Wednesday, December 29, 2010

Mi Casa CEO Visits Argentina, Meets with Women's Microfinance Group

Christine Marquez-Hudson, Mi Casa’s Executive Director, recently traveled to Buenos Aires as part of her Livingston Fellowship, a leadership program funded by the Bonfils-Stanton Foundation. Here she writes about her experience visiting with a nonprofit called Mujeres 2000, which provides micro loans to low-income women to start a business:

Microfinance is a strategy toward economic development and poverty reduction that has been proliferating across the globe. Here in the U.S. it’s an important tool to get small businesses started—especially among low-income entrepreneurs. During my visit, I observed a class at a local church/community center attended by three women. One operates a kiosk out of her home; another was launching a home-based beauty shop; and the third sells clothes. They are learning about fixed and variable costs and how to budget. Afterwards, the instructor, Horacio, and I took a walk around the neighborhood. It’s a poor community with few employment opportunities, and Horacio explained that most of the women are single, and all struggle to find work and care for their children. Self-employment is a way for women to make an income with a flexible schedule and even work from home.

I asked what made the Mujeres 2000 program successful. “Mutual responsibility,” Horacio replied. To access their first loan, women go through an enterprise design phase where they develop their business concept. Next, they form a group of five and each woman receives a loan based on her business model and is responsible for repaying her portion. However, the group assumes joint liability for all five loans, and a member can only obtain new credit if all members return at least 80% of the original loan.

This solidarity model is fascinating – people coming together to support one another’s success has profound implications for social, economic and personal development. What I saw in Argentina also taught me about shared leadership - everyone has something to offer, everyone contributes, and everyone benefits. These concepts of shared responsibility and leadership are ideas I plan to explore here at Mi Casa in order to strengthen our programs and maximize our positive community impact.

Wednesday, November 24, 2010

A Thanksgiving story from Mi Casa - Charles


Mi Casa served more than 1,200 people in 2010. One of those people was Charles, a single father of five boys, who found himself in a desperate situation when he lost his job at the end of 2009. Charles is no stranger to struggle, but when he injured his back in 2009 and lost his job at UPS, he found himself on the brink of homelessness and urgently in need of help to get his career back on track.

No longer able to perform the type of physically demanding labor that was once his bread and butter, Charles heard about Mi Casa’s Green Construction & Energy training program and seized the opportunity to launch a career in the fast-growing industry of energy efficiency and weatherization. “Mi Casa gave me the opportunity to build a new skill set from the ground up,” says Charles. “Everyone has struggles inside them and scars from the past. But Mi Casa helped me see my strengths, which helped me start my career – this is much more than a job to me.”

With Mi Casa’s help, Charles secured two interviews and finally secured stable housing. It wasn’t long before Charles accepted a job offer from Veterans Green Jobs to work as an installer on weatherization projects. Though Charles is not a veteran, the nonprofit hired him to work under a state grant to provide home weatherization services to low-income families in Denver. He’s already gotten a raise, and now Charles is training to move up – eventually he wants to be a certified energy auditor.

While at Mi Casa, Charles met U.S. Senator Mark Udall, who visited the Green Construction & Energy class. Charles asked that Congress do more to expand opportunities for ex-offenders once they have paid their debt to society. Speaking for himself and many of his classmates with non-violent felony convictions, Charles pointed out that in a country purportedly in favor of second chances, many ex-offenders struggle the rest of their lives to find work. The conversation ended with Sen. Udall vowing to investigate ways to remove the barriers ex-offenders face, including providing incentives to employers who hire them.

Charles recalls his conversation with the Senator as a highlight from his time at Mi Casa. But the real reward for Charles’ hard work and commitment to Mi Casa’s career pathway program in Green Construction & Energy is undoubtedly his success in launching a promising new career that will enable him to create a better life for his five sons. “It means everything to me to be independent and able to care for my boys the way they deserve to be taken care of,” Charles says. “I’d do anything for Mi Casa, and someday I plan to support them in the same way they supported me.”

Thursday, November 4, 2010

Tim Marquez Offers Encouragement to Local Entrepreneurs

Tim Marquez, Founder/CEO of Venoco, Inc., was the keynote speaker at Mi Casa's November 3rd Business Networking and Resource Fair. He spoke about his humble upbringing in southwest Denver and how he managed to build a billion-dollar company out of an initial equity stake of $3,000. "I could list 100 things I didn't have going for me," Marquez said of his early years at the helm of Venoco. "But I'm hard headed, tenacious and persistent - that's what I had going for me."

Marquez went on to say that he thinks starting a business to get rich is a terrible idea. "You have to start with something you are passionate about and build an organization around other people who are fired up and care about what they do," Marquez told the crowd of about 130. "It was two years between the time I started Venoco and when I closed the first deal," Marquez said. "There was a lot of pain and rejection along the way."

"I made a lot of mistakes in business - I continue to make mistakes," said Marquez. "But that's OK, because as long as you don't make the same mistakes, you're good." Marquez encouraged the entrepreneurs in attendance to continue to take advantage of the small business resources offered by Mi Casa and take every opportunity to network with each other and seek advice.

Here are a few photos from the event:





Friday, October 22, 2010

CEO of Venoco to Offer Business Tips to Mi Casa Entrepreneurs


Mi Casa is delighted to welcome Tim Marquez, Founder/CEO of Venoco, Inc., on November 3, as the keynote speaker during Mi Casa's Small Business Resource Fair and Networking Event from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at 360 Acoma Street. Mr. Marquez, one of Colorado's most successful businessmen, will offer tips for entrepreneurial success and talk about the process of growing Venoco, Inc. from a small start up to a publicly traded company worth nearly $2 billion.

In a discussion titled, "Journey to Success: An Inspiring Conversation with Tim Marquez," Mr. Marquez will offer guidance and recommendations to aspiring entrepreneurs with an emphasis on the essential ingredients in his own personal success: passion and perseverance. A native of southwest Denver and a graduate of Lincoln High School, Mr. Marquez attended the Colorado School of Mines and began his career as an engineer, gradually working his way up the management ladder. He founded Venoco, Inc. in 1992, an oil and gas production company based in Denver. The company progressed from a start-up with an initial equity stake of $3,000 to a company with a total enterprise value of more than $1.8 billion. Venoco, Inc. went public in November 2006 and is now a NYSE listed company, with the trading symbol VQ.

"Mi Casa is dedicated to nurturing the natural entrepreneurial spirit of many in Denver's Latino community and also women," said Mi Casa's CEO/Executive Director, Christine Marquez-Hudson. "According to the U.S. Census, the number of Hispanic-owned businesses in increased by nearly 45 percent between 2002 and 2007, and the number of women-owned businesses is up more than 20 percent in the same time frame. Clearly women and Latinos are turning to small business ownership as a means to achieve economic success, and Mi Casa is committed to helping them access the training and resources they need to be successful."

Mi Casa hosts quarterly business resource fairs to connect aspiring entrepreneurs with each other and business resources in the community. These events are open to the public, free of charge and a fantastic opportunity for aspiring entrepreneurs and small business owners to learn business tips and practice the crucial skill of networking! Lenders, business counselors and other resource providers are on hand to help small businesses connect with financing options, technical assistance, and other small businesses in order to launch or grow operations.

Tim Marquez and his wife, Bernie, are also committed philanthropists and their foundation, the Tim and Bernadette Marquez Foundation, generously supports Mi Casa's business and youth development programs. Mi Casa also receives general operating support from the Venoco Community Partnership program. Additionally, Mr. and Mrs. Marquez are co-founders of the Denver Scholarship Foundation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization whose mission is to inspire and empower Denver Public Schools students to achieve their postsecondary educational goals by providing the tools, knowledge and financial resources essential for success.

Thursday, October 21, 2010

Mi Casa Youth Learn about Journalism, Visit 9News

Youth in Mi Casa's afterschool programs visited 9News this week as the culmination of their hard work in the afterschool journalism club at the Mi Casa Neighborhood Center. The students also produced a four-page newsletter called the Mi Casa Post, which features articles about Mi Casa staff, music and much more!


Thursday, October 7, 2010

Spirit of Success Luncheon Photos

Thanks to everyone who came out to support Mi Casa's Southern Colorado Women's Business Center on October 6 at Pueblo Community College. The event was a tremendous success, raising more than $11,000 for training and counseling to benefit underserved entrepreneurs in Southern Colorado. Here are some photos of the event!










Friday, September 17, 2010

Make Your Business a Triple Bottom Line Business!


People, planet, profit.

The future of business (not to mention tremendous profit potential) belongs to the companies that commit to sustainable development.

The Greater Good Academy is an 8-week business development course to train low- and moderate-income entrepreneurs in Denver how to incorporate triple bottom line (3BL) business practices of economic prosperity, environmental stewardship and social responsibility in order to become more profitable.

Be part of the next generation of civic-minded businesses!

The fall 2010 Greater Good Academy takes place at Mi Casa Resource Center (360 Acoma Street) Tuesday evenings - 6:00 to 9:00 p.m. - beginning September 21 through November 9.

Click here to view/print the flyer for the fall 2010 Greater Good Academy.

Through the support of sponsors, including the Denver Office of Economic Development and the Colorado Enterprise Fund, tuition costs only $125 for qualified entrepreneurs.

Greater Good Academy focuses on the benefits of including environmental and social factors in running your business. By the end of the course, each entrepreneur has completed a 3BL business plan that lays out the company’s mission, operations, marketing and related growth strategies. See the video.

Greater Good Academy serves a range of small businesses: retail, product design, consulting, health care, construction, graphic arts, marketing, food/urban agriculture, community development, etc.

Whether your company provides an eco-friendly product or service, or seeks to include social and environmental elements into its overall strategy for profitability, Greater Good Academy will provide you with a 360 degree understanding of how to make your business a triple bottom line business.

A network of business mentors assists participants during the program.

For more information, call Richard Eidlin - 303-478-0131.

Tuesday, September 14, 2010

AT&T Supports Mi Casa's Entrepreneurial Training in Pueblo

Mi Casa Resource Center is happy to announce that the organization has received a $5,000 contribution from the AT&T Foundation in support of its business development programs for underserved entrepreneurs in Southern Colorado. AT&T presented the contribution at Mi Casa’s Pueblo office on September 8 at an event to kick off the fall entrepreneurial training classes and celebrate the new name for Mi Casa’s training room - the AT&T Entrepreneurial Training Center.

Through AT&T’s contribution, Mi Casa will be able to equip entrepreneurs with the skills needed to successfully launch a new business, including developing a business plan and accessing capital. Mi Casa also provides consulting services to existing businesses to help them sustain or grow operations.

“AT&T is dedicated to improving education and workforce development in our Pueblo community. Supporting Pueblo business entrepreneurs is one of the many ways that our local economy can continue to grow. We are proud to be here today with Mi Casa as they lead the way in providing the needed resources in Pueblo and Southern Colorado to take those first steps as business owners” said Bill Soards, President, AT&T Colorado.
Mi Casa runs the only two Women’s Business Centers funded by the U.S. Small Business Administration in Colorado – in Denver and Southern Colorado. Mi Casa’s business development programs target underserved entrepreneurs – particularly women and Latinos – and include introductory workshops for the business curious, 13-week comprehensive entrepreneurial training courses in both English and Spanish, as well as individual technical assistance, mentoring and networking opportunities.

“Mi Casa is grateful to have the support of AT&T for our business development activities in Southern Colorado,” said Christine Marquez-Hudson, Executive Director of Mi Casa. “AT&T’s strong commitment to corporate responsibility and community engagement will serve as encouragement to Mi Casa business students as they work toward their dreams of financial stability and self-employment.”

Mi Casa’s Business Success training program teaches aspiring entrepreneurs and established small business owners the basics of finance, lending, insurance, strategic planning, daily operations, marketing, market research and legal structures. The course combines in-depth financial literacy training with individual business counseling. In order to successfully fulfill course requirements, students must submit at least a draft of a viable business plan. For established small businesses, Mi Casa offers technical assistance to help sustain or grow operations.

Wednesday, August 18, 2010

Wednesday, August 4, 2010

Free Job Training for Residents of 80205 Zip Code


Denver Green Jobs Initiative announces the availability of free job training, support services and job placement assistance to help unemployed and disadvantaged residents of the Five Points area (80205 zip code) launch careers with strong earning and advancement potential in Colorado’s high-growth green industries:

o Solar Energy Technology
o Green Construction
o Energy Efficiency and Weatherization
o Green Jobs Administration and Sales

Denver Green Jobs Initiative is currently recruiting for all classes, which range from introductory to high-level certification courses. Denver Green Jobs Initiative is reaching out to our friends to help us spread the word about this great opportunity for free job training for residents of 80205. Anyone is welcome to visit the Denver Green Jobs Headquarters, located in the Phillips Center at 1619 E. 35th Avenue.

“We are dedicated to creating a highly skilled and flexible workforce for the green economic sector,” said Rick Lawton, Project Manager for Denver Green Jobs Initiative. “Denver Green Jobs is a community-based engine for economic development and environmental sustainability that will help residents of 80205 access the training and support they need to successfully begin careers in Colorado’s fastest growing industries.”

Colorado is already an important national player in the renewable energy and efficiency industries, and by 2030 these sectors could generate $61.5 billion in revenues and create 613,000 well-paid jobs in the state. Nationwide, the renewable energy and efficiency industries could generate 37 million jobs by 2030 – that’s 17% of all anticipated U.S. employment. Most jobs in the green sectors are similar to roles in other industries - truck drivers, welders, roofers, machinists, construction laborers, and cashiers - and offer opportunities for entry-level employees to work their way up the ranks and build a promising career.

Denver Green Jobs Initiative participants can choose to take just one course or sign up for a career path. Course offerings combine technical and non-technical training to prepare students for success in employment, apprenticeships or continuing education. Each participant receives individual job placement assistance, including resume preparation, writing cover letters, interviewing and networking skills, and access to employers who are hiring.

Participation in the Denver Green Jobs Initiative is limited to individuals who reside in the 80205 zip code (Five Points, Cole, Whittier, Skyland, and Clayton neighborhoods).

“Denver Green Jobs Initiative is focused on the Five Points community because we have identified a strong need for training and education in order for folks to break into the high-growth industries of renewable energy, energy efficiency, and sustainable construction,” said Lawton. “Five Points is among the city’s most historical and most vibrant communities, yet one in four residents live below the poverty line, and the unemployment and crime rates are significantly higher than averages for Denver.”

Those interested in enrolling in training through Denver Green Jobs Initiative should visit www.denvergreenjobs.org or call 303-974-1900 for more information.

Denver Green Jobs Initiative is a collaboration between nonprofit, community-based organizations, private companies, trade unions, and workforce development agencies. Denver Green Jobs Initiative is a two-year project funded through a grant from the U.S. Department of Labor.

Monday, July 19, 2010

Congrats, Digital Connectors!!



On Saturday, July 17, Mi Casa Resource Center and the Comcast Foundation celebrated the graduation of Mi Casa’s inaugural class of Digital Connectors, a group of 12 youth from diverse, low-income backgrounds, who recently completed the 10-month digital literacy program. Mi Casa’s Digital Connectors showcased what they learned about digital media, broadband technology, and putting their knowledge to work for the betterment of their community.

The Comcast Digital Connectors program is an innovative partnership between the Comcast Foundation and One Economy Corporation which has launched in several Comcast markets across the country to involve youth in bridging the digital divide, or the gap – often along socioeconomic and generational lines – between those with access to digital technology and those without.

“The Digital Connectors program is an important initiative for Comcast as we continue to seek out opportunities to educate young people about civic engagement and instill in them the leadership and technology skills that are so essential to their futures,” said Scott Binder, regional senior vice president of Comcast. “We are proud to honor these students for their initiative and commitment.”

The 12 Mi Casa Digital Connectors recognized on July 17 – six received certificates of completion and six received certificates of participation – are local youth ranging in age from 14 to 21. They come from different schools including North High, and P.S.1 Charter School. In exchange for their hard work and time commitment, which averaged six hours per week for 10 months, the Digital Connectors received a desktop computer and a USB drive. In recognition of their graduation, the Comcast Foundation and One Economy Corporation will reward each Digital Connector with a flip camera AND a netbook computer!

“We have encouraged our Digital Connectors to think about the program as a job, complete with important responsibilities, high expectations and tangible rewards,” said Andrea Herrera Moreno, Mi Casa’s Digital Connectors Program Coordinator.

Perla Jimenez, 19, participated in the program with her two younger brothers and will be recognized on July 17. “I’m a Digital Connector because I see myself as a leader to my younger siblings. I know that if I do something good they’ll want to follow in my footsteps,” Perla says.

Perla was named Mi Casa Digital Connector of the month in February 2010 and received the same honor nationally in March. Perla has been an enthusiastic participant in the Digital Connectors classes and service projects even as she gets ready to attend Community College of Denver in the fall. Perla is proud and excited to be the first person in her family to graduate high school - and in four years, she plans to be the first to graduate from college.

Thursday, July 8, 2010

U.S. Secretary of Labor Hilda Solis Visits Mi Casa


Labor Secretary Hilda Solis was in Denver yesterday, where she visited Mi Casa and the Denver Green Jobs Initiative - a DOL-funded project in the 80205 zip code to provide job training, supportive services, and job placement assistance to unemployed and disadvantaged residents.

Secretary Solis blogged about her experience in Denver and at Mi Casa in the White House Blog - check it out!

Secretary Solis praised Mi Casa and its partners on the Denver Green Jobs Initiative for providing low-income workers with the skills needed to start a promising new career - not just a job. Sec. Solis said that she and the Obama Administration are fixated on creating opportunities in the renewable energy (RE) and energy efficiency (EE) industries - even if jobs in these sectors are not yet abundant.

"It's our future," Sec. Solis said. "We have lost more than one million jobs overseas, but I think green-collar jobs can bring those jobs and more back home to the United States ... The President and I feel strongly that in order to realize our vision to create sustainable energy sources and reduce our dependence on foreign oil, we need to invest in our most valuable resource - our people."

That's why the Department of Labor is investing in job-training programs across the country - part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. For more information about green jobs training through Mi Casa, visit our website www.MiCasaResourceCenter.org.

Thursday, July 1, 2010

MSCD Center for Urban Education Teaches Programming to Mi Casa Youth

Mi Casa volunteer and Metropolitan State College Professor Dr. Don Gilmore is a math whiz.

In fact, he’s so good he teaches math to math teachers. So you might be surprised to meet his sidekicks in the classroom – Rajon and Deon – students at Lake Middle School who attend Mi Casa Neighborhood Center every day after school.

Rajon and Deon didn’t have any experience with computer programming until Dr. Gilmore and his student assistants from the Metro State College Center for Urban Education came to the Mi Casa Neighborhood Center to start a computer gaming program. The volunteers from MSCD taught the Mi Casa kids about Alice, a computer programming teaching tool that makes it easy for students to create 3D animated stories. Rajon and Deon dove into the project and soon were creating not just digital stories, but interactive video games.

Last year, Deon and Rajon had a chance to share what they learned about Alice with a group of math teachers, who were eager to hear their impressions of the program. The teachers asked them questions about the program and the best way of teaching it to students. The kids got a real kick out of tutoring the teachers for once!

Rajon and Deon continue to be Dr. Gilmore’s valued teaching assistants. Just last month they stopped by the Office of Urban Teacher Partnerships at the Center for Urban Education for pizza and pop before heading over to join Dr. Gilmore and his Mathematics of Secondary Curriculum course. Deon and Rajon were there to help Dr. Gilmore teach the students about using Alice in the classroom.

Students from the United States have fallen well behind students from other countries in knowledge of math and science – an issue of great concern to Dr. Gilmore. “Math is part of every science. It’s incredibly important yet the traditional approach to teaching math hasn’t been successful in engaging a broader audience,” he says. “I prefer an approach where students’ learning is focused around their own thinking and ideas. There may be just one right answer to a problem, but often there are different ways to get there, and I’ve found this approach keeps students more engaged.”

Dr. Gilmore is especially concerned that many kids in the public school system – particularly low-income children at inner-city schools like Deon and Rajon – are not being given sufficient opportunities to learn about math, science and technology. That’s why the Center for Urban Education Metro State brings professors and university students into urban schools in high-needs areas like Lake in order to provide low-income children with enriching afterschool programs focused on academic success, as well as math and science learning.

At the Mi Casa Neighborhood Center, Don supplied nine laptop computers equipped with Alice and has dedicated many hours of his own time and that of his team to supporting the children in their introduction to the world of computer science. He hopes it will be the beginning of a lifelong interest in technology that will propel the students to college and into successful careers. In the meantime, Dr. Gilmore will do his part to make sure that all children, no matter their background or socioeconomic status, have opportunities to learn about the technology that underpins our modern world, as well as the math concepts that underpin our technology.

Friday, June 18, 2010

FREE Computer Clean-Up June 26!

Does your computer run too slowly? Are you afraid it might be contaminated with malware?

Bring your desktop (tower only) or laptop to Mi Casa on June 26 and our Digital Connectors will clean it, improve the processing speed, and make sure it’s is safe and virus-free!

Saturday, June 26
11 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.
360 Acoma Street - Lab D
Call to make an appointment at 303-539-5619

There is no cost to have your computer cleaned, but donations are gratefully accepted!
Mi Casa’s Digital Connectors are a group of 20 youth participating a technology learning initiative that equips them with in-depth digital literacy skills and the know-how to put their technology savvy to work for the betterment of their community.

For more information about the Digital Connectors, visit Mi Casa's website

Tuesday, May 18, 2010

Mi Casa, MidChix, and The Latina Chamber invite you to an evening with Helen Thorpe, author of Just Like Us: The True Story of Four Mexican Girls Coming of Age in America.

Friday, June 4 at 6:30 p.m.
Tattered Cover Bookstore - 1628 16th Street

Just Like Us is a well-timed and powerful account of four young Mexican women coming of age in Denver—two of whom have legal documentation, two of whom who don’t — and the challenges they face as they attempt to pursue the American dream.

Wine and cheese will be served, and all proceeds from the event will support Mi Casa’s mission to advance the economic success of Latino families.

Suggested donation: $40 per person

To RSVP contact Cheryl at 303-539-5609 or cbalchunas@MiCasaResourceCenter.org

MidChix.com is a social networking community for women 40+ featuring magazine–style content, a variety of flocks, member recommendations, as well as information on organizations that serve the greater good. www.MidChix.com

The mission of the Latina Chamber is to promote and advance the personal, professional, and business interests of Latinas, their families, and their communities. We believe in giving back to community and helping our people find their way in life. www.LatinaChamber.org

Monday, May 10, 2010

Bid for the Chance to Be Anything!


Have you ever wondered what it’s like to be a zookeeper? How about an Olympic swim coach? A pastry chef? A crime reporter?

Well, now’s your chance to experience these dream jobs! Mi Casa’s Be Anything Luncheon on May 21 will include a unique silent auction featuring opportunities to hang out with fascinating professionals and “be anything” for the day!

Mi Casa's 2nd Annual BE ANYTHING Luncheon & Silent Auction
Friday, May 21 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at the Denver Athletic Club

Tickets are $50 each and selling out fast! Call or e-mail Cheryl 303-539-5609 or cbalchunas@MiCasaResourceCenter.org.

2010 Dream Jobs Up for Bid

Be an Olympic Swim Coach: spend the day with the head coach of the U.S. Swim Team and rub elbows with heroes from the 2008 Beijing games.

Be a Zookeeper: shadow a zookeeper at the Denver Zoo and learn about caring for the animals and the ins and outs of running a popular urban zoo.

Be a Race Car Driver: learn racing techniques while driving a real Porsche race car on a track outside Denver.

Be a TV Reporter: hang out with The Denver Channel’s weekend anchor/reporter Ana Cabrera and experience the newsroom, filming studio and even the chance to report on breaking news.

Be a Radio DJ: sit in the booth with DJ Mikey in the mornings from Alice 105.9 FM and participate in the live morning show!

Be a Denver Post Crime Reporter: shadow beat reporter Felisa Cardona and experience what its like to go to court, conduct an interview and produce a story on deadline.

Be a Pastry Chef: spend the day surrounded by sweet smells at Azucar Bakery and learn to make a wedding cake from start to finish, including decoration!

Be a Raging Rapids Fan: this is the perfect package for a soccer player! With the chance to take the field immediately before kick-off and get a jersey signed by the entire team, this is an experience your kiddo won’t soon forget.

Be a Queen and Princess: perfect for mother-daughter, this package includes hair styling and makeovers for two at Planet Labs Salon in Cherry Creek North.

Be a Roaring Rockies Fan: with four tickets (great seats!) to the home game of your choice and a signed piece of Rockies memorabilia, this is a great package for the boy (or girl) of summer in your life.

Monday, April 26, 2010

Mi Casa Named One of Three NCLR Family Strengthening Award Winners


The National Council of La Raza (NCLR) has chosen Mi Casa as one of this year’s NCLR Family Strengthening Award winners. NCLR received many applications from NCLR Affiliate partners in 16 states, and following review by two different committees, Mi Casa was selected as one of just three recipients of the award for running exemplary programs dedicated to strengthening Hispanic families.

As a Family Strengthening Award winner, Mi Casa will receive $16,500 in cash to support our Youth & Family Development programs. Mi Casa will also share strategies and best practices with other NCLR affiliates at the annual conference in San Antonio this summer, participate in creating a best practices guide, and take part in peer-to-peer technical assistance with other, similar organizations around the nation.

“This is a huge honor for Mi Casa,” said Christine Marquez-Hudson, Executive Director. “It speaks to the incredible hard work and dedication of our staff, board members and volunteers, who work every day to make sure our programs effectively help Latino and low-income families overcome their challenges and achieve lasting economic stability.”

The National Council of La Raza – the largest national Hispanic civil rights and advocacy organization in the United States – works to improve opportunities for Hispanic Americans. Through its network of nearly 300 affiliated community-based organizations, NCLR reaches millions of Hispanics each year in 41 states, Puerto Rico, and the District of Columbia. To achieve its mission, NCLR conducts applied research, policy analysis, and advocacy, providing a Latino perspective in five key areas – assets/investments, civil rights/immigration, education, employment and economic status, and health. In addition, it provides capacity-building assistance to its Affiliates who work at the state and local level to advance opportunities for individuals and families. Founded in 1968, NCLR is a private, nonprofit, nonpartisan, tax-exempt organization headquartered in Washington, DC.

Tuesday, April 20, 2010

Senator Udall Features Mi Casa in Workforce Tour Video

Senator Udall visited Mi Casa on March 31 to meet with students in our Green Energy & Construction training program. Check out this video from Udall's 2010 Colorado Workforce Tour that features Mi Casa Resource Center and some of our job training graduates.

Friday, April 9, 2010

Mi Casa's Green Energy & Construction Training on CBS4 News!


Check out this video that appeared last week on CBS4 News about Mi Casa's Green Energy & Construction training program and one of our graduates currently employed as a PV installer at Simple Solar.

Mi Casa trains individuals - most of whom have limited skills and education - to launch careers in the high-growth industries of renewable energy and energy efficiency.

Wednesday, March 31, 2010

Senator Mark Udall Visits Mi Casa


Senator Mark Udall visited Mi Casa Resource Center on Wednesday to meet with students in Mi Casa’s Green Energy & Construction training program and discuss ways the government can promote renewable energy projects to get more unemployed Coloradans back to work.

“Green is the new red, white and blue,” said Senator Udall. “Investing in renewable energy is the most patriotic thing we can do. I’m not for changing the color of our flag, but we want to have the strongest country in the world and in the process create good jobs and keep our air and water clean.”

Senator Udall met with students enrolled in Mi Casa’s training programs and held a town hall meeting with Mi Casa students, staff, trainers, and community partners. Several people told Senator Udall about their difficulty finding work and asked him what the federal government is doing to create jobs on a large scale.

Charles Garcia, a recent Mi Casa graduate, told Senator Udall that having a felony on his record has crippled his job search. “It’s a huge barrier,” said Charles. “They like to say it isn’t but it usually knocks me completely out of the running.”

Udall responded by acknowledging that probably everyone had made a serious mistake at some point in their life; some folks just pay for those mistakes more than others. The Senator said he welcomed suggestions on how to lift some of the obstructions for job seeking ex-offenders. “We ought to do more to help people – once they have paid their debt to society –start their lives over again, which means being able to vote, get housing and find a job,” Udall said.

RJ Harrington, Managing Director of Simple Solar, a Mi Casa training partner, suggested the legislature create incentives for employers to provide ex-offenders with a two-week working interview, a practice Simple Solar uses with its ex-offender employees – and everyone else – to make sure it’s a good fit.

Senator Udall concluded by stating his commitment to removing some of the barriers ex-offenders face in the workforce and providing incentives for employers who hire them.

“You inspire me,” the Senator told the group gathered at Mi Casa. “I can’t wait to tell your stories.”

Friday, March 26, 2010

Find Financing for your Small Business!

Mi Casa is committed to supporting small businesses and cultivating opportunities for economic success through self-employment. That's why we are hosting a Small Business & Community Resource Fair on Wednesday, April 7th from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.

The focus of the event will be on helping small-business owners and aspiring entrepreneurs connect with financing options, counseling, and other businesses in order to grow or launch their small business and find new opportunities for expansion. The event is FREE and open to the public.

This event will provide participants with information on business loan options in a down economy, as well as the latest government incentives for small businesses and low-cost entrepreneurial training and business counseling services offered by Mi Casa.

In addition to traditional lending institutions, Mi Casa encourages its small business clients to seek the services of local credit unions. Many entrepreneurs find the personal service, low fees and accessibility of credit offered by local credit unions to be a welcome respite from the formal bank environment.

At the April 7 event, credit unions, banks, and microlenders will be present at Mi Casa to help you understand the loan process and offer advice. Click here for more info about this event.

Call Claudia at 303-573-1302 for more information or to reserve your spot.

Saturday, February 27, 2010

Protect Yourself Against Identity Theft


What are the top pieces of information identity thieves look for?

1. Social security number
2. Checking account information
3. Credit card number(s)

Your account number is printed on the bottom of your checks – so treat your checks like gold and NEVER leave a check in the outgoing mail where a thief could grab it! (If you pay utility bills with checks, make sure you drop the envelope with the check in it directly into a mailbox or hand it to a postal worker).

We need to do our business differently – shred sensitive mail like pre-approved credit card applications or other documents with account or social security numbers.

Other tips to keep your identity safe:
  • NEVER, no mater how legit it looks, cash a check that you did not earn
  • NEVER give money to get money
  • If it sounds too good to be true, it is (avoid any offers using terms like “free”, “no risk”, or “no obligation”
  • Get your phone number on the DO NOT CALL list (see info from DA below)
  • Freeze your credit (learn how below)
  • Use credit cards and pay the balance every month (credit card companies monitor your purchases and are therefore are much safer than checks)
  • Monitor your credit and get a free annual credit report www.annualcreditreport.com.
  • NEVER respond to unsolicited communication (phone or email) asking for information verification (account number, full name, address, social security number, etc.) If you think the call might be legitimate, hang up and dial the number on the back of your credit card
Seniors are especially vulnerable to consumer fraud and identity theft. Encourage the seniors in your life to freeze their credit and learn about protecting themselves.

Toolkit:

Thursday, February 25, 2010

Green Jobs for Women: Resources


On Wednesday, February 24, Mi Casa hosted an event to educate women about "green collar" job opportunities in renewable energy, sustainable construction and environmental science. More than 150 women attended the event, which included an overview of green jobs and the kinds of jobs available, local training options, the perspective of women working green jobs, and an employer presentation about key qualities of successful green job applicants.

If you weren't able to attend the event, click here to access a long list of green jobs resources, including job-search websites for green collar jobs, education and training, online networking sites, resources articles and more.

Friday, February 5, 2010

Pueblo Leader Joins Mi Casa Board

Mi Casa is pleased to announce that Betty Martinez, small-business owner and community leader from Pueblo, has joined the board of directors. Betty was appointed to the Denver-based Mi Casa board of directors to represent the interests of Pueblo and the small business development programs Mi Casa offers to residents of southern Colorado.


In addition to her involvement with Mi Casa, Betty has served in various capacities for nearly a dozen community groups and charitable organizations, including the Boys & Girls Club of Pueblo, the Pueblo Child Advocacy Center, the Pueblo Latino Chamber of Commerce, YWCA, and Girl Scouts. Betty is a Colorado Lottery Commissioner and the current president of the Pueblo chapter of the League of United Latin American Citizens, better known by its acronym LULAC.


Betty owns a real estate company in Pueblo, and as a Latina entrepreneur herself, Betty was attracted to Mi Casa’s mission to empower underserved entrepreneurs to start their own small businesses. “The programs at Mi Casa really struck a chord with me because I understand the struggles in developing a business,” Betty says. “I became involved with Mi Casa to help open doors for women, people of color and veterans to be successful with their businesses.”


Betty joined Mi Casa’s advisory council to assist with the entrepreneurial training and technical assistance programs offered in Pueblo. Betty frequently serves as a guest presenter to the classes, sharing her insight and encouraging aspiring entrepreneurs to pursue their dreams of self-employment and business ownership. “I tell them that they can do this and that they should ask for advice along the way because people are more willing offer counsel than they realize.”


Betty will be the voice of southern Colorado on Mi Casa’s 12-member board of directors that has traditionally been comprised of only Denver residents. Betty believes that Mi Casa’s southern Colorado programs are vital resources for small business development and local economic growth, and she wants to ensure the sustainability of Mi Casa’s presence in Pueblo. “It’s a different community environment here in Pueblo,” Betty says. “We might not have all the resources that are available in the bigger cities, but we are a close-knit community committed to economic success and empowerment through business, and I want the Denver board members have a better understanding of southern Colorado so that we can be involved in the decisions that affect us.”