August 2009

Massachuset ts Lat ino Chamber of Commerce Page 4

Vol 4 – Num 215 August 2009 Welcome New Members

STAY TUNED @

MLTV www.masslatinochamber.com

Jose Machuca—Fuentes Professional Services

Vladimir Ruha

VIP Physical Therapy, Inc.

Michael P. Lefrancois H&R Block

John Lee

Lee Fashion Footwear

Bernadine Pellicier Real Estate Services

Jose Feliciano

J.P. Graphics

Jason Cardona The Service

Jamie Scherban

Paychex Inc.

Elena Japakit Pan African Food Store

Shawnique Mitchell

The Perfect Pair

Clyde Epps, Sr. CNEJ Trucking

Alexis Aponte

All Star Barbershop

Melissa Otero Start Up

Carlos Almodovar

Urban PC

Maria & Pedro Alicea Professional People at Your Service

Soraya Tejada

Start Up

Pablo A. Zavala Start Up

Paula Moore

YSET

Cecilio Rivera Chico’s Towing

Eduardo Acosta Golden Donut Bakery

Gloria Hnuter

Classic Magic Beauty Salon

Elias Escarraman/Jose Rodriguez High Tech Auto

Carmin Lopez

Botanica Obba Nani

Pamela Bryant Feast the Eyes

Carmen M. Silva Ermosa Hair Design

Keith Marks

Teresa’s Southern Soul Food

Maribel Guillen Start Up

Danny Rosa

Capture the Moment

Margarita Santiago Start Up

Frankie Cardona

Start Up

Rolando Pagan Start Up

Gricelides Saex

Medical/Legal Interpreter

Carlito Rosa Start Up

Shaun K. Allen

Allen Media Management

Maria & Pedro Alicea Professional People at Your Service

Carmen M. Padilla Cabrera

Start Up

Sonia Nieves Torres Start Up

Soraya Tejada

Individual

Mi Plaza Restaurant

Mi Plaza restaurant has been in business for approxi-mately 6 months and is thriving in these economically hard times, breaking the odds. Offering an array of Car-ibbean cuisines from yellow rice and roasted pork to stews vegetables, Mi Plaza Restaurant has the fix for any of your cravings.

Mi Plaza Restaurant is a fairly new restaurant in the cen-ter of Holyoke, but is already doing big things for its community. Owner Juan Colon sponsors a few of the youth leagues located in Holyoke and Springfield. He states” I just don’t want to turn a profit I also want to give back to our children, they are the ones who will make our cities a better place.”

Mi Plaza Restaurant is Located on 325 Holyoke, MA and they can be reached at 413.536.5680

Governor Deval Patrick Visits Puerto Rico Bakery II

Springfield–Governor Deval Patrick visited the Puerto Rico Bakery II and tasted the specialty pas-tries of owners Jorge Perez Jr. and Yilmari Escobar.

"He is a true Governor of the people” stated Carlos Gonzalez as he introduced the Governor to Aida Rodriguez and Jorge Perez, parents of the owners and founders of the first and original Puerto Rico Bakery in the North End.

The Governor, who took time to talk with patrons; sat down with his Western MA Director Elizabeth Cardona and patrons to enjoy a little rice and beans, a famous Puerto Rican dish.

Puerto Rico Bakery II has been very successful since opening nine months ago. Jorge Perez Sr. stated "it hasn’t been easy, however we are invest-ing in our City and it’s paying off." The Puerto Rico bakery on Main Street is a Springfield land-mark, where many wait in line to get their morning fresh baked bread and breakfast sandwiches.

Jorge Perez, better known as YoYo, stated he hopes to expand and add a larger more classy dining area to the location. The Massachusetts Latino Chamber

of Commerce is working with the owners to accommodate more off street parking in the area.

The Massachusetts Latino Chamber of Commerce Named 2009 Massachusetts Minority Small Business Champion

BOSTON, MA - The Massachusetts Latino Cham-ber of Commerce was named 2009 Massachusetts Minority Small Business Champion by the U.S. Small Business Administration. The MLCC received national recognition when the U.S. Small Business Administration presented MLCC President Carlos Gonzalez with the award on May 19, 2009 in Bos-ton, Massachusetts. The award was presented by SBA Regional Director, Robert Nelson. The award was presented during the SBA 2009 Small Business Awards Reception held at the New England Xpo for Business in Boston, MA. This high distinction is a result of the MLCC’s ardent efforts to provide excellent business education opportunities for minority-owned businesses and entrepreneurs. The MLCC has helped open more then 322 business throughout Massachusetts. Also honored by the SBA as the Massachusetts Young Entrepreneur Award was Ray Hernandez of JuJu's Transportation Corp, a MLCC member.

Page 3 Massachuset ts Lat ino Chamber of Commerce Page 2 August 2009

MLCC Receives National Recognition For Its Youth Empowerment Program

SPRINGFIELD—Twenty young business leaders received certificates of completion for their final project as they unveiled their website, business, e-commerce, solar and robotic project after participating in the week long business seminar.

The youth were introduced to basic skills of business, banking, e-commerce, technology, robotics, solar power and making good leadership decisions. “Our goal is to spark an interest in busi-ness opportunities that will close the technology and financial literacy gap between Hispanic and non-Hispanic youth in Mas-sachusetts.” stated Carlos Gonzalez, MLCC President.

Ed Diaz, Region V Chairperson of the United States Hispanic Chamber of Commerce Board of Director’s pre-sented the Massachusetts Latino Chamber of Commerce with a national spotlight award for their successful youth empowerment through business program. Hispanic Chamber of Commerce Presidents and Executive Direc-tors from the North East were in attendance for the cere-monies and press conference.

We thank our sponsors; Western MA Electric, Free-dom Credit Union, WWLP 22 News, North End Oil, Admark Transportaion, Salsarengue Restaurant, Salce Transportation, the Republican, Urban PC, A’s Multi Plus, JuJu Transportation and AccurIT Solutions.

Young Latinos Recognized at Fenway Park

Fifteen outstanding Latino students were honored at Fenway Park along with a Springfield unsung Hero who threw out the first pitch before the start of the Red Sox game on June 17, 2009. The stu-dents were chosen from Western Massachusetts by the Massachu-setts Latino Chamber of Commerce, El Mundo Newspaper and Stop & Shop as part of “Young Latino Recognition Day”.

Each student came on the field and was honored by Red Sox player David Ortiz with the “Latino Hero Award” and then had their pic-ture taken with “Big Papi.”

The students were chosen for their outstanding academics and strong leadership qualities. “Academic achievement is key. Educa-tion is the key to success and we're looking forward to future lead-ers," Carlos Gonzalez of the Springfield Latino Chamber of Com-merce stated.

The 2009 6th – 9th graders were Geraldo Martinez, Peck Junior High; Adrian Cotto, Kiley Middle School; China Cotto, Chestnut Accelerated Middle School; Luis Ocasio, Sullivan Elementary; Ivelianesse Morales, Sullivan Elementary; Blanca Cruz, Chestnut Middle School; Celena Feliciano; Duggan Middle School; Frankie Cortez, Peck Junior High; William Robles, Duggan Mid-dle School; Shakir Tejada, Chestnut Accelerated Middle School; Leonor Sanchez, Chestnut Accelerated Middle School; Sabrina Berrios, Chestnut Accelerated Middle School; Elijah Castillo, Williams Middle School; Keila Roman, Holyoke Community Charter School and Michael Munoz of Central High School.

The students were also treated to a Family Picnic the week prior hosted by the MLCC, El Mundo Newspaper and Stop & Shop. That day was filled with games music and food for all the honored youths and their family and guest.

Julio C. Feliciano was the unsung Hero who threw out the first pitch at Fenway Park before the “Boston Red Sox vs. the Florida Marlins game.”

Julio served on active duty from 1997 to 2001, in which he was deployed to Kosovo during the Kosovo conflict; in 2001, Mr. Fe-liciano received an honorable discharge and joined the Marine Corp Reserves that same year.

Returning home from the Marines he was then hired as a Spring-field Fireman, soon after being hired he was called to active duty on November, 2003 to serve on operation Enduring Freedom in Iraq.

When Mr. Feliciano returned to the States on October, 2004 and he was hired by the Framingham Fire dept where he still serves as active Fireman.

Mr. Feliciano was activated again by the Marine Corp combat tour on December, 2005 to serve on Operation Iraqi freedom in Fallu-jah, Iraq

Mr. Feliciano was awarded the Navy achievement medal with the combat "V" for valor.

On Feb 2008, Mr. Feliciano started his own small business, North End Oil, which is a home and commercial heating oil company. Mr. Feliciano supports youth programs and dedicates time to mentoring and speaking to kids at the MA Latino Chamber of Commerce youth business seminar.