Latinitas
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“Latinos are now the majority population of Austin and soon, the country. Many Hispanics in Austin are very interested in facilitating success for the next generations of Latino-Americans, but may not know about opportunities like Latinitas. KUT listeners are writers, artists and photographers who may be interested in committing to a non-profit offering creative opportunities.”
Latinitas Mission Statement:Latinitas is a non-profit organization whose main mission is to empower Hispanic girls to succeed through media and technology. Our vision is that all Latinas feel strong and confident in their image. Our mission is achieved two ways. First, Latinitas hosts two media forums for Hispanic youth: the online Latinitas and Teen Latinitas bilingual magazines where Latina youth publish their creative works and share them nationally with their peers. Second, we generate programming that further cultivates Latina youths’ desire to write, publish on the web, produce radio and create their own television programs, while teaching them to use the digital technology to do so.
Major Activities and Services:LatinitasMagazine.org a dynamic bilingual online magazine especially for Hispanic girls provides a place for girls to gather needed information on topics ranging from school to role models in a fun and entertaining way. Our webzine is updated monthly with articles that strive to give girls a voice, shatter gender and racial stereotypes, challenge Latinas to be their best, and offer the needed information to help Latinas. This is a forum where Latinitas can express themselves by publishing their work.
Club Latinitas is an intensive after-school newsroom where middle school girls learn how to develop their own articles, newsletters, photography, and websites from concept to production. Through hands-on educational activities, 6th and 7th graders at Martin Middle School learn fundamental journalism skills under the tutelage of seasoned professionals. Outreach Workshops and Camps innovative programs that offer girls an opportunity to participate in fun and engaging journalism, web design, video production, and desktop publishing activities designed to develop skills and spark interest.
Teen Reporter Intern Program (TRIP) is a journalism mentorship program where Latina high-school students are mentored and guided by experienced journalists in developing story ideas, conducting interviews, researching stories, writing articles, and editing content. Furthermore, junior reporters act as an editorial advisory group helping to advise Latinitas staff in making editorial decisions on the content and direction of the magazine.
Teen Latinitas is the sister version of Latinitas magazine for teens ages 15 and up. Articles are written by Latinitas volunteer staff and the Teen Reporter Intern Program.
College Internships is a service learning opportunity for college students to gain real-life career experience in the process of putting together magazine issues, marketing strategies, publicity campaigns, resource development plans and outreach programs.Latinitasfest is a yearly conference featuring workshops for Latina girls and teens.
Volunteer Opportunities:
Volunteers are invited to fill out an online application on Latinitas website. They are then invited to a monthly volunteer informational for an orientation before being referred to a specific editorial, administrative or outreach committee.
Latinitas needs volunteer writers, editors, photographers, translators, outreach facilitators, web designers, PR professionals and those interested in event planning. We are also building our board. We are 7 strong and are looking to reach 10 by the end of 2007.Latinitas Editorial Committee – Seeking writers and photographers, commitment includes one article per month and/or one photo series. This committee meets monthly during a weeknight.
Latinitas Outreach Committee – Seeking mentors and facilitators to lead after school newsroom at East Austin middle school and Teen Reporter Intern Program at Travis High. The committee meets monthly on the 1st Saturday of the month for planning discussions.
Latinitas Fundraising Committee – Seeking volunteers interested in event planning and fundraising. This committee meets monthly on a weeknight.
Latinitas PR Committee – Seeking volunteers interested in spearheading local and national media campaigns. Augmented by UT’s Tower PR program, this committee meets near UT’s campus once a month in the evening.
Latinitas Technology Committee – Seeking talented web designers and programmers skilled in HTML and database building. This committee works “virtually” together through email.
Latinitas Translators – Seeking bilingual volunteers to translate 1-2 short articles per month. This is another “virtual” committee at Latinitas, since some of our translators live outside of Austin.
Contact Information:Angie Ayala512.322.9947FAX: 215.449.1950PO Box 4284Austin, TX 78765
For More Information about Latinitas, visit their website at latinitasmagazine.org.
