Present: Michelle Christensen, Zandra Garcia, Kathy Hicks, Amy Crook, Steve Rodriguez, Chad McGehee, Toni Leal, John Horn, Beth Busching, Mary Hernandez, Ulysses Diaz, Yasmeen Villaseñor, Hugo Jacobo, Kris Stefani, and Carla Raynor.

 

Introductions made and February Agenda/ January minutes were approved.

 

 

Website: The website is ready to go just waiting to finalize a few details. We are looking for upcoming events from the Action Groups to place onto the website calendar. Those with such information please send to Kathy at kathyh@bengordoncenter.org or our tech person Jacque Norris at jacquen@bengordoncenter.org.

The Future Is Ours – Lindsey was not present to report. Zandra reminded group if they know of any Latina women in the community who would like to share their story of success to please contact Lindsey.

Hispanic 4-H Club update – John: In the process of making connections with the parents.

Free Screenings at Hospital – Beth: “Know Your Numbers” session, will be done in May, instead of April at the Conexion Comunidad for the Hispanic community. Testing will include things such as cholesterol, triglycerides, and glucose. They will mail the results to the participants to take to their doctor or clinic. The Feb 20 session is full and the Feb 27 session is almost full and will be done at the Kishwaukee Hospital. The Health Department session has changed from March 16 to April 6.  

Conexion Comunidad Annual Board Mtg – Zandra:  February 1, 2010 is the annual board meeting at 6:00pm. Everyone is welcome to attend. Let Zandra know if you would like to come or to become a member.

 

DREAM Act NIU Sponsor Invite March 19: This program is ran through the Latino Resource Center at NIU. This organization is student-driven and works to increase awareness and support of the DREAM Act Bill among the NIU community. They have started a scholarship fund for high school seniors, transfer students, or those already attending NIU for the 2010-2011 school year. The scholarship is open to everyone. It will consist of a two question essay with a due date of April 1. They will award two scholarships in the amounts of $500 each. Their goal is to raise $5000.00 through various fundraisers to increase the two scholarship amounts to $2500.00 each. They are in need of volunteers. You can make a monetary donation directly to the scholarship fund at any TCF Bank using Account Name: DREAM Action NIU and Account Number 4877034697. For further information please contact Yasmeen Villasenor at yvillansenor323@gmail.com or Hugo Jacobo at hg.jacobo@gmail.com.

 

H1N1 Clinic Conexion Comunidad: Bette Chilton would like to hold a clinic at the Conexion Comunidad. Zandra will discuss this further with her to determine dates.

Reports 

Health Subcommittee Report: Have not yet met. No report.

    Kishwaukee Hospital: No report.

 

    DeKalb Health Dept: No one present to report.

 

City, County, or Community: Gave a brief overview of what services they provide. For further information please contact Mary Hernandez at mhernandez@dekalbcounty.org or Ulysses Diaz at udiaz@dekalbcounty.org.

DCP/SAFE: DCP/SAFE was nominated for the Service to Science Academy. If we are selected to participate a training opportunity will follow. The SIMSA (Safe In My Sisters Arms) and SIMBA (Safe In My Brothers Arms) organization may join our coalition. They work with the African American youth. Our collected data shows an increase of alcohol and tobacco use in the African American population. By working together, we hope to find ways to promote positive change. We are looking to further our advertising methods through technology by means such as Facebook, Twitter, and other. Jacque Norris, our tech person will head this area to bring us into the new and exciting world of technology. We are in the process of branching out to find different ways for advertising our message. Will begin surveying in March, April, and May. If anyone has any questions specific to the Latino youth or parent community that you feel needs to be addressed, please contact Kathy ASAP. Safe Kids Action Group has car seats for different stages available to have. If you know of anyone in need please contact Kathy Hicks at kathyh@bengordoncenter.org or 815-758-6501 x 112.  

Higher Education: Carla shared schedules of classes offered for the English and Spanish speaking community. She also brought a list of Special Programs. Kish College will hold a Hispanic Open House on April 14 at the Conference Center. The open house covers the A-Z of attending college and is done in Spanish.

 Contiuning Education: During the fall, they were able to offer a basic computer and excel class for the Latino businesses owners held in Genoa. They will offer these classes again in the spring. They are currently looking for an instructor for Quick Books and How to Write a Business Plan. If you know of anyone please contact them ASAP. They have classes in Rochelle on Spanish literacy for the Latino community. If you think there is a need here, they would like to hold classes at the Conexion Comunidad. The instructor in Rochelle is willing to commute to DeKalb to teach the classes here. There is a moderate fee for the classes.

 

 

    DeKalb: Rich LeBron will do a ESL Bilingual Transition Night in April for those students going into 9^th grade in the fall.  

 

Law Enforcement: Officer Rodriguez updated us on a case that was happening before the holidays with identity theft. Two persons were casing Jewel/Osco, stealing peoples ID’s and credit cards, going into the parking lot, and within minutes making new ID’s and credit cards with the stolen information. Due to educating the Jewel/Osco employees they were able to arrest the two suspects. They have yet to find the vehicle used with the high tech equipment. Lesson: keep close eye on your wallets, purses, ID’s, and credit cards. If you think they are missing, report them as so and have them replaced.  

 

Housing:  No report.

 

Domestic Violence: No report.  

 

Child Care:  No report.

 

Workforce: No report.

 

Conexion Comunidad: Nothing new to add from above.

 

 

Michelle Christensen

Recorder