On Saturday, Oct. 26, 2013, the Puerto Rican Cultural Center and Congressman Luis Gutiérrez rolled out this community's affordable health Care Act during a Barrio Health Fair held at Norwegian American Hospital. The event began with a press conference which featured Sen. Dick Durbin, and Congressman Luis Gutierrez who were accompanied by State Senator Iris Martinez, State Representative Cynthia Soto, and Luis Arroyo, as well as Cook County Commissioner Edwin Reyes. Additionally present were community leaders Billy Ocasio, Hilda Frontany, Jaime Delgado and Marvin Garcia. José E. López, Executive Director of the PRCC welcomed the elected officials, community leaders and the nearly 200 people in attendance. He proceeded to welcome José Sanchez, Norwegian American CEO, who spoke about the importance of Norwegian American hospital and its role as a community hospital in carrying out the mandated Affordable Care Act. José Sánchez then introduced Dr. Bechara Choucair who underscored his commitment, and that of the city, as Chicago's Health Commissioner.

Congressman Luis Gutierrez, in his remarks spoke about the unswerving leadership Sen. Durbin had demonstrated in the Senate's adaptation of the Affordable Care Act. He also made reference to the importance of the legalization of the undocumented who are left out of this historic healthcare initiative, The audience received the Congressman's words with resounding applause. José Sanchez, culminated the event by introducing the event's special guest, Sen. Durbin, who was warmly received, and gave a passionate defense of the Affordable Care Act, which he considered one of the historic acts of the US body politic.

At the health fair individuals were able to obtain a flu shot at no cost, learn information about the different programs of the PRCC, and, most importantly, they were able to learn about the Affordable Care Act (ACA), also known as Obamacare.  Additionally, community members were able to enroll in the newly available health insurance plans, including adult Medicaid and private insurance. The event was a success thanks to the hard work of the PRCC Navigators and In-Person Counselor staff, and through the promotion via flyers and media outlets.    

To learn more about your health insurance options through Get Covered Illinois, please contact PRCC staff via phone 773-227-7794 or visit us at the office: 1112 N. California Ave.  If you enroll by December 15th, your coverage will begin on January 1st 2014.  We are available to provide free assistance in English and Spanish, as well as presentations to groups! 

We are pleased to announce that Hugo Teruel has been appointed Director of the Latin American Recruitment and Educational Services (LARES) program, effective October 16, 2013, pending Board of Trustees approval.
Mr. Teruel has been an advocate for access to higher education for Latinos for over 30 years; 25 of those years at UIC. As Associate Director of LARES for almost 10 years, and Interim Director for the past 2 years, he has been responsible for the supervision and administration of LARES, and implementation of its mission and long-term goals. Mr. Teruel has managed recruitment and retention initiatives, and worked to develop and maintain relationships with community organizations and citywide and statewide committees that work with issues related to education, underrepresentation, and diversity. He also has extensive experience in the areas of student services, academic affairs, budget management, diversity programming, assessment, academic advising, and teaching.
During Mr. Teruel's time at LARES, he has represented the program on a variety of campus-wide committees including the Provost's Diversity Advisory Committee, the Review Committee for the Centers of Diversity, the Enrollment Impact Committee and the Provost's Working Group. He has served as co-chair for the Chancellor's Committee on the Status of Latinos and the Latino Committee on University Affairs. He is chair of the Roadblocks for Undocumented committee and sits on the boards of the Illinois Latino Council of Higher Education (ILACHE) and the Illinois Board of Higher Education's (IBHE) Hispanic Employment Plan for Higher Education committee.
Mr. Teruel is an alumnus of UIC who received his master's degree in music composition from Roosevelt University. He has taught at UIC, Columbia College, and Northeastern Illinois University. He is fluent in English and Spanish and has a working knowledge of sign language.
Please join us in welcoming Mr. Teruel to the directorship.
Sincerely,
Paula Allen Meares Chancellor John Corbally Presidential Professor
Lon S. Kaufman Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs and Provost
Kevin Browne Vice Provost for Academic and Enrollment Services 

October 24th, Rebecca Rios and Alyssa Villegas brought their pipeline students to NEIU for a tour and introduction to the campus and some of the programs. The students listened to presentors from Proyecto Pa'Lante, Project Success, Admissions, and the Latino Resource Center. Then they were given a tour of the different buildings and some offices such as the Latino and Latin American, African American, and Women Studies office, the Oue Ondee Sola office, and all of the different classroom buildings. 

Columbia College-On October 23, 16 students from Roberto Clemente Community Academy (RCCA) went on a tour of Columbia College Chicago (CCC). The tour was organized by the College Pipeline in RCCA, a program that works with students who are interested in attending CCC by creating a student portfolio, admission/scholarship applications. Students were taken to see different departments around the campus including Television Production, Art + Design, and Photography. It gave students a taste of what the field they are interested in is really like. After the tour, students gathered in the Multi Cultural Affairs Office to be greeted by Mark Kelly, Vice President of Student Affairs. He told the students that Columbia is not for 95% of people, but how they are the right fit for the 5% that wants to pursue a Liberal Arts degree. After his session with the students he asked how many were interested in attending Columbia College Chicago next fall, and 15 students raised their hands.

UIC-On Friday October 25th, sixteen Roberto Clemente high school students joined hundreds of UIC students in their daily college life. These students received a guided tour by their College Pipeline mentor Maria and they were also in company of their Senior Coordinator Antonio Prior. Students also took a first look to campus housing and dorms and they also received an informational presentation by the LARES Program (Latin American Resource and Educational Services). This program also sponsored their lunch and students were able to interact with some of the administrative personal of UIC's main offices. Overall students were able to enjoy their experience by walking through the same hallways and buildings of UIC graduate and undergraduate students.