Table Of ContentASTRA
1994 Annual Report
Building Toward
the Twenty-first Century
The pitirre
is the symbol
of ASPIRA. A
small tropical bird
found in Puerto Rico,
the pitirre is known
for its agility and
rapid flight and for
its ability to out-
smart, tire, and The ASPIRA Association, Inc. is Associates and Affiliates, are sepa-
defeat much larger the only national Latino organization rately incorporated in six states and
birds. dedicated exclusively to promoting Puerto Rico. They are:
ASPIRA believes youth leadership and education. * ASPIRA of Connecticut, Inc.
that the pitirre is a Through its Associate ASPIRA organi-
fitting symbol for zations and national demonstration * ASPIRA of Florida, Inc.
young Latinos. projects, it provides a host of leader- * ASPIRA, Inc. of Illinois
Aspirantes gain the ship development and education pro- * ASPIRA, Inc. of New Jersey
confidence of the grams for Puerto Rican and other
pitirre by acquiring. Latino youth. ASPIRA takes its name ‘+ ASPIRA of New York, Inc.
knowledge and devel- from the Spanish verb aspirar, which * ASPIRA, Inc. of Pennsylvania
oping their leader- means *to aspire to something * ASPIRA, Inc. de Puerto Rico.
ship skills, They greater." Itis a forceful remindert o
then can face and Latino youth that they can change The ASPIRA Association, Inc. has
oovveerrwchoemlem isnege moidndgsl.y tfhoeri ra lgiovaels. ifT thheesye woArskp ihraarndt easn—dt hsotsrieve . iDt.sC .N aatniodn alis gOoffviecren eidn Wbays hai nNgattoionn,a l
to become produc- who aspire to a brighter future—are Board of Directors.
tive adults, returning the hope of the Latino community. This report covers the activities of
to their communities. The ASPIRA Association, Inc. is a the ASPIRA National Office for the
the benefits of their not-for-profit Latino youth leadership Fiscal Year ending June 30, 1994,
skills and leadership. development organization incorporat- but to maintain continuity covers ser-
abilities. ed under Section 501(c)(3) of the vices offered throughout calendar
The symbol of the Internal Revenue Code. It is a volun- year 1994.
pitirre reinforces tary association of commui based. ASPIRAG, An Investment in Latino
ASPIRA's belief that nonprofit organizations sharing the Youth™, the “Pitirre” logo 7/ €, and
even the smallest ASPIRA name, mission, and goals. MAS, are registered trademarks of
and seemingly most State offices, called ASPIRA the ASPIRA Association, Inc.
powerless can take
control of their lives
and produce
change.a
1994 Annual Report
ASPIRA Association, Inc.
National Office
Building Toward
the Twenty-first Century
2
A from the of the Board
of Dii and the i of the
ASPIRA Association, Inc.
T
he year 1994 meant at ransition. has the responsibility to be a nation.
for ASPIRA to new leadership. al leader in advocating for policies
our first year as chairperson and that remove barriers to the education
director of this thirty-three year old and advancement of our youth.
organization, we have begun the Advocacy—making sure the Latino
work to build ASPIRA into an organi- voice is heard and protecting gains.
zation that can stand as a bulwark we have made over three decades of
and a beacon into the 21st century. struggle—becomes increasingly criti:
DNiCarhteaimcioertn paoelrR .rs s.BoS ona anrtodaf natoh,fe Esq. ytehTaorhsua,sn aknsAd SsPt Io RinAt h eo urrew sotcrsko momonuf nasi ot ryom cako-nvsyeo rl idt he wccalolir mkaientd e .th teo Tnhbaretociuoognm’heso utca hn a1ne9gv9ie4nn,g swpteor lointigcearl
foundation. We must now build on voice for the Latino community,
this foundation to take ASPIRA into a ensuring that Latinos are represent-
new age, to grow as we reach out to ed and help shape the decisions that
the thousands of youth who need us. affect us. One of our best tools to
The new challenges our young people project this voice is unity of the
will face as we approach the new Latino community, its organizations
century mean we must also chal- and its leadership. Throughout the
lenge ourselves and move into a new year we expanded our collaborations
age. Like the time-tested, strong with other minority and especially
casas of our parents and grandpar- Latino organizations and spearhead-
ents, we are adding an extra room ed av oice for Latino unity like never
for the newcomers, strengthening our before.
rroeodfe stiog nwiintgh stthaen d poarncyh tsoor rewnet s,c ana ndb et- opOevde r a thuen iyqeuaer s,p roAcSePsIsR A anhda s and evaerlr-a y
ter see the future. oofp meednutc atimoodnealls . andW el eahdaevres hilpe ardneevdel -
As one of the most prominent
national Latino organizations, ASPIRA much from these initiatives that we
ASTRA
can share with others so they can This is the future we envision as
replicate our successes and multiply ASPIRA grows into the new millenni-
their impact. During 1994, we um. We are a strong organization
placed special emphasis on with a proud tradition. Each of the
researching our own program out over 17,000 young people we work
comes. We significantly strength- with is an example of what can hap-
ened our capacity to collect the data pen with commitment to our youth
necessary for a national dissemina- and our community, faith in their
tmioodn elcsa mptao iogtnh ertso sspo reaalld caonu r bperneofgirta. m teon oprrmooduucse pcohtaenngtiea.l , aWned aar e stsrionncge rewlilyl RMNaootnriaeolnndao l BlEaxceckubtuirvne .
Strengthening of the ASPIRA grateful for the opportunity we have. Director
Association—providing enhanced to serve our community and be part
assistance to our local offices serv. of its future.
ing thousands of young people—is a
major part of building for the upcom
ing century. In 1994, we placed spe- tana, Esq.
cial emphasis on work to enable our
Associate offices to be more effec-
tive voices in their communities, to dee Bidckbum-iorona
expand their services to our youth,
and to develop new national models.
A strengthened financial base,
enhanced communication, technology
for the 21st century, and efforts to
bring the Association more closely
together, all contributed to the
strengthening of our organizational
infrastructure
Reaffirming the The
“I have more confidence in myself now. |l earned that if you really want to do some.
thing, you can do it if you try hard.
Jocelyn Luna, Aspirante, Illinois Participant
ASPIRA Public Policy Leadership Program
SPIRA's overarching mission has hope inherent in the ASPIRA mission
addresses the educational needs of
years: to empower the Latino com- young people from a positive per-
munity through the education and spective of caring and confidence in
leadership development of its youth. their potential. It unites pride in
ASPIRA's mission leads directly to an one's culture with the drive to suc-
organizational focus on investment in ceed.
Aspirantes and young people. Over the decades, we have helped
CNHaoetrritnoéansna,dl e za,In ndt eJrHonussgh ouW ai lson haSsi ncleo okietsd foatu nLdaitnign o iny o1u9t6h1 ,a ndA SPsIeReAn oyvoeurt h a tqo uarretaecrh otfh eiar mpiolltieonnt iaLla,t ino
Andrade. bleoaudnedrlse swsa itpiontge nttioa ls.p riWnge uspe e antdh e tthharto utgeha cohuers thtrheeem- prtoo nbgeedc omper oceaswsa.r e
tmyo vfeor watrhde.m seAlSvPeIsR Aa ndw ortkhse ir wictoh mmyuonutih- oitfs tcheoinrs ecquurreenncte ss,i tuaatnido n,t o ttoa kaen alacytzieo n
to develop this potential—to nurture for change. We are exceedingly
it, to eliminate the barriers to oppor proud of the forceful array of commit:
ctuonmimtyi tstoe dw e lecaadne rsp.r oduce educated, tdeedv elPoupe rtoov erR itchaen s yewaer s.h avMeo shte lpmaeidn - to
land Puerto Rican leaders were
The ASPIRA model helps and inspired and encouraged by ASPIRA
encourages young people to achieve
their dreams and contribute their dAusrpiinrga nttheesi r aared olneoswc enprcoef.e ssiOounra ls,
skills and dedication to the fullest
development of communities in the pmoulniictyy mlaekaedresr,s eadt ucalalt olrevse,l s. and com-
United States and Puerto Rico. The
ASTRA
Laying the Groundwork: A Vision for Growth
T ASPIRA National Office works to strengthen the entire Association by
enhancing program delivery and organizational impact. In 1994, the
Association molded its vision for the future into three key areas:
* To serve as a voice for the ASPIRA * To develop national model pro-
Association as the preeminent grams in collaboration with the National Visibility
national Latino organization Associates
serving youth through educa- * To document and distribute these
tion and leadership develop- models to communities across
ment
the nation
* To advocate for the improvement * To collaborate with other national
of education for Puerto Rican organizations and promote a uni- National Impact
and other Latino youth at the fied voice for Hispanics as the
national level fastest growing segment of the
* To help develop the capacity of population
Associates to be advocates for
Latino youth before local and
state governments.
* To serve as the center of a * To provide assistance and sup.
strong network and focal point for port to the ASPIRA Associates in Organizational Strength
Association at ies by enhanc: all areas of their development,
ing coordination and communica- including programs, funding, and.
tions among all Associates management
Reinforcing the Foundation: Service to our Community
“Role models are extremely important. There is an urgent need for Latino profes-
they can make it in our present society. These individuals need to identify themselves
to kids who are desperately seeking to look up to someone."
Jaime R. Santana, Esq.
Aspirante, Illinois Chair
ASPIRA National Board
SPIRA’s calling is community eral distinct functions to increase
‘opportunities for Latino youth. The
staff of over 300, the ASPIRA National Office:
Associate offices provided leadership supports the local ASPIRA
development and educational ser- Associates through planning,
vices to more than 17,000 Latino training, technical assistance
youth last year. In addition, its inten- and development;
sive community involvement pro-
grams reached thousands of parents advocates for national policies
in ten cities. Volunteers, over 1,000 that provide opportunities for
in 1994, are vital contributors to Puerto Rican/Latino youth and
these efforts, expanding ASPIRA's families;
outreach across the community and maintains a broad national part-
making every scarce dollar count. nership network with the federal
By tapping into the resources of government and national organi-
their communities, each Associate zations:
office operates a host of local pro- conducts research and distrib-
grams specific to their region. All utes data and analyses through
have in common, though, ASPIRA's the ASPIRA Institute for Policy
commitment to leadership develop- Research;
ment and education. develops educational interven-
To enhance this local work, the tion models that work in the
ASPIRA National Office performs sev- Latino community, and
disseminates ASPIRA's suc-
cesses.
The National Office coordinates sev. * Youth Leadership and Community
eral national programs developing Service
out of local needs that are common * Educational Access and Careers.
to all ASPIRA Associate offices
National programs encompass three * Community Mobilization for
areas: Educational Excellence
‘Around the country, Aspirantes pro- Public Policy Leadership Program is
vide thousands of hours of volunteer a three-pronged, year-round effort to Youth Leadership and
service through local, studentrun help prepare promising young Latinos Community Service
ASPIRA Clubs, the backbone of to become involved in public policy.
ASPIRA's work. Through these youth It aims to produce leaders who can
clubs, over 5,000 Aspirantes each affect policy at all levels of govern.
year develop leadership and academ- ment for the well-being of the com-
ic skills, learn to work together, study munities they represent.
the needs of their communities, and The APPLP has three components:
act to address those needs. In addi-
tion, several specific national pro- * Leadership Seminars for fifteen
grams build on this core of youth weeks under the guidance of
leadership and service. They local leadership facilitators,
include: * Community Service Internships
ASPIRA Public Policy Leadership. for eight weeks with local men:
Program (APPLP) tors, leading to a final group
“I developed skills for leadership, com- Community Service Project, and
mitment, and lots of responsibility.
Geraldine Franco, Aspirante * National Internships for five
weeks in Washington, D.C. during
Leadership Program the summer for outstanding par- National Interns of the
With major support through 1995 ticipants, P1o9l9ic4y ALSePadIeRrAs hiPpu.b lic
from the Ford Foundation and the Program pose at their
Toyota USA Foundation, the ASPIRA graduation.
APPLP keynote speaker
Dr. Eugene Garcia with
his intern, Amanda
Ramos, and Amanda
Marrero, OBEMLA.
Leadership Seminars and internships culminated in August with
Community Service Internships. a graduation ceremony in the Cannon
During the winter of 1994, 94 stu- House Office Building featuring Dr.
dents in six sites participated in Eugene García, Director of the Office
Laneda deprrsahcitpic edS emsiuncahr s.sk illTsh eays liesasrunee d oLfa nBgiulianggeuasl AEfdfuaicrast ioatn thaen d U.MSi.n ority
analysis, public speaking, debate, Department of Education. During the
group facilitation, and working in a ceremony, Wilson Hernandez from
cteoanmt.i nueIdn tihnet o spCroinmgm,u n9i3t ys tuSdeernvitcse Cfihristc argeoc,i piIelnlitn oiosf wtahes Mcihroasndean. as the
Internships, spending forty hours Foundation's Outstanding National
with local role models holding policy- Intern scholarship.
making positions. Their varied place- Each year, ASPIRA sees partici-
ments included the offices of pants in the Public Policy Leadership.
Roberto Rexach Benitez, President of Program use their new-found skills
the Senate of Puerto Rico, Chicago and confidence to take on leadership
City Treasurer Miriam Santos, U.S. positions in ASPIRA and in the com-
Congressman Luis Gutiérrez, and munity. The annual survey of ten
Philadelphia City Councilmember years of APPLP alumni showed that
Angel Ortiz. of respondents:
National Internships * 90% have graduated from high
During the summer, 15 participants school, with 76% of these gradu-
were selected as Toyota Fellows to ates enrolled in college;
come to Washington for National * 97% are involved in school or
Internships funded by the Toyota community activities;
USA Foundation. The APPLP supple- * 76% hold or have held office in
mented internships with presenta- the groups with which they were
tions by national leaders, visits to involved;
policymaking bodies, and workshops
toof spotlriecnygmtahkeinn g.th e Ai nhtiegrhnlsi’g htk noofw ltehdeg e i* ng afso urv olAuPnPtLePe rsa lugminviin g arae yesearrv - of
sHouumsmee r briweafsi nga tbtye nLdaitnign o a mWehmitbee rs of sAemrevriicCeo ripn s thep rongerwa mA SPIRA/
the Executive Office staff. The
