Community Events

The Greater Lansing Hispanic Chamber of Commerce hosted about their March Mixer in REO Town Thursday, March 6, 2014 and by all accounts it continued the GLHCC run of successful gatherings. Kevin Root who is Director of Membership for the Small Business Association of Michigan (SBAM) was the guest speaker offering plenty of information of who SBAM is and how they can serve small businesses. On Wednesday, March 19, 2014, the Chamber will be having its “3rd Wednesday of the Month Breakfast Meetup” at the office of Full Circle Financial Planning located in Old Town at 1236-B Turner St. Lansing, Michigan 48906 from 9:00am to 10:00am. The “3rd Wednesday of the Month Breakfast Meetup” allows Lansing business owners, professionals, and community leaders to network. Break bread, meet new friends and build relationships. Everyone’s welcome! If your business or restaurant would like to host a breakfast meetup, feel free to contact the Chamber. For more information about the Greater Lansing Hispanic Chamber of Commerce please contact Heather Yevseyev at 517-258-1460 or Jose Yanez at 517-316-5333

While Lt. Noel Garcia was being slowly introduced by Lansing Police Chief Mike Yankowski, the word “passionate” was used quite often to describe the 25 years Lt. Garcia spent working as a Police Officer. Whether he was policing the North Side of Lansing, helping organize the Police Athletic League or Gus Maker teams which served youth, or becoming known to many as someone they could trust, Mr. Garcia was passionate when it came to engaging the community and especially its youth. Lt. Noel Garcia has decided to retire from the Lansing Police Department after 25 years of service. Garcia has served as a supervisor for his department’s tactical team, patrol unit, Investigations Division and Internal Affairs unit. He also has served as a community policing officer and public information officer, and is an adjunct professor at Baker College and Ferris State University’s Lansing campus. He currently Chairs the Board of Directors at Cristo Rey Community Center. Mr. Garcia spoke of leaving his LPD family and his career and appeared to have notes written but quickly dismissed them as thoughts of leaving the Police Force overtook him and he chose to keep his composure.

When reflecting upon his career highlights he mentioned about a specific Gus Macker team he put together that traveled between Michigan, Illinois and Ohio. Although they won many trophies, the time spent with these youth left a lasting impact on these young men who showed up for the retirement party. They apparently gave Noel an up close view of something he cherished and has thrived in: being a mentor. A chance to lead the Law Enforcement program at the Ingham Intermediate Schools Capital Area Career Center came up recently and Noel seen it as a way to continue working with youth and at the same time be able to devote more time to his family with summers off. While the decision to leave his LPD Family was tough, he challenged them to answer his call when he needs them to come and speak to his future students. Meanwhile his boys whom he candidly called “always saints” will get to enjoy Dad just a little bit more as Noel begins a new career.

Editors note: About five years ago my son was brought home by an officer after he took off with my car, ran a stop sign and almost broad sided a different officers police car. All I knew was my son had almost hit a Police Lieutenant. I showed my son this article a few hours before I published it and he then told me “that’s the officer that I almost hit. He told me what I did wrong, but then mostly talked about being a better person for my father, making wise decisions and getting a drivers license”. From this editor to Mr. Noel Garcia, thank you for speaking to my son. To many of us, you will always be one of Lansing’s finest. For more information about the program that Mr. Noel Garcia will be leading please go to:http://www.inghamisd.org/cacc/futurestudents/programsbypathways/humanservices/lawenforcement/

In what is becoming the “Year of Cesar Estrada Chavez”, State Board of Education Member Lupe Ramos-Montigny made the decision to introduce a Resolution “Encouraging and Recommending to the State Schools to include the Life and Legacy of Cesar E. Chavez in the implementation of the Social Studies Standards”. After a short video about Cesar, Lupe read the Resolution and it was unanimously approved by her colleagues. Lupe Ramos-Montigny is currently the sole Latino/a sitting on the Michigan State Board of Education and the first Latino/a to sit on the Board since Gumecindo Salas served two terms (1976-84 and 1986-94). Lupe stated ”I strongly believe that Cesar is an American icon that has made remarkable contributions to the history of the United States through his powerful teachings and passionate work in Social Justice and Civil Rights. With quite a few supporters sitting in attendance, several went up to address the State Board offering their thoughts, wisdom, and support behind the Resolution. For outsiders it may not seem like such a big thing or perhaps people will wonder why Cesar? Well coming to select theaters around the country, will be the new bio pic “Cesar Chavez” opening March 28, 2014. If you doubt, go see for yourself. For those of us who already know: Si Se Puede! (Photos by Albert Lopez) https://www.michigan.gov/documents/mde/Cesar_Chavez_Resolution_FINAL_447356_7.pdf

Chicano History Week after years of lying dormant, has become relevant again. Adopted by the Michigan House of Representatives on January 29, 2014, House Resolution No. 295 declared February 2-8, 2014 as Chicano History Week in the State of Michigan. Using plenty of phone calls, emails, and determination, Dr. Margarito Garcia III pulled together several of the local Chicano/Latino Organizations in the area on Monday, February 3, 2014 for a simple, fun but yet powerful statement with recognition given to the past.

Every year the Christmas Symposium starts off the same way. People slowly trickle in, you find a few familiar faces, get caught up in conversation and then next thing you know the room is full. Friday, December 13, 2013 at the Cristo Rey Church Hall, the 31st Annual Christmas Symposium took place led by long time community leaders John J. Castillo and Manuel Delgado Sr. With Fred Villareal keeping the music soft enough for conversation but yet loud enough to keep a good flow to the evening with Tejano and Christmas music mixed in. Plenty of familiar faces came out to this years version.The night was highlighted by Rosemary Lopez accepting the Capital Area Hispanics Community Representatives Award for Community Service given to her husband John Lopez who passed away earlier this year. John was well known and loved in the community as one who not only provided fresh pan dulce for many years at Lopez Bakery, but a willingness to always give back to the Hispanic community thru Cristo Rey Church, the Knights of Columbus or friends and family. Whether by his own hands, or by encouraging others to contribute, John definitely made his presence felt in many positive ways.The whole idea of this Christmas Symposium I do believe gets lost on those that do not attend. Its not a elegant bash where you get to rub elbows with Board of Education members or Ingham County Commissioners. Yes Guillermo Lopez and Bryan Crenshaw were there but that’s not the point. Mr. Castillo and Mr. Delgado whose connections together would outnumber the rest of our contact lists combined (okay, I exaggerate a touch, but not by much), only intended a night where people could celebrate life, friendships, the end of the year and of course Christmas. Nothing fancy. For fifteen bucks, you get some food (carne guisada was awesome!), conversation and music. For many of us, its a night to slow down and enjoy some great company. Thanks John and Manuel!

The Senior Citizens Program and the staff of Cristo Rey Community Center (CRCC) came together for their own version of a Thanksgiving Dinner on Tuesday, November 26, 2013. The CRCC Staff usually don’t get much time to mingle with the Seniors when they come in on Wednesdays for their weekly program. With some help from a great kitchen staff of cooks and servers, and assistance from a members from the Lansing for Cesar E. Chavez Committee, the Seniors and Staff spent some time sharing some stories and a wonderful meal (which sadly I missed out on as I was taking pictures and listening).When La Sra. Villegas asked me if I knew Johnny Castillo I froze for a moment. She then went on to say that she used to hold Johnny Castillo when he was a baby. Today “Johnny” is known more as John J. Castillo of Castillo Associates who might be a “shade over 60 years”. As I listened to Maggie Noyola speak of her families love of sports and baseball, one can see the pride and joy on her face. These Seniors have so many stories to tell and wisdom to offer.The CRCC Staff quietly serves so many in the community that they often go unnoticed for the hours upon hours they spend even outside of their work schedule. With a brand new Executive Director in Joe Garcia and a newly established Board of Directors who are excited about reestablishing the CRCC as a place that not only offers resources, but also pulls in resources to better serve the community.The Cristo Rey Community Center was opened in 1968 to help meet the needs of the poor, the vulnerable, immigrants and migrants and all people in need regardless of language or culture. Over the years it has expanded its programs and the number of people served. Currently they have many programs that are on-location and providing critical services for both basic needs and resources for self-sufficiency. The Senior Citizens Program meets every Wednesday for Mass, a meal and social time. For more information please contact the Center at 517-372-4700.

The Greater Lansing Hispanic Chamber of Commerce held their November Mixer at the Crowne Plaza on Thursday, November 21, 2013. In what was billed as a celebration of a partnership between Big Brothers and Big Sisters (BBBS) and the GLHCC, Century 21 Looking Glass sponsored the event which had about 60 people in attendance according to Letricia Rodriguez who coordinated the Mixer.The evening was filled with light appetizers, a cash bar, various community leaders such as recently appointed Ingham County Commissioner Bryan Crenshaw and Linda Lee Tarver from the Secretary of State Office. I spoke with Carlos Rubio and Alicia Barajas who both work with BBBS, and their excitement was quite evident as both expressed the need for their Agency to match kids with Latino “Brothers” and “Sisters”. BBBS Executive Director Phillip Knight spoke about the impact of a BBBS in the community and its potential for long term success on a child. All and all a great night for all who attended.The Chamber wishes to invite everyone to their 1st Annual 2013 Holiday Gala which will be held Friday, December 20, 2013 at the Crowne Plaza on Lansing’s west side. Tickets are $35.00 which includes a dinner served to your table and dancing.

Hispanic Women in the Network (WIN) met at Olivet College to share a meal, network and offer a WIN Thank you to Olivet College for the many scholarships it has provided to Lansing School District Latinas/Latinos over the years. Olivet College has awarded 14 full tuition based scholarships over the last several years worth 1.12 Million Dollars through the Chicano Latino Advisory Committee. Jason Meadows, Assistant Dean for Student Life accepted the award from WIN Coodinator Andrea Rodriguez. The “Networking” started off with a meal then moved on to some “Truth or Dare” questions that allowed the WIN members to share stories of who they are and what they value in life. Rather then do the traditional networking event, WIN stayed together and shared a little of themselves and were asked to write down their skills for others to take home so that we now know what each others skills are and what we have a passion for doing. I myself walked away knowing people a little better and can now see perhaps where a couple of them might fit into some projects that I would like to work on. Isn’t that what networking is about?

oe Garcia was named as the new Executive Director of Cristo Rey Community Center and quickly was hailed by many of the 125 people in attendance as a positive presence and a step in the right direction for a Center whose recent past has been hit hard by the economy. Mr. Garcia spoke of the need to “streamline operations and create efficiencies” and citing his experience with marketing, finances and promotion, he sees many non-profits in the same boat with the “need to do more with less”. The Center was filled with a “Whose Who” of Latino leaders from the business, education, and non-profit communities. A very united front was evident from the crowd which offered plenty of support for Mr. Garcia and despite the Center’s recent troubles which included a near merger with St. Vincent Catholic Charities, excitement filled the air as many recall the Center as a Cornerstone to the Hispanic Community. The hope that one day soon under the guidance of Mr. Garcia it will be once again was summed up when Noel Garcia (no relation) who chairs the Center’s Board of Directors issued the words: ““We’ll get back those programs we lost, and we’ll get some more.” Meet Joseph Garcia Former Director of MBA Career Services at Michigan State University Regional Supervisor for the Telmon Corporation (focuses on needs of migrant workers) Former volunteer at Cristo Rey Community Center Dual Bachelor’s Degree (Communications/Spanish) from Western Michigan University MBA from Northwood University Franchisee~ Snap Fitness For more information about Cristo Rey Community Center and the programs it offers including its highly regarded clinic please call 517-372-4700.