Amigas Latinas

Two Latin@ Scholarship Opportunities

Amig@s: Here we have two great scholarship opportunities for Latin@s students. Feel free to pass on the information—spread the word!

2011 ILLCF SCHOLARSHIP GUIDELINES & APPLICATION

The Illinois Legislative Latino Caucus Foundation is pleased to announce that it will soon grant twenty $2,000 scholarships to deserving full-time college students who are residents of Illinois, attending Illinois colleges or universities, and of Latino ancestry.  The deadline for receiving applications is October 21, 2011. Scholarships will be awarded to successful applicants on Friday, November 18, 2011, during the scholarship luncheon portion of the 9th annual ILLCF conference held at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center in Rosemont, Illinois. More information.

http://www.illcf.org/index.php?src=gendocs&ref=scholarship_application>http://www.illcf.org/index.php?src=gendocs&ref=scholarship_application>

Hispanic Scholarship Fund (HSF) General College Scholarship.

This application is open September 1st through December 15th for the
following academic year.  Application Instructions here:
«https://apply.hsf.net/applications/id.41/default.asp>https://apply.hsf.net/applications/id.41/default.asp>

Resources at Vida/SIDA

Hola Amigas, in this article we are updating you with resources available from Vida/SIDA. Many of their programs are free—and they try their best to make things as accessible as possible. Below are descriptions of their programs and details. If you need more information about these resources—or Vida/SIDA in general—feel free to contact:

Cassandra Avenatti, Program Coordinator, Vida/SIDA

2703 West Division, Chicago, ILCassandraa@prcc-chgo.org

We currently have youth programming for folks of all genders, as well as free HIV/STI Testing, Comprehensive Risk Counseling Services (CRCS) and a safe and identity-affirming drop-in space. Our community  programs are listed below: 

• Generation L is a community-level HIV prevention intervention for MSM and transgender (male to female) youth between the ages of 18-24. The program utilizes social events and public performances to convey a prevention message, and is designed to be fun and relevant for queer Latin@ youth. The group members design monthly safer sex campaigns, conducts monthly themed (and often costumed!) outreach and hosts social events throughout the year. Additionally, participants facilitate safer sex sessions called ‘Just the Tip’ each month in the youth space. We have opportunities for youth to obtain a small stipend for their participation.

• Our drop-in is a comfortable space with a kitchen and living room equipped with couches, computers, a television and art supplies for the youth to use. The space is open from 10 am until 8 pm Monday through Friday.

• Queer Women’s Group: Vida/SIDA is starting a social/support group for female-identified LGBTQ folks. The group is meant to serve as an outlet for young women and to celebrate our beautifully queer identities. The group will meet every Tuesday from 6:30 - 8:30, and our first meeting is on November 1st! There will be food, a kiddie cocktail bar and plenty of discussion! Group members will decide upon the name, ground rules and format for the group. 

We encourage you to utilize community resources when/if possible—support community organizations by attending, participating, and spreading the word! Enjoy your weekend Amigas.

 

Amiguitas Latinas Updates!

Support queer youth and read up on Amiguitas’ Updates for Fall!

Amiguitas General Discription Amigas Latinas partnered with Center on Halsted to develop Amiguitas, the first youth group in Chicago specifically for Latina adolescents and 20somethings who identify as LGBTQQ. The group is coordinated by a young Latina lesbian with the support of the volunteers and board members. Amiguitas meets the second Friday of each month and conducts discussions on issues specific to this generation. In addition, the group coordinates outings such as movie nights, bowling, recreation activities and cultural events.

To connect with Amiguitas go the the amiguitas facebook page (http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100000176737401) or contact us at amiguitas@amigaslatinas.org.  

Last Months Event In September, the Amiguitas group prepared for Halloween by doing a movie outing to see Don’t Be Afraid of the Dark.  It was a scary night of jumps, popcorn, screams and laughter. After the movie the group hung out and began planning the October Halloween event.  

October Amiguitas voted to spend October at the Six Flags Great America Fright Fest.  If you are interested in joining us please sign up by emailing us at amiguitas@amigaslatinas.org.

We have limited funding to cover expenses so it is first come, first serve.  Sign up early. We will be making transporation arrangements together.  

Internship

Amigas Latinas is seeking a youth intern. Apply—see our previous Tumblr posting!

Youth Intern Job Opening

Amigas Latinas

Youth Intern Job Opening 

THE ORGANIZATION:
Founded in 1995, Amigas Latinas is a 501(C)(3) organization whose mission is to empower Latina women who love women by providing a safe environment, education, and advocacy to impact family, friends and the larger communities we live in.

Youth Intern Position - Monthly $125 Stipend Provided

The youth intern works 10-15 hours a month and works closely with the Amiguitas Coordinator and peripherally with the Board of Directors. The position will be responsible for outreach to potential new members of Amigas Latinas and support the work of Amiguitas.

Primary responsibilities include:

 

• Initiate outreach efforts particularly within the 16-24 age groups of Latina LGBTQQ community
• Work with Gay/Straight Alliances in high schools to inform teachers and students about Amigas Latinas and Amiguitas
• Oversee projects as distributed by Amiguitas Coordinator
• Maintain weekly communication with supervisor
• Work major Amigas Latinas events such as annual gala
• Work with Amigas Latinas staff to support the mission and vision of Amigas Latinas
• Evening and weekend hours may be required

Qualifications

· Self-directed, highly motivated, reliable

· Ability to multitask projects and meet deadlines

· Organized, good writing and verbal skills

 

Send cover letter and resume to:

 

Alicia Vega at amiguitas@amigaslatinas.org

 

Our New Space is Here!

We are pleased to announce an update about our search for a new space. We are still intent on partnering with Affinity Community Services and Black Women for Reproductive Justice in order to create a community center for women of color and the LGBTQ community. However, the space we had originally sought out is no longer available. All three organizations are still committed to joint programming and working closely together as we explore other space options.

We have located a temporary office space for the Amigas team in the Logan Square Community at 2329 North Milwaukee. It is an exciting time here at Amigas as we move and settle in! We’d like to thank everyone for their support as we transition into this space to continue our work—fierce and proud!

More information will be available as we begin to move in. We can always use volunteers to help us make this new space feel more like a second casita!

Latina Queer Women in Chicago

Mujeres Latinas en Acción and Amigas Latinas present “Latina Queer Women in Chicago” a Latina Portrait Report on October 12, 2011 at DePaul University –Lincoln Park Campus.  This event is open and free to the public.

CHICAGO, IL (September 28, 2011)- Mujeres Latinas en Acción and Amigas Latinas recently released the results for the Proyecto Latina Survey, the only research study to focus on Latina Queer Women in Chicago.  On October 12, 2011 at DePaul University-Lincoln Park Campus at 6pm (Student Center Room 313) the presenters will address experiences and challenges of Latina Queer women in Chicago such as: What issues do Latina LGBTQQ women face in Chicago? How do Latina LGBTQQ women overcome discrimination, homophobia, and mental health issues? The Latina Queer Women in Chicago report is part of the Latina Portrait a series of reports sponsored by Mujeres Latinas en Acción which assess the needs of local Latinas and their families and offer recommendations solutions to address their challenges.  Learn about innovative strategies and programs being developed to help Latina women navigate experiences of intimate partner violence.

The stories and data represented in the Latina Queer Women in Chicago report were gathered and organized by Amigas Latinas.  They conducted the ground-breaking Proyecto Latina survey that was the first project of its kind in Chicago to provide critical information on Latina LGBTQ women.  The event will include panelists Nicole Perez, Howard Brown Researcher, Lu Rocha, Executive Director and Co-Founder of Women for Economic Justice, Dayi Peguero, therapist, Family Building Blocks, and Lourdes Torres, Professor of Latin American and Latino Studies at DePaul University.   All those who identify with the LGBTQ community, Latin@s concerned about Latin@ about Latin@s, and allies of the Latin@ and queer community are strongly encouraged to attend.

Mujeres Latinas en Acción empowers Latinas through providing services which reflect their values and culture and being an advocate on the issues that make a difference in their lives.  Amigas Latinas’ mission is to empower Latina lesbian, bisexual, transgender, queer and questioning women by providing a safe environment, personal growth, support, education, and advocacy to impact family, friends, and the larger communities we live in.

Event is sponsored by the Center for Latino Research at DePaul University, it is free and open to the public.  For more information email malanis@depaul.edu or call 773-325-7316/4818. 

October Letter from the Board

Hola Amig@s!

Welcome to another fall season here with the team at Amigas Latinas. We hope that you are keeping warm, dry, and comfortable as the weather changes.

We would like to also announce three new members to join our fantastic board: Emilia Chico, Olivia Tellez, and Jessica Carrillo. Each new member brings with them a background in activism and advocacy, community leadership, and a fierce dedication to Amigas Latinas. All three served on the Siempre Latina Gala Committee for 2011. Welcome new board members and thank you for being an integral part of Amigas Latinas!

Amigas is undergoing a variety of changes and transitions now and through the end of the year. We congratulate our current board president Rosa on her new position at Lambda Legal—we know that she will continue to advocate for our communities and create empowering change. Rosa will be stepping down as president—but still continue to serve on the board—as of the end of this year. As we make transitions within the board we will keep you updated.

You’ll see us throughout Chicago this fall—such as October 3^rd at the Chicago Foundation for Women’s Annual Luncheon. We had materials passed out at the Center on Halsted’s LGBT College Fair on September 24^th and were a part of the LGBT Immigration Rights Community Forum on September 27^th.  A special thank you to our founder Mona Noriega for moderating that integral event.

We would like to thank each and every one of you for your support and love—we are proud to be part of such an empowering community. Truly, you are what makes Amigas fierce and proud. We are honored to be able to continue on the work of Christina Santiago.

Thank you for reading and keeping connected with us. We wish you the very best of fall seasons!

Take care Amig@s!

Sincerely,

The Amigas Latinas Board and Staff