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El Pueblo program called "Derechos sin Fronteras" gained a statewide award in the area reproductive health. The program focuses on educating young teens on reproductive issues, self-esteem and advocacy. The NC Governor's Crime Commission recently increased its funding for the PARE program which works toward reducing domestic violence throughout the State. El Pueblo's grant to operate the Ventanilla de Salud at the Mexican Consulate was renewed for another year, until July 2012. El Pueblo collaborated with several other organizations in NC, resulting in only one anti-immigrant law being passed in this year's legislative session. And lastly, El Pueblo's biggest fundraiser, La Fiesta del Pueblo was very successful in its new setting in downtown Raleigh.
The Executive Director Tony Asion resigned in May 2010. The board has decided to begin its search for a replacement following Fiesta in October 2010. In the meantime, an Interim Leadership Team of two program directors Cecilia Saloni (Director of Public Safety Program), Florence Siman (Health Programs, Director) and a Board Member Pablo Escobar are running the day to day operations of the agency.
Due to fundraising challenges associated with a slump in the economy, El Pueblo, Inc. has experienced a substantial decrease in revenues. This unfavorable situation is due mostly to decreased support in sponsorships and a decrease in donations from individuals and foundations. It is further aggravated by decreased funding from the State of North Carolina. As a result of these changes, staff has been reduced by 3 positions. The position of Advocacy Director, the Development Coordinator and the Special Events Coordinator were eliminated in October 2009 when it became evident that the funding for them was not available. Advocacy activities have been curtailed. Fundraising has been compromised and remaining employees are picking up duties associated with special events.
March 1, 2008 Antonio Asion, previously Deputy Director, took over as El Pueblo's 3rd Executive Director. September 6, 2008 ED Tony Asion asks for the resignation of Sheriff Steve Bizzle, after he makes comments to the News and Observer that Mexicans are Trashy and breed like rabbits.
May 3rd: Zulayka Santiago submits formal letter of resignation to Executive Committee May 8th: Decision of resignation announced to full board May 15th: Announcement of resignation made public September 9th: Zulayka’s last official day at El Pueblo
In January 2006, Zulayka Santiago, previously the Youth Program Director took the reins as El Pueblo’s new Executive Director, with support from El Pueblo’s new Board President, Dr. Peter Morris.
This year marked El Pueblo’s toughest legislative fight to date. The highly controversial bill HB1183 was introduced into the NC general assembly, with the aim of granting in-state tuition status to undocumented students who had lived in North Carolina for four or more years and had graduated from a North Carolina high school. Although the bill did not pass, El Pueblo welcomed the open, and sometimes brutally honest, dialogue that resulted regarding the larger question of Comprehensive Immigration Reform. 2005 also saw the departure of El Pueblo’s first Executive Director, Andrea Bazn Manson. Andrea accepted a position as President of the Triangle Community Foundation, the foundation which gave El Pueblo its very first grant in 1996.
As programs such as the Lideres de Salud Lay Health Advisor Initiative and the Comunidad Sana Breast Cancer Awareness program continued to add to El Pueblo’s staff, the organization found a new, larger home on the second floor of the American Legion building on Blount St. in Raleigh.
Partnering with Student Action with Farmworkers, El Pueblo’s first Latino Legislative Day drew more than 2,000 participants to the NC General Assembly to advocate on issues of education, driver’s licenses, and farm labor conditions. El Pueblo’s growth started to put a strain on its events and office space. After seven years at Chapel Hill High School, La Fiesta moved to the NC State Fairgrounds in Raleigh.
With input from more than 300 experts and advocates, El Pueblo developed the first NC Latino Legislative Agenda. Education, Health, and Safety were listed as top priorities for the Latino community. This year the organization also launched its Nuestra Seguridad Highway Safety Campaign and posted a North Carolina Latino Artists Directory on its website. El Pueblo also honored former President Katie Pomerans by creating the Katie Pomerans Latino Service Award, given annually to a person or organization that demonstrates tireless advocacy on behalf of North Carolinas Latino community.
El Pueblo’s first fully-funded programs were started in 2000. A fair housing initiative focusing on landlord/tenant issues was funded by HUD and the new youth program received a grant from the Z. Smith Reynolds Foundation titled Race Will Not Divide Us. With its primary focus on advocacy and lobbying, El Pueblo moved to a new office at the Longview Center in Raleigh just five blocks from the General Assembly. This would be the organization’s home for four years.
In December 1999, El Pueblo hired its first Executive Director, Andrea Bazán Manson. Originally from Argentina, Andrea was one of the founding members of El Pueblo and served as Vice President of the Board prior to her tenure at El Pueblo’s helm. The Board also elected retired police officer Hilton Cancel as the Board President. Hilton and Andrea guided the organization for six years.
Katie Pomerans was elected El Pueblo’s Board President and was instrumental in developing the organization’s fundraising plans through both grant writing and corporate sponsorships. In 1997, La Fiesta moved to Chapel Hill High School, drawing more than 10,000 participants
After another successful Fiesta, which expanded to two days, El Pueblo hosted its first Leadership Development workshop, funded by the organization’s first grant from the Triangle Community Foundation. Sixty-five Latino leaders met in March at Camp New Hope to discuss fundraising, facilitating meetings, working with the media, and strategic planning. The keynote speaker was Arturo Vargas of NALEO in California.
On July 21, 1995, John Herrera filed El Pueblo’s Articles of Incorporation. The volunteers formed a Board of Directors, with Steve Carbo as President, and adopted the following mission statement: El Pueblo, Inc. facilitates community and bridge-building within the Hispanic/Latino communities as well as with other communities of North Carolina. This is accomplished through advocacy, education, communication, empowerment, and promoting the interests and meeting the needs of the Hispanic/Latino community.
In May of 1994, a group of 30 people met informally to plan a local Latin American Festival in Chapel Hill. The first Fiesta del Pueblo was held on September 18, 1994 and was attended by approximately 3,500 people at the Lincoln Center of Chapel Hill. The festival featured 57 food, crafts, and nonprofit vendors, a four-game soccer tournament, music and dancing. The committee’s vision was “to hold a festival that was free and open to the public, to provide safe recreation, sharing of information, and increased collaboration among the Latin American community and its supporters.” (History of El Pueblo, Inc. 1996)
