Maite’s family emigrated to the U.S. from Mexico in search for work and a better life in the 1970s, and she was raised in Southern California. While working in the nonprofit sector for many years, she realized how much easier life could have been for her parents had they had access to information, resources, and personalized guidance to help them navigate the surroundings of their adopted country upon their arrival to the U.S. Her family has since become naturalized citizens, active voters, and engaged in community service.

Maite is the Founder of Hispanic Access Foundation. She has fifteen years of experience developing innovative outreach strategies that effectively mobilize under-represented populations working with faith and community based leaders with whom she designs and executes data driven and measurable outreach initiatives.

Maite formerly served as Vice President of Operations for the Hispanic Council for Reform and Educational Options (Hispanic CREO), increasing Latino parental involvement in education and public policy participation among Latino faith and community leaders. Maite received an honorary doctorate of Humane Letters from Logos Christian College in Jacksonville, Florida.

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Arizona – from its major urban cities of Phoenix and Tucson to more rural towns like Yuma to San Luis – depends on the Colorado River, which supplies nearly 40 percent of the water used in the state. However, the river is shared with six other states, plus the nation of Mexico, and is over allocated as we use more water than what is stored in Lake Mead. Prolonged drought and changes in climate have reduced supplies even further. Arizona is growing and changing as Latinos become an increasingly larger portion of the population. Engaging this population on water-smart solutions is critical for the state’s future.

Recent immigrants encounter many challenges as they seek to integrate into American society and make a better life for themselves and their families. Today's economic downturn has stalled the rapid rise of Hispanics in the workforce, however, according to a report by the Population Labor Bureau, by 2050, the Hispanic population is projected to reach 24 percent of U.S. the labor force.

The Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Hispanic Access Foundation (HAF), Roberto Salazar, provided the keynote address for this year’s Hispanic Heritage Month celebration at the Commodities Futures Trading Commission (CFTC). Salazar’s remarks focused on the seismic demographic shift occurring in the U.S. and the diversity that exists within the U.S. Hispanic community.

HAF and HRB launch program to educate Spanish-speaking taxpayers Hispanic Access Foundation has announced it has partnered with H&R Block, the world's largest tax services provider, to educate Spanish-speaking taxpayers about tax issues affecting where they live, work and play. HAF and H&R Block will work with leaders in select communities to discuss tax topics, promote regular informational seminars called Tax Talks and participate in community events.

 Denver-based nonprofit Environmental Learning for Kids and Washington, D.C.-based Hispanic Access Foundation have launched an education and outreach campaign that has introduced Denver-area Latino youth to the great outdoors, and empowered them to call on President Obama to protect it.

The Hispanic Access Foundation has announced it will continue its partnership with H&R Block, the world’s largest tax services provider, to launch the next phase of its campaign “Prepárate Para Un Futuro Mejor” (Prepare Yourself for a Better Future) to educate Spanish-speaking taxpayers about tax issues affecting where they live, work and congregate. The outreach efforts, set to kick off this summer, will be targeting cities around the nation.

Our country’s steadfast efforts to protect the environment this year finally paid off last Saturday when Congress granted $322.9 million to the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) to protect lands and jobs in 2012. This is a $20 million increase from last year’s budget and reflects the widespread support for the fund. In 2011, Hispanic Access Foundation (HAF) worked with Environmental Learning for Kids (ELK) and other organizations to push for more funding for LWCF. HAF learned that 95 percent of Latinos supported full funding for LWCF and that 9 in 10 Americans wanted Congress to stop siphoning funds for the program.

Spanish-speaking taxpayers can face barriers of language, fraud and misinformation WASHINGTON – When it comes to taxes, many Hispanics face an uphill battle wrought with barriers such as language, fraud and misinformation. To help address Spanish-speaking taxpayers’ needs for trustful and credible help, the Hispanic Access Foundation has launched an eight-city outreach and educational campaign in partnership with H&R Block, the world’s largest tax services provider.