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Family Strengthening Initiative
June 2009 Newsletter
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In This Issue:
Our Partner -Mika Community Development Corporation
Moms Choices Differ by Race
Adelante Mujer Latina Conference
Finding Soultions for Latino Youth
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FuturoNow Partner Spotlight
Mika Community Development Corporation |
From their experience at a small, after-school tutoring program, Crissy Brooks and a group of her friends launched Mika Community Development Corporation, an organization helping individuals make improvements in neighborhoods throughout Costa Mesa, California.
Community development is "more than just doing homework," said Brooks, the organization's executive director. "We wanted neighbors to build on their own strengths ... so they could make changes in their own communities."
Brooks says the aim of Mika CDC is to empower individuals and leverage existing community resources to meet critical needs. Using a six-step process, Brooks and her team help create neighborhood action committees that oversee a wide variety of improvement projects. One group undertook a security project to renew a park, while another established a crossing guard system in response to frequent accidents in the area. A third neighborhood action committee raised funds to build a neighborhood community center, and recently established a 3-year strategic fundraising plan to sustain and improve the facility.
"We have always had generous neighbors, but it's been beautiful to see people use connections and resources to help one another, considering how little they have," Brooks said.
Now in partnership with FuturoNow, Mika CDC staff teach Family Wellness and Within My Reach classes to youth and families in the area. These classes have "opened our eyes to what our kids are dealing with, especially issues like control and violence within teen relationships," Ms. Brooks said. In addition, the curriculum has helped the organization create partnerships with other community groups and churches. Click Here For More Information On Mika CDC |
| Moms Choices Differ by Race |
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 While the majority of African American, Caucasian, and Hispanic mothers say education and healthcare are their primary concerns, each race differs on other family worries, personal challenges and relaxation methods, according to a new study by BSM Media.
In terms of challenges, all three races included saving for the future and the rising cost of food. Forty-three percent of Caucasian moms say they're also challenged by managing the material desires of their children, 45 percent of African American moms say affordable housing is a challenge while 56 percent of Hispanic moms say they're challenged by the need to find a steady income.
Online, African American mothers are more likely to read articles and listen to music, while Caucasian mothers are likely to frequent social networks and message boards. Blogs were the top choice among Hispanic moms when they're online, followed by social networks.
When they have a minute to relax, African Americans surveyed are most likely to read, while Caucasian mothers say they prefer to surf the Internet, and Hispanic moms enjoy spending time with their spouses.
The ultimate indulgence for a Caucasian mom is a rich dessert and a fine bottle of wine. African American mothers indulge themselves by sleeping late or getting away for the weekend. Hispanic mothers choose to treat themselves with spa treatments and long hot baths.
The survey was conducted in January 2009 by online invitation. A sample of over 1,400 mothers with children under 18 living at home completed the online questionnaire. BSM Media is a marketing agency in Fort Lauderdale, Florida helping corporations connect with mothers, a consumer group BSM says is vastly untapped by business.
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Adelante Mujer Latina Conference
Finding Solutions for Latino Youth
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 More than 1500 young Latinas from 12 to 21, along with their mothers, explored education and career opportunities during a day-long conference held at Pasadena College in April.
The conference was hosted by The Pasadena Youth Center to inspire and encourage young Latinas to set goals and pursue steps toward achieving them.
The event's keynote speaker was María Elena Duraza, executive secretary-treasurer of the Los Angeles County Federation of Labor. Other speakers included Lisa Hernandez from ABC7 news, and Lynette Romero, an investigative reporter for KTLA.
 On May 20, FuturoNow hosted a discussion with partner organizations and Los Angeles Unified School District Board President Monica Garcia to talk about the role of communities and families in the education of youth.
Attendees discussed ways to help parents become more involved in the education of their children and aware of school administration concerns, including high drop-out rates. Garcia said she continues to fight the district's 50 percent drop out rate. Los Angeles Unified School District serves more Hispanic youth than any other system in the country.
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