LAA continues to give out food to families
The LAA has distributed more than 180,000 pounds of food at Plaza Fiesta and the LAA over
the past four months.
On Saturday, August 29, we welcomed about 800 families to the LAA for a food distribution event.

We are grateful to Athena Farms, DeKalb County and Atlanta Family Meal for donating produce, dairy, bags of chicken and prepared meals for our families. Since May 1, the LAA has organized seven food distribution events, mostly in partnership with Telemundo Atlanta, Plaza Fiesta and the Atlanta Community Food Bank.
To date, the LAA has given out food to 5,000 families at these outreach events.
 
We continue to see a huge demand in our community for basic necessities, including food and money to pay the rent and utility bills.

Since the pandemic started, the LAA has given out about $300,000 in financial assistance for rent and utilities to Latino families.

 
Upcoming Signature Events
Thursday, October 15

Thursday, October 29, and Saturday, October 31
 
Thursday, December 3
A family is reunited during the pandemic
“My family is now with me and everything has turned out well,” Trejo said. “I am so grateful for all of the help that the LAA gave me.”
After years apart, Manuel Trejo has finally reunited with his wife and their three teenage children in Atlanta.
 
Trejo first arrived in the U.S. in the late 1980s to work in agriculture. He has been an immigration legal services client of the LAA since 2011, when he came for his green card renewal.

In 2015 the LAA started the naturalization process for him and a family petition for his family, while he traveled back and forth by bus to see his family in El Naranjo, a small town outside of Mexico City.
 
A few months ago, Trejo found out that the petition for permanent residency for his wife and children had been approved. In the midst of the pandemic, his wife Maria Elena and their three children, Juanita, Fanny and Juan Manuel, traveled from Mexico to reunite with Trejo. His children are now 18, 16 and 13 years old.

The Trejo family is now reunited at their home in Chamblee.

 
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Dear friends,
 
I am glad to greet you for the first time as CEO of the LAA. When I left my role as director of employment services in 2004, I knew that it was only a matter of time before I would come back to serve our community. The LAA feels like home to me.
 
Taking the helm of the LAA during a pandemic has been surreal. I’ve been on the job for two months, and I’m enjoying every minute of it. It’s a pleasure working with the dedicated staff as they serve the needs of our families during these difficult times. I had the privilege of working alongside some of the staff on August 29 at a food distribution event at the LAA, the seventh such event we have organized since May 1. The need in our community is huge, and I’m honored to be here at this time.
 
While the state of our world still feels uncertain, one thing I’m certain about is how fortunate I am to be back home. There is a long road ahead to steer our community out of crisis, but I know that with supporters like you, we’re well on our way.
 
On December 3rd, we will be celebrating “Somos Georgia” (We are Georgia) at our virtual 32nd annual Latin Fever Ball. We are excited to have Rudy and Lois Beserra and Sam and Robin Zamarripa as our co-chairs. I hope to see you then, if not before.
 
Until next time,
Latinas continue to show interest in entrepreneurship program
The Latinas’ Economic Empowerment Program has been offering for years an eight-week in-person course for aspiring Latina entrepreneurs. But earlier this year, the course went virtual as the pandemic made it difficult for the classes to be offered on site.

Mónica Cucalón, managing director of economic empowerment, says that interest among Latinas to start their own business has grown in the past few months. In the spring, a record 120 women registered for the course, which continues to be offered via Zoom.

Cucalón says that by going virtual, Latinas from outside the metro area are now able to participate in the course. Plus, she explains, people have more time – and willingness – to learn new things. As uncertainty over the pandemic and the economy continues, many Latinas are looking at starting businesses or developing new sources of income.

Currently, 50 participants are taking the class, and a new one starts in October.
Many Latinas are using this time to learn entrepreneurship skills. Our 40-hour women’s program is now offered via Zoom.
2750 Buford Highway, NE
Atlanta, GA 30324
404.638.1800

308 North Clayton St.
Lawrenceville, GA 30046
678.205.1018 

508 E Morris St.
Dalton, GA 30721
706.272.1992
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