The Hola Journal (march-april 2009)

English Edition

The www.holatoday.org

Journal

A Publication of Hispanas Organizadas de Lake y Ashtabula March-April 2009 Vol. 5, Issue 1

HOLA’s Hispanic Grower/Farmers Market Project A new partnership between several area organizations and HOLA will help support local Latinos who want to grow produce such as peppers, chilies, beans, corn, and tomatillos to sell at local farmers markets. Story on page 3

Artwork by Leonardo Ornelas, age 14, a student at Heritage Middle School, in Painesville, Ohio.

From the Editor

Hola! WOW! This issue is late. HOLA is so busy working on multiple projects, assisting members of our community and providing support any way we can. Many people don’t realize that HOLA is a small, grassroots organization with only a small staff assisting with The HOLA Journal. Fortunately, we have a strong volunteer base and we also have faith, business, labor and social justice partners in every sector of our region. These partners, or allies, assist HOLA in fulfilling our mission: to improve quality of life in the areas of health, education, and economic well-being through advocacy, outreach and relationship building among Hispanics and non-Hispanics. There is not enough space in this column to thank all of the people who find ways to reach out and work with the Latino community. I try to highlight some of them in these pages. I do want to specifically thank the Latino business community for supporting The HOLA Journal through advertising: Don Tequila’s in Mentor, El Rodeo, La Borincana, in Cleveland, El Puente in Ashtabula, Maria’s Hair Salon in Painesville, Luisa’s Mexican Grill in Geneva. HOLA could not do the work we do without their support! I hope you can

take the time to see their ads and pay them a visit and thank them for supporting HOLA. We’ve been busy looking for new board members who will also help us carry our mission forward. I am pleased to announce two new members: Peggy Wilkinson and Victoria Saldivar. They have been active volunteers with HOLA and you’ll see a little bit about them in these pages. Also new to the HOLA staff is intern Danette Janucek. You can see her fantastic work in The HOLA Journal, too. She is designing many of the ads for the Latino small business owners. It’s just another service HOLA provides. On another note, I’m excited to see that President Barack Obama is publicly voicing support for comprehensive immigration reform. This has been a number one priority for HOLA. We cannot have a healthy, integrated community without legalizing the status of many of the moms and dads and employees in our region. HOLA will be working hard to support the president on this issue. It makes sense for improving the economy of NE Ohio. Again, I am deeply appreciative for those people who have spoken up and supported comprehensive immigration reform thus far. And also for those who have helped us defeat statewide measures targeting immigrants. Our state faces a great deal of challenges. We don’t need policies that target immigrants and end up harming business and dividing families. We need policies that look for ways to build bridges among all Ohioans.

HOLA’s mission is to improve quality of life in the areas of health, education, and economic well-being through advocacy, outreach and relationship building among

Sincerely, Verónica Isabel Dahlberg, Editor

Staff of The HOLA Journal Editor Verónica Isabel Dahlberg Translations Heddy Herrera Graphics, layout and design eWebInnovations Creative Design Group Advertisement Design Danette Janucek This Issue: Staff Photographers: Veronica Dahlberg Advertising Sales: Contact HOLA at 440.964.3372

Please send letters to: Editor The HOLA Journal PO Box 3066 Ashtabula, Ohio 44005

HOLA Board of Directors

A

fter two years of planning, a diverse group of organizations is ready to launch a unique project to teach Hispanic small farmers how to grow, harvest and sell cultural varieties of produce at local farmers markets. The initiative was developed by representatives of the Lake County Soil and Water Conservation District; the Western Reserve Resource Conservation and Development Council; HOLA; Parker Bosley, a chef and sustainable local foods advocate, and Bruce Cormack of Cormack Market Gardens. In addition, Lake Erie College Center for Entrepreneurship will provide student interpreters for the project, and the Ohio State University Extension will provide technical support. The project was recently awarded a $24,000 grant from the Farmland Policy Innovation Center and the Ohio Department of Agriculture’s Rural Rehabilitation Program. “I’m excited about this project,” said Maurine Orndorff of LCSWD, a key developer of the idea.”It will help with our goal of agricultural sustainability in Lake County that people produce more locally-grown food and bring more food to the farmers markets. It will

also make available more cultural varieties that currently aren’t available fresh, and will make the farmers markets more dynamic.” For its first year, the project will train 5-10 Hispanic farmers to plant and harvest and sell a variety of chili peppers, cilantro, beans, From left to right: Parker Bosley, board member for Innovative Farmers of Ohio; Ambrocio Saldana and Jorge Reynoso, potential tomatillos and other farmer applicants for the project; Bruce Cormack of Cormack’s foods. Farming expert Market Garden, and Maurine Orndorff, of the Lake County Soil Bruce Cormack will and Water Conservation District. Photo by Veronica Dahlberg serve as a technical barriers,” Orndorff said. “This will advisor on issues of soil, fertilizer introduce non-Hispanic people to and other concerns. Microloans will different food varieties, to the people be used to help with the purchase of and the culture. It can improve equipment and seeds for the second interaction between cultures and year. The goal is to make the farmers more opportunities to understand, to self-sustainable and independent by try new foods, and to help with our the second year. efforts to preserve farmland.” Increasing the produce varieties at local farmers markets will help all farmers by attracting more customers. “I think it’s a really neat way to break down

Gladys Figueroa Stec

About the front page artist

Victoria Saldivar

Leonardo Ornelas, 14, is a seventh grader at Heritage Middle School in Painesville, Ohio. He was recommended by his art teacher, Justin Vargo, to submit artwork for the HOLA cover. “Drawing is a passion. It calms me down,” says Ornelas, who started drawing as a hobby at age 12. “You know how people do stuff they’re not supposed to do? I do drawing.” Ornelas likes setting his goals really high. “One

Kate Masley, Ph.D Shakyra Diaz Lynn Tramonte de la Barrera Peggy Wilkinson

The HOLA Journal is published bi-monthly by HOLA, Hispanas Organizadas de Lake y Ashtabula, in both Spanish and English language versions. All articles are property of HOLA and cannot be reprinted or duplicated without permission.

Hispanics and non-Hispanics. Unless otherwise noted, all articles are written by Verónica Isabel Dahlberg. 2 / The HOLA Journal

Shovel-Ready Project

March-April 2009

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goal I’d like to do is be an architect because it uses math and drawing.” Ornelas was born in Mexico and has lived in Painesville for 12 years. He also likes to play soccer and basketball, and is involved in track. March-April 2009

Lake County Nursery Industry:

Helping Hands Provide Support

“We’re in Survival Mode”

When a local factory laid off dozens of workers recently, many Latino families in Ashtabula found themselves with no source of income in the dead of winter. The situation became dire as the weeks went on with no prospects for new jobs—a scenario that has played out all over Ohio, a state with an unemployment rate at about 10%. Ashtabula’s unemployment rate is even higher, at over 14%. Accus-

On Thursday, March 5, HOLA organized an emergency food pantry to assist the laid-off workers and their families, with generous support from the Ashtabula Country Neighbor Program and private donations. Over 50 households were served, representing 136 children. Of those households, 29 had no adults employed at the time. Diana Bradbury and Mike Boylen of the County Neighbor Program delivered food donations. About $200 in donations from HOLA through its pantry network, nearly a friends and volunteers were used 20% increase from 2007, when 37,307 to purchase locally-sold food individuals were served. “From what products, such as meat, tortiwe are seeing, the need is only going llas, jalapenos, rice and beans. to increase more,” says Klingensmith. The rest was supplemented by “The unemployment rate is increasing, Country Neighbor, a program of so I don’t think we’ve seen the worst United Way, which serves the of it yet.” Klingensmith notes that entire pantry network in Ashtabu- the biggest change of a demographic la County. Several volunteers group accessing food support is 18 to helped sort and package the food 59-year-olds without children, which Luisa Aguinaga and Vicky Saldivar helped sort food into plastic crates. has increased 80.1% in the past year. products into baskets for 50 households. Barbara Klingensmith, execu“These are adults that have held jobs tomed to always working, many of the tive director of Country Neighbor says for 20 years, then they’re laid off, their laid-off workers were not aware of ser- the need for food pantry assistance kids are all grown up so they can’t get vices available for their families, and has risen sharply. In 2008, the Counfood stamps, and now they are needing a language barrier often discouraged try neighbor Program served 44,582 the help,” Klingensmith says. them from seeking help. individuals in Ashtabula County Photos by Veronica Dahlberg

St. John’s Food Pantry:

All Are Welcome Individuals or families in Lake or Ashtabula counties may not be accessing available food support because of language barrier or status issues. And some pantries may ask for an ID or proof of address. In Painesville, St. John Baptist Church, located at 361 W. Jackson St., has started a food pantry open from 3-5 p.m. the last two Wednesdays of every month. “We have a huge Latino clientele,” says Dea4 / The HOLA Journal

said. That’s from a one-time high of about 120 nurseries and as many as 2700 employees. Some of the small family-owned nurseries have consolidated into larger operations like Nursery season started in mid-March Petitie Group, which now owns Cass Mill, nurseries remain and to with fewer employees than usual, a Willowbend, and Ridge Manor nurseries. collect data on the overall result of the downturn in the economy. status of the industry. “There The cut backs will have an impact on Yet more people are Latino farm laborers that seeking nursery jobs have relied on decentas field laborers. paying nursery jobs for “I’ve never seen so years. With farm labor jobs many people, ever,” scarcer, some are going into says Chuck Von Hof, business for themselves of Petitie Nursery as landscapers. “There’s Group and president been an increase in small of Nursery Growers equipment sales, people are of Lake County Ohio going to be undercutting (NGLCO). Von Hof the landscapers,” Beardslee says every day brings said. Yet with housing and new applicants, new construction down, From left to right: Chuck Von Hof, president of Nursery Growers of Lake sometimes carloads the competition for new arrive together. There County Ohio (NGLCO), and production manager for Ridge Manor Nurseries; landscaping work will be Mark Gilson, of Gilson Garden, and past president of NGLCO, and James were as many as 200 fierce. Gilson doesn’t see Beardslee, of Beardslee Nursery LLC., president-elect of NGLCO. new applicants before things improving until late the season even started. “We’ve had 2010. “We would like to hire more people, but are 90 nurseries registered more Americans looking for work that we sent surveys out to— we can’t afford to. We’re cutting labor because than usual and triple the number of it’s our biggest expense,” Gilson said. “It affects we got about 10 back that Hispanic (immigrants).” our families, it affects the Hispanic families.” are closing down,” Gilson But pre-season orders for nursery stock were down 10-40%, said Mark He submitted this artwork to Dream Landscape Gilson, of Gilson Gardens nursery in the HOLA Journal through his Perry, Ohio. So instead of starting the Juan Rea, 14, is an 8th grader at Heriteacher, Justin Vargo. “I work season with the usual 20 employees, tage Middle School in Painesville. with my dad when he does Gilson’s started with three. “For landscaping,” Rea explains. some of the nurseries, their booked “But since I was little I liked orders in the spring are a huge part of to draw at home and school, so their business,” Gilson said. “There’s I guess I want to be an artist.” an awful lot of uncertainty. We are anticipating that it’s not going to be a good year. Even if we get busy, we’re going to try to do more with less people; we’re trying to cutback where we can.” “It’s a survival year,” says James Beardslee, of Beardslee Nursery, in Perry. “Everybody’s cutting back.” As it is, even before the recession, nurseries have been closing their doors or selling out steadily over the past few He particularly likes graffiti years. The Lake County Soil and Water art, and downloads samples District and Ohio State University from the computer which he Extension Office are conducting a draws on the pages of a notesurvey, funded by a grant from the book. “I just like to draw to so Cleveland Foundation Lake-Geauga I don’t get bored.” Fund, to determine exactly how many

don’t ask for proof of anything, except con Al Jones, who searched to find an a person’s name. The biggest proof we interpreter so that a language barrier have is that this is wouldn’t stop peoa real live human ple from accessing being standing in food needed for front of us.” their families. A loWhether in Lake or cal Spanish-SpeakAshtabula counties, ing pastor from those who need another church food assistance can volunteers to intercall 211, the free pret. Deacon Jones information line says it’s important Deacon Al Jones and Rev. Jeffrey Jemison of that will direct them for people to know St. John’s Baptist Church in Painesville. to a food pantry that all are wellocation near them. come. “Anyone who walks up here will walk out with food,” Jones said. “We March-April 2009

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March-April 2009

Scam Artist Preys on local Spanish-Speaking Household school will begin the process. There My name is Brett Horvath. I am the is no charge or cost involved in any of assistant superintendent of Geneva the process. Public schools are to serve Schools. Recently on a home visit to a disabled children from ages 3 to 21 Hispanic immigrant family, the mother years of age. of the house We believe reported to our “Because of their situation and that if what ESOL teacher their fear of outside agencies, some the mother and Director of immigrants are hesitant to alert says is true, our Preschool she was in for Disabled the schools or law enforcement of fact “conned” Children that she scams such as this.” by some paid 150 dollars unscrupulous to a person to “get her child into our preschool for disabled person who is taking advantage of people of limited resources and with children.” limited knowledge of the U. S. public As we understand it, and it was reported to our personnel, the mother gave the 150 dollars to someone and never saw them again. Preschool Disabled Services offered by public schools are free to those children found eligible and living within a public school district. Referring a child for services, if the parents or someone else suspects the child may have a qualifying disability, is also free. If the parent or referring party contacts their public school where they live, the

education system and its rules. Because of their situation and their fear of outside agencies, some immigrants are hesitant to alert the schools or law enforcement of scams such as this. We hope that by alerting those populations that are vulnerable to this particular scam, we can not only save these people from the grief and loss of money, but we can help their children by providing a free and appropriate education for them. I do not know if you can get the word out through your publication, but if you can, please pass it on. Thank you.

Roundtable Discussion Focuses on Hispanic Business Issues On Thursday, April 9th, the Fund for Our Economic Future (FFEF) hosted a roundtable discussion entitled, “Growth through Racial and Economic Inclusion.” Participants in the discussion included both Lorain and Cleveland Latino business representatives. Main speakers were Brad Whitehead, president of the Fund, Andrew Jackson, senior vicepresident of the Greater Cleveland Partnership; and Wyatt Brownlee III of the Minority Business Accelerator 2.5+. Other speakers included Chris Thompson, director of marketing and civic engagement for the Fund; Christine Mayer of the GAR Foundation, and vice-chair of the Fund; Shana Marbury, a cochair of the Fund’s Inclusion Action Team and Laura Koballa Hudek of Team NEO;

The purpose of the event was to introduce Latino business leaders to the Fund’s action plan, known as Advance Northeast Ohio, From left to right: Marco Parilla of Parilla’s Tree Service, in Lorain; Joe and the many Lopez of New Era Builders, Cleveland; Stephanie Mercado, Executive programs it Director of the Hispanic Business Association of Cleveland; Joel Arredondo, of Coalition for Hispanic Issues and Progress, in Lorain; and Richard partners with, Romero of IGM Consulting, in Lorain. Photo by Veronica Dahlberg. such as MBA 2.5+ and Team NEO. The goal of the discussion of HOLA and editor for this was to also create dialogue among publication. different business constituency Launched in 2004, the Fund brings groups and generate ideas for together over 100 foundations, building a stronger northeast Ohio organizations and individuals in region and a stronger Hispanic Northeast Ohio to strengthen the business community. Moderator region’s economic competitiveness for the discussion was Veronica through grant making, research and Isabel Dahlberg, executive director civic engagement.

FREE CHILD DEVELOPMENT SCREENINGS Are you wondering if your child’s development is on track? Help Me Grow is hosting free development screenings on Thursday, May 14, 2009 at the Lake County General Health District. The screening will cover motor skills, problem solving, communication, and personal-social areas of concern. Call Help Me Grow at (440) 350-2433 to schedule your screening time. If you are not able to make the May 14 date, other screenings will take place in 2009 on July 15 and September 21. Call Help Me Grow for more information. The Lake County General Health District is located at 33 Mill Street, Painesville, Ohio 44077. From a news release. 6 / The HOLA Journal

March-April 2009

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March-April 2009

Local Mexican Band a Fusion of Cultures

T

ragos de amargo liquor…. Len Thomas’ voice trails off as he sings harmony on a melancholy Mexican ballad, “…soy un cobarde,” he wails in Spanish. Roughly translated, Thomas is singing about taking swigs of bitter liquor and feeling like a coward. It’s a sentiment that’s standard in Mexican cowboy ballads and usually heard in border cantinas. But Thomas is in a living room in Painesville, rehearsing with the group Manos de Seda, a local band that performs traditional Mexican music, but with elements of tropical genres and even Englishlanguage lyrics. Manos de Seda from left to right: Feliciano Gamez, Santiago Rodriguez, Rafael Moreno, Len Thomas, Thomas’ musical trajectory Arturo Navarro, Susana Navarro. has taken him from playing with the alternative/industrial Cleveland to the Mexican community and recent phenomenon popular in the rock band Albino Violet, to singing in learned Spanish while singing U.S. “It’s like American country on the bilingual choir at St. Mary’s Church speed,” Thomas says. with the bilingual choir, a gig he’s in Painesville, to playing Mexican maintained for the past five years. Thomas sings harmonies and plays gigs with Manos. He became exposed “The way I learned was being guitar, other band members include

Feliciano Gamez, originally of Guatemala, plays a guitarrón, a Mexican six-string acoustic base. 8 / The HOLA Journal

around these guys and surrounding myself with the culture,” Thomas said. “I’m just some gringo guy from Ohio. I was born in East Cleveland. These guys taught me a lot, but I also did spend a lot of time on Wikipedia. I really do enjoy quebraditas and cumbias.” He got to know the members of Manos, which at that time were a fledgling group attempting to find their niche. “They were playing a keyboard with guitar samples,” Thomas said. He offered to play guitar for the band, and before long the group expanded its range to other styles of music. Thomas admits he’s not a fan of all styles of Mexican music, such as Duranguense, a relatively

“I’m just some gringo guy from Ohio. I was born in East Cleveland. But I really do enjoy quebraditas and cumbias.” Len Thomas.

Contact Manos de Seda by calling manager Arturo Navarro at (440) 358 – 9236.

a singer at St. Mary’s Church, adds a new dimension to the band with her crystal clear voice. During practice, she frequently breaks from singing to remind her 10-yearold to stop playing X-Box and do his homework, or trying to keep her four-year-old occupied. The group has regular gigs at Don Tequila’s in Mentor, and Luisa’s Mexican Grill, in Geneva. They also play the Mexican party circuit of baptism and wedding celebrations. Their range is varied, going from folksy South Americanstyle cumbias to ballads, merengues, and up-tempo rancheras. Some of their original songs are even written in English, though the rhythm and style are Latin.

Rafael Moreno, rhythm guitar and keyboardist, Santiago Rodriguez on percussion, Feliciano Gamez on guitarrón, Arturo Navarro on percussion and bass, and his wife Susana as singer. Besides interpreting Mexican classics, their repertoire includes 10-15 original songs composed by the group. The main writer is Moreno, who has composed at least 100 original songs. “They’re mainly romantic songs, but in an upbeat style, like cumbias,” Moreno says. “Sometimes I’ll play some music I like and record it. And then I’ll find word to go with it. Sometimes it’s the reverse.” The group practices regularly in the Navarro’s home. Susana Navarro, also March-April 2009

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March-April 2009

Caring Community Donates Children’s Books to Promote Literacy Last December as part of Chanukah Mitzvah Day, members of the

Anshe Chesed Fairmount Temple in Beechwood, Ohio, held a book drive for HOLA. The book drive was coordinated by Francis Purcell, director of Public Education Initiatives for the Jewish Community Federation of Cleveland. Several hundred children’s books in Francis Purcell, left, director of public education initiatives for the Jewish Com-

munity Federation of Cleveland, and Elisa Usher, community relations associate.

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The American Dream Starts@ Your Library New literacy initiative supports adult English-language learners

like-new condition were collected in English, Spanish and even Hebrew. The books will be distributed by HOLA during a literacy day for Latino children this summer. The term “mitzvot” in Hebrew is used to express acts of human kindness. Besides the book donations, members of the Fairmount Temple and their families joined together on Mitzvah day to participate in community outreach activities in eight categories including peace, literacy, saving a life, embracing diversity, friendship, shelter, honoring parents and going green. Members collected blankets for a shelter, wrapped gifts for children at an inner city school, created Chanukah care packages for Jewish soldiers in Iraq, hosted an Arab/Jewish dialogue, and other activities.

March-April 2009

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orley Library in Painesville is one of 34 libraries in 18 states to be awarded a grant by the American Library Association to assist immigrants with English-language skills. The grant, funded by Dollar General Stores, pays for Rosetta Stone-American English, a computer program that helps immigrants learn English. Rosetta Stone is now available on two computers on the library’s third floor. Librarian Krista Zivkovich said the program is getting a lot of use. “We usually have a waiting list of up to four people waiting to use the program,” Zivkovich said. It’s one of several services available at the library for immigrants and English-language learners. There are books and videos for those studying English as a Second Language, or studying for their U.S. citizenship text. There are also interactive computer programs to help study for the citizenship test or the GED (high school equivalency test). And the library offers English conversation groups on Tuesday mornings from 10:00-11:00 a.m. One of the first users of the Rosetta Stone program was Ben Miranda of Painesville, who goes to the library almost every day. “If I don’t work, I come here to learn things,” he said. For the past year, he’s also been attending classes at Painesville ABLE (Adult Basic & Literacy Education). “He goes to ABLE for two hours twice a week,” Zivkovich said. “He started at beginner and now he is at advanced-level.” Miranda carries a notebook with him everywhere filled with words he’s written down in English, practicing their pronunciation. That he can read and write in English is a remarkable accomplishment for Miranda, who had no prior education in his native Mexico. “My family was poor. We

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came from a ranch. It’s a type of poverty, that, I don’t know how it can exist in such a rich country,” Miranda said. “A class like this would cost a half weeks wages for food.” He recalls the few times he tried to go to school as a youth, but was teased for not having any shoes. “I grew up like that, but my kids won’t grow up like that,” Miranda said. “I’m trying to get ahead. In more than 15 years here, I’ve worked in landscaping, factories, nurseries, milking cows, dish washing.” Now able to speak, read and write in two languages, he was able to write a letter to his mother Morley librarian Krista Zivkovich assists Ben Miranda in Mexico for the first time. with the Rosetta Stone computer program. Miranda and other users U.S. Citizenship study programs at of the Rosetta Stone program are also learning to use a computer. Morley Library, call (440) 352-3383, “I don’t know how to do much or visit the library at 184 Phelps St., on it except the program, but Painesville. that’s all I need it for right now,” Miranda said. “A friend of mine gave me an old lap top, an old used one and I practice on that.” Wearing headphones, users of the program listen to instructions and click on answers or repeat the pronunciations of words, working their way up three different levels of difficulty. With his new Englishlanguage skills, Miranda gets ridiculed by his roommates who are also nursery workers. “They see me walk out with my notebook and tease me that I’m going to Kindergarten. But I don’t care,” Miranda said. “My boss knows what I’m trying to do. I just do what I’ve got to do for myself.” For more information on Rosetta Stone or other literacy, GED or March-April 2009

C l

la an el nd ve d v e e

I got the Cleveland Rican blues,

lost in a city that still don’t recognize my peoples history We walk around this town and we’re still a mystery Little Italy, Slavic Village, Chinatown, when will our day come around?

I was promised a Hispanic Village, complete with a theater and some shops A beacon for the Barrio to give MY gente their props But that day never came around…and I am still stuck in this town Wheew! I got the Cleveland-Rican Blueeessss… Let’s get this straight, I make no apologies I’m no Nuyorican I’m a Cleveland-Rican who is still seeking I never bit that apple, never lived in a tenement, nor had the luxury of a bodega or radio station, La Mega No la Mega no se pega aqui…not for me! I’m home grown, Cleveland Rican born on the lake, 12 / The HOLA Journal

Rican

make no mistake my people came via the steel belt, on a shift to work late Down at la fabricas in the flats, that’s where it’s all at! I Lived in the projects, at Riverview my brick city, Ohio city next to la marketa, West Side Market where vendors sold cilantro, ajices dulce, y pimentos so mami can make up her sofritooooo, oye mi gritoo de la calle Veinti Cincooooooo

B lue s

We had our frustration with no representation, Crime and drugs on the street, a bad reputation, So they gave us our so called bilingual education But we still got Joselito who said what the heck and failed from West Tech Margarita who rather dress with the best than graduate from Lincoln West

And what about Wandi that little girl, so cute with her curls La calle Veinti Cinco the Pregnant and having a baby, road to redemption, because she told her papi chulo maybe West 25th street parted like Oye I got the Cleveland-Rithe red sea where my people were can Bluezzzzz And I am wonderin’ if anypilgrims in their own right, escaping their plight, leaving one here got a clue Puerto Rico to find a better life Oh and I won’t forget I Hey, no Moses with a gold- know some of us made it big en rod but we had Moise Did the right thing and got who knew how to find us a the right gig Escaped the blue collar, and job! And God bless Maria, Dios never gave holler Not even Adios see you la bendiga our saving grace who helped us find a place, around Let’s not forget Wilfredo, I’m leaving the barrio and who gave us los coupi’s to this town feed our face. Never looking back to even My people the beginning of give una mano, a helping hand our story was rough it wasn’t easy and we got To their pana their fellow tough man Our forefathers gave us El And let’s not forget los politicos, yeahhh…you heard Comite Hispano, El Club Yaucano, La Parada, the me Puerto Rican Parade, all to I’m calling on you too give us a better day You’re the biggest reason I got the Cleveland Rican But where are we today???? Blues

We elected you to your position with our Hispanic vote We even listed our needs and handed you that note your power came into play and we ain’t never seen our better day So I’m gonna break it down right here and now Give my gente some advice and maybe show them how Latinos must be united to rise to power, We gotta think higher than the Terminal Tower Keep la familia together, worship and pray Work hard, save our money for a rainy day Support Latinos business and you know which ones Live each day to the fullest as they come

About the Poet

under the Lila Wallace Reader Digest Writers Grant.

Marilyn Oliveras de Ortiz has worked 19 years in the affordable housing industry with government, non-profit and private sectors in Cleveland’s Latino and African American communities. Marilyn has seen the many parallel and raw realities of poverty, homelessness, racial injustices and the need for social change. Much of her writings have been influenced by her daily experience and the many stories she has collected over the years.

Marilyn Oliveras de Ortiz was a featured poet in Cleveland’s 24 hour poetry hotline “In Your Ear.” Her poem “Blood Mother” received much recognition for its thought provoking voice of cultural identity. Her work has also appeared in the American Literary Review, and her short stories in Cleveland State University’s campus paper “The Vindicator”, where she also worked as a freelance writer/reporter on current Latino issues.

She is a first generation Clevelandborn Puerto Rican poet. She started her craft as a poet performer by answering an “open call” ad in the local newspaper. That fateful call led her to Cleveland’s infamous Poet Laureate, Daniel Thompson, who later exposed her to the local poetry scene in coffeehouses and college campuses. Marilyn performed at several Daniel Thompson events where she debuted as an “up and coming Latina poet” and later as a “featured poet”. Marilyn credits Daniel Thompson for showing her the ropes in Cleveland’s open mic scene and for her first paid gig at the Brillo Pad,

And don’t forget….

Marilyn’s latest poem “Cleveland Rican Blues” is now making waves in the local Latino community. Its raw look into the many social issues affecting Latinos are cleverly spoken in “spanglish” terms that excite the newer generation. Resurrecting long standing political issues stirs up the many mixed feelings reserved by the

This graphic is the work of artist Sandra Conejeros, who is based in Santiago, Chile. For more of Sandra’s work, see www.sandraconejeros.blogspot.com

older generation. Marilyn hopes her poem will bridge generational gaps between the young and old so that everyone can examine those issues and move toward a more united community. Marilyn is also scheduled to release this summer the poem “Cuanta Madre.” This insightful poem explores the survivor’s side of domestic violence and mental illness. Her writings in this poem formulate a heroic and hopeful viewpoint. It’s a portrait of sisterhood, the power of women, and the courage to break free from the cycle of abuse is one that she hopes will inspire all women facing those challenges.

We need our Hispanic Village so don’t ignore We need it now right on our Lake Erie shore Yes a piece of an island not Put In Bay But an Island for our people who came a hell of a long way

For more information on Marilyn Oliveras de Ortiz and her literary works you can visit her on Facebook, My Space, or hear her audio recordings on Snapvine.com.

I want my Hispanic Village I WANT MY HISPANIC VILLAGE! By Marilyn Oliveras de Ortiz © 2009 All rights reserved

March-April 2009

This summer Marilyn will be featured in an anthology of Cleveland poets. The book titled “Hotel Poem” is scheduled to release this summer in August 2009. A book release event will feature portraits of the poets and an audio installation. Release date will soon be announced in local papers.

From a press release. 13 / The HOLA Journal

March-April 2009

Guest Columnist:

Statewide Latino Advocacy Day

Christ Can Restore Your Family Life Without a doubt we were very far from being able to reach happiness. Every man forms a family with the intension Dear Readers, of making his wife and family happy, First we want to give thanks to our but I realized that my addiction to God and Savior Jesus Christ for drugs and alcohol was stronger than this opportunity to address each one my desire to live a family life. Just as of you. We would like to share our today, vices, fights, adulteries, cheating testimony and we are confident that and lies are destroying homes; we were what happened to us God will use losing respect for each other little by for the salvation of many of you. Our little. We were always fighting and only hope is to please God and to even though we loved each other, we testify about all the good things he has were losing that love little by little. done in our lives. My name is Hector Faithfulness was lost and we Picasso. I was born in Salamanca, thought the only answer was Guanajuato, in Mexico. At the age of 11-years-old, I became acquainted with separation, because we didn’t see an out, we thought the problems in the vice of drugs and alcohol. our relationship had no solution. At In the city of Elgin, Illinois, I met that time, we had two children and Erika in high school and at the age we realized that our separation was of 18 we decided to create a home going to cause them great pain, but together. We had so many dreams just as many people do today, we gave about having a family and providing first priority to what we wanted with what we didn’t have in Mexico. the vices and the other temporary delights of sin. And so even though we didn’t want to fail in our dream of having a home, we ignored the main reason why in world we live there is so much destruction of the family home, and so many divided families, single mothers and fathers, and many lost in vice, and we also see many abused children and all this Iglesia Pentecostes happens because we don’t “Arrepentios y Convertios” want to open our eyes 3234 Station Ave. to this evil. Ashtabula, Ohio 44004 In the first place, we note clearly that the thief Service: spoken of in the Bible Tuesdays 7 PM (prayer) is the devil and he uses Thursdays 7 PM (Bible Study) an infinite number of Sundays 2 PM (worship) tactics to do his work. If you would like to attend and need Many of us are ignoring transportation, call (440) 964- 5354 this great truth that there By Pastor Hector Picasso

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is a thief that doesn’t like seeing happy marriages. But just as there is a destroyer, we also want to let you know there is also someone who came to liberate us from the power of the destroyer and his name is Jesus Christ. The one who came to give us life and life in abundance, he is the only one who can give you salvation and he can make you free from all vice. It’s been 11years since we accepted Him and surrendered our lives to Christ and because of Him have been able to overcome sinful nature. So that’s why we invite you to give an opportunity to God. If you’ve tried everything and everything fails, try Christ, you that have tired of that bad life of vice, you that has not been able to fill that void with drugs, you that loves your wife and children and wants to have a happy home, give your heart to Christ. If you want to accept Christ today I ask that you say this prayer: “Lord I recognize that I am a sinner and today I ask forgiveness. I give you thanks for sending your son Jesus to die for me on the cross so that I could have eternal life and return to communion with you. And today I accept Him as my one and only Savior. I ask of you God that you write my name in the book of life and that from this day forward you guide me on this new path with you, I ask it in the name of your beloved son, Jesus. Amen.”

The Ohio Commission on Latino Affairs (OCHLA,) will host a statewide Latino Legislative Visit Day on May 19, 2009, at the State Capitol in Columbus. This full day event will bring Latino leaders from across the state to meet Ohio legislators to discuss important public policy issues, and dialogue about needs and opportunities faced by Hispanic Ohioans. The Legislative Visit Day will start with workshops on important topics such “Introduction to Advocacy and Legislation 101”; “How to find, interpret and use policy and advocacy information”, and a session on “Learning how to build strategies and deliver the message effectively”. Following the workshops, par-

ticipants will have meetings with State Representatives and/or State Senators to discuss particular issues of interest. A new feature included in this year’s program includes the Community Expo at the Statehouse Atrium. The expo will provide an opportunity to showcase the work of Latino grassroots organizations and Latino serving groups to policymakers, stated Ezra Escudero, Director of the Commission. Anyone in the community is welcome to participate in the Legislative Visit Day, and there is no fee for registration. For more information, please visit www.ochla.ohio.gov. From a press release

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Are you a Faith Leader? Do you have a burning desire to write and to reach out to the community? Submit a guest column to HOLA and we will publish it at our discretion and if space allows. Send your column by email to [email protected]. Please include your contact information. March-April 2009

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March-April 2009

Team NEO Seeks to Attract Minority Businesses

Livin’ For the Weekend Department of Tourism launches new multicultural initiative It was a rock and roll party for thousands at the Wolstien Center in Cleveland on April 2. The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum and the Ohio Department of Tourism joined efforts to launch a new multicultural tourism initiative with a free concert featuring R & B stars the O’Jay’s, rock legend Dave Mason and hip Hop acts Whodini and Rob Base. It was part of the weeklong festivities held during the Rock Hall’s induction week highlighting Cleveland’s vitality and energy. Cleveland, long recognized as a multicultural city, is widely credited as the birthplace of Rock and Roll. According to the Ohio Tourism Department, it was Cleveland Disc Jockey Alan Freed who pioneered the racial integration of American youth and music. Today, Ohio tourism officials want to reach out and market specifically to diverse audiences.

Alicia Reese, Assistant State Tourism Director, and Amir Eylon, State Tourism Director. Photo by Veronica Dahlberg

African American market for years. The Hispanic market is relatively new for us. “We know that Hispanic audiences We know that Hispanic audiences have more and have more and more disposable more disposable income. income. And we want to find out And we want to find out what’s important to them.” what’s important to them.” Eylon cites the Amir Eylon, State Tourism Director popularity of large African American family reunions as a potential market they are Their new campaign is named after reaching out to. “We say, come the O’Jay’s hit song, “Livin’ for the to Cincinnati, have your family Weekend.” Plans include marketing reunion here; and while you’re Ohio attractions that would appeal here, you have the Reds, you have specifically to African Americans and Latinos, and even printing promotional the zoo and you have the Freedom Center,” Eylon said. “Same thing materials in Spanish. with Latino markets—you’re “We want to make sure we’re looking at very strong family communicating with folks in ways bonds, and how do we appeal to they’re receptive to. What might be that? And it’s not enough just to put a hot button attraction with African things in Spanish.” American communities may not be So when someone asks, “What with Hispanic communities,” said can we do when we’re in Ohio?” Amir Eylon, State Tourism Director. Ohio Tourism officials want “We’ve been reaching out to the 16 / The HOLA Journal

Last month Team Northeast Ohio initiative, Team NEO released a as support organizations and state (NEO), a joint venture of the region’s “Commitment to Diversity” brochure incentives that can help minority largest chambers businesses grow in of commerce, NE Ohio. announced a new $150,000 was initiative to attract appropriated to Team multicultural NEO for this effort businesses to the when President 16-county northeast Obama signed the Ohio region known FY2009 Omnibus as Cleveland Plus. Appropriations Act. Team NEO plans to “While we grow the employ additional number of multicultural sales and marketing businesses we increase tactics to accomplish jobs for the Cleveland its goal of ensuring Plus region,” said that 5% of businesses From left to right: Stephanie Jones of Singleton & Partners multicultural marketing Carin Rockind, viceopportunities served firm, Laura Koballa Hudak, vice-president of business attraction for Team NEO, Jeane’ president of marketing are from national and communications for Holley, of Singleton & Partners, and Christine Mayer, vice-president of the Fund For Our Economic Future. Photo by Veronica Dahlberg and international Team NEO. “Ultimately Minority Owned our regional economy Businesses. will be positively affected as new highlighting successful regional Together with the launch of the businesses expand into the region.” minority business leaders, as well

multicultural communities to have a good answer. “We have a diverse music scene, we have a diverse dining scene,” Eylon said. “There are hidden gems everywhere.”

March-April 2009

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March-April 2009

Family Forced to Separate to Save Dad’s Life February 26 was a somber day for Carmona had worked Hanna Martinez when she tearfully said in a factory for eight years and was laid off goodbye to her husband as he left for Mexico with life-threatening medical when the factory shut problems. Almost as soon as he left, down late in 2008. He their two-year-old daughter Marisa was and Martinez met in 2005 asking, “Where’s daddy?” She was too and seemed to fulfill young to understand that she would not each other’s needs. They be seeing him for many months, if ever decided to get married. again. Weeks before, her dad, Lorenzo “He’s just wonderful. He Carmona, 39, had become seriously ill didn’t speak English and with kidney failure. I didn’t speak Spanish, “He had been saying his head was so it was interesting,” Martinez said. Tearfully, hurting and he was losing vision in she said that his left eye. He was he was also “I told him he can’t sleeping a good father Hanna Martinez with daughter, Marisa. Photo by Veronica Dahlberg a lot,” just stay here and die.” to her two sons from Martinez Hanna Martinez a previous marriage. “He said. “Then Martinez said. “I had to go on food would do so much around one day he stamps. I don’t know how I’m going to said, honey, I can’t see. I can’t see—so here. I don’t know how to cook to make it without him. All because of the save my life. He did all the cooking, his friend took him to an urgent care whole immigration thing.” center.” Carmona’s blood pressure was cleaning, yard work,” Martinez dangerously high and he was taken said. “He’s the by ambulance to a hospital. Doctors discovered he had only one kidney and only man I’ve would require dialysis and a kidney ever known transplant. But Carmona would not be that would just hand over his able to get the medical treatment he paycheck. I have needed in the United States. He was no idea how I’m uninsured because of his immigration status. His wife, Hanna, a US Citizen, going to survive had filed an immigration petition for without him.” him, but severe backlogs in processing A year ago, they purchased had held up his application for home, and several years. Martinez has Carmona was stabilized and then the couple began to discuss their fallen behind on options. It was becoming clear the payments. Meanwhile, that the family would have to split Carmona has up—perhaps permanently—to save been in Mexico Carmona’s life. “It was so sad,” Martinez said. “No one was helping two months now us, anywhere we called. No one and is undergoing would set up a payment plan with us,” dialysis. They Martinez said. “I told him that he can’t are hopeful he will get a kidney just stay here and die.” Immigration lawyers told Martinez that once transplant. “I’m Carmona left the country, there was no taking it one guarantee he would be able to re-enter. day at a time,” 18 / The HOLA Journal

March-April 2009

LEGAL AID’S NEW WAGE PROJECT HELPS WORKERS WITH UNPAID WAGE & OVERTIME CLAIMS Have You Ever Been Paid Late or Not at All? Have You Ever Been Paid Less than the Minimum Wage or Not Paid for Overtime? Is Your Employer Withholding Your Last Paycheck?

workers typically face problems that include: failure to receive a last paycheck, unlawful deductions from pay, unpaid overtime hours, and payment below the minimum wage pay rate of $7.30/hour.

Low-income workers who answer yes to any of these questions can now turn to The Legal Aid Society of Cleveland for help. Legal Aid began its Wage Project in the summer of 2007. The Wage Project is now staffed by two attorneys, Julie Clutter and Katie Laskey-Donovan. The Wage Project provides legal representation to workers with minimum wage and other unpaid wage claims, provides outreach and education on workers’ rights and seeks to remove barriers to employment and wages. Ms. Clutter and Ms. Laskey-Donovan report that low-wage

How to Contact Legal Aid Legal Aid looks forward to educating the community members and helping workers enforce their rights. Anyone who feels they have not been paid properly or has other employment law questions should call the Legal Aid Society of Cleveland at one of our tollfree numbers:

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Ashtabula County: 1-866-873-9665 Cuyahoga County: 1-888-817-3777 Lake & Geauga Counties: 1-888-808-2800 Lorain County: 1-800-444-7348

Free Brief Advice Clinic You can also attend one of Legal Aid’s FREE Brief Advice and Referral Clinics. On Saturday June 6, 2009, Legal Aid is hosting a special clinic focusing on employment law issues from 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. at the Spanish American Committee. The Spanish American Committee is located at 4407 Lorain Ave, Cleveland, OH, 44113. Come and get answers to your employment and other legal questions. Interpreters will be available to assist non-English speakers. For information on additional Legal Aid Brief Advice clinics, please go to www.lasclev.org. This article was written by Katie Laskey-Donovan, Esq., Wage Project staff attorney at the Legal Aid Society of Cleveland.

March-April 2009

Community Outreach and Advocacy is a Family Project

A

shtabula’s Mexican immigrant use of vulgar language and lack of they please. Do you criticize the Italians community recently held a respect for the work we do and for the who emigrated from Italy to America luncheon at Mother of Sorrow’s people we do it for. I would like to for speaking Italian, or the German Church to honor Archie and Peggy share with you, from our point of view, immigrants for speaking German? Wilkinson, and Kim and Dave Parker. why we are fighting for the rights of America is not like most other countries; The couples had recently organized these people and why we are trying our we are comprised of a plethora of caravan to transport different foods, religions, about 75 people to the and most of all languages. Youngstown Diocese Your implications of to obtain passports, the Mexicans not working ID’s and other and how you believe they necessary documents even “don’t want to take from the mobile out the trash” is, in my Mexican Consulate. perspective, absurd. From The Wilkinson’s my personal experiences I have devoted many have learned that not only years of service to the are they willing to “take community. Archie, out their trash”, but they a medical doctor, will take out your trash, visited area labor as well as your neighbors. camps to provide care They are good, warmto farm workers in Archie and Peggy Wilkinson, shown in the center back are surrounded by members of hearted people that are the early 90s with a Ashtabula’s Latino community. Also pictured in the back row are Dave Parker and Kim here for job opportunities. van he equipped with Parker. Seated on the left are Father William Mul Queen and Sister Dorothy Bondi. Why would they have medical supplies. come over if they had Peggy currently volunteers with HOLA, hardest to help them obtain the legal no intentions of working? I find your and now their daughter Ursula, 14, is papers necessary. statement not only false, but insulting. also getting involved. “I just think the As I understand, America is known All I am working for is to give these Hispanic community has a lot to offer as the land of opportunity. In fact, people the chances they deserve. I and that we all have to work together to this country is based upon people hope this country can one day be the improve our community and make it n a searching for freedom and a chance for land of opportunity for all people, better place,” Peggy Wilkinson said. She prosperity. It states in the United States coming from any country, for the right will be starting law school in the fall. Declaration of Independence, as one of the pursuit of happiness that the of the “inalienable rights” of man, that Founding Fathers gave us. everyone has the right to life, liberty, and When HOLA received an email filled the pursuit of happiness. America is based Regards, with offensive statements and crude upon immigrants; we are a melting pot of Ursula Wilkinson references about Latino immigrants, cultures from all over the world. 14-year-old Ursula Wilkinson decided I am hoping that President Obama to write a letter in response as part of works toward the legalization of a class project at Hershey Montessori immigrants, not only from Mexico, but School in Concord Township. Her from everywhere, that wish to become letter was originally published in the part of the American culture. You said Ashtabula Star Beacon. Following is the that we should “send them back to their text of Ursula’s letter, edited for space: native land” but what right do we have to not give them a chance to have a life Your response to the article posted in here? I am well aware that there may the Star Beacon concerning the illegal be certain circumstances in which an immigrants has been read by myself, entrance may be denied, due to criminal along with a couple of my colleagues. records or other problems, but we should As we discussed the topics brought up not deny anyone without reason. in your e-mail, we kept an open mind When you mentioned how the to attempt seeing this issue from your immigrants speak Spanish in public and Peg Wilkinson and daughter Ursula, 14, point of view. However, this did not in our schools, and that you feel these help sort jalapeños and beans for HOLA’s seem to change our perspectives on this actions are inappropriate, they have a emergency food pantry held on March 6. issue. Especially with your consistent right to speak the language of which

Anti-Defamation League Honored by Latino Civil Rights Group The Anti-Defamation League (ADL) has been honored by one of the nation’s leading Latino legal civil rights organizations for spearheading efforts to combat bigotry, discrimination and hate crime against Latinos and other minorities. The League accepted the Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund’s (MALDEF) Community Service Award on February 24 during its 10th Annual Awards Gala in Washington, D.C. The League has worked closely with MALDEF and other Latino civil rights groups in recent years in helping to confront a wave of anti-immigrant and xenophobic rhetoric and to respond to anti-immigrant hate crimes. “We are deeply moved by this honor,” said Glen S. Lewy, ADL National Chair, who accepted the award along with Abraham H. Foxman, ADL National Director. “I don’t have to tell anyone why a group like the Anti-Defamation League is concerned about the wave of demonization, discrimination, and hate violence that has targeted Mexican Americans and Latinos. You live it. We all understand that the policies adopted in the halls of government – and the words we hear from politicians and on the nightly news – have a direct impact on the

ability of any of us to live in dignity and equality.” ADL was recognized for being at the forefront of national and state efforts combating hate crime, raising awareness of the disturbing rise of hate crimes against Latinos and other minorities, and exposing the virulent anti-immigrant rhetoric that has risen to the surface as part of the public debate over immigration. “We cannot let the task of fighting hate fall to its victims alone,” Mr. Lewy said. “We must have allies who can be counted upon to raise their voices alongside ours. The discrimination, bigotry and hate violence that is targeting Mexican Americans and Latinos today hurts all of us, offends all of us. When you take your case to court, to Congress and to the American people, know that you are not alone. We are standing right beside you, and that’s where we intend to stay.” The League has adapted a number of its signature anti-bias education and diversity training programs and other resources to address issues and needs in the Hispanic/Latino community in English and Spanish, with programs available to schools, universities, businesses, community organizations and law enforcement agencies.

Shari Kochman, Regional Director for the AntiDefamation League covering Ohio, Kentucky, and the Allegheny Region, near her office in Cleveland. Photo by Veronica Dahlberg

The MALDEF Community Service Award recognizes leaders in the public and private sector who have been critical forces in advancing the goals of the community and providing social justice for Latinos. The Anti-Defamation League, founded in 1913, is the world’s leading organization fighting antiSemitism through programs and services that counteract hatred, prejudice and bigotry. From a press release

Photos by Veronica Dahlberg

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March-April 2009

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March-April 2009

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got something to SELL? If you would like to advertise your services, HOLA is now offering classified ad space. Looking for employees? Try placing a classified ad. All ads appear in both the English and the Spanish versions of the HOLA Journal. Your ad will be translated for free! Rates are $10 per line, with a minimum of three lines. Contact HOLA at 440.964.3372. 22 / The HOLA Journal

March-April 2009

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March-April 2009