"This rally, like all the others, will show legislators once again that Hispanic parents want school choice. This legislative session will only get a gold star from Hispanics once school choice is made a reality," said Rebeca Nieves Huffman, President and CEO of Hispanic CREO.

In other news...

Evangelical Ministers Met to Educate, Inform and Mobilize Faith Leaders on School Choice

Austin, TX - About 60 leaders from the National Alliance of Evangelical Ministers (AMEN) gathered with Hispanic CREO's staff and Vice President Maite Arce in an informative session called "Christian Leaders Expanding Educational Opportunity for Latino Children in Texas," on January 12.

The evening provided the opportunity for attendees to talk about the important role the church leadership has to inform Latino parents about their options in schools.

For too long Hispanics have followed and it's time we lead our children to better educational options and our community. What we don't realize is that our presence, influences legislators and the future of our kids. The time is now, the time for school choice," said Jessie Miranda during his keynote speech.

Phoenix, AZ - The Arizona Supreme Court declined to hear a school choice lawsuit filed by the American Civil Liberties Union of Arizona, People for the American Way and the Arizona Center for Law in the Public Interest.

The lawsuit challenged the newly enacted school choice programs, which allow $2.5 million to be used in vouchers for disabled and foster care students. These organizations, as well as other school choice opponents, claim the programs violate the state’s Blaine Amendment, by providing public funds to private and/or sectarian schools.

However, the United States Supreme Court, Ohio State Supreme Court, Wisconsin Supreme Court, Arizona Supreme Court and the Illinois Court of Appeals have all previously determined that school choice does not violate a state’s constitutional religious clause. To access Hispanic CREO's press releases archive and to read the complete release please click here.

Denver, CO - Hispanic CREO organizer Linda Sosa, along with parents and volunteers, celebrated Three Kings Day at Saint Cayetan Church in Denver. At the event held on January 8, 2007, participants collected 2,500 toys, which were distributed among several organizations.

Linda Sosa and Hispanic CREO would like to thank the following institutions and collaborators: Rodolfo J. Cárdenas (and News Crew Univision Colorado) Univision Colorado, Santa María Church, Pizza Patrón, Alma Dávila, Su Casita, Danilo y Alejandro Concha, Periódico El Milenio, Periódico El Heraldo de Colorado, Revista Punto Clave, Revista Hogar es mi Solución, and Wells Fargo Bank. We also would like to thank all 45 volunteers who helped at the event.

Miami, FL - Hispanic CREO is very pleased to have collaborated this month with our affiliate leader, Reverend Miguel Rivera, President of the National Coalition of Latino Clergy & Christian Leaders (CONLAMIC) to hold a Pastors' meeting in Miami, Florida.

Sixty Latino Christian leaders gathered at the Miami Sheraton Hotel for a luncheon to discuss the next steps in a series of school choice meetings.

This meeting was critical because leaders signed an memorandum of understanding with CONLAMIC and Hispanic CREO, endorsing school choice efforts in Florida. Leaders have now made the personal commitment to serve as faith-based advocates for school choice and have joined the fight to protect and expand the CTC and McKay scholarships in Florida. Along with Rev. Rivera, speakers included Rebeca Nieves Huffman, John Kirtley, and Julio Fuentes.

Every hour that passes in America, more Hispanics are signing El Grito to guarantee that every all parents have the freedom to choose the best school for their children. Please visit www.justicebychoice.org
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