecco's endless energy has led him to turn even a favorite pastime into a serious project. He and his family love to ride horses, so he recently opened the Atlanta Equestrian Center, an organization that is involved in horseback riding lessons, boarding, shows and horse sales.

These days, it seems we hear about the global economy from all directions: best selling books, TV news programs and newspaper articles. At the LAA, we understand that to be successful in today's world, our youth need a wide range of information and skills to be able to secure a place in the new global economic system. That is why partners like Junior Achievement are so integral to the success of LAA programs, and ultimately, the youth we serve.

For the last two years, Junior Achievement (JA) has worked together with the LAA's youth programs to help students begin to learn the basic concepts of business and economics. Specifically, Junior Achievement has provided workshops to elementary and middle school-level participants in the summer program and after school activities held at the LAA's main center as well as the Harmony Station and Hickory Lake Outreach Centers. In addition to focusing on the working world, JA's program reinforces the value of education and helps students understand the economic benefits of remaining in school.

However, Junior Achievement sessions are not only informative but fun for the kids as well. "We try to provide providing interesting, enriching and educational experiences to the kids, all while they are enjoying themselves," says Katiuska Delgado of Junior Achievement's Hispanic Initiative. Conducted solely by volunteers, the lessons focus on teaching children how they can impact the world around them as individuals, workers and consumers and are full of hands on, age appropriate activities. "The kids are so involved; they don't even realize they are learning," adds Katiuska.

"Our kids love working with Junior Achievement," says Angela Rozo Patterson, Manager of Youth Programs at the LAA. "They really get a sense of how the things they are learning at school can be applied in the practical sense. This partnership really underscores how by working together, we can help our youth be well-rounded and successful future leaders."

"I am so proud to be working with the LAA in this endeavor," comments Katiuska Delgado. "We are so excited at the impact we are having on the lives of Latino youth, and together we can achieve results we wouldn't be able to do on our own."

“Sí Se Puede:” LAA’s Annual Latino Youth Conference

On Saturday, October 21, over 1000 students attended the LAA’s 7th Annual Latino Youth Leadership Conference at Georgia State University. Throughout the day, middle school and high school students from 95 schools across the metro Atlanta area attended

18^th Annual Latin Fever Ball a Tremendous Hit

Dressed in the colors of emerald green and gold, LAA's 18th Annual Latin Fever Ball was an incredible celebration of all things Colombian. This year's event, titled "Colombia: Paraíso Esmeralda", featured the folkloric sounds of the Trío de los Hermanos Calero, the dazzling performance of the Danzas Genéricas de

Colombia, and the lively beat of the Latin band Tártara. Paola Salazar of Univision 34 Atlanta served as the event's emcee, while Mr. and Mrs. Juan Pablo Gnecco served as event Chairs, and Enrique Dorta was recognized as Honorary Chair for his many years of dedication to the LAA and Latin Fever.

But all 560 guests present were there serving an even higher purpose: This year's Latin Fever Ball raised a total of $235,000, with a record breaking $30,000 coming from our silent auction alone, all of this to support critical LAA programs and services. Our thanks go out to all of our sponsors, friends, and supporters for these remarkable results. Particularly, we would like to thank our Presenting Sponsor, MundoHispánico; Diamond Sponsors, The Coca-Cola Company, Delta Air Lines, Georgia Power and Studiocom; and Platinum Sponsors, Díaz Foods, The Home Depot, Turner Broadcasting System, Inc., and UPS.

A special thank you goes out to our Latin Fever Guild, a dedicated group of volunteers that year after year organizes this spectacular fundraiser for the benefit of metro-Atlanta's Latino community. Members are: Héctor Buitrago, Del Clark, Enrique Dorta, José Fernando Londoño, Melissa Palacios, Graciela Perales, Mariana Piñango, Alberto Smith, Lucie Rivera O'Ferrall, Carlos Pagoaga, Raul Trujillo, and Annie York Trujillo.

LAA Open House: The First of Many to Come

On a rainy afternoon in September, over 300 supporters, donors, friends, and clients gathered at LAA's main office on Buford Highway for an informative exchange that gave them an opportunity to learn more about the LAA and the programs and services we have to offer. As part of this event, volunteers and affinity

groups were recognized for all of their contributions and dedication to our work. Without them, our work would not be possible.

As a special feature of this event, LAA, in partnership with Freddie Mac and BB&T, offered a screening of the new telenovela "Nuestro Barrio", created by the Community Reinvestment Association of North Carolina's Media Advocacy Division. This telenovela is geared to help the Latino population learn the dos and don'ts of becoming successful in America through wise financial management and ultimately, home ownership. The LAA is proud to have entered this partnership which seeks to educate the Latino community.

LAA to Open New Norcross Outreach Center

As the result of an innovative public-private partnership with the City of Norcross, the Latin American Association will open a new outreach center in downtown Norcross in early 2007. With funding from The Goizueta Foundation, and partners such as Smart Start Georgia, Junior Achievement, Georgia Power, and United Way, the new center will provide core development programs and services to the local community and the area's growing and increasingly diverse population. This partnership not only unites local government, the business community and the non-profit sector, but it involves local schools such as Norcross and Beaver Ridge Elementary Schools, Summerour Middle School, and Norcross High School in a joint effort to ensure that all children and families succeed. The Norcross center will be easily accessible as well as provide ample space for current services and future growth. The LAA thanks The Home Depot for its generous donation of building materials in the remodeling of the center.

A Special Visit to LAA's Seniors

Coordinated jointly by the LAA and the Atlanta Regional Commission, U.S. Assistant Secretary on Aging, Josefina Carbonell, visited the LAA on October 11 to speak with seniors from the Latino and Asian communities. Specifically, she addressed the highlights of the 16th reauthorization of the Older Americans Act, particularly provisions that support the overwhelming desire on the part of most seniors to remain living in their own homes and communities for as long as possible. Ms. Carbonell's visit was extremely well received by the seniors, who often broke into applause and posed for photographs with the Secretary afterward.

My Health, My Medicare

The LAA's Department of Family Services will be participating in the national My Health, My Medicare outreach project to inform senior citizens of the changes in Medicare. Specifically, the LAA will staff a hotline to take calls from throughout the state as well as present information to eligible Latino seniors in the metro area on their Medicare options and provide assistance with enrollment. For more information, please contact Heidy Lough at (404) 638-1831.

Naturalization Drive at LAA

On a rainy afternoon in September, over 300 supporters, donors, friends, and clients gathered at LAA's main office on Buford Highway for an informative exchange that gave them an opportunity to learn more about the LAA and the programs and services we have to offer. As part of this event, volunteers and affinity groups were recognized for all of their contributions and

dedication to our work. Without them, our work would not be possible.

On Saturday, October 14 LAA hosted a free Naturalization Drive sponsored by Georgia State University College of Law. The Immigration Law Society initiated this drive to encourage immigrants to attain their citizenship, and reap the many benefits and privileges that come with U.S. citizenship; one of the most important of these privileges being the right to vote. Over 80 clients were assisted in their naturalization process just that day. LAA and the Georgia State University College of Law will continue to offer these drives periodically. We will keep you informed!

Success

The Latin American Association is excited to have added a new service in partnership with Plaza Fiesta. Given the large numbers of people who come to Plaza Fiesta on weekends, it is a natural fit for the LAA to offer education and prevention activities there. In August, the LAA began offering monthly seminars on topics of interest or concern to the Latino community. When possible,

New Faces

The Latin American Association is proud to have Quanda Rodriguez as our new Resource Development Director. Quanda is filling the shoes of former Resource Development Director, Josh Hopkins, who relocated to South Carolina to be closer to family. Quanda comes to the Latin American Association with much expertise in the fundraising arena, including extensive experience with annual fund campaigns, donor relations, individual giving and special events.

Her knowledge and ability will have a lasting positive impact on the Latin American Association and ultimately the community through the programs funded by the fundraising efforts. Welcome, Quanda!

Applause

Luis Aguilar, LAA Board Chair and partner of McKenna Long & Aldridge, was named one of the "100 Most Influential Hispanics" in the United States by Hispanic Business Magazine. In addition to his many accomplishments in the corporate field, Mr. Aguilar continues to serve the Latino community with great passion and dedication. LAA is proud to continue to move forward under his leadership!

S.O.S. Network
The next time an emergency walks through our door, you can be the helping hand to respond...

A fourteen year old mother needs a crib for her newborn. The next day, one single person makes a difference in her life by donating a crib.

A family of four loses everything in a fire. The next day, another family of four donates beds for them to sleep in.

Our work is ongoing and arduous, but draws great inspiration from the selfless contributions of so many of our supporters. It is for this reason that we created the S.O.S. network-so compassionate individuals like you and your family can make a world of difference in an instant. So if you want to be the one to bring a blanket or a bed, baby bottles or a wheelchair, click here.