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YOUR LATINO CONNECTION SINCE 1996
TÚ CONEXIÓN LATINA DESDE 1996
U.S POSTAGE
PAID
KCMO
PERMIT NO. 990
KC HISPANIC NEWS
ANNIVERSARY
www.KCHispanicNews.com
th
Chiefs fans are ready for
wins … but is the team
See page 6 for complete story.
24 de Septiembre, 2015 * Periódico Bilingüe Kansas City
ANIVERSARIO
Missouri takes away
A+ scholarships
from DACA students
VOL 19 No. 02
El Centro Vecindario Bethel
se amplia en KCK
Missouri quita las becas A+ Bethel Neighborhood
de los estudiantes con DACA Center expansion in KCK
Area DACA students are disappointed with the Missouri legislature for
limiting A+ scholarship to only US citizens and permanent residents.
Therefore, DACA students will not qualify.
Estudiantes DACA locales están decepcionados con la Legislatura de Missouri
por limitar la beca A+ a solamente los ciudadanos estadounidenses y residentes
permanentes. Por lo tanto, los estudiantes DACA no califican.
A
fter months of positive
news for DACA students
in Missouri, we now have
some bad news.
On
September 16, 2015, the legislature
voted to limit the A+ scholarship to
only US citizens and permanent
residents. Therefore, DACA students
will not qualify.
The A+ Scholarship Program
offers incentives for improving
access to quality education in
“WE WILL NOT ... / PAGE 3
D
espués de meses de unas
noticias
positivas
para
los estudiantes DACA en
Missouri, ahora tenemos
unas malas. La legislatura votó
el día 16 de septiembre a limitar
las Becas A+ a los estudiantes
que son ciudadanos o residentes
permanentes del EEUU. Entonces,
los estudiantes con DACA ya no
calificarán.
El programa de Becas A+ ofrece
incentivos para mejorar la calidad
Bethel Center’s executive director, Rev. Mang Sonna, watched as Jennifer Yates (JLWJC) signed the $30,000 check
this past Saturday. The money will make a big difference in the programs and amenities the center offers to those
it serves.
El director ejecutivo del Centro Bethel, Rev. Mang Sonna, veia como Jennifer Yates (JLWJC) firmaba el cheque por $30.000
el pasado sábado. El dinero va a hacer una gran diferencia en los programas y servicios que el centro ofrece a los que sirve.
“NO NOS RENDIMOS ... / PÁGINA 3
Educating children
on smaller budgets
Educar a los niños con
presupuestos más pequeños
by Debra deCoster
traduce Gemma Tornero
T
E
he Bethel Neighborhood Center has stood for
104 years on 7th Street in Kansas City, Kansas,
a silent sentinel welcoming families inside with
fellowship and assistance.
It opened its doors on April 1, 1911 as a mission
center of the Women’s Baptist Home Mission Societies.
The primary mission was to serve needy families living
near or working in the meatpacking plants in the
West Bottoms. Today, more than 10,000 people in
Wyandotte County are served annually by the center.
l Centro Vecindario Bethel ha estado ubicado
durante 104 años en la calle 7, en Kansas
City, Kansas, un centinela silencioso da la
bienvenida a las familias al interior, mostrando
compañerismo y auxilio.
El Centro abrió sus puertas el 1 de abril de 1911
como un centro de misión de la Casa de Sociedades
Misioneras de Mujeres Bautistas. La misión principal
era servir a las familias necesitadas que viven cerca
o que trabajan en las plantas empacadoras de carne
104 YEARS ... / PAGE 2
104 AÑOS ... / PÁGINA 2
Grant gives Northeast High
School new football field
Subvención da un nuevo campo
de fútbol a Preparatoria del Noreste
by Joe Arce and
Debra DeCoster
T
“The state is failing in its constitutional obligation to provide a suitable education
for all students. The decisions being made in Topeka will impact the lives of
children in Kansas for generations to come,” said Dr. Cynthia Lane.
“El Estado no está cumpliendo con su obligación constitucional de proporcionar
una educación adecuada para todos los estudiantes. Las decisiones que se toman
en Topeka impactarán la vida de los niños en Kansas para las generaciones por
venir”, dijo Dr. Cynthia Lane.
by Debra DeCoster
traduce Gemma Tornero
S
tudents in Kansas City, Kansas
USD500
school
district
returned to the classroom this
week unaware that a major
battle between the school district
and the state of Kansas is raging
“THERE IS NO ... / PAGE 4
NEWSROOM: (816)472.5246
|
L
os estudiantes del Distrito
Escolar de Kansas City, Kansas
USD500, regresaron a las
aulas esta semana sin saber
que una gran batalla se está dando
entre el distrito escolar y el estado
“YA NO HAY ... / PÁGINA 4
FAX: (816) 931.6397
|
he Kansas City Chiefs and
the National Football League
(NFL)
Grassroots
Grant
Program surprised students
and raised school spirit for the
Northeast Vikings High School
football program last week when
they learned they would have a
state of the art football field to play
on next year.
“I THINK THIS ... / PAGE 8
traduce Gemma Tornero
L
os Jefes de Kansas City (Chiefs)
y el Programa de Subvenciones
de Base de la Liga Nacional
de Fútbol (NFL) sorprendieron
a los estudiantes y, la semana
pasada, levantaron el espíritu de
la escuela para el programa de
fútbol de la Preparatoria Northeast
Vikings, cuando se enteraron de
que tendrían un campo de fútbol
con lo último en avances para jugar
el próximo año.
KCHISPANICNEWS.com
In a matter of months, Northeast High School will have a state of the art
football field to play on next year. Kansas City Chiefs Senior Vice President
Bill Chapin hand delivered the $200,000 grant from the NFL program and an
additional $25,000 ESPN amenities grant. The football team also worked out
with two Chiefs players.
En cuestión de meses, Northeast High School tendrá un campo de fútbol con los ultimos
avances para jugar el próximo año. El Vice Presidente Principal de los Jefes de Kansas
City, Bill Chapin, hizo entrega del subsidio de $200 mil dólares del programa de la NFL
y $25 mil dólares de subvención adicional para instalaciones ESPN, para las nuevas
instalaciones. El equipo de fútbol también trabajó con dos de los jugadores de los Jefes.
“CREO QUE ESTO... / PÁGINA 8
|
E-MAIL: [email protected]
| 2918 Southwest Blvd.
Kansas City, MO 64108
septiembre 17 - 2015 | kchispanicnews.com
104 years of service
to community
CONT./PAGE 1
Over the decades the center
has evolved into a place of
hope for low income families
that may be struggling to
make ends meet, The center
provides
ESL
programs,
after school child care, and
socialization
opportunities
for seniors such as bingo and
other programs.
The center offers a safe
place for children by providing
homework assistance; safe
play opportunities, and more
importantly a hot meal before
they go home for the evening.
Former residents attribute
their success in life to the
fact that they attended the
after school programs there
and the staff kept them on
a positive life track and out
of negative situations, such
as hanging out with peers
that could influence them to
commit crimes.
The small building, built in
the late 60’s, can only serve
50 children and the center’s
executive director, Rev. Mang
Sonna, wants to reach out
and help additional children
have a positive life.
Sonna
has
held
the
leadership post for 11 years.
In the beginning of his
tenure they were serving 90
percent Hispanic families.
Today, those numbers have
dropped to about 70 percent
due to the changing ethnic
neighborhoods.
Sonna and the Bethel staff
have a dream to build a
larger center that would offer
additional classes for students
and senior citizens, a larger
food pantry with its own
entrance, and to build a safe
driveway that would drop
the children from their buses
closer to the center’s door
and out of the busy 7th street
traffic.
The center kicked off a
capital campaign a year ago
to raise the dollars needed to
rebuild their existing building
and expand with a few new
additions. In that short time,
they have been able to raise
$1 million dollars in cash and
pledges from less than 130
donors.
“Reaching the half way mark
is one of my proudest moments
with this organization. It is a
clear sign that the good work
we have been doing at Bethel
for 104 years hasn’t gone
unnoticed,” said Sonna.
In the long history of the
center, there are countless
stories on how the center
helped which stay on a
positive path, which led them
to be successful adults.
Manuala
Arambia,
children’s
program
coordinator at Bethel, became
familiar with the center when
her mother sent her there for
the after school program at
the age of 12.
“At first I didn’t want to
come. I said ‘it is not my
place.’ I didn’t fit in, but my
mom kept making me come.
Because I didn’t want to be
there, I began to get in trouble
with the staff, but they were
very loving, understanding
and very patient with me.
They changed me and led me
into the right path in a way,”
she said.
Arambia is a junior
at Kansas City Kansas
Community
College
and
credits the center for steering
her in that direction.
“When I was here, high
school kids were too old to
come here but then my mom
told me I could volunteer as a
high school student. I enjoyed
being here and working with
the younger children on their
homework or playing a game
and now that has turned into
a job for me,” she said.
Vanessa Corosa has been
coming to the center for four
years. “I like coming here
and enjoy having someone
help me with my homework.”
Her favorite subjects in school
are science and art.
“I like to do experiments
and figure out how to make
reactions happen,” she said.
During
the
summer
program, she participated in
the Nelson Atkins Museum
art classes provided to the
children at the neighborhood
center.
“It was a lot of fun and they
helped us to do art,” said
Corosa.
The center also takes the
children on field trips and
arrange for them to experience
a summer camp. Many of the
children have never attended
a camp before or been out of
Wyandotte County/Kansas
City, Kansas.
The center’s work caught
the attention of the Junior
Tami
Radohl,
project
development chair for the
Junior League, said the
women’s
organization
wanted a community project.
They held a meeting with
community
stakeholders
asking what types of projects
to consider. Out of the meeting
came three topics—food
availability and accessibility,
the lack of transportation for
families and children and the
need for shelters for families.
“We learned about Bethel
Center through Sandra Olivas
and we decided to help them
with their food pantry. Their
existing food pantry is tiny
and they have a lot of people
that come to that pantry for
help. We decided as an
organization to not only
“This is a wonderful
partnership for us. We are
very excited to be involved
in this and we are amazed at
the programs they offer for the
children and senior citizens,”
said Radohl.
The Junior League will
continue to raise funds for the
centers’ pantry through their
annual American Girl Fashion
show.
Over the years, Bethel
Center has had enough
money to operate and help
families in need, but slowly
they have seen a drop off in
donor contributions.
“We want to transform
the lives of the people in
our community.
We want
to expand our building and
grow our programs and our
The center kicked off a capital campaign a year ago to raise the dollars needed to rebuild their
existing building and expand with a few new additions. In that short time, they have been able
to raise $1 million dollars in cash and pledges from less than 130 donors.
El centro inicio una campaña de recaudación de capital hace un año para reunir el dinero
necesario para reconstruir su edificio existente y expander el area. En ese corto tiempo. Han
sido capaces de recaudar $1 millón de dólares.
League of Wyandotte and
Johnson Counties (JLWJC).
The organization was looking
for a project to take on and
they liked what they saw in the
long history of Bethel serving
families and children—a
mission close to their heart.
help raise awareness about
their pantry needs, but to
physically help them build a
new pantry on their site,” she
said.
The Junior League donated
a check in the amount of
$30,000.
services. We have to do more
to keep kids here in a safe
place so they can learn and
grow. Help us be a positive
light that offers a renewed
sense of hope to our children,
our families and our seniors,”
said Sonna.
104 años de servicio a la comunidad
CONT./PÁGINA 1
West Bottoms. Hoy en día, el
centro atiende a más de 10
mil personas anualmente en el
Condado de Wyandotte.
Durante décadas, el centro
se ha convertido en un lugar de
esperanza para las familias de
bajos ingresos que pueden estar
batallando para llegar a fin de
mes. El centro ofrece programas
de inglés como segundo idioma,
cuidado de niños después de
la escuela, y oportunidades
de socialización como bingo y
otros programas para personas
mayores.
El centro ofrece un lugar
seguro
para
los
niños,
proporcionando ayuda con la
tarea; oportunidades de juego
seguras, y lo más importante una
comida caliente antes de ir a
casa por la noche.
Antiguos residentes atribuyen
su éxito en la vida a que asistieron
a los programas después de la
escuela, y a que el personal los
mantuvo en una línea positiva
de vida y fuera de situaciones
negativas, como el salir con
compañeros que pudieran influir
en ellos para cometer delitos.
El pequeño edificio, construido
a finales de los años 60, sólo
puede servir a 50 niños y el
director ejecutivo del centro, el
Reverendo Mang Sonna, quiere
ir más allá y, ayudar a más niños
a tener una vida positiva.
Sonna ha ocupado el cargo
de liderazgo durante 11 años.
Al comienzo de su mandato,
estaban sirviendo a las familias
hispanas en un 90%. Hoy, esas
cifras han caído a alrededor del
70% debido a cambios étnicos
en los barrios.
Sonna y el personal de Bethel
tienen el sueño de construir
un centro más grande, que
ofrezca clases adicionales para
estudiantes y personas de la
tercera edad, una despensa de
alimentos más grande con su
propia entrada, y la construcción
de un acceso seguro, para que
el autobús deje a los niños cerca
de la puerta del centro y lejos del
concurrido tráfico de la calle 7.
El centro inició una campaña
de recaudación de capital hace
un año, para reunir el dinero
necesario y reconstruir su edificio
existente y ampliar algunas
nuevas áreas. En ese corto
tiempo, han podido recaudar
$1 millón de dólares en efectivo
y compromisos de por lo menos
130 donantes.
“Llegar a la marca, a mitad
de camino, es uno de mis
momentos de mayor orgullo con
ésta organización. Es una clara
señal de que el buen trabajo que
hemos estado haciendo en Bethel
durante 104 años no ha pasado
desapercibido”, dijo Sonna.
En la larga historia del centro,
hay un sinnúmero de historias de
personas sobre cómo el centro
les ayudó a que permanecieran
en un camino positivo, lo que les
llevó a ser adultos exitosos.
Manuela
Arambia,
coordinadora del programa de
niños en Bethel, se familiarizó
con el centro cuando su madre
la envió allí para el programa
después de la escuela, a la edad
de 12 años.
“Al principio no quería venir.
Dije ‘no es mi lugar”. Yo no
encajaba, pero mi mamá seguía
haciéndome venir. Debido a que
yo no quería estar ahí, empecé a
tener problemas con el personal,
pero eran muy cariñosos,
comprensivos y muy pacientes
conmigo. Me cambiaron y me
llevaron en el camino correcto
de alguna manera”, dijo.
Arambia es una estudiante de
segundo año en el Kansas City
Kansas Community College y
acredita al centro en llevarla en
esa dirección.
“Cuando estuve aquí, los
chicos de escuela preparatoria
eran demasiado mayores para
venir aquí, pero entonces
mi mamá me dijo que podía
ofrecerme de voluntaria como
una estudiante de preparatoria.
Me gustó estar aquí, y trabajar
con los niños más pequeños en
sus tareas o jugar, ahora se ha
convertido en un trabajo para
mí”, dijo.
Vanessa Corosa ha estado
viniendo al centro durante cuatro
años. “Me gusta venir aquí y
disfrutar de tener a alguien que
me ayude con mi tarea”. Sus
materias favoritas en la escuela
son ciencia y arte.
“Me gusta hacer experimentos
y encontrar la manera de hacer
que ocurran las reacciones”,
dijo.
Durante el programa de
verano, participó en las clases
de arte que el Museo Nelson
Atkins presta a los niños en el
centro.
“Fue muy divertido y nos
ayudaron a hacer arte”, dijo
Corosa.
El centro también lleva a los
niños a excursiones y organiza
un campamento de verano para
que experimenten. Muchos de
los niños nunca han asistido a un
campamento antes o han salido
del Condado de Wyandotte/
Kansas City, Kansas.
atención de la Liga Junior de
los Condados de Wyandotte y
Johnson (JLWJC, por sus siglas en
inglés). La organización estaba
buscando tomar un proyecto y le
gustó lo que vieron en la larga
historia de Bethel, el servir a las
familias y los niños - una misión
cercana a su corazón.
Tami
Radohl,
presidenta
de desarrollo de proyectos
para la Liga Junior, dijo que
la organización de mujeres
quería un proyecto comunitario.
Llevaron a cabo una reunión
con las partes interesadas de la
comunidad, preguntando qué
tipo de proyectos considerarían.
De la reunión salieron tres temas
- disponibilidad y accesibilidad
de comida, la falta de transporte
para las familias y los niños, y la
necesidad de refugios para las
familias.
“Nos enteramos del Centro
Bethel a través de Sandra Olivas
y decidimos ayudarles con
su despensa de alimentos. Su
almacén de alimentos existente
es pequeño y tienen una gran
cantidad de personas que
vienen al almacén en busca
de ayuda. Decidimos, como
organización, no sólo ayudar
a crear conciencia acerca de
sus necesidades de despensa,
sino físicamente les ayudamos a
construir una nueva despensa en
su espacio”, dijo.
La Liga Junior donó un cheque
por la suma de $30 mil dólares.
“Esta es una asociación
maravillosa para nosotros. Estamos
muy contentos de estar involucrados
en esto y nos sorprenden los
programas que ofrecen para los
niños y los adultos mayores”, dijo
Radohl.
La Liga Junior continuará la
recaudación de fondos para
la despensa de los centros, a
través de su espectáculo anual
American Fashion Girl.
Con los años, el Centro Bethel
ha tenido suficiente dinero para
operar y ayudar a las familias
necesitadas, pero poco a poco
han visto una disminución en las
contribuciones de los donantes.
“Queremos transformar la
vida de las personas en nuestra
comunidad. Queremos ampliar
nuestro edificio y que nuestros
programas y servicios crezcan.
Tenemos que hacer más para
mantener a los niños que están
aquí en un lugar seguro, para
que puedan aprender y crecer.
Ayúdanos a ser una luz positiva
que ofrece un renovado sentido
de esperanza a nuestros hijos,
nuestras familias y nuestros
adultos mayores”, dijo Sonna.
El trabajo del centro llamó la
YOUR LATINO CONNECTION SINCE 1996
kchispanicnews.com
TÚ CONEXIÓN LATINA DESDE 1996
3
KCHispanicNews.com I Septiembre 17 - 2015
“We will not give up.
We will keep fighting
CONT./PAGE 1
Missouri. It provides funds
to graduates of designated
A+ high schools who attend
participating colleges or
technical schools.
This
scholarship benefits students
who maintain a satisfactory
academic progress, have
an outstanding attendance
record,
perform
hours
of unpaid tutoring, and
maintain exemplary conduct.
The A+ scholarship pays for
the unpaid balance of tuition
after all other available
assistance is applied.
In June of 2014, the
Missouri Department of
Higher Education (MDHE)
determined that students
with Deferred Action for
Childhood Arrivals (DACA)
met the requirements that
had existed for years, and
were
therefore
eligible
for the A+ scholarship.
Unfortunately, the legislature
decided to change the rules
to not give the scholarship to
immigrant students.
It was Jessica Piedra, an
immigration attorney in
Kansas City, that brought
the issue to the attention
of the MDHE. She then
collaborated as a consultant
on the legal analysis about
eligibility of DACA students
for
A+
Scholarships,
specifically regarding the
requirement
for
lawful
presence in the country.
After months of careful
consideration, the MDHE
concluded that students
presenting federally-issued
documentation
showing
DACA status confirm this
requirement.
“We will not give up.
We will keep fighting for
immigrant students,” says
Piedra.
She has been
recognized by the Mexican
Consulate, the Hispanic
Chamber of Commerce, and
the Missouri Lawyers Weekly
Newspaper for her work
with immigrant students. In
addition to her community
work, she helped to establish
Immigration Professionals, a
“No nos rendimos nunca.
Seguimos luchando”
CONT./PÁGINA 1
y el acceso a la educación
en Missouri. Provee fondos
a graduados de escuelas
preparatorias
designadas
como “A+” para estudiar
en colleges comunitarios
o escuelas técnicas. Esta
beca ayuda a estudiantes
que tengan buenas notas,
una asistencia excelente,
hayan efectuado horas de
tutoría ayudando a otros,
y mantengan una conducta
ejemplar. Las becas A+
pagan por el costo de la
colegiatura que no sea
cubierto por otras ayudas
financieras aplicables.
En
junio
2014,
el
Departamento de Educación
Superior
de
Missouri,
determinó que estudiantes
con acción diferida (DACA) sí
cumplieron con los requisitos
que existían en por años y
que sí fueron por lo tanto
elegibles para las becas
A+.
Desafortunadamente,
la
legislatura
decidió
cambiar las reglas para no
dar las becas a estudiantes
inmigrantes.
Fue la abogada de
inmigración, Jessica Piedra,
quien empezó a colaborar
con el MDHE en el análisis
legal sobre la elegibilidad
de estudiantes DACA para
estas becas, específicamente
en lo concerniente con
el requerimiento de estar
legalmente presente en el
país. Después de varios
meses
de
cuidadosa
consideración,
el
MDHE concluyó que los
estudiantes al presentar la
documentación federal que
muestra su estatus DACA,
están
confirmando
este
requerimiento.
“No nos rendimos nunca.
Seguimos luchando para los
estudiantes
inmigrantes”,
dice Piedra. Ella ha sido
reconocida por el Consulado
mexicano,
la
Cámara
Hispana de Comercio, y el
Periódico para Abogados
en Missouri por su trabajado
con estudiantes inmigrantes.
Además de su trabajo con
la comunidad, ella ayudó
a
fundar
Immigration
Professionals, una firma
legal sin fines de lucro que
sirve a familias inmigrantes.
not-for-profit law firm serving
immigrant families.
Immigrant students also
face a bigger problem –
tuition increases. The state
legislature put restrictive
language in the budget bill
for school funding telling
the universities to charge
DACA students the higher
international rate. This
means that tuition doubled
or tripled for students. Many
universities covered the
additional cost for this year,
but much work needs to be
done to prevent this from
happening next year. We
will be holding events to
learn more about this in the
coming months.
Los estudiantes inmigrantes
tienen otro problema más
grande – que subió el
costo de la universidad. La
legislatura puso lenguaje
restrictivo en la introducción
del presupuesto para el
financiamiento
escolar
mandando
que
las
universidades les cobren la
tasa más alta, como si fueran
estudiantes internacionales.
Esto significa que la matrícula
se duplicó o triplicó para
los estudiantes.
Muchas
universidades cubrieron el
coste adicional de este año,
pero hay mucho trabajo
que hacer para evitar que
esto suceda el próximo año.
Llevaremos a cabo eventos
para aprender más acerca
de esto en los próximos
meses.
ANNIVERSARY
th
ANIVERSARIO
It’s Our Anniversary
Es Nuestro Aniversario
YOUR LATINO CONNECTION SINCE 1996
TÚ CONEXIÓN LATINA DESDE 1996
“There is no longer
any fat left to cut”
CONT./PAGE 1
over budget cuts by Governor
Sam Brownback to education.
The school district, which
has 22,000 students, has cut
more than $50 million to the
budget in the past seven years.
“There is no longer any fat
left to be cut. We are forced to
make cuts to things that really
matter to our work,” said Dr.
Cynthia Lane, superintendent
of Kansas City Kansas Public
Schools.
The USD500 school district
is implementing significant
budgets cuts for the 201516 school year in response
to reductions in state funding.
Due to the state education
cuts, 38 school districts in
the state of Kansas filed for
additional funding.
The state has $12.3 million
in a special fund tagged for
extraordinary needs. Kansas
City, Kansas and the Olathe
school districts, two of the
larger districts, filed for the
funding. The new law set aside
the money for unexpected
needs this school year, such
as enrollment increases and
dips in property tax values.
The
Olathe
district
requested $500,000 for
enrollment increases. The
request was denied last
Monday.
USD500 KCK
School district asked for
$2 million to use towards
education tools for their
growing student body and to
hire additional teaching staff.
The State Finance Council,
consisting of Governor Sam
Brownback and leaders in the
legislature, gave the USD500
district $400,000.
Lane said she was frustrated
with the announcement. “We
are getting less than $1,000
a child for an increased
enrollment of 507 students.”
She plans to continue to
pursue additional funding
from the state.
Lane was faced with
eliminating a position on her
leadership team, the chief of
Human Resources position.
“It is important for staff and
the community to know that
when cuts have to be made,
they start at the top,” said Dr.
Lane.
Besides eliminating the
Human Resource position,
the district will be eliminating
the position of assessment
manager, a position that
provided support to schools
in implementing local and
state assessments and in
interpreting and using the
results to drive improvement.
This change will result in the
reduction of 30 positions
across the district. Staff that
are year round employees
will also have to take four
furlough days.
“This is a difficult position to
eliminate. We put it in place
in order to free principals
and teacher leaders to focus
on
improving
classroom
instruction,” said Dr. Lane.
The district cut $900,000
in funding this school year
for alternative services, a
10 percent cut to all school
and department budgets,
a reduction of $350,000
in
textbook
purchases
and reduced spending on
technology,
transportation,
professional
development,
supplies and summer school.
“We are in a very difficult
position with our budget.
These cuts will create real
pain, but we have worked
hard to make them in a way
that will still allow us to reach
our goal of graduating each
student prepared for college
and careers,” said Dr. Kelli
Mather, chief financial officer
for USD500.
Daniel Hernandez has a
fifth grader at New Stanley
Elementary School. As he
dropped his child off at school,
he told Hispanic News that he
wished the elementary school
would receive computers for
the children to use.
“Instead of making cuts
“Ya no hay nada de donde cortar”
CONT./PÁGINA 1
de Kansas, sobre los recortes
presupuestarios
impuestos
a la educación por el
gobernador Sam Brownback.
El distrito escolar, que
cuenta con 22 mil estudiantes,
ha recortado más de $50
millones para el presupuesto
en los últimos siete años.
“Ya no hay nada de donde
cortar. Nos vemos obligados
a hacer recortes a las cosas
que realmente importan a
nuestro trabajo”, dijo la Dra.
Cynthia Lane, superintendente
de las Escuelas Públicas de
Kansas City Kansas.
El distrito escolar USD500,
está implementando presupuestos
importantes
con
recortes para el año escolar
2015-16, en respuesta a la
reducción de la financiación
estatal. Debido a las cortes
estatales
en
educación,
38 distritos escolares en el
estado de Kansas pidieron
fondos adicionales.
El estado cuenta con $12.3
millones de dólares en un
fondo especial agregado
para
las
necesidades
extraordinarias. Los distritos
escolares de Kansas City,
Kansas y Olathe, dos de
los distritos más grandes,
solicitaron
financiamiento.
La nueva ley establece una
parte del dinero para las
necesidades
inesperadas
de este año escolar, como
los aumentos de matrícula y
las caídas en los valores de
impuestos de propiedad.
El distrito de Olathe solicitó
$500 mil dólares para los
aumentos de matrícula. La
solicitud fue rechazada el
pasado lunes. El Distrito
Escolar USD500 KCK pidió
$2 millones para usarse en
herramientas de educación
para su creciente alumnado
y para contratar personal
adicional para la enseñanza.
El Consejo de Finanzas del
Estado, que consiste en el
gobernador Sam Brownback
y líderes de la legislatura,
dieron al distrito USD500
$400 mil dólares.
Lane dijo que estaba
frustrada con el anuncio.
“Estamos recibiendo menos
de $1,000 dólares por niño
por un aumento de la matrícula
de 507 estudiantes”.
Ella
planea
continuar
buscando
financiamiento
adicional de parte del Estado.
Lane se enfrentó con la
eliminación de un puesto
de trabajo en su equipo de
liderazgo, el jefe de Recursos
Humanos.
“Es importante que el
personal y la comunidad
sepan que cuando los
recortes tienen que hacerse,
se inician desde arriba”, dijo
la Dra. Lane.
Además de eliminar el
puesto de Recursos Humanos,
el distrito estará eliminando
el puesto de gerente de
evaluación, un puesto que
proporciona apoyo a las
escuelas en la aplicación de
las evaluaciones locales y
estatales y en la interpretación
y el uso de los resultados
para impulsar la mejora. Este
cambio se traducirá en la
reducción de 30 puestos en
todo el distrito. El personal
que es empleado durante
todo el año también tendrá
que tomar cuatro días de
descanso.
“Este es un puesto difícil
de eliminar. Lo pusimos en
marcha con el fin de dar
libertad a los directores
y maestros líderes para
centrarse en la mejora de la
enseñanza en clase”, dijo la
Dra. Lane.
El distrito recortó $900 mil
dólares en financiamiento
este año escolar para los
servicios alternativos, un
recorte del 10% en todos
los presupuestos de las
escuelas y departamentos,
una reducción de $350
mil dólares en compras de
libros de texto y la reducción
del gasto en la tecnología,
el transporte, el desarrollo
profesional, los suministros y
la escuela de verano.
“Estamos en una situación
muy difícil con nuestro
presupuesto. Estos recortes
van a crear verdadero
sufrimiento,
pero
hemos
trabajado duro para hacerlo
de una manera que todavía
nos
permitirá
alcanzar
nuestra meta de graduar a
cada estudiante y prepararlo
para la universidad y su
carrera”, dijo la Dra. Kelli
Mather, directora financiera
de USD500.
Daniel Hernández tiene
un niño en quinto grado en
la Escuela Primaria Nueva
Stanley. Mientras dejaba
a su hijo en la escuela,
le dijo a Hispanic News,
que él deseaba que la
escuela primaria recibiría
computadoras para que los
niños las usaran.
“En
lugar
de
hacer
recortes en nuestro sistema
de educación para nuestros
hijos, tenemos que tener
dinero en el presupuesto
para
las
computadoras,
los maestros y los libros.
En nuestro mundo de hoy,
nuestros hijos tienen que ser
hábiles en la computadora”,
dijo.
En
su
trabajo
como
mecánico de diesel, dijo que
en los últimos diez años, su
trabajo implica ahora que
use una computadora, por lo
que tuvo que desarrollar sus
habilidades informáticas.
“Yo les digo a mis hijos
que la educación es muy
importante. Pueden vivir ya
sea en el mismo nivel que
estamos viviendo ahora o
pueden mejorar sus vidas, ir
a la universidad, y entrar en
una carrera que les llevará a
un nivel más alto en la vida.
Los recortes presupuestarios a
la educación de nuestros hijos
es malo para la comunidad”,
dijo Hernández.
Los recortes presupuestarios
se derivan de la aprobación
de las Legislaturas de Kansas
y de la firma del Gobernador
Sam Brownback, al Proyecto
de Ley Senatorial 7, un Ramo
que disminuye la cantidad de
fondos estatales que el distrito
recibiría en los próximos dos
años fiscales.
El distrito escolar USD500
ha crecido en un promedio
de 500 estudiantes más
cada uno de los últimos cinco
años. Antes de la medida SB
7, el distrito habría esperado
recibir un $1 millón 400
mil adicionales en ayudas
públicas para educar a los
estudiantes.
“El Estado no está cumpliendo
con su obligación constitucional
de proporcionar una educación
adecuada para todos los
estudiantes. Las decisiones que
se toman en Topeka impactarán
la vida de los niños en Kansas
para las generaciones por
venir”, dijo Lane.
Mekia Lunn, un padre de
un estudiante de 7 años de
edad, dijo que ella no ha
notado el impacto de los
recortes presupuestarios en la
educación de su hijo todavía.
“Los recortes presupuestarios a la educación de
nuestros hijos se han estado
dando en los últimos años.
YOUR LATINO CONNECTION SINCE 1996
septiembre 17 - 2015 | kchispanicnews.com
to our education system for
our children, we need to
have money in the budget
for computers, teachers, and
books. In our world today,
our children need to be
computer savvy,” he said.
Working as a diesel
mechanic, he said that over
the last ten years, his job now
involves using a computer
and he had to develop his
computer skills.
“I tell my children that
education is very important.
They can either live at the
same level we are living
now or they can improve
their lives, go to college, and
enter a career that will take
them to a higher level in life.
Budget cuts to our children’s
education is bad for the
community,” said Hernandez.
The budget cuts stem from
the
Kansas
Legislatures
passage of and Governor
Sam Brownback signing of
Senate Bill 7, a Block Grant
bill that decreases the amount
of state funding the district
would receive over the next
two fiscal years.
The USD500 school district
has grown on average by
500 students over each of
the past five years. Before
Senate Bill 7, the district
would have expected to
receive an additional $1.4
million in state aid to educate
those students.
“The state is failing in its
constitutional obligation to
provide a suitable education
for all students. The decisions
being made in Topeka will
impact the lives of children
Nuestros maestros y escuelas
ya han estado trabajando
alrededor de los cortes y la
eliminación de los materiales
de clase y los recortes a
personal y salarios”, dijo.
Lunn
espera,
que
el
Estado dé al distrito dinero
PUBLISHER/PRESIDENT
(Editor/Presidente)
Jose “Joe” Arce
VICE PRESIDENT
(Vicepresidente)
Ramona Arce
EDITOR (Editor)
Jose Faus
REPORTERS/WRITERS
(Reporteros/Periodistas)
Debra DeCoster, Jose Faus,
Jerry LaMartina
DESIGN/LAYOUT
The budget cuts stem from the Kansas Legislatures passage
of and Governor Sam Brownback signing of Senate Bill 7, a
Block Grant bill that decreases the amount of state funding
the district would receive over the next two fiscal years.
Los recortes presupuestarios se derivan de la aprobación de
las Legislaturas de Kansas y de la firma del Gobernador Sam
Brownback, al Proyecto de Ley Senatorial 7, un Ramo que
disminuye la cantidad de fondos estatales que el distrito recibiría
en los próximos dos años fiscales.
in Kansas for generations to
come,” said Lane.
Mekia Lunn, a parent of a 7
year-old student, said that she
hasn’t noticed the impact of
the budget cuts on her child’s
education yet.
“Budget
cuts
to
our
children’s education have
been happening over the last
several years. Our teachers
and schools have already
been working around the
cuts and the elimination of
classroom supplies and cuts
to staff and salaries,” she
said.
adicional, para que puedan
dar a su hijo y todos los niños
del distrito una educación de
calidad.
“Es muy importante que
nuestros niños tengan una
educación de calidad. Es
importante para ellos tener
(Diseño Editorial/Diagramación)
Janneth-B Rodríguez
Gemma Tornero
SPANISH TRANSLATION
(Traducción a español)
Gemma Tornero
STUDENT INTERN
(Becario)
Marco Holguin
Jose Muñiz
Lunn hopes that the state
will give the district additional
money so that they can give
her child and all children in the
district a quality education.
“It is very important that
our children have a quality
education. It is important for
them to have computer skills,
have a quality teaching staff,
have access to books and
technology that will help them
move forward. But as I listen
to the discussion about the
budget cuts, I question if this
will happen,” she said.
conocimientos de informática,
tener un profesorado de
calidad, tener acceso a los
libros y la tecnología que les
ayudarán a avanzar. Pero
cuando escucho la discusión
acerca de los recortes
presupuestarios, me pregunto
si esto va a suceder”, dijo.
KCHN is a weekly publication of Arce Communications
Inc. who bears no responsibility for accuracy or
content advertisements. All rights reserverd. Arce
Communications Inc does not guarantee the absence of
error and every attempt will be made to remedy in KCHN
at our next edition.
KCHN es una publicacion semanal de Arce Communications
Inc. quienes no se hacen responsables por la presición o
contenido de los anuncios. Todos los derechos reservados.
Arce Communications Inc. no garantiza la ausencia de
errores en KCHN los cuales seran corregidos en nuestra
siguiente edición.
2918 Southwest Blvd.
Kansas City, MO 64108-1911
PHONE: (816)472.KCHN
FAX: (816)931.NEWS
E-MAIL: [email protected]
www.kchispanicnews.com
TÚ CONEXIÓN LATINA DESDE 1996
KCHispanicNews.com I Septiembre 17 - 2015
PROFESSIONAL
The City of Overland Park has a FT HR Rep.
position available in the HR Dept. To apply,
go to www.opkansas.org.
EO/M/F/D/V
O/O’s! Great Pay!
Dedicated Routes, Claycomo,
MO-Ionia, MI. CDL-A,
12mo exp. B&W Insterstate.
Tabitha: 800-325-7884 x4
YOUR AD
COULD BE HERE
816 - 4 7 2 - 52 4 6
Education
Full-Time and PartTime Faculty and Staff
Career Opportunities
at
https://jobs.mcckc.edu
EOE/M/F/V/Disabled
The KCMO Police
Dept. is accepting
Bids for New 2015
and 2016 Model
Year Ford Police
Pursuit Vehicles
and Ford Transit
Cargo Vans. Bids
Opens 10-14-15 at
2:00 p.m. Contact
Trina Canady
@ 816-234-5377.
SEEKING BIDS FROM
MBE/WBE CONTRACTORS
Kansas City Mechanical is seeking bids from qualified
MBE/WBE Contractors for
Dairy Farmers of America Headquarters
For the following trade: Insulation
Bids will be accepted on October 6th by 9:00am
Please contact our office at 913-334-1101 for
Information on obtaining plans and specifications
CLASSIFIEDS & PUBLIC NOTICES | Clasificados & Anuncios Publicos
5
Prospect Avenue MAX Bus Rapid Transit (BRT)
Project Development
RFQ/P #15-7045-39
The Kansas City Area Transportation Authority (KCATA) is soliciting written
qualifications/proposals from qualified consulting firms for the Project Development
phase of Prospect Avenue Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) MAX Service. Qualified
consultants will develop a final operating plan and 30% design concepts for the
Proposed MAX BRT Project Development and obtain final NEPA clearance for
the intended new MAX Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) route from Downtown, along
Prospect Avenue to a southern terminus at approximately 75th Street.
A pre-proposal conference will be held at KCATA’s offices located at 1200 East
18th Street in Kansas City, MO, 64108 on October 7, 2015, at 2:00 p.m. Although
attendance at this conference is not mandated those firms interested in proposing
to the RFQ/P are encouraged to attend and to bring with them all sub-consultants
being considered as team members for their proposed consulting group. For this
project, a ten (10%) percent goal has been established for DBE participation.
Proposals are due no later than 2 p.m. October 21, 2015.
Interested Proposers may visit www.kcata.org for the RFQ/P document or contact
the Procurement Department at 816/346.0360 to receive a copy.
Invitation for Bids
INVITATION TO BID
The Lee’s Summit Housing Authority (LSHA) will accept bids from qualified
persons or firms for the Lee Haven HVAC Upgrades project. Bids
must be received by the Lee’s Summit Housing Authority, 111 SE Grand
Avenue, Lee’s Summit, Missouri 64063 on or before October 9, 2015
at 1:00 PM CST at which time and place all bids will be opened and
read aloud publically.
HarenLaughlin Construction is seeking KCMO Certified MBE/WBE Subcontractors & Suppliers to submit
proposals for the Interstate – 12 East Armour Project, located at 12 East Armour Blvd, Kansas City, MO
64111
Bidding documents are available with 24 hours of notice. To request a
digital (PDF) or hard (print) copy of bidding documents and any addendums
or notices of information documents contact:
Adam Shuler
Tompkins Architects
[email protected]
Hard (print) copies require a $25.00 refundable deposit and can be picked
up at:
ArchiDigital Blueprint & Imaging
521-A SE 2nd Street
Lee’s Summit, MO 64063
(816) 524-7120
Bidders are encouraged to view the work and complete field measurements
during a pre-bid conference set for September 23, 2015 at 1:00
PM CST in the Conference Room of the Lee’s Summit Housing Authority
Office located at 111 SE Grand Avenue, Lee’s Summit, MO 64063.
It is the responsibility of interested firms to check with the LSHA, for any
addendums prior to the due date for this Bid. All addendums must be
signed and included with submitted Bid.
The cutoff date for any questions for this bid is September 29, 2015 at
5:00 PM CST.
All questions shall be directed to:
Adam Shuler
Tompkins Architects
[email protected]
In Loving Memory
JOHN MADRIGAL
John Madrigal, 82 of Kansas City, MO, passed
from this world into the next on Sept 16, 2015 in his home.
A Korean War Veteran, he proudly served in the U.S. Navy
from 1951-1959. He was preceded in death by his wife,
Jessie Madrigal, parents, Nabor Madrigal and Magdelina
Bravo Madrigal, 5 brothers and 5 sisters. John is survived
by his sister, Mary Louise Marquez of Kansas City, MO,
3 daughters, and many nieces and nephews. The family
would like to give special thanks to the KU Medical ICU
nurses, and Palliative Care staff, and Paul and Debbie
Madrigal for their loving care provided to John in the final
weeks of his life.
The visitation and the rosary was prayed on Sunday,
Sept 20 at McGilley Midtown Chapel, KCMO. Mass
of Christian Burial was held Mon, Sept 21 at Our Lady of Perpetual Help/Redemptorist
Church, 3333 Broadway, KCMO. He was laid to rest in Forest Hill/Calvary Cemetery.
Online condolences may be given at www.mcgilleymidtownchapel.com. Arrangements
through McGilley Midtown Chapel, 816-753-6200.
TERESA MUNOZ BERNAL
Teresa Munoz Bernal, 96 of Kansas City,
MO
passed
away
September
16,
2015.
Teresa was born October 15, 1918 to Jose and Maria
Munoz in Bisbee, AZ. She was preceded in death by her
parents, her husband Adolph, two brothers and three
sisters. She is survived by two sisters, Nellie and Fellie;
six children, Patty, Richard, Jeannie, Robert, Mary and
Katherine; 21 grandchildren and 28 great grandchildren;
numerous nieces, nephews and their families.
Visitation was held on Sunday, Sept. 20 at the McGilley
Midtown Chapel, 20 W. Linwood Blvd, where families
and friends gather and to pray the rosary. Mass of
Christian Burial was held Monday, Sept 21 at Guardian
Angels Church, 1310 Westport Road, KCMO. She was
laid to rest in Calvary Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the
family request contributions to Guardian Angels Food
Pantry. Fond memories and condolences may be shared at
www.mcgilleymidtownchapel.com
KCHispanicNews.com
YOUR LATINO CONNECTION SINCE 1996
Bids are due by October 12, 2015 at 2:00 pm. Bids will be opened privately.
PROJECT DESCRIPTION:
Project consists of the renovation of a 1950s office building into rental apartments. The project is subject
to review by the National Park Services as part of the state and Federal Historic Tax Credit Program.
Owner pay pursue other incentives as well. Project labor requirements: 15%MBE and 10% WBE. This
is a non- prevailing wage project. There is a sales tax exemption. Proposals are requested for all trades.
There is a site visit scheduled for October 1, 2015 at 10:00 AM.
Bid Documents will be available at the following:
Viewing – HLC Office – 8035 Nieman Rd, Lenexa, KS 66214
Download – www.iSqFt.com; ftp.harenlaughlin.com
HarenLaughlin is an Equal Opportunity Employer. MBE/WBE Subcontractors are encouraged to bid.
Contact Tyler Bryant [email protected] or at (913) 495-9558.
Sealed bids will be accepted by the Purchasing Agent of the City of St.Joseph,
Missouri for
Bid # CD2016-03
Community Development Façade Improvement 518 Felix Street
until October 9, 2015 at 3:00 P.M. at which time they will be publicly opened
and read aloud.
A prebid conference will be held on October 1, 2015 at 9:00 A.M. in the
First Floor Conference Room at City Hall, 1100 Frederick Avenue St Joseph,
Missouri 64501.
Specifications will be available from the Purchasing Department, 1100
Frederick Avenue Room 201, St. Joseph, Missouri, by calling 816.271.5330
or downloaded from the City’s website at www.stjoemo.info under Bids &
RFP’s.
We reserve the right to accept or reject any or all bids. This project is funded
100% by CDBG funds. The City of St. Joseph is and Equal Opportunity
Employer.
(s)
Tammy C. Bembrick
Purchasing Agent
To be published in the Kansas City Hispanic News on September 24, 2015
MINORITY, WOMEN, & VETERAN BUSINESS ENTERPRISES – McAfee
Construction, Inc. is seeking MBE, WBE, & SDVE Subcontractors and
Suppliers who are interested in bidding:
MISSOURI DEPARTMENT OF CONSERVATION
CORRIDORS REPLACEMENT - Project No. 61-19-G1
2901 West Truman Blvd., Jefferson City, Missouri 65109
Plans are available at our office or online for viewing only at http://mdc.adsmo.
net. Bids are due in our office by Noon on October 1, 2015. Interested
bidders please contact McAFEE CONSTRUCTION, INC, - AN EQUAL
OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER at 573-474-4397.
Sealed bids will be accepted by the Purchasing Agent of the City of St. Joseph,
Missouri for the
Demolition of 1517 Olive Street
Bid #CD2016-02
until October 12, 2016 at 3:00 P.M. at which time they will be publicly opened
and read aloud.
If there are any questions concerning the specifications, please call Juston Carr
at 816.271.4679.
Specifications and drawings are available from the Purchasing Department, 1100
Frederick Avenue Room 201, St. Joseph, Missouri, by calling 816.271.5330
or download from the City’s website at www.stjoemo.info under Bids & RFPs.
The City of St. Joseph reserves the right to accept or reject any or all bids. This
project is funded 100% by CDBG funds. The City of St. Joseph is and Equal
Opportunity Employer.
The City of St. Joseph reserves the right to accept or reject any or all bids. The
City of St. Joseph is and Equal Opportunity Employer.
(s)
Tammy C. Bembrick
Purchasing Agent
To be published in the Hispanic News on September 24, 2015.
septiembre 17 - 2015 | kchispanicnews.com
D E P O R T E S
JOSE
FAUS
An unexpected detour
on the road to greatness
These Chiefs’ diehard fans know how to tailgate and enjoy themselves with great
food and talking chiefs football. (left to right) JD Rios; David Tinoco; and father
and son Stan Castaneda Sr., Stan Castaneda Jr.; and Lisa Garcia all have high
hopes for a great season. Can the Chiefs get themselves to the playoffs this year?
Roger Espinoza del Sporting de Kansas
City se une al Equipo de Unbound
por Escritor Invitado
Elizabeth Alex
KANSAS
CITY, Kansas
– Unbound, organización
humanitaria
que
trabaja
en 20 países alrededor del
mundo, se complace en
anunciar su asociación con
Roger Espinoza del Club de
Fútbol Sporting de Kansas
City.
Espinoza visitará Santa
Bárbara,
Honduras,
del
10 al 14 de Diciembre del
2015, lo que le permitirá
ver de primera mano la
trascendencia del impacto
de Unbound en los niños,
jóvenes y adultos mayores
que viven en la pobreza.
Conocerá a las familias a
quienes sirve Unbound y
organizará una clínica de
fútbol para los niños del
programa de apadrinamiento
de Unbound.
Espinoza nació en Puerto
Cortés,
Honduras, y es uno
de seis hijos.
Emigró a los
Estados Unidos cuando
tenía
12 años y el fútbol le ayudó
a
integrarse a su nuevo país y
a
aprender inglés. Espinoza
todavía
tiene
familia
en
Honduras y, uno de sus
objetivos es lograr hacer
la diferencia en su país y
trascender las fronteras.
“Vengo de Honduras y,
puedo conectar con los niños
de Honduras”, dijo Espinoza.
“Y quiero ayudar a los niños
en muchos países alrededor
del mundo. Unbound es un
buen lugar para hacerlo”.
Ana Martínez, directora
del proyecto de Honduras
en Unbound comentó que
la presencia de Espinoza
inspirará a los jóvenes para
que logren alcanzar sus
sueños.
“Roger Espinoza
viene de una familia muy
Roger Espinoza del Sporting de Kansas City se asocia con
Unbound.
Roger Espinoza of Sporting Kansas City partners with
Unbound.
similar a las familias a
las que servimos”, dijo
Martínez. “Tiene el carisma
y el espíritu de servir y es
un joven que realizó muchos
sacrificios para alcanzar sus
sueños. Estamos muy felices
y entusiasmados de que
sea parte de nuestra familia
Unbound”.
Espinoza,
un
centrocampista,
comenzó
su carrera en Major League
Soccer en Kansas City, donde
fue un jugador All-Star en la
MLS y en el 2012 ayudó al
club a ganar la Lamar Hunt
U.S. Open Cup. Vivió en el
extranjero durante dos años,
jugó en Inglaterra y regresó
en Enero del 2015 a Kansas
City. Él es uno de los únicos
tres jugadores actuales de la
MLS que han participado en
los Juegos Olímpicos y dos o
más Copas Mundiales de la
FIFA.
Espinoza también jugó en
la Selección Nacional de
Honduras y sigue siendo un
jugador muy famoso, tanto
en los Estados Unidos cómo
en Honduras. Le gusta el
snowboard, la pesca en hielo
y su bulldog Inglés, Chulo.
“Para los niños de Honduras
y de muchos países alrededor
del mundo, el fútbol es un
deporte de intensa emoción
y entusiasmo”, dijo Martinez.
“Es de gran alegría el contar
con un personaje como Roger
Espinoza para motivar y
respaldar a los niños que
viven en la pobreza. Es un
ejemplo fabuloso de que los
sueños se pueden lograr”.
Acerca de Unbound
Unbound es la mayor
organización sin fines de
lucro en Kansas, con más de
US$120 millones de dólares
en ingresos anuales. Trabaja
hombro con hombro en 20
países, con personas de
diversas culturas y religiones,
reuniendo a las comunidades
para enfrentar la pobreza de
formas nuevas e innovadoras.
Unbound distribuye apoyo
directo a las personas que
lo necesitan con la rapidez y
eficacia que le es posible. El
92.5 por ciento de los egresos
de Unbound se utilizan en el
apoyo a los programas.
traduce
Gemma Tornero
Sporting Kansas City’s Roger
Espinoza joins Unbound team
by Jose Faus
I
t has been a week since
the Chief’s home opener
and I can step back from
the precipice and take in
a deep breath.
Nope, it is not working.
There is still a bitter taste
in the mouth and a foul
scent in the breeze. It didn’t
come from the food or the
atmosphere. The Arrowhead
parking lot lived up to its
boisterous nature.
Some
frazzled
and
some stoic lot attendants
pretended to control the
flow of traffic into the chaos
of tents, lawn chairs, flying
footballs and wobbly fans
already under the control
of the demon liquids. Loud
music inundated the asphalt.
The smell of grilled ribs,
steaks, hamburgers, hot
dogs and sausages floated
on dense clouds of hickory,
mesquite and other woods.
Chants
of
“Chiefs”
erupted spontaneously from
all corners and the usual
smattering of knuckleheads
threatened to make the
ease of watching the game
from home an attractive
alternative.
But this was the game.
The Denver Broncos, with
the nicest and most hated
quarterback in the league,
were limping into town.
The Chiefs strode unto the
field with all the swagger
of a team destined to
finally bury the ghosts of
Bronco stampedes into an
airtight pit.
And the fans brought all
the expectations that so
many years in the wilderness
can produce – unreasonable
expectations. Coming off a
season defining first win
of the season against the
Houston Texans in which the
defense dominated and the
offense clicked like the welloiled machine we all expect
it to be, there was no other
possibility than a powerful
performance over the ponies
from Denver.
And in the beginning
it sure looked like it. The
offense moved up and
down the field and rookie
cornerback Marcus Peters
had a nice pick at the start
to fuel the giddy prospects of
a crushing win. A fumble by
the reliable Jamaal Charles
seemed like a hiccup on the
way to the Promised Land
as the Chiefs marched to a
14-point lead.
Yes, here was El Dorado
with the shining halls of
victory and the rays of
perpetual sunlight fueling
the city’s pride. The mighty
Chiefs were on the rise.
We saw the apex and
then the façade begun to
crumble. And when it finally
ceased its rumbling with
the last fumble of the night
leading to a game-ending
touchdown for the Broncos,
you could see the gloss of
belief drop like a ton of lead
weights onto a puddle.
I don’t think I have ever
seen as many people rise
in mass and run from their
seats in a mad dash for the
exits. What was the rush?
The only prospect outside of
the stadium was a traffic jam
of colossal proportions and
the agony of spending an
hour waiting to move a foot
while the misery of the game
was replayed over and over
from car radios and curses
flowing as easily from lips
as the chants of “Chiefs”
had flowed hours before in
the glare of optimism.
Okay enough with the
flowery language. This hurt
like heck and it will sting until
the team can take control of
the season and work out the
kinks. Thanks to the heavens
that the road gets easy from
here on out. I hear the road
to Lambeau Field is a nicely
paved thoroughfare even on
a Monday night.
Yes, the mighty Green
Bay Packers wait on that
hallowed bowl but these are
the Chiefs. They are tied for
the best road record in the
league with one win. Bring
it on Packers. Here comes
the wagon full of swagger
and belief and I still believe
in unicorns and Santa Claus
and the Great Pumpkin and
that humility will visit Donald
Trump in his sleep.
I still believe in something,
but I think I will wait and
take deep breaths along
the way so that I will not
choke rational analysis with
unguarded optimism. I still
see rays of sunshine in the
distance. I hope they are not
drifting away.
YOUR LATINO CONNECTION SINCE 1996
by Guest Writer
Elizabeth Alex
KANSAS CITY, Kan. –
Unbound, a humanitarian
organization working in 20
countries around the world
is pleased to announce
its partnership with Roger
Espinoza of the Sporting
Kansas City soccer club.
Espinoza will visit Santa
Barbara, Honduras, Dec. 1014, 2015, to experience the
impact Unbound makes for
children, youth and elders living
in poverty. He’ll meet families
Unbound serves and host a
soccer clinic for kids in the
Unbound sponsorship program.
Espinoza was born in Puerto
Cortes, Honduras, and is one
of six children. He immigrated
to the United States when he
was 12 years old and
credits
soccer to helping him integrate
into a new country and learn
English. Espinoza still has
family in Honduras, and
he has a
goal of making a
difference in his home country
and beyond its borders. “I
come from Honduras, and I
can connect with kids from
Honduras,” Espinoza said.
“And I want to help kids in
many countries around the
world. Unbound is a good
place to do that.”
Ana Martinez, Honduran
project director for Unbound
said Espinoza’s presence will
help inspire young people to
achieve their dreams.
“Roger Espinoza comes from
a family very similar to the
families we serve,” Martinez
said. “He has the charisma
and spirit of giving and is a
young man who made many
sacrifices to reach his dreams.
We are thrilled and happy
to have him as a part of our
Unbound family.”
Espinoza, a midfielder,
began his Major League
Soccer career in Kansas City,
where he was an MLS All-Star
and helped the club win the
2012 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open
Cup. He moved abroad for
two years to play in England
and returned to Kansas City
in January 2015. He is one
of only three current MLS
players to have appeared in
the Olympic Games and two
or more FIFA World Cups.
Espinoza
also
played
on the Honduras National
Team and remains a popular
player in both the United
States and Honduras. He likes
snowboarding, ice fishing and
his English bulldog, Chulo.
“For children in Honduras
and many countries around
the world, soccer is a sport
of passion and excitement,”
said Martinez. “Having a
figure like Roger Espinoza
advocating for and motivating
children living in poverty is
a great joy. He is a fabulous
example that dreams can be
achieved.”
About Unbound
Unbound is the largest
nonprofit
organization
in
Kansas with more than $120
million in annual revenue.
Unbound works side by side
with people of diverse faiths in
20 countries, bringing people
together to challenge poverty
in new and innovative ways.
Unbound distributes direct
aid as quickly and efficiently as
possible to people who need
it. 92.5 percent of Unbound’s
expenses go toward program
support.
TÚ CONEXIÓN LATINA DESDE 1996
KCHispanicNews.com I Septiembre 17 - 2015
Last Friday, Guadalupe Centers Inc. (GCI) held their annual Blanco y Negro Gala at the Westin
Crown Center Hotel. Each year the agency honors area individuals and local bussinesses
that have contributed to the growth and development of GCI’s organization and or the local
community. In addition, the price of the ticket helps to raise much needed funding for program.
Last year, GCI served over 9,000 individuals through an array of programs and services in
areas such as education, health, social services and youth development.
The following individuals, businesses and area students were honored.
The Dorothy Gallagher Award went to Mayela Visconti
The Thomas E. Purcell Award went to Cici Rojas
The I. Pat Rios Award went to Ramona Arroyo
The 2015 Tony Aguirre Scholarship Awards are:
. Alexander Miguel Lopez , Sophomore, Bishop Miege
. Ivan Quinones, Freshman, Bishop Miege
. Serena Sparks, Freshman, Bishop Miege
. Johnni Gonzalez, Sophomore, Bishop Miege
. Henry James Ramirez, Sophomore, Bishop Miege
. Jordynn Gonzalez, Sophomore, Bishop Miege
. Alexis Dominguez, Junior, Bishop Ward
. Gabriela A. Tinoco, Senior, Bishop Ward
. Laura Dominguez, Senior, Donnelly College
The Tony Aguirre Scholarship Awards assist local Latino youths in their pursuit of private
secondary education or post-secondary education.
YOUR LATINO CONNECTION SINCE 1996
TÚ CONEXIÓN LATINA DESDE 1996
septiembre 17 - 2015 | kchispanicnews.com
“I think this is great”
CONT./PAGE 1
Kansas City Public Schools
Interim Superintendent Al
Tunis, Local Initiatives Support
Corporation (LISC) Executive
Director Stephen Samuels and
Kansas City Chiefs Senior Vice
President Bill Chapin were on
hand to deliver the $200,000
grant from the NFL program
and an additional $25,000
ESPN amenities grant, which
the district will use to install a
new scoreboard.
The revitalization project
will
also
include
new
sidewalks, security system,
bleachers, lighting and a
storage facility.
“Kansas
City
Public
Schools is grateful for the
continued support from our
community partners. These
new improvements will allow
students
attending
KCPS
schools in the Northeast to
experience a first class athletic
environment that will install
pride and boost achievement
beyond the classroom,” said
Tunis.
Imagine the surprise when
the football team gathered
on their old football field to
practice last week and were
met by Kansas City Chiefs
linebacker Derrick Johnson
and wide receiver Jason
Avant – both were there to run
some drills with the team.
Since 1999, the Chiefs and
the Hunt Family Foundation
have been involved with
13 major athletic field
refurbishment
construction
projects. As a result of their
efforts, nearly $2.4 million
has been earmarked by the
organization to ensure area
youth have a proper and safe
place to play.
“We have been hopeful to
improve this field for many
years. Thanks to the NFL,
ESPN, and especially the
Kansas City Chiefs, we are
not only creating a place for
young people to compete in
football and other sports, we
are also helping to make our
neighborhoods better and
stronger,” said Samuels.
Steve Sosa, 1974 Alumni,
attended the program and
was excited that the Chiefs
along
with
community
organizations were investing
in his former high school.
“I think this is great. This is
my school and I use to live in
this neighborhood. We hope
they can do something about
the crime and get the public
involved and help the school
district.
The improvements
here should be the beginning
of something good and I like
it,” said Sosa.
The historic northeast side
of the city has been marked by
high crime and prostitution.
The school district is working
to change the environment
around the students.
Tunis said the district wants
to be a good community
partner and be the best
educational environment for
their students.
“We want to improve the
quality of life for all or our
residents as well as our
students. If we provide good
clean places for our students
to play, we will improve their
quality of life. We want to
have a nice track around the
field so that the community
can come out and use the
track to walk or jog and it
will be a safe place for them
to come and exercise,” said
Tunis.
SueAnn Erb, a Northeast
alumni and board member of
the Northeast Chamber, was
thrilled about the grant.
“The field will draw the
community and families here.
When we have the track,
families will come out. I am
excited for the work to begin.
Phase one will be the field
and then phase two will bring
in lighting and bleachers,”
she said.
Erb told Hispanic News
that the neighborhood has
been working hard to change
the image of the northeast
community.
“We
have
wonderful
neighborhood associations.
Independence Avenue is
looking good. Our storefronts
are getting cleaned up and
shined up,” she said.
Samuels said that good
things are beginning to
happen in the community
and eventually the positive
changes will help to reduce
crime in the area.
“The Northeast Chamber is
a step in the right direction.
The businesses have come
together and elected to
improve the district.
This
grant is being matched, so
it is a $400,000 investment.
People at the table need
to sit down and say this is
happening here, so what can
we do here, or over there and
there,” he said.
“We have been hopeful to improve this field for many years. Thanks to the NFL, ESPN, and
especially the Kansas City Chiefs, we are not only creating a place for young people to compete
in football and other sports, we are also helping to make our neighborhoods better and stronger,”
said (LISC) Executive Director Stephen Samuels. Steve Sosa, 1974 alumnus, was excited that the
Chiefs along with community organizations were investing in his former high school. “I think this
is great.”
SueAnn Erb, a Northeast alumni and board member of the Northeast Chamber
“Creo que esto es grandioso”
CONT./PÁGINA 1
El Superintendente Interino
Al Tunis, del Distrito Escolar
de Kansas City, el Director
Ejecutivo Stephen Samuels,
de la Corporación de Apoyo
a Iniciativas Locales (LISC,
por sus siglas en inglés) y el
Vice Presidente Principal Bill
Chapin, de los Jefes de Kansas
City estuvieron presentes para
entregar el subsidio de $200
mil dólares del programa de
la NFL y $25 mil dólares de
subvención adicional para
instalaciones ESPN, que el
distrito utilizará para instalar
un nuevo marcador.
El
proyecto
de
revitalización
también
incluirá
nuevas
aceras,
sistema de seguridad, gradas,
iluminación y un espacio
para almacenamiento.
“Las Escuelas Publicas de
Kansas City están agradecidas
por el apoyo continúo de
nuestros socios comunitarios.
Estas
nuevas
mejoras,
permitirán a los estudiantes
que asisten a escuelas
del KCPS en el Northeast,
experimentar un ambiente
deportivo de primera clase
que implementará el orgullo
y aumentará el rendimiento
más allá del aula”, dijo Tunis.
Imaginen
la
sorpresa
cuando el equipo de fútbol se
reunió en su antiguo campo de
fútbol a practicar la semana
pasada y se encontraron con
el apoyador Derrick Johnson
y el receptor abierto Jason
Avant, de los Jefes de Kansas
City - ambos estaban allí para
realizar algunos ejercicios
con el equipo.
Desde 1999, los Chiefs y
la Fundación de la Familia
Hunt han participado con
13
grandes
proyectos
de
construcción
en
la
remodelación de campos de
atletismo. Como resultado
de sus esfuerzos, casi
$2.4 millones de dólares
han sido destinados por
la
organización
para
asegurarse que la juventud
del área tenga un lugar
adecuado y seguro para
jugar.
“Hemos
tenido
la
esperanza de mejorar este
campo durante muchos años.
Gracias a la NFL, ESPN, y
especialmente a los Jefes de
Kansas City, estamos creando
no sólo un lugar para que los
jóvenes puedan competir en
el fútbol y otros deportes,
también estamos ayudando
para que nuestros barrios
sean mejores y más fuertes”,
dijo Samuels.
Steve Sosa, ex alumno
de la generación 1974,
asistió al programa y estaba
emocionado de que los Jefes,
junto con organizaciones de
la comunidad, estuvieran
invirtiendo en su ex escuela
preparatoria.
“Creo que esto es muy
bueno. Esta es mi escuela
y solía vivir en este barrio.
Esperamos que puedan hacer
algo sobre el crimen y lograr
que el público se involucre y
ayude al distrito escolar. Las
mejoras aquí deben ser el
comienzo de algo bueno, y
eso me gusta”, dijo Sosa.
El lado histórico del
Noreste de la ciudad ha
estado marcado por la alta
delincuencia y prostitución.
YOUR LATINO CONNECTION SINCE 1996
“Hemos tenido la esperanza de mejorar este campo durante muchos años. Gracias a la NFL, ESPN,
y especialmente a los Jefes de Kansas City, estamos creando no sólo un lugar para que los jóvenes
puedan competir en el fútbol y otros deportes, también estamos ayudando para que nuestros barrios
sean mejores y más fuertes”, dijo Samuels. Steve Sosa, ex alumno de la generación 1974, asistió al
programa y estaba emocionado de que los Jefes, junto con organizaciones de la comunidad, estuvieran
invirtiendo en su ex escuela preparatoria. “Creo que esto es muy bueno.”
El distrito escolar está
trabajando para cambiar el
ambiente alrededor de los
estudiantes.
Tunis dijo que el distrito
quiere ser un buen socio de
la comunidad y ser el mejor
ambiente educativo para sus
estudiantes.
“Queremos mejorar la
calidad de vida de todos, de
nuestros residentes, así como
la de nuestros estudiantes.
Si proporcionamos buenos
lugares, limpios, para que
nuestros estudiantes jueguen,
vamos a mejorar su calidad
de vida. Queremos tener
una buena pista alrededor
del campo, para que la
comunidad pueda salir y
utilizar la pista para caminar
o trotar y que sea un lugar
seguro para que vengan y se
ejerciten”, dijo Tunis.
SueAnn Erb, una ex alumna
de Noreste e integrante de la
dirección de la Cámara de
Comercio del Noreste, estaba
muy emocionada acerca de
la subvención.
“El campo atraerá aquí a la
comunidad y a las familias.
Cuando tengamos la pista,
las familias van venir. Estoy
muy emocionada de que
comience el trabajo. La
primera fase será el campo y
luego la segunda fase traerá
la iluminación y las gradas”,
dijo.
Erb dijo a Hispanic News,
que el barrio ha estado
trabajando
duro
para
cambiar la imagen de la
comunidad del Noreste.
“Tenemos
asociaciones
vecinales maravillosas. La
Avenida Independence se ve
bien. Nuestras tiendas están
siendo limpiadas y se están
puliendo”, dijo.
Samuels dijo que las cosas
buenas están empezando
a suceder en la comunidad
y, finalmente, los cambios
positivos ayudarán a reducir
la delincuencia en la zona.
“La Cámara de Comercio
del Noreste es un paso en
la dirección correcta. Las
empresas se han reunido
y han elegido mejorar el
barrio. Esta subvención está
siendo igualada, por lo que
es una inversión de $400 mil
dólares. La gente en la mesa
de negociaciones necesita
sentarse y decir que esto está
sucediendo aquí, así que,
¿qué podemos hacer aquí, o
allá y allá”, dijo.
TÚ CONEXIÓN LATINA DESDE 1996