Featured Non-Profit: ASPIRA – An Investment in Latino Youth

Back-to-school season has arrived. Some students have already begun their Fall 2010 classes and some (including my son) are getting ready to start.
This week, I’ve spent some time reflecting on my high school. I spent most of my high-school years worrying about what was cool vs. spending quality time on my education and character development. If there was one thing I could do differently in high school, I would have spent more time focusing on my education and getting involved in school activities, clubs or sports! Don’t get me wrong, I very much enjoyed my high-school years – I had a lot of fun and are a big part of what has made me who I am today. Just wish I would have given myself the chance to make a difference then.

Meet ASPIRA – an organization that has been making a difference in our youth’s lives for many years. Here is their story:

Since 1961, ASPIRA has been working at the grass-roots level to provide programs that encourage Hispanic students to stay in school, prepare them to succeed in the educational arena, develop their leadership skills, and to serve their community.
Their mission: The ASPIRA Association promotes the empowerment of the Puerto Rican and Latino community by developing and nurturing the leadership, intellectual, and cultural potential of its youth so that they may contribute their skills and dedication to the fullest development of the Puerto Rican and Latino community everywhere.

Check out the ASPIRA website

To all students’ young and young-at-heart, near and far who are going back to school this 2010 Fall season, we wish you much success!

Inspired by R.Evolución Latina

Their Mission: A collective of artists and activists committed to empowering the artistic community in order to inspire growth within the Latino Community through collaboration, productions, and educational support programs.


This new-age non-profit organization is built upon the motto, DARE TO GO BEYOND. R.Evolución Latina challenges themselves and their communities to further explore their full potential. Through that, they have been able to collaborate with several companies to develop events, raise funds for organizations in need and we have created paths for children to pursue their dreams via school activities and programs!

Check out their video on YouTube

Check them out on facebook

Featured Non-Profit: Alianza - The National Latino Alliance for the Elimination of Domestic Violence

In the movie Eat, Pray, Love, Elizabeth (Liz) sought help from Wayan Nuriyasih, a thirty-something woman Balinese healer who treated her physical wounds caused by a bicycle accident. Liz got to know the healer and her daughter on a personal level and learned that Wayan was a victim of domestic abuse and had to leave her abusive husband if she hoped to survive. Liz wanted to help her, so she sent an email to all of her friends asking for their help and ended up donating $18,000 so Wayan could build a home for her and her daughter!

This really struck a chord in me as I know that the issue of domestic abuse is very real in many households, especially Latin American households. So, I decided to seek out a not-for-profit that offers resources for women or men that are or have been victims of domestic abuse.

Alianza - The National Latino Alliance for the Elimination of Domestic Violence was established as one of three domestic violence “Cultural Institutes” to address the particular needs and concerns of communities of color experiencing family violence. Alianza specifically addresses the needs of Latino/a families and communities, although its work helps to inform the domestic violence field in general. Alianza’s work has been in four main areas: community education, policy advocacy, research, and training and technical assistance. It has grown into a national network of Latina and Latino advocates, practitioners, researchers, activists, and survivors of domestic violence.

Learn more about Alianza at http://www.dvalianza.org/

Inspired by Eat, Pray, Love

had the opportunity to see Eat, Pray, Love this past Saturday. The movie was a delightful journey of self-discovery inspired by food, prayer and meditation and relationships! Not to mention the fantastic trip to Italy, India and Bali! After the movie, I was tempted to book a trip with my hubby this October to celebrate our 7th anniversary to each of these beautiful countries.
Eat, Pray, Love reminded me about the things that are truly important in my life - I was able to relate to Elizabeth on many levels including personal change, nourishment from an emotional and spiritual standpoint, courage and love. How cool is that?

Eat

As a Latina growing up in Mexico, “eating” was an extremely important part of my life. As depicted in Elizabeth’s trip to Italy, sharing fabulous and authentic meals with friends and family were at the center of our culture. My family (like many other Latin American families) often had parties that were centered around great meals.

Pray

As a Latina growing up, I also knew about religion because it was also an important part of our culture, however, I did not learn about prayer in meditation until I was in my 30’s. Prayer and meditation was a huge part of my personal and spiritual transformation. In my experience, prayer (asking for the willingness to do things differently) and meditation (listening for signs or clues to do “the right thing”) along with the help of many people that have crossed my path have helped me become a better person. “Happiness” for me was a direct result or a byproduct of prayer and meditation.

Love

After a lot of work, prayer and meditation, I was able to love myself and in turn love others in a healthy way. Today, I enjoy rich, loving relationships with my husband, my family and friends.
Thank you Elizabeth Gilbert and everyone involved with Eat, Pray, Love for inspiring me and many others to become better people and live a better life!

Featured Movie: Eat, Pray, Love.

The movie premiere of Eat, Pray, Love is this Friday, August 13th! I have not been this excited about a movie since Titanic.

Check out the trailer:

Hecho de Mano is now offering Palomaya tees!

This past Saturday, I had the opportunity to meet and work with the amazing owner of Hecho de Mano (Made by Hand). Azalea is a warm and caring soul who really goes out of her way to help others. She provided me, a complete stranger, with a free spot within her retail site to sell our products and even bought lunch for all of us to enjoy! And, if that was not enough, Azalea agreed to carry our tees in her store. Wow! What an honor!
We fell in love with her store! It was literally a feast for my eyes! From the moment I stepped foot in her store, I was instantly transported to my home town in Latin America.
Stop by the “Culture and Folk Store” located at 308 N. First Avenue in Arcadia to purchase your favorite Palomaya tees and handmade folklore items. Hecho de Mano is offering an additional 20% off your favorite items from now until November 8, 2010.

Palomaya Photo Shoot

Featured Store: Hecho de Mano “The Culture and Folk Store”

One of my greatest fascinations in life is Latin folk art. Ask anyone that knows me and they will tell you that I have the biggest Latin folk art collection in town. As a matter of fact, one of my best girlfriend’s raided my house when she decided to have a “Latin” themed wedding anniversary because she knew I had every type of Latin-themed decoration under the sun!
So, needless to say, we fell in love with the store “Hecho de Mano.” Not only do they feature Latin folk art, but they promote “Maya” artwork. “Maya” was not only my daughter’s name, however, it was also part of the reason I selected “Maya” in Palomaya - to celebrate the strength of the Mayan people.

Hecho de Mano store promotes Maya artwork with respect and dignity and showcases handmade textiles, huipiles, artwork , jewelry, books, and nature. You will find plenty of handcrafts from Guatemala, El Salvador, Mexico, Panama, Peru. Their Jardin/Garden grows select culinary herbs & Chile plants, unusual leaf & flowering plantings.

Hecho de Mano is also committed to promoting the Maya traditions here in Los Angeles. They put on many events, celebrations, lectures throughout the year such as the “Mayan New Year,“ “The Carpet Tradition”, “Day of the Dead” (Dia de Los Muertos) and cultural exchanges with Guatemalans, and other, Indigenous Cultures.

We also love their Responsible Partnership practices!

Check out their website

Hecho de Mano is also hosting an “Outdoor Boutique” this Saturday, August 7th from 10 am until 5 pm. Palomaya will be there showcasing our wares among other vendors. Come see us at the Hecho de Mano Arcadia store located at:

308 North First Ave.
Arcadia, CA 91006.