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                 July 2010 

 
 
Saludos,
 
Green looks great on us! A couple of years ago, we launched a greening initiative to help save money and lead efforts to protect our environment. Our first step was to find and develop a green space that was environmentally sustainable and built with recycled materials.

In 2006, we partnered with the Tides Foundation to make 55 Exchange Place a Silver LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) building, and home to the Federation's new headquarters and conference center. Our walls are decorated with non toxic paints. Lights turn off automatically when there is no movement in the room and all mechanical systems and appliances are energy efficient. 

HF staff also took a personal pledge to limit the environmental impact of our work activities by using biodegradable products, undertaking aggressive recycling efforts and shifting to electronic newsletters. These efforts reflect our deep desire to promote green stewardship in the Latino community. Please take a moment to read more about our upcoming and current green projects with MillionTreesNYC, Con Edison and Assemblyman Adriano Espaillat.

Mil gracias and please join us in Living Green!
 
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Lillian Rodriguez Lopez
President
 
*Carbon Footprint is the total amount of green house gases provided by our activities.
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Greening the Heights
 
In partnership with Con Edison of New York and the Office of Assemblyman Adriano Espaillat, the Hispanic Federation has been greening small businesses in Washington Heights and Inwood by installing new, free lighting retrofits in select stores. WAHI helps businesses save on their utility bills by installing more efficient lighting that will reduce their carbon footprint. So far, 124 businesses in the area have been retrofitted with energy-efficient lighting installations.

Domingo, a bodega owner in Inwood who received the installation described the project as "fantastic, quick and easy." He continued: "It is wonderful that through this initiative the Hispanic Federation is offering free lighting. It's a big help to our community and has helped reduce my energy bills up to 40%."

Program participants are current Con Edison customers located within the Washington Heights/Inwood area. To learn how you can support this and other HF programs, visit our website.
 
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HF Staff Is Keeping It Green 
HF Office
Our staff members are committed to reducing their environmental footprint at all levels. As much as possible, we purchase environmentally friendly paper and use bio degradable plates, cups, utensils and napkins for all our daily operational needs. 

We  introduced a paper reduction policy which includes using email instead of paper whenever possible, double-sided printing and not printing email messages.  Our kitchenette also has clearly marked garbage bins for plastic, paper, garbage and aluminum waste. When we order meals, we request that plastic utensils are not delivered.  This policy has significantly reduced the amount of waste our office produces.  To find out how you can green your office, contact Jorge Cortes.
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In celebration of our 20th Anniversary, we launched our 20/20 Club.  Sign up today to make a monthly donation of $20 in tribute to our 20 years of service. 
20/20 Club Members receive:  
  • Complimentary Hispanic Federation tote bag
  • Invitations to members-only events and screenings
  • Invitations to exclusive lectures and receptions, plus a discount on select ticketed events

Your support will help us continue to serve needy Hispanic families during the continuing economic crisis.
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One In A Million
 
Wouldn't you agree that neighborhoods lined with trees are much more inviting than those without?  To help communities beautify their surroundings, the Federation was awarded a grant of $20,000 by MillionTreesNYC to launch a Green Your Neighborhood Initiative in Hispanic neighborhoods.  The goal is to show residents how to transform their surroundings by not only increasing the amount of trees, but learning how to care for them block by block. 

The Green Your Neighborhood initiative will work closely with MillionTreesNYC to help accomplish its goal of planting and caring for one million new trees in NYC's five boroughs over the next decade.  MillionTreesNYC is a public/private partnership between the City of New York and the New York Restoration Project, an organization dedicated to creating and restoring parks and community gardens.

To support these and other HF programs,  please visit our website. 
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5 Ways You Can Green Your Office
 
1. Don't print emails. Think before you print
2. Ordering lunch? Tell the restaurant not to send
    plastic forks, spoons or plates with your order 
3. Use filtered water instead of bottled water
4. Before you leave work, turn off computer
5. Take public transportation to work, better yet - walk
    or ride your bike (it's great exercise!)
 
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HF is a nonprofit organization.
Your donation is deductible by the fullest extent of the law.
The tax id number is 13-3573852.

20 Year Platinum Celebration
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Your donation will:
Strengthen Latino Nonprofits
Increase Financial Stability
Improve Educational Achievement
Promote Healthy Communities
Give Voice To Our Community
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Greening The Heights
orange bulletHF Staff Is Keeping It Green
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Header Events
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August 29th - Get Up Get Moving
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September 30th - Night of 1000 Friends

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