FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – MEDIA ALERT
The Hispanic Chamber of Metro Orlando mobilizes local leaders to transform communities beyond the boardroom for National Volunteer Month
Local Hispanic leaders are stepping up their commitment to community service by bringing their work outdoors to directly aid and uplift those in need. Florida Technical College and Heart of Florida United Way have joined forces in partnership with the Hispanic Chamber of Metro Orlando (Hispanic Chamber) for a dynamic community initiative. This collaboration, spearheaded by the Hispanic Chamber, aims to unite “Hispanic Champions” during National Volunteer Month in a powerful demonstration of collective action.
Serving as the catalyst behind this movement, Hispanic Chamber aims to bring impactful change beyond traditional office settings. Together, they are not only making a difference but also leaving a lasting, positive impact on communities far and wide, increasing Latino participation and leadership throughout the field of philanthropy.
The idea for this initiative arose during the Don Quixote Awards Gala hosted by Hispanic Chamber and Prospera, where the recipients of the Don Quixote Hispanic Champion Awards, Dr. James Michael Burkett, President of Florida Technical College, and Jeff Hayward, President and CEO of United Way, engaged in dialogue about expanding their contributions beyond their professional realms and inspiring other Hispanic-owned companies along the way.
WHAT: Honoring National Volunteer Month, Hispanic-owned organizations and community leaders will roll up their sleeves to paint, fix gardens, cook, and provide haircuts to members of the community in need.
WHEN: Tuesday, April 30th, 2024 from 9:00 A.M. – 4:00 P.M.
WHERE: H.O.M.E.: Helping Others Make the Effort, 932 Determination Way, Kissimmee
WHO: Alberto Soto, Hispanic Chamber of Metro Orlando, Ambassador Chair
Dr. James Michael Burkett, Florida Technical College President
Sharon Rigaud, FTC VP of Student Financial Services
Heart of Florida United Way Spokesperson
WHY: With the increasing diversity of American society and the current low level of formal volunteering among minorities, especially among Latinos, addressing this disparity is crucial. Currently, the most common ethnicity among community service volunteers is White, accounting for 54.2% of all volunteers. In comparison, Hispanics or Latinos make up only 19.3% of community service volunteers.
Approximately 40% of Hispanics in the U.S. are foreign-born immigrants, with 70% concentrated in seven states: California, Texas, Florida, New York, Illinois, Arizona, and New Jersey. Given the size and rapid growth of the Hispanic population, both native-born and immigrant, their participation in volunteering activities is essential for the development of nonprofit organizations and our society at large.
The findings indicate opportunities for nonprofit organizations to forge partnerships with higher education institutions and chambers of commerce keen on boosting minority engagement. Leveraging Hispanic volunteers could yield significant benefits for these entities. As the adage goes, “If we can secure corporate support, employee engagement follows suit,” underscoring the potential for heightened Hispanic involvement to amplify the impact of volunteering initiatives.
MEDIA ITINERARY
Tuesday, April 30th, 2024
10:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.
Visuals: Facilities Beautification – Local Hispanic leaders will be painting, fixing shelter facilities, and working on the garden.
3:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Visuals: Providing Skills and Lending a Hand – The Florida Technical College Culinary Arts team will assist mothers in creating quick meals for kids, while the Florida Technical College Barbering Team will provide haircuts to mothers and children.
About the Hispanic Chamber of Metro Orlando
The Hispanic Chamber of Metro Orlando is one of the largest business organizations in Central Florida. For over three decades, the Hispanic Chamber has been an advocate for the Hispanic business community. This organization is recognized as one of the main economic development entities in the region, serving as the central point of connection, fostering business success, unifying communities, and empowering Hispanic business owners and professionals to drive exceptional economic growth in the region. As a valued member of the Hispanic Chamber, business owners and professionals will be part of one of the largest, most engaged business networks in Central Florida, with exclusive access to unparalleled benefits, award-winning events, and programs focused on commerce opportunities, coaching, and community building, making the Hispanic Chamber the top choice for businesses of all industries in the region.
About Florida Technical College
Founded in 1982 to provide private, post-secondary education in specialized fields, Florida Technical College is an academic unit of NUC University (NUC),, which is an accredited institution and a member of the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE) www.msche.org. NUC’s NUC University – IBC Technical Division (NUC-IBC), NUC University – Florida Technical College (NUC-FTC), and The Digital Animation & Visual Effects School (The DAVE School) are included in this accreditation. NUC’s accreditation status is Accreditation Reaffirmed. The Commission’s most recent action on the institution’s accreditation status on 2019 was to reaffirm accreditation. MSCHE is an institutional accrediting agency recognized by the U.S. Secretary of Education and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA). FTC offers diploma, associate and bachelor’s degree programs in a range of professions, including Healthcare, Construction Trades, Hospitality, Beauty, Information Technology and Business. FTC campuses are located in Orlando, Kissimmee, Lakeland, DeLand, Pembroke Pines, Cutler Bay and Tampa. Program availability varies by campus.
About Heart of Florida United Way
Heart of Florida United Way (HFUW) stands up for the education, financial stability, health and basic needs of every person in Central Florida. Since 1939, HFUW has delivered programs, invested dollars, and convened community members around important issues impacting Orange, Seminole and Osceola counties. As Central Florida’s most comprehensive health and human services nonprofit, HFUW created a $50 million impact in Central Florida last year. In 2021-22, HFUW served more than 703,000 people through its direct service and funded programs. HFUW is home to notable community resources like the 211 Information & Referral Crisis Line; 988 Suicide Prevention Lifeline; Mission United program for Veterans; TECHquity, an initiative bridging the digital divide; Destination Graduation at Seminole State College; the Ryan White Part B & General Revenue program, which administers nearly $2.3 million to provide HIV/AIDS services and referrals; the Planning Council Support program that facilitates community planning and priority setting for HIV services. United Way partners with individuals, local businesses, government, and other nonprofit agencies to open opportunities and close gaps in Central Florida. Visit www.HFUW.org for more information, or call (407) 835-0900. Follow us on Facebook and LinkedIn at Heart of Florida United Way and on Twitter and Instagram @hfuw.
About H.O.M.E.
Helping Others Make the Effort (HOME) is an organization committed to breaking the cycle of homelessness by providing transitional housing and life skills to homeless single women with children. Our transitional housing campus is home to 15 families. Families may live on campus for up to 12 months as they work towards self-sufficiency.
About Prospera
Prospera is an economic development, nonprofit organization that has specialized since 1991 in providing bilingual assistance to Hispanic entrepreneurs who want to start, sustain, and grow their business. In the last five years alone, Prospera facilitated over $70 million in loans for small business clients, trained 17,300 entrepreneurs, and helped consulting clients create or retain more than 16,000 jobs. Prospera currently serves Florida, North Carolina, and Georgia. For more information, visit www.prosperausa.org.
MEDIA CONTACT: Marianna La Riva
Hispanic Chamber of Metro Orlando
mlariva@hispanicchamber.net
MEDIA CONTACT: Maria Isabel Sanquírico
Eleven 11 Communications
Phone Number: (813) 420-2922
mis@eleven11communications.com
