I’ve lived on the Front Range of Colorado for the majority of my adult life. In all those years, I’ve fallen in love with Colorado’s mountains, the wildlife that live here, and the inner peace and tranquility I feel after spending some time wandering here. With every passing year, I fall deeper in love as I visit new places and parks throughout the state.

Today, Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV) introduced the End Speculative Oil and Gas Leasing Act of 2020, which would end the practice of leasing low and no potential lands for oil and gas drilling by requiring the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) to assess all lands’ mineral development potential before offering those lands for lease, and prohibiting leasing on any lands found to have low or no development potential. In response to the passage, Maite Arce, Hispanic Access Foundation’s president and CEO, released the following statement:

Today, the 100% Clean Energy Economy Act of 2019 was introduced in Congress by U.S. Reps. Donald McEachin, Deb Haaland, Debbie Dingell, Earl Blumenauer, Paul Tonko, and Bobby Rush. In response to the legislation, which would transition our nation to a 100% clean economy by 2050 and require net-zero carbon pollution, Hispanic Access Foundation President and CEO Maite Arce released the following statement:

Today, the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee voted to advance legislation to provide full, dedicated funding for the Land and Water Conservation Fund. The Land and Water Conservation Fund Permanent Funding Act (S. 1081), was introduced by Sens. Joe Manchin (D-WV) and Cory Gardner (R-Colo.). A bipartisan House companion bill (H.R. 3195) was approved by the House Natural Resources Committee in June. In response to the passage, Maite Arce, Hispanic Access Foundation’s president and CEO, released the following statement:

CALL FOR NOMINATIONS TO THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

For over 10 years, Hispanic Access Foundation has connected Latinos to partners and opportunities, improving lives and creating an equitable society. We are a mission-driven, community-centered organization that works to bring equity and opportunity to all Latinos. We develop leaders, networks, and partners to champion a better America for all. How we do this work is what makes us unique. Hispanic Access Foundation builds bridges of access to and from our Latino communities, we develop leaders to move us from the sidelines to the frontlines, we elevate voices in all areas of life, maximize their collective voices to build a better America for all, and we cultivate trust-based relationships to fuel our mission-driven vision. Whether we’re helping Latinos build their financial literacy, explore workforce opportunities, or become environmental stewards, trust and a commitment to equity is at the core of everything we do. We currently have dynamic leadership and a strong founding board with reputable, connected, and high- performing members. We are now ready to scale up our organization and our board to a new level to serve our stakeholders.

WHO WE ARE LOOKING FOR

We are looking for multiple individuals who want to help us build the next chapter of increased impact, growth, and sustainability for Hispanic Access Foundation.

An ideal Hispanic Access Foundation board member is driven by:

• Dreams for a Bright Future
• Empowerment That Fosters Equity
• Untold Stories of Hidden Strength
• Purpose in Our Community
• Setting a Standard Worth Trusting

You are a...

• Mission-driven individual with a passion for uplifting Latino communities.
• Bridge-builder who can forge strong alliances and networks, grow partnerships, and cultivate influence.
• Person who demonstrates a commitment by making the time to be fully engaged during and between meetings and events, contributing financial resources, and showing up for the organization, other members, and the cause.
• Supporter of healthy communities, stewardship of the environment, and workforce and leadership development as critical elements of creating a bright and fulfilling future for Latinos across the U.S.

Previously experienced and effective as a board member, including:

• Collaborative decision-maker and strategic thinker
• Active participant with excellent interpersonal and communication skills
• Experience with and connections to large leadership networks
• Comfortable with ambiguity that accompanies organizational growth and transition

A good fit with the values and culture of Hispanic Access Foundation, including:

• Trustworthy: integrity, honesty, respect, do what you say you will do.
• Dedicated: Initiative, self-motivated, loyal, hardworking.
• Service to Community: Mission-focused, committed to equity, teamwork, collaborative.
• Versatile: Nimble, adapting, prioritizing, inquisitive, flexible.
• HAF First: Prioritizes organization’s success and sustainability.
• Excellence: High quality and standards, outstanding, never settles, always looking to improve.

A professional with one or more of the following backgrounds:

• Business acumen
• Entrepreneurial leadership
• Philanthropy
• Social enterprise leadership
• Government and/or private partnerships
• Human Resource leadership
• Law expertise

WHAT WE WILL ASK OF YOU

An ideal Hispanic Access Foundation board member will…

• Inform our strategic direction, oversee our financial health, and ensure that best practices in management and leadership are followed.
• Commit to a multi-year term of representing the best interests of the organization, its staff, partners, and volunteers.
• Be willing to help make connections to secure funds and ready to make a personally significant financial contribution.
• Actively collaborate with current board members and cultivate new members.
• Be willing to devote sufficient time to their duties and responsibilities, which include (among other duties):
  • attendance at 3 board meetings per year (2 virtual/1 in person)
  • attendance 1 annual event ○ be prepared to serve to the end of their 3-year term
  • serve as an informed and compelling ambassador to expand Hispanic Access Foundation’s influence and effectiveness with individuals, the public, and other organizations
• Assume expenses for travel, lodging, and miscellaneous costs associated with events and meetings.

HOW TO APPLY

We would love to hear from you. While we primarily serve Hispanic communities, we are open to diversity in all its expressions. Our effectiveness is enhanced when equity and inclusiveness are practiced and protected throughout our organizational governance, culture, and staffing. Recruiting and retaining a diverse board is a priority at Hispanic Access Foundation.

Please visit this link to tell us about your experience and passion for this work. We’ll be taking nominations until October 22 (feel free to self-nominate). We’ll acknowledge receipt of all submissions and reach back out by October 29 for more information to those who appear to be the best fit for advancement in the process. Offers will be extended by November 15, and a board retreat and training will be conducted in January 2022.

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Potrero Group is honored to coordinate board member recruitment on behalf of Hispanic Access Foundation. Potrero Group supports innovative leaders and organizations making a difference in the world by providing rigorous strategy and business planning, organizational effectiveness, and nuanced search services to mission- driven organizations. To join our mailing list and be notified of future opportunities, please visit www.PotreroGroup.com.

Create Your Own I Am Cheo

We may live in different geographies, eat different foods, speak different languages or live very different lives. But, we are all connected through our humanity and the devastation suffered through wildfires, pollution, extreme weather and climate change. Help spread this message!

• Step 1: Record your own video “I Am Cheo” portrait
  Simply use your smart phone to record yourself saying “I Am Cheo” into your camera. 3-5 seconds are all that it takes. Want extra credit? Record yourself in an interesting place or with a cool backdrop.
  
  
• Step 2: Share it on social media
  Post your video portait on social media along with the link to www.IAmCheo.org and #IAmCheo. Don’t forget to tag @hispanicaccess because we’ll share it too!

Background:

• Check out the new @hispanicaccess film #IAmCheo that explores #Latinos, #EnvironmentalJustice and #Wildfires through eyes of young Latino, Cheo, in a sweeping cinematic journey across the lands that are both his history and his future. http://www.iamcheo.org
  
  
• Marginalized and vulnerable communities face the most severe consequences of increasingly damaging wildfires. Latino communities are speaking up and ready for policymakers to take action to address climate change. #LatinosForClimateAction #IAmCheo http://www.iamcheo.org
  
  
• #IAmCheo unites all communities in the need to become advocates against climate change to urge Congress to take action to prepare and protect vulnerable communities from the devastating natural disasters, like wildfires. http://www.iamcheo.org
  
  
• How can Latino and other vulnerable communities be prepared before, during, and after wildfires to secure their safety? Our Wildfire Management Toolkit can help! #IAmCheo http://www.iamcheo.org
  
  
• The new film #IAmCheo shines a spotlight on the Latino community and the effects of #climatechange and #wildfires. The #WildfireManagementToolkit help communities access the services they need to plan, respond, recover and adapt. http://www.iamcheo.org 

Regulation/Policies:

• Latinos experience a higher housing cost burden making it harder to evacuate or rebuild after a fire. We’re ready for policy to help mitigate those consequences in the face of catastrophic wildfires. #LatinosForClimateAction #IAmCheo http://www.iamcheo.org
  
  
• Policy that ensures equal access to all communities to available resources is essential in assisting communities in danger of devastating wildfires. #LatinosForClimateAction #WildfireManagementToolkit #IAmCheo http://www.iamcheo.org
  
  
• The Latino voice is crucial in proactive and integrative land use planning to prepare and protect communities from the devastating effects of wildfires. #LatinosForClimateAction #IAmCheo http://www.iamcheo.org

Public/Mental Health:

• In 2015, 19.5% of the Latino population was not covered by health insurance, creating a disadvantage for the community in receiving the proper health services to rebuild after devastating natural disasters. Our #WildfireManagementToolkit provides resources that can help. #IAmCheo http://www.iamcheo.org
  
  
• Wildfire smoke and air pollution pose higher risks for illness to Latino communities due to the lack of appropriate and inadequate services and resources. Find resources to help in our #WildfireManagementToolkit. #IAmCheo http://www.iamcheo.org
  
  
• PTSD, depression, and stress are often triggered by devastating natural disasters, like wildfires. These trauma-related health concerns are discussed in the #WildfireManagementToolkit. #IAmCheo http://www.iamcheo.org

Response/Recovery:

• There are significant barriers and challenges in immigrant communities in the face of emergency preparedness and disaster relief. How can we break down these barriers to ensure secure re-building after disasters to all communities? #IAmCheo http://www.iamcheo.org
  
  
• Only 39% of Latino households have taken any steps to prepare for an emergency. Emergency management systems NEED to be structured by taking the needs of Latino communities into consideration. #PlanningWithLatinos #IAmCheo http://www.iamcheo.org 

Host a screening

Help spread the word in your community about the importance of engaging Latinos in climate action, emergency management planning, and environmental policies. Click here on how to get started.

Become a CHEO Ambassador

Help engage Latinos in your community to act on climate and prepare for, respond to, or recover from emergencies, natural disasters and the adverse effects of climate change.

Sign Up as a Bilingual Community Hotline Responder

Sign up to be a bilingual emergency hotline responder when natural disasters strike communities. This is a program Hispanic Access Foundation will be building in the next few years to train volunteers to answer questions from monolingual and bilingual Spanish speakers during emergencies. Once the program is developed, we will reach back out to you to provide additional information about how to get trained and involved.

Engage your elected officials

Talk to your city council member(s), mayor, board of county supervisors/commissioners, state legislators, or member(s) of congress about urgently acting to address climate change and mitigate the effects on marginalized and underserved communities

• Schedule a meeting with your representative
• Ask your representatives publicly on social media to take urgent action to address climate change and the adverse effects on Latino communities. See our social media guidance for ideas.
• Invite them to an I am Cheo screening.

Partner with organizations

Collaborate with organizations in your area already taking action to address climate change and engaging Latino and other diverse communities in environmental issues.

Reduce your carbon footprint

While we urge decision makers and government bodies to transition away from fossil fuels towards renewable energy sources, it is also important for us to reduce our carbon footprint. Research online about how to DYI in your home, commute, or other daily activities. Also research programs in your area to reduce your own energy and water consumption.

Share the film

Use the link IamCheo.org to share the film with your friends, family and network!

Take to Social Media

See our social media guidance for ideas

A Guide for Planning a Screening

Film Synopsis

Inspired by the poem, I am Joaquin, by Chicano poet Corky Gonzales, this unique film tells the story of a young boy named Cheo who, from the sights and smells of his abuela’s kitchen, takes a sweeping cinematic journey across the lands that are both his history and his future - he sees the gorges of the Grand Canyon, the antiquity of New Mexican acequias, the majesty of the Rockies, and the urban warmth of downtown Los Angeles. On this journey, Cheo realizes the he is formed by these places - but they need his help, as they are devastated by wildfires, pollution, climate change, and disrepair. Cheo then decides to raise his voice and take action to protect the environment for his familia and generations to come, as it is him and he is it.

1. What is Your Big Picture Goal?

By setting a big picture goal from the outset, a film screening can be an engaging tool to mobilize your community, organizations, and legislators to action. Ask yourself:

What is your big picture goal for screening this film?

Who would you like to engage to take meaningful action?

Some examples to consider:

• Family & friends
• Elected officials: city council, board of commissioners/supervisors, state legislators, members of congress
• Classmates, students at your university, or young professionals in your network
• Fellow colleagues and professional networks
• Fellow church members, faith leaders, or your faith network in your region
• Local community groups, libraries, community centers, or nonprofits
• Schools and teachers

2. Secure the film

If you would like a digital download of the film in HD, a DVD or USB thumb drive, please contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.or (202) 640-4342.

3. Choose a venue

If you need support in finding the right venue for your event, please contact Hispanic Access Foundation.

4. Choose a date & time

How does the timing of the event might influence attendance and your target audience? Another consideration might be to show the film during Latino Conservation Week or Hispanic Heritage Month

5. Panel Discussion?

Are you interested in hosting a panel discussion or roundtable directly after the screening of the film? Consider how the panelists or guest speaker contribute to your big picture goal. If you would like support in finding or reaching out to experts or guest speakers, please contact Hispanic Access Foundation.

6. Register your screening

Please register your screening at IamCheo.org. Once registered, you will have access to our team and additional resources from Hispanic Access Foundation.

7. Promote your event

Please register your event and contact Hispanic Access Foundation if you would like support in promoting your event.

Emergency management systems have historically been built and structured without the needs of Latino communities taken into consideration. Due to this lack of consideration, Latinos are more likely to experience delayed alerts, slow access to information and emergency response services, in addition to inadequate or insufficient disaster relief and recovery resources. In order to truly build equitable emergency management systems, agencies, organizations, and decision makers must proactively collaborate at all levels - local, federal, and state - and plan with their Latino constituents to build response and recovery systems that serve all members of society.

• From disaster damage assessments to final permits on rebuilt homes, the chain of data collections, analyses, and decisions is always complicated, often inconsistently regulated, and likely to leave gaps through which the neediest and most underserved disaster victims can slip.
• One study of Hispanic renters found that 66% do not have renters insurance, 5% do not know, and 29% are insured.
• While 79% of Latino adults in the U.S. believe preparedness is a very important issue, only 39% of Latino households have taken any steps to prepare for an emergency.
• A 2007 study found that of 301 organizational websites on emergency preparedness - including government, private, nonprofit, community, and academic - the vast majority of organizations involved in emergency response preparedness had not integrated the needs of racially and ethnically diverse communities. Of these organizations, 49% made no mention of these diverse communities, 38% made some mention primarily in the context of translated materials, and 13% did focus on these diverse communities.

A Duke University study identified significant barriers and challenges in immigrant communities in the face of emergency preparedness and disaster relief:

• Lack of inclusion of all community members in disaster planning
• Linguistic barriers in disaster preparedness and response
• Lack of readily available translated/understandable preparedness materials
• Lack of easily accessible translated emergency alerts
• Lack of translated signage and culturally sensitive bilingual/multilingual service providers Lack of cultural competence by service providers
• Failure to inform immigrants of their right to disaster aid Failure to address fears of deportation/public charge and distrust of government
• Discrimination and racial profiling leading to exclusion of individuals from shelters/aid and inquiries about immigration status
• Unique barriers facing immigrants
• Lack of transportation assistance (especially for migrant workers) Unclear process for responding to loss of documents (by USCIS)
• Failure to acknowledge structural inequities and different social structures in diverse, rural communities
• Lack of coordination between different government agencies and tiers in disaster response

Research & Resources for Solutions

As the Latino population continues to grow in both urban and rural communities, decision makers must address how traditional emergency management systems have not equitably served marginalized and vulnerable communities in order to make a proactive shift to ensure all members of society are prepared for wildfires and have equitable access to resources and services to respond to and recover after these disasters.

• Emergency Managers Toolkit: Meeting the Needs of Latino Communities 
• FEMA - Civil Rights Title VI in Federally Assisted Programs 
• A Checklist for Emergency Managers
• Tips and Tools for Reaching Limited English Proficient Communities in Emergency Preparedness, Response, and Recovery 
• Guidance to State, Local Governments, Other Federally Assisted Recipients Engaged in Emergency Preparedness 
• NALEO National Policy Institute on Emergency Response & Management 
• National and Seasonal Farmworker Emergency Preparedness Planning Guide 
• National Resource Center on Advancing Emergency Preparedness for Culturally Diverse Communities 
• A Guide for Including People with Disabilities in Disaster Preparedness Planning 
• A Mobile Medical Care Approach Targeting Underserved Populations in Post-Hurricane Katrina Mississippi 
• Disaster Aid Eligibility Processes Risk Cutting Out Low-Income Households in Need 
• Center for American Progress - After the Fire: Vulnerable Communities Respond and Rebuild 
• Problems with damage assessments can keep disaster victims from receiving the help they need 
• How Better Data Can Inform Decisions and Improve Disaster Recovery 
• National Low Income Housing Coalition: Disaster Recovery Coalition - 7 Principles of Disaster Recovery 
• National Low Income Housing Coalition: Disaster Housing Recovery Educational Resources 
• Google Crisis Map: Weather, Hazards & Emergency Preparedness 
• Fire, Weather & Avalanche: Active Fire & Weather Maps 
• FEMA’s Failure to Address Long-Term Housing Needs of Survivors 
• Disaster Rental Assistance Programs at FEMA and HUD 
• Addressing the Needs of Immigrants and Limited English Proficient (LEP) Communities in Disaster Planning and Relief 

Media & Communications

Providing alerts, updates and communicating with the public is critical for successful emergency management systems. Ensuring these communications are accessible to all members of a community, including individuals with limited English proficiency, is not only good practice, but it is also the law under Title VI of the Civil Right Act of 1964. Historically, however, emergency management systems have overlooked Latino communities that speak Spanish and indigenous languages. An overlooked strategy to quickly and efficiently engage Latino communities before, during, and after a wildfire is through Spanish language media outlets and other media platforms commonly used by Latinos. It is critical that decision makers proactively survey and engage Latino populations in their communities to ensure that emergency response communications strategies accurately reflect the unique needs of Latinos and other diverse communities in their jurisdiction.

• 95% of Hispanic consumers tune into the radio in an average week.
• In 2010, the number of US Latino households with TV sets increased by 3.1%, which was three times more than all households in the U.S. general market, and television advertising grew 10%, doubling the bounce that network TV overall received.
• More than 90% of Hispanics under 50 use the Internet, compared to 67% for those 50 to 64 and 42% for those 65 and over. 94% of U.S. Latinos who speak primarily English use the Internet, compared to 86% of those who are bilingual and 74% of those who speak primarily Spanish.
• In a 2018 survey of Spanish-speaking participants about their experiences during the wildfires in northern California, over 60% of respondents turned to TV outlets, over 40% to Facebook, over 40% to Nixle, over 30% to radio outlets, over 20% to websites, and less than 10% to newspapers for information when the fires first broke out.

Research & Resources for Solutions

Proactively engaging Latinos in emergency management planning and communication systems will ensure critical emergency response and recovery information reaches all members of a community. Latino communities are diverse and the manner in which families and communities share information and communicate can vary depending on their primary language, national origin, socioeconomic status and access to technology, and preferred media platforms. It is essential for decision makers, agencies and emergency response managers to understand the unique communication patterns among Latinos in their communities to adequately and efficiently communicate with all members of society.

• Desconectado: How Emergency Information Got Lost in Translation During the Northern California Wildfires. 
• Reaching and Engaging with Hispanic Communities: A Research-Informed Communication Guide for Nonprofits, Policymakers, and Funders 
• Ready, Set, Go - Media Advisory Template | Spanish template 
• Wildfire Safety Social Media Toolkit