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ACLAMO Family Centers Newsletter
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Providing our community with the services and skills for success
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NOVEMBER 20131
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Anderson and Yasmin are ready
to celebrate Thanksgiving
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From The Executive Director:
40 gallons of water and 40 gallons of diesel - that's what Lucas Rodriguez and eight others took with them on a rickety boat across the straits of Florida to find freedom.
The Cuban revolution years earlier had resulted in mass arrests, expulsion of clergy, the confiscation of private property, and the closure of the free press. Leaving his native country, Lucas risked everything to find the freedom and opportunity that was America.
Fortunately, they survived the arduous journey to the US, and now the Rodriquez's son, Abel is the newest member of our ACLAMO Board! (see story below)
It is said that first generation of immigrants are the ones who most appreciate the gift that is the United States. Many of us take for grated our freedoms. But in this season of Thanksgiving, we are reminded of another band of refugees who took leaky boats across the great seas in search of a new life.
As we celebrate with our families and thank God for our many blessings, let us be mindful of countless others who came before us, and continue to come to this great nation in search of a better life. In so doing, we weave together a colorful tapestry called America.
-Juan Guerra
PS We hope to meet many of you in a few weeks at our BIDS for KIDS' Educational benefit!
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MARK YOUR CALENDARS FOR DECEMBER 11:
AN EVENING OF FUN AT ACLAMO´S BIDS for KIDS' Education AUCTION and Cocktail Party
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Everyone is talking about
ACLAMO´s Silent Auction!
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Time: 6 through 9 p.m.
Place: Washies Memorial Fire House
36 W. Elm Street
Conshohocken, PA
Music: Ensamble Casa de Venezuela
Food: La Poblanita and the
Banh Mi Bar & Bistro
Open Bar
Tickets: $20 in advance: $25 at door
RSVP call 610 277-2570 o Register online at www.aclamo.org
Among the auction items:
- Overnight Stay and breakfast at Trump Taj Mahal, Atlantic City
- Overnight Stay at Southern Mansion Cape May, New Jersey
- Philadelphia Union Jersey Autographed by Entire 2013 Roster
- Designer Jo Malone Gift basket from Nordstrom
- Philadelphia Flyer Kimmo Timonen Autographed Photograph
- Philadelphia 76er Spencer Haws Autographed Photo
- Philadelphia Phillie's Ben Revere signed baseball
- Original artwork of paintings and prints
- Wine and Tour and Tasting at the Karamoor Estate Vineyard
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FLU SHOTS AT ACLAMO´S POTTSTOWN OFFICES
The cool fall temperatures are a harbinger for our annual ACLAMO Pottstown Flu Shot Clinic.
Thanks to the support from the Pottstown Area Health and Wellness Foundation and the Montgomery County Department of Health, almost 50 of ACLAMO´s Pottstown residents received this important inoculation.
In the picture, Jacelyn is watching her mother, Norma receiving her flu shot while she opted for the less painful spray application. Maybe Jacelyn will grow up to be a nurse some day!
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UPPER MAIN LINE ROTARY CLUB
DONATES FOR THANKSGIVING
Twelve low-income families will have a warm Thanksgiving dinner this year thanks to the efforts of the Upper Main Line Rotary Club.
Former ACLAMO employee and Rotary Treasurer, Kristin Smith, along with David Alleva, Steve Smith, and Rotary President, Chad Rosenberg helped organize a Thanksgiving donation food drive among members to support ACLAMO´s Latino families.
"By their faithful support the Upper Main Line Rotary lives up to their guiding principles of building good will and better friendships," said Juan Guerra, "We are once again thankful for their commitment to their community."
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FOLLOWING HIS MOTHER´S EXAMPLE
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The pre-kindergarten children, Goeff Brandon and Juan Guerra celebrate
TD Bank's generous gift.
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"When I was growing up," TD Bank´s Regional Vice President Geoffrey Brandon recalls, "my mother didn´t suggest that we give back to the community - she made it a family requirement! One of the reasons I chose banking as a career, is that institutions like TD Bank are committed to helping to support great organizations like ACLAMO."
In November, TD Bank backed up its commitment with a $6,000 check, in support of the S.T.E.M. After School Program. When ACLAMO´s Executive Director, Juan Guerra, suggested that some of the children in our Family Literacy Program join him in accepting the check, Geoff quickly agreed.
"Our partnership with TD Bank continues with this generous gift," said Guerra. "We are grateful for their generous support."
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FAMILY LITERACY PROGRAM INCLUDES VISIT TO ZOO
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Scraaaatch a bit lower please!!!
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Brisk November weather didn´t discourage the 42 parents and children from the ACLAMO Family Literacy Program as they piled into cars and headed for Norristown´s Elmwood Zoo. Even though located in Norristown, the family work schedules and financial limitations of many Latino families do not allow for visits to the zoo.
"Recognizing these animals and knowing some basic facts about each will be critical for these children, especially by third grade," comments Linda Maldonado, Director of Early Childhood Education and Family Literacy. "De-coding and phonics should have been mastered by then and the meaning of what a child is reading assumes the greatest importance." READ MORE
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DARING ESCAPE FROM CUBA YIELDS ACLAMO
NEW BOARD MEMBER -- 44 YEARS LATER!
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Abel, Josefina and Lucas Rodriguez
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Born in Bridgeport and a graduate of the University of Pennsylvania Law School with a focus on immigration law, Abel Rodriguez learned from his parents what it is to struggle for freedom and to work hard to achieve success in the United States. He also learned how important ACLAMO was to his family in the 1970s and has decided to join the ACLAMO Board of Directors.
Abel´s parents, Lucas and Josefina, both escaped from Cuba in the 1960s during the first decade of the Castro government. When Abel was born, they insisted on his studying hard and in learning both English and Spanish. Their efforts proved successful beyond their wildest dreams. Abel now holds master´s degrees from both Stanford University and Harvard University and is staff attorney with the Nationalities Service Center in Philadelphia. READ MORE
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ACLAMO celebrates its 36th year of providing economic, educational, health and cultural opportunities for low-income residents of Norristown and Pottstown, especially those of Spanish language heritage.
ACLAMO stands for Accíon Comunal Latinoamericana de Montgomery County, or Latin American Action of Montgomery County. ACLAMO is derived from the Spanish word "aclamar," which means "to acclaim."
ACLAMO Family Centers ACLAMO Family Centers
512 W. Marshall Street 515 Walnut Street
Norristown, PA 19401 Pottstown, PA 19464
610-277-2570 610-970-2134
aclamo.org
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