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Thank you deeply for your ongoing support of LaAmistad, its mission and its programs. We have a lot going on, so don't blink as you scroll through this quarter's issue... We hope you enjoy the read!
What's Inside
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 Seeking Summer Camp Scholarships |
 Fredi is a hard working student at LaAmistad After School at Westminster Presbyterian Church. He will enter the 5th grade in the fall, which will be a crucial academic year for him. His family is unable to afford the $150 registration fee for him to attend LaAmistad's An�mate Summer Camp. Will you give him the opportunity to get a successful head start on his 5th grade year by sponsoring him to work on his academics throughout the month of June at An�mate? To sponsor Fredi or any other LaAmistad student in need, please visit our Donate Page or contact Cat McAfee. |
| Appreciation Dinner... You're Invited! |
| 14th Annual LaAmistad Golf Tournament |
Come tee it up to help LaAmistad improve Buckhead's literacy and the standard of living for Latinos in the area. LaAmistad is pleased to announce that it will be hosting its 14th Annual LaAmistad Golf Tournament. Whether your clubs are always on the back of a cart somewhere, or if they have to be dusted off after being pulled out of the attic, we would be grateful if you would help us "tee off" to help increase Latino literacy and community involvement throughout Atlanta. If you are interested in sponsorships or participating, please email us at [email protected].
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The Atlanta Braves graced students at LaAmistad After School at The Cathedral of St. Philip with their presence on St. Patrick's Day for an afternoon of arts, crafts and lots of fun! Volunteers from the Braves front office assisted the students with making shamrocks, painting, and other festive crafts. Of course, no Braves event would be complete without tomahawks being handed out to all the students along with other Braves memorabilia. The students were so excited to have such a highly sought after organization working with them, and by the end of the session, the Braves had won the hearts of every LaAmistad student there. This Saturday, May 3rd, many LaAmistad students will have the opportunity to take part in a free Braves baseball camp held at Turner Field for underprivileged children. Thank you, Braves!
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 In our ESL program, we don't just see our students as separate individuals. Rather, we see the students as a wonderful community of people who are eager to learn, who take the little time they have to try to learn a new language, and who want to change their lives for the better. Every student states that learning English as second language has been a difficult journey, but that LaAmistad's ESL encourages them to keep going and to never give up. It is incredible how much the students have progressed over such a short period of time, in regards to both their speaking skills and writing skills. Equally wonderful is how much our volunteer teachers love doing what they do. Most of our teachers have been with us for several years now. In talking with a couple of our students, their eagerness to learn is obvious. They share that it has been difficult, but they have put their all and more into learning America's primary language, and for that we say, "Job well done!" "I will find a way to teach my students during the summer break before classes start, even if it's over coffee or even in my home," remarks an ESL volunteer. "My students need all the support I can offer." "It is dedication like this," replies ESL Director, Alley Del Castillo, "that keeps the students coming back." |
| LaAmistad Estrellitas |
Last fall saw the exciting start of LaAmistad's Estrellitas program, and this new year, the program is in full swing creating a positive impact for the youth it serves. Estrellitas is a weekend program for Latina girls in grades 7-12 that meets once a month on Sundays and some Saturdays during the school year. Their focus is to encourage girls to stay in school, develop their leadership skills, and serve their community. Trained, volunteer mentors from partner agency, Junior League of Atlanta, oversee monthly programming topics and field trips that broach issues facing today's youth, issues like teen dating, violence, and peer pressure, along with additional topics like healthy living, money management, and career exploration.
Partner agency, Junior League of Atlanta, gives Estrellitas' youth members an amazing opportunity to meet an average of 5 trained female mentors at each program session. The JLA has over 4,000 female adult members who serve in different capacities throughout the Atlanta community and are focused on "being the difference" and improving the health, education and welfare of women and children.
Highlights from this year's programming included a Saturday field trip in November to Zoo Atlanta's Fiesta de la Familia. Fifteen Estrellitas' youth members volunteered in the crafts' tent helping a younger generation of Latinos have fun. At February's program session 5 female professionals, including a defense attorney, creative director, air force pilot, engineer and make-up artist, engaged in a panel discussion regarding their careers and higher education assistance. With more sessions and field trips planned in the calendar year, it is evident that Estrellitas is set to gain more and more momentum and propel its youth members to become as great as they wish to be.
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A Visit from Univision
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Mariela Romero (center, seated in purple) of Univision Atlanta recently visited LaAmistad families to spread the message of Univision's campaign Peque�os y Valiosos ("little and valuable"). Mariela is expressing how spending time with your children each day, whether it is reading, telling stories, cooking, etc., is incredibly important even if parents struggle with the language in which their children are reading and learning. Mariela emphasizes that they still have much to offer and that this time with their kids is invaluable. The most important thing, says Mariela, is for parents to spend time with their children, share their cultural stories and history, and build those meaningful relationships. Thank you Mariela and Univision for your visit and your timeless message.
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 On April 9, LaAmistad brought its high school and eighth grade students to CNN World Headquarters here in Atlanta. Pictured above is one of the groups of LaAmistad students who attended. Thank you, Turner Voices, for making this experience a reality!
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This year's LaAmistad Buckhead 5K was a smash hit! On February 22, over 350 runners and walkers lined up to compete and have fun in our 4th annual race. Thanks to all of the amazing sponsors who made the event happen.
We would like to congratulate overall male winner Tim Halinski, who finished with at time of 17:46, and overall female winner Miriam Ryan, who finished at 22:26.
Congratulations also to the group winners: The Westminster Schools (pictured right) and Garden Hills Elementary School tied for the most participants from our local schools division, while "The Commitments" had the most runners of the Sunday School Classes that participated. Way to go, guys!
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 Nashalyne Baylon is a prime example of a student who LaAmistad was created to help. Nashalyne always has a book in her hand and is a model student when it comes to her conduct. She always has a smile on her face and aims to please. Anytime help is needed, Nashalyne is there to assist, even without being asked. Thanks to all of the wonderful volunteers at LaAmistad After School at The Cathedral of St. Philip who are helping her along the way. We know that with LaAmistad working alongside Nashalyne and her family, she is destined for success! |
| Did You Know? |
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In Georgia: 13.3% of Georgia's 1.7 million elementary, middle, and high school students are Latino, meaning that there are almost 229,000 Latino students in Georgia's school system.
LaAmistad Families: The mean family income of students from LaAmistad After School at Peachtree Presbyterian Church is just under $21,000, as surveyed in May 2013.
LaAmistad Results: Thanks to volunteers like you, 100% of LaAmistad After School students passed their CRCT reading sections in 2012-2013!
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Stay Connected to LaAmistad
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3434 Roswell Rd, Atlanta, GA 30305 � 404-842-2183
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