News Bulletin January 27, 2010
Miguel Del Valle Youth Development HighlightsYouth Development Center Receives City of Chicago's "Outstanding Performance in Youth Development Award"
On December 1st, 2009 ASPIRA's
Youth Development Center received a recognition award from the City of
Chicago's Department of Family and Support Services. Youth Center
Director Delilah Garcia and staff members, Sonia Medina, Chris Salas
and Rosa Gutierrez were present at the award ceremony and received the
award on behalf of ASPIRA. The award acknowledges ASPIRA's innovative
workforce investment program which is comprised of over 100 students
who receive workshops and training in career development, job and
college placement assistance. Participants are able to also do an
employment internship with a local business in an area of interest to
them.
 AREYTO Induction Celebrates ASPIRA Youth!
Aspira's Areyto Ceremony was held this past December 13, 2009 at the Regency and Banquet Hall. More than 200 students, parents and community members attended and celebrated as members of 20 ASPIRA clubs took the ASPIRA OATH to become lifelong Aspirantes. According to Delilah Garcia, director of Miguel Del Valle Youth Center, "The idea of the Areyto ceremony is taken from the Taino ceremony where the leaders sang of the great deeds of their people." At Aspira's Areyto ceremony, the ASPIRA Club Federation officers celebrate accomplishments and honor hard work, cultural pride, education excellence and involvement in government and community betterment. The students performed, danced and ended with a "parranda" accompanied by the well known cuatrista, Javier Mendez.
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