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Unity Council Newsletter Spring 2009 |
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Greetings!
Since 1998, Neighborworks America has been instrumental in advancing our organization's ability to provide high quality services to our community.
I would like to take this opportunity to recognize several officers at Neighborworks for their tireless work on our behalf---Ken Wade, CEO, Margaret Frisbee, Pacific District Director, Richard Castro, Management Consultant, and Lupe Hernandez, Management Consultant.
These individuals have been vital in advocating for our cause, and in holding us to our stated mission. Neighborworks and the Unity Council have joined forces in combating the worst of the foreclosure crisis (with Neighborworks providing the essential funding for our Homeownership Center activities), and we could not ask for a more capable partner. I encourage you to visit their website and learn more about this nationally acclaimed organization at: http://www.nw.org/network/home.asp
Warmly,
Gilda Gonzales, CEO
www.unitycouncil.org
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| Stemming the Tide of Foreclosure: The Unity Council's Homeownership Center |
For the past two years, our Homeownership Center has battled the housing crisis on the front lines, helping families refinance their loans and secure their futures. Lena Harris, one of our clients, called the results of her loan modification "a miracle the way it worked out." The sole caretaker of her disabled brother, Ms. Harris was locked into a 2-year fixed ARM at 7.68%, and found herself unable to obtain a loan modification. With the help of the Unity Council, Ms. Harris was able to stop the foreclosure sale, and obtain a 0.125%, 28 year fixed loan, with payments $160 a month better than her previous loan.  The Unity Council Homeownership Center also provides the prospective first time homebuyer with comprehensive bilingual homebuying workshops, financial fitness classes and housing counseling. For more information on their programs, please contact Program Assistant Sandra Velazquez at (510)535-6943.
RIGHT: Our Homeownership Center team at their Fruitvale Village Offices.
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| Fruitvale Public Market: La Verbena Juice Bar & Café |
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| Rosalva has been a merchant since her childhood in Mexico City. She opened La Verbena Juice Bar & Café in January 2008 at the Fruitvale Public Market where she specializes in fresh fruit and vegetable juices, coffees, delicious salads, and deli sandwiches. She believes in providing the community with healthy food options at affordable prices. Rosalva has generated business outside of the market by winning 2 contracts for catering services to two cafés at the Oakland Int'l Airport.
Besides being a small business owner and mother of 4, Rosalva also manages to make time as a Community Health Educator with the UC Berkeley Cooperative Extension where she teaches parents with small children the benefits of nutrition in preventing chronic diseases, including obesity, diabetes, and reducing high cholesterol.
Visit the Fruitvale Public Market seven days a week to enjoy a variety of culinary delights, hand-crafted goods, and useful services from local entrepreneurs!
RIGHT: Rosalva at La Verbena's counter, located in the Fruitvale Public Market
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| Tax Day, With Americorps' Assistance |
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This year, 15 of our Americorps members, ten of whom were certified in basic tax law, participated in the 2009 Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program. This involved assisting clients with tax preparation, greeting and screening, scheduling tax appointments, outreach and recruitment, and administering a VITA survey. We are pleased to report that 921 tax returns were prepared, with a total Federal Refund of $914,045, and a total EITC Refund of $254,730. This makes for a grand total of $1,168,775 returned to our community.
Congratulations to Americorps for all their hard work!
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| 2009 Dia De Los Muertos Festival Canceled |
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After a great deal of consideration, the Unity Council has decided not to present the Fruitvale Dia De Los Muertos Festival for 2009. Due to the economic downturn and rising production costs, we have made the most responsible decision possible in canceling the festival this year, and re-introducing the Dia De Los Muertos celebration in 2010. We envision a festival with a clearer focus on family and tradition. This year the Unity Council will celebrate its 45th Anniversary. Our focus is to make this Fall Celebration a success and a wonderful testament to our work over the years.
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| Gilda Gonzales Named One Of Bay Area's Most Influential Women in Business |
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Gilda Gonzales, CEO of The Unity Council since January 2005, has been named by the San Francisco Business Times as one of the Bay Area's Most Influential Women in Business. Pictured in the April 24 edition of the paper, Gonzales has this advice for young women: "Get educated, practice financial and family planning, find good mentors, and take risks." Congratulations Gilda!
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| Donate Now |
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Your tax-deductible contribution to the Unity Council will help sustain our work in building wealth and assets for families and individuals in our community. Please click on button and make an online contribution today!
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| Unity Council Board of Directors |
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Rosario Davalos, Chair
Maurilio Leon, Vice Chair
John Casas, Treasurer
Victor Martinez, Secretary
Zenaida Aguilera
Rose Garcia
Viola Gonzales
Isidro (Sid) Jimenez
David Matz
Rosie Rios
Joseph Yew
Gilda Gonzales, CEO
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| Contact Us |
1900 Fruitvale Avenue, Suite 2A
Oakland, CA 94601
Tel: 510-535-6900
Fax: 510-534-7771
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