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Topic of the Week

Unity 4 Kids Yard Sale: May 2

Tuesday, April 14, 2015 - 5:27pm

Save the date and support our preschoolers at our Unity 4Kids Yard Sale. To be held at Hispanic Unity on Saturday, May 2nd.

 

FREE Tax Preparation: Super Saturday on Jan 31st

Monday, January 26, 2015 - 4:17pm

FREE Tax Preparation

Wednesday, January 21, 2015 - 9:26am

VITA is an excellent opportunity for individuals and families to keep more of their money and save on tax preparation fees. This service is provided by trained IRS-certified volunteer tax preparers who will – in addition to preparing taxes for free – also determine an individual’s eligibility for special tax credits.

In the 2014 tax season, more than 5,200 Broward County taxpaying working families and individuals took advantage of the VITA program and had their income taxes prepared by trained VITA volunteers. More than $5.6 million in taxes were refunded to working families. Nearly 40% of the individuals assisted last year qualified for additional tax credits, including the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC). Individuals who have not taken advantage of EITC in the past may be eligible for the credit for up to three years retroactively.

Assistance is available in multiple languages including: English, Spanish, French, Haitian-Creole and Sign-language. Call 2-1-1 or visit vitataxesfree.org for more information or to find the tax site nearest you!

This service is brought to you by the Children’s Services Council and United Way of Broward County. For a full list of funders and partners visit vitataxesfree.org

HUF's 2015 Volunteer Leadership

Thursday, January 8, 2015 - 9:50am

 

 

Pictured are HUF Board Members, Angie Stone, Past-Chair, Jorge DeApodaca and Secretary, Dan Schevis.

 

 

 

HUF is fortunate to have exceptional Volunteer Leadership on its Board of Directors and Committees.
And we'd like to introduce to you the 2015 Executive Committee. 
 

 Lily Pardo, Chair         Jorge DeApodaca, Past Chair       Yvonne Lopez, Chair-Elect

                                   

Jorge Gonzalez, Treasurer                         Dan Schevis, Secretary

                     

 

 

A home for the holidays, with help from Hispanic Unity

Wednesday, December 3, 2014 - 11:15am

It was only early November, but already the Anice family's Christmas tree was glowing in a living room corner of their new home.

The Anices bought their West Park house in July, marking a milestone years in the making. Now, the family is excited to spend their first Yuletide season — and three December birthdays — in their new residence.

"It wasn't easy, but God helped us. We made it," said Yrose Anice, 44, who again will be struggling to buy birthday and holiday gifts for her husband and two sons. "It's really hard for me at Christmas."

Exchanging wrapped presents during the holidays has not always been possible for the family, and this year has been no different. Still, little by little, the Anices were able to realize the American Dream of home ownership — and they're proud of their three-bedroom upgrade. They're also proud that their eldest child, 18-year-old Rose, is now attending a community college in Tallahassee.

About two years ago, Hollywood-based Hispanic Unity of Florida stepped in to offer the family assistance and guidance. Hispanic Unity is supported by the Sun Sentinel Children's Fund, a McCormick Foundation Fund, which helps South Florida nonprofit organizations that help local families and children in need.

Hispanic Unity helps immigrants transition into life in the United States with programs that offer career coaching, youth development, citizenship workshops, and more.

To read more of the Sun Sentinel story, click here

Double Your Impact Today: HUF #GivingTuesday

Thursday, November 13, 2014 - 8:19pm

 

Hyram Montero and other donors will donate up to $25,000 in matching gifts to Empower individuals who are determined to succeed. Help HUF provide the tools and guidance so they can become self-sufficient, productive and civically-engaged. 

Click here and change lives.

 

Thank You for Supporting Our Children!

Wednesday, November 5, 2014 - 1:09pm

Over the past month, we have been sharing educational material to show the impact Hispanic Unity has on our community. Our work with youth would not be possible without the Children's Services Council of Broward County (CSC). The CSC supports 150,000 children annually, through more than 150 programs offered by 100 non-profit agencies. That is 1 in 4 children helped in Broward County.

Thank you for voting and for helping us empower a new generation of Americans!

Hurry: Early Voting Ends November 2nd!

Tuesday, October 28, 2014 - 12:01pm

 

The Children's Services Council (CSC) ballot question is located on page 2 in the bottom right-hand corner. See ballot language below.

Early voting ends on November 2nd. To view a list of voting locations, click here.

To learn more, check out our blog.

Meet Andrea: From Unity 4Kids Afterschool Program to Physician Assistant in Training

Thursday, October 16, 2014 - 8:31am

“The Unity 4Teens program offered by Hispanic Unity was a wonderful experience for me.
It helped me to grow and create lifelong friends.” – Andrea Tovar Sambra

 

Meet Andrea: From Unity 4Teens Afterschool Program
to Physician Assistant in Training

Andrea Tovar Sambra first came to the United States when she was 11-years old. Leaving her native home in Colombia, she did not know anyone aside from her immediate family. To help Andrea become better acquainted with her new community, and to make new friends, her mother enrolled her in Hispanic Unity’s Unity 4Teens afterschool program.

Through the Unity 4Teens program, Andrea received academic support and had access to enrichment activities. She learned how to play sports, made lifelong friends and fine-tuned her conversational English, which she knew would be helpful in her professional and personal growth.

After several years in the program, Andrea received the ESL Student of the Year from her middle school.

Knowing the impact Hispanic Unity has on the community and on her experience, Andrea wanted to give back to HUF in the way it had given back to her. For ten years, Andrea has volunteered with HUF, dedicating numerous hours during her school breaks, to support HUF efforts. Her mother Norma also became part of the HUF team, supporting our accounting department.

Andrea graduated in May of 2014 with a degree in Biology from Nova Southeastern University – on a full scholarship! She was recently accepted into the Medical Assistant program at Broward College and plans to eventually become a Physician Assistant.

“I just love medicine. Since I can remember, it has always been my dream to help others, whether it was diagnosing their ailments or helping them find solutions to their health-related issues.” – Andrea Tovar Sambra

Meet the CEO: From Business Start-up to Successful Entrepreneur

Monday, October 6, 2014 - 3:28pm

 

“For me, it is about giving back my experience and knowledge to help others,
so they can re-start their lives and be successful in the U.S. We lived it, we understand it.” – Maria Antonietta Diaz

 

Meet Maria: From Business Start-up to
Coach Inspiring Other Entrepreneurs

Before moving to the United States, Maria Antonietta Diaz had been an accountant working in Venezuela for more than ten years. A rare opportunity presented itself and Maria accepted a position in the U.S. It was two years, before she could officially make the move from her native Maracaibo, Venezuela in 1997.

Once in the U.S., Maria began to seek ways in which she could assist entrepreneurs. Her experience working in Venezuela provided the foundation for her new business, but she needed to overcome the hurdles every new business owner encounters. She was successful and that led her to the creation of additional services for her clients. 

Maria founded GBS Group and is now its CEO. GBS is a group of consulting companies, which specialize in business start-ups, financial and tax advice, business consulting and talent. They have more than 600 clients, 30+ employees and have been in business for 15 years. Maria is a natural businesswoman and her inspiration and driving force comes from assisting other Latin American entrepreneurs become successful.  She is an active member in the community and has received numerous honors and recognitions for her work.

Although it was a long journey, Maria is proud of her accomplishments and feels a deep connection to her community.

“Hispanic Heritage Month is a great opportunity afforded to us in America to recognize the contributions Hispanics have made - and are making - in the U.S.” she said. “I am a proud U.S. Citizen. I have lived firsthand the opportunities available in this great country. My family and I feel blessed - we are able to contribute to and enjoy a country that offers safe harbor and a bright future.” – Maria Antonietta Diaz

Maria Antonietta and her husband Jorge reside in the City of Weston with their two kids Andreina (19) and Jorge Jr. (23). 

Hispanic Unity of Florida: Client Stories

Hispanic Unity of Florida (HUF) is a non-profit founded in 1982 by community leaders to ease the acculturation transition for newcomers from other nations. Today, HUF provides assistance through 12 programs and 30+ services in four languages to South Florida's diverse community. HUF, an UnidosUS Affiliate, is one of South Florida’s largest agencies dedicated to the immigrant population, providing them with the tools they need to build a new life. Since its inception, HUF has served nearly 500,000 people.