Centro de Ayuda Board of Directors May 16, 2009 Minutes

In Attendance: Jorge Hernandez, Judy Fontanini, Barbara Dougherty, Susan Church, Gazpar Pedro, Sophia Bonilla R, Will Quillian, Sheryl Eldridge.

Barbara called the meeting to order at 9:00 a.m. The March minutes were approved. Judy gave the treasurer’s report. The balance for April was $13,203.

There is a deposit of $3,261.50 for the Folk Dancers. Jorge Hernandez reported that Centro de Ayuda did not receive the Trust Management grant. They had more applications than they had money for. He is still waiting to hear from Samaritan Pacific.

Jan Kaplan called, he is a board member, and said we may get half of what was requested, United Way sent an email; the deadline to apply is the 28th. Jorge submitted a grant to the county for $12,000 and will give a report to them next Tuesday with Sheryl.

Gaspar gave the Folk Dance Report. On May 1st they gave a workshop at Sam Case from 9-2. They received a donation of $200. On May 5th they performed at the Inn at Spanish Head. They celebrated Dia de los Ninos at Newport Middle School on May 7, and on May 9th had their fundraiser, with about 265 people attending. They’ve had problems reserving a room at the Newport Recreation Center; it might be less expensive to purchase insurance and practice at a school. Jorge mentioned that Health and Human Services wants to use ten minutes at events to give information to the community on health, HIV, and STD topics. The age range at the dance was 16-35. They may plan another dance for September.

Jorge gave a report of the hours of service for January through April. They always do more than 50 hours a month; the average is 60. They interpreted for the Judicial Department of the Courthouse (attorneys, parenting classes, municipal court) 14.2, 47.2, and 10 hours. They interpreted for the hospital 71, 80.6, 57.3, and 54.5 hours. Jorge needs to sign a contract with Mental Health for interpreting for $25 an hour. He needs to know if we have insurance. Maricela from HHS in Portland will do a presentation on HIV at St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church on June 11 from 7-9. After this meeting, Jorge will go to the ROP retreat in Waldport to talk about immigration in Waldport.

On Wednesday, April 22nd, Will, Ana Maria and Jorge made a presentation to the County Commissioners. They shared information and statistics. They pointed out that the percentage of Hispanic children is increasing in the schools; it is close to 25% now and may be 50% at Sam Case in a few years. The percentages in the middle and high schools are also increasing, but the high school has a high dropout rate of Hispanic students. Old Business Judy passed around a credit card application. Jorge, Barbara, and Judy should be authorized to sign it. They will get it, contingent on advice from Patrick and their acceptance.

The next meeting will be July 11 at 9:00 a.m. at OCCC in Newport.