Denver-based nonprofit Environmental Learning for Kids and Washington, D.C.-based Hispanic Access Foundation have launched an education and outreach campaign that has introduced Denver-area Latino youth to the great outdoors, and empowered them to call on President Obama to protect it.

The Hispanic Access Foundation has announced it will continue its partnership with H&R Block, the world’s largest tax services provider, to launch the next phase of its campaign “Prepárate Para Un Futuro Mejor” (Prepare Yourself for a Better Future) to educate Spanish-speaking taxpayers about tax issues affecting where they live, work and congregate. The outreach efforts, set to kick off this summer, will be targeting cities around the nation.

Our country’s steadfast efforts to protect the environment this year finally paid off last Saturday when Congress granted $322.9 million to the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) to protect lands and jobs in 2012. This is a $20 million increase from last year’s budget and reflects the widespread support for the fund. In 2011, Hispanic Access Foundation (HAF) worked with Environmental Learning for Kids (ELK) and other organizations to push for more funding for LWCF. HAF learned that 95 percent of Latinos supported full funding for LWCF and that 9 in 10 Americans wanted Congress to stop siphoning funds for the program.

Spanish-speaking taxpayers can face barriers of language, fraud and misinformation WASHINGTON – When it comes to taxes, many Hispanics face an uphill battle wrought with barriers such as language, fraud and misinformation. To help address Spanish-speaking taxpayers’ needs for trustful and credible help, the Hispanic Access Foundation has launched an eight-city outreach and educational campaign in partnership with H&R Block, the world’s largest tax services provider.

Hispanics are passionate about their public parks and open spaces. Parks are often the center of family life and activities, used as social settings for picnics and get-togethers with family and friends. As such, their protection ranks high on Hispanics' priority list. So, it's of little surprise to me when I see the results of polls, like the recent 2012 Colorado College Western States Survey, which shows that the protection of parks, clean air and water is a top issue for Latinos.

Some people were surprised by the pro-conservation findings of a recent Sierra Club-National Council of La Raza national poll of Latino voters. I wasn't, and you wouldn't be either if you saw the thrilled faces of the young people the Hispanic Access Foundation (HAF) and Denver-based Environmental Learning for Kids(ELK) took rafting in Colorado this summer. One trip down Class III rapids in Browns Canyon, and now these kids are vocal champions for the outdoors.

As 19-year-old Annalisa Martinez put it, "It's our job to be leaders." She made the comment after she and a group of her peers from a Catholic parish in Denver met with Colorado's U.S. senators on Capitol Hill for an environmental cause: urging federal protection for Browns Canyon in Colorado. Ranging in age from 12 to 19, the Latino youths from Denver's St. Cajetan Parish and an organization called Environmental Learning for Kids were brought together by the Washington-based Hispanic Access Foundation.

Hispanic Access Foundation is announcing the winner of the Los Angeles New Futuro Laptop Photo Contest! The winner is Shelem Celis. How did she win?  Shelem went to the New Futuro College Summit at the Pasadena Convention Center in Los Angles on September 29^th.  She found the Hispanic Access Foundation booth and had her photo taken by one of our photographers. 

Hispanic Access Foundation is announcing the winner of the Houston New Futuro Laptop Photo Contest! The winner is Liliana Lizeth Ibarra. How did she win?  Liliana went to the New Futuro College Summit at the Reliant Center in Houston on October 6^th.  She found the Hispanic Access Foundation booth and had her photo taken by one of our photographers. 

Hispanic Access Foundation is announcing the winners of the New York New Futuro Laptop Photo Contest! In New York there was a tie in the number of the most likes, with both contestants getting more than 1,200 likes each.  We are announcing Karol Emely Rodriguez as the first winner; the other winner's profile will be posted soon. A little about Karol: her mom is Peruvian and dad is Dominican.