Hispanic Access Foundation is announcing the winner of the Houston New Futuro Laptop Photo Contest! The winner is Liliana Lizeth Ibarra. How did she win?  Liliana went to the New Futuro College Summit at the Reliant Center in Houston on October 6^th.  She found the Hispanic Access Foundation booth and had her photo taken by one of our photographers. 

Hispanic Access Foundation is announcing the winners of the New York New Futuro Laptop Photo Contest! In New York there was a tie in the number of the most likes, with both contestants getting more than 1,200 likes each.  We are announcing Karol Emely Rodriguez as the first winner; the other winner's profile will be posted soon. A little about Karol: her mom is Peruvian and dad is Dominican. 

Congratulations to Elianeth Mary Brito. Brito, a 15-year-old 11^th grader from Miami, was born in Puerto Rico and wants to attend the University of Florida or the University of Central Florida to major in Creative Writing and minor in Drama.

In New York there was a tie for the number of the most likes, with both contestants getting more than 1,200 likes!  We are now announcing our second winner, Miss Ana Rodriguez. A little about Ana: She is Mexican- American and lives in the Bronx.  She’s currently a 10^th grader.  At her high school she is studying design and construction because she wants to be an architect. She wants to go to college in Florida.

On Nov. 9, the Department of the Interior released a plan that would require oil shale companies to provide solid proof that their activities will balance the state’s economic and environmental needs before starting any commercial exploitation. Reversing a Bush-era decision that would have given industry free reign on 2 million acres of public lands, BLM’s plan effectively protects 1.6 million acres of public land, as well as areas of critical wildlife habitat.

Talk about a statement!

Regardless of which political party you align yourself with, the 2012 presidential election proved that Latinos are a force that can’t be ignored or superficially placated as record numbers of Latinos went to the polls on Nov. 6 and cast their vote.

While this will undoubtedly serve as a wake up call to our nation’s politicians, it should also underscore the need of corporations, government institutions and other organizations in America to embrace Latinos as part of its consumer and civic base.

The Race Track Chaplaincy of America awarded Chaplain Israel “Izzy” Vega its annual Community Service Award, on November 1, 2012 at Santa Anita Park in Arcadia, California.

Vega has 40 years of ministry experience in evangelism, event coordination and media relations in Latin America and the United States. Vega has worked with the Hispanic Access Foundation to bring our programs to the employees of the Race Track Industry at four racetracks in California and Texas.

According to research conducted by the American Cancer Society and the Intercultural Cancer Council, cancer is the second leading cause of death among Hispanic adults after heart disease. Hispanic women have two to three times the cervical cancer rates of non-Hispanic white women. Hispanic men and women have higher rates of stomach cancer than non-Hispanic populations. Lung cancer and breast cancer are the deadliest cancers among Hispanic men and Hispanic women, respectively.

For Latinos, the 2012 tax return presents significant opportunity. In fact, the potential impact of key legislative changes for the nation's fastest growing population is unprecedented. Starting in 2014, many people -- not just Latinos -- who do not have health insurance may be able to receive a subsidy based on their household income and family size to help with the cost.

Paying your taxes is not only an obligation for all those working in this country, but also one of the best ways to show your generosity and loyalty to the country that has welcomed you. Without an efficient tax system, a modern society cannot exist. But, like about everything else in life, there are many out there ready to take advantage of other people’s goodwill and good heart by scamming them through fraudulent tax schemes.