Latino Leadership Network Updates!
LLN's DEI committee key to helping us understand each other
When Jovita Ramirez was selected by the LLN executive board to chair the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion committee she rolled up her sleeves and got to work shaping its vision and mission. With help from her co-chair Steven Camerer and committee members, they outlined a plan that will grow LLN members’ understanding, knowledge and capabilities related to DEI.
The work ahead will be exciting and powerful as they nurture platforms for conversations on race and ethnicity and develop DEI resources and training opportunities for LLN members.
Ramirez is an experienced executive administrative assistant with vast work experience in the medical and law enforcement fields. Her career spans more than 19 years in state service and she is currently working for the Health Care Authority’s Administrator for its Office of Tribal Affairs.
“My mission in life has been to empower the underprivileged, help my community and to counteract myths and labels so that people understand we have more in common than differences,” said Ramirez.
Immigrants can get financial support for COVID impact
Recognizing that immigrant workers are critical to communities throughout the state, a relief fund has been opened to provide $40 million in federal funds allocated by the state to assist Washington workers who miss work due to COVID-19 but are unable to access federal stimulus programs and other social supports due to their immigration status. While the fund is operational, eligible recipients will receive $1,000, with a limit of $3,000 per household.
Separately, the COVID Food Production Worker Paid Leave Program has been under way since mid-August and will remain in place through Nov. 18. That program provides leave to workers in the food-sector industry who work for employers exempt from the Families First Coronavirus Response Act.
For the Washington COVID-19 Immigrant Relief Fund, applications are open at immigrantreliefwa.org through December 6. Benefits will be disbursed by December 28.
Latinx Youth Get Help Prepping for College
November 16, 2020 | 10 a.m - Noon
The Latinx Youth Summit provides Latinx high school students from Thurston, Mason, Lewis, Pacific, and Grays Harbor counties the opportunity to learn about pathways to college and celebrate their cultural heritage.
This year’s summit will be virtual and feature a panel of past Latinx Youth Summit students discussing life after high school.
Attendees will be offered two free virtual workshops and will receive a preloaded thumb drive with bilingual information from colleges, community organizations, and government agencies detailing available resources.
The Hispanic Roundtable needs a volunteer coordinator for the summit for 2021. If interested contact m.w.gomez@hotmail.com.
Get involved in 2021 state DEI summit
Each year a summit brings people together to discuss the latest thinking in diversity, equity, and inclusion. The DEI Events Subcommittee is seeking volunteers to help ensure the 2021 DEI Summit is a success. If you are interested in being a session moderator, Zoom technical support or both, please complete this survey.