LAA art contest attracts students from all over Ga. |
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The art contest’s first prize winner, Daniela Dock, used a Mexican woman in traditional dress at an outlet to depict the immigrant experience. “I set it up so that each ‘store’ would have something to do with what some people want to change about immigrants and me personally,” Dock says. |
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For the past five years, the LAA has hosted an immigration-themed annual art contest open to all Georgia high school students.
This year, we received 53 submissions, from as far north as Dalton and as far south as Tifton, for the “Portraying the Immigrant Experience Art Contest.”
The winners are:
First Place: Daniela Dock (Allatoona High School)
Second Place: Sophia Sobrino (Campbell High School)
Third Place: Luis Badillo (Marietta High School)
Honorable Mention:
Isaak Ojeda (Union Grove High School)
Debanhi Romero (Lakeside High School)
The top three winners split $5,000 to be used for higher education expenses.
The works of art will be exhibited at The Museum of Contemporary Art of Georgia (MOCA GA) starting this week through Dec. 10. The contest is supported with funding from the Charles Loridans Foundation.
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Get Involved with the LAA |
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Teller training program changes lives |
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María Loyola switched careers, thanks to the LAA’s teller training program tailored for immigrants. The LAA launched Unidos in Finance in August 2019.
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Earlier this year, María Loyola was working as a receptionist at a dental office. She enjoyed her job, and was happy with her pay.
But she wanted a career where she could grow. So in the summer, María enrolled in the LAA’s free Unidos in Finance teller training program. By the time she finished, she had a job with Bank of America, which funds the 56-hour program. To date, 111 participants have completed the LAA’s Unidos in Finance curriculum.
“The LAA’s Unidos in Finance course changed my life,” says María, who started working for the bank as a relationship banker in August. “I’m now starting a career in banking, which is something I would have never imagined. I’m making more money and have excellent benefits.”
María, who left Puerto Rico after Hurricane Maria devastated the island in 2017, says she learned basic concepts in finance as well as how to prepare for a job interview.
“Thanks to this course, I now have more opportunities to realize my goals,” she adds. “I never thought that during a crisis like the one we’ve had this year I was going to have this unique opportunity. I see a lot of opportunities for me at Bank of America.”
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Dear friends,
It’s hard to believe that we’ve made it to November. We’re in the home stretch of completing a long year filled with challenges. Along the way, we’ve also seized new opportunities to connect with our community and serve our families’ basic needs and beyond.
This month we celebrate Thanksgiving. This is one of my favorite holidays because along with celebrating with family and cooking up a storm, we get to pause and reflect on what we’re thankful for yearlong. I’m so grateful for the support we’ve garnered around dealing with the effects of the pandemic. Thank you to our volunteers who have come out to support our community despite the fear of getting sick. Thank you to our partner organizations for keeping our community top of mind. Thank you to our staffers, who have worked relentlessly in new ways through this time of crisis. And, of course, I thank you for your support. We could not have made it this far without all of you. Thank you so much for all you’ve done for the LAA this year and in past years.
With gratitude,
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Youth conference attracts 9,000 students for virtual experience |
This year’s Latino Youth Leadership Conference, presented with Emory University and Georgia State University, reached out to many more participants than usual, as the event was transformed into a two-day virtual experience. A record 9,000+ middle and high school students tuned in this year.
The 21st annual Latino Youth Leadership Conference featured leading Latino youth speaker Gabe Salazar, who spoke about self-image and dealing with peer pressure. Filmmaker Samantha Ramírez spoke on the importance of creating the world we want to live in. Participants also enjoyed performances by Mariachis Búhos de Oro and pop artist Cristna. There were grade-specific workshop offered, as well as a college fair with nearly 20 colleges represented.
Lilburn Middle School teacher Michael Doyne has been bringing students to the youth conference for 14 years.
“The conference is a unique and invaluable experience that exposes our students to the possibilities that await them in the future,” Michael says. The energy and excitement of the event inspire our students to dream and work hard to achieve those dreams.”
For over two decades, the LAA’s youth conference has inspired 25,000 middle and high school students from across Georgia to pursue higher education and follow their dreams.
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2750 Buford Highway, NE
Atlanta, GA 30324
404.638.1800
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508 E Morris St.
Dalton, GA 30721
706.272.1992
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308 North Clayton St.
Lawrenceville, GA 30046
678.205.1018
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