Noticias – Page 10 – Latino Traffic Report

Parente and Ramos Lead McLaren to Victory

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Nov 022015

The McLaren 650S GT3 claimed its first championship over the weekend in Barcelona as McLaren GT customer team Teo Martin Motorsports secured the International GT Open Championship title, and also saw the first victory for the McLaren GT Young Driver Programme. A hard-fought double podium finish for factory driver Alvaro Parente and teammate Miguel Ramos secured the championship, while Young Driver Andrew Watson took overall victory in the weekend’s opening sprint race alongside Fernando Monje.

The results in Barcelona underline the success from the outset for the 650S GT3 in its debut season. Based on the road-going 650S Coupe, with a lightweight carbon fibre MonoCell chassis and award-winning 3.8-litre twin turbo V8 engine, it launched at the Goodwood Festival of Speed last summer, and made a strong debut at the Gulf 12 Hours in December 2014, finishing on the podium. These latest results mark the 20th victory, with an additional 23 podium finishes.

“The 650S GT3 has established itself as the car to beat during 2015 in series across the world, taking victories in Europe, Asia and North America,” asserted Parente. “The results in Barcelona, and securing the championship, reinforce that message and highlight just how competitive the car is. The 650S GT3 has more than proved itself with bulletproof reliability, and a double podium was a great way to end the season. Thank you to all of the team at Teo Martin Motorsports, my teammate Miguel [Ramos] and to the team back in Woking.”

Andrew Kirkaldy, managing director, McLaren GT added: “Congratulations to Teo Martin and the entire team at Teo Martin Motorsports on securing a win, two podiums and the overall International GT Open title in one weekend. A fantastic weekend of results for the team, and a real high point to end the season on for the first McLaren GT Young Driver Programme with Andrew [Watson] taking the overall win in the first race.

‘These latest results are the end result of a long hard season by the team at Teo Martin Motorsports and by the entire team at McLaren GT in Woking. This season is one of the most competitive I can recall in GT3 racing, with global grids boasting some of the most talented drivers, and with a range of manufacturers and models that are all capable of contesting and winning races. We have seen some fantastic battles in every series, and for the 650S GT3 to be claiming podiums and victories in all championships, and now securing a title in its debut season, really highlights just how competitive a proposition it is.”

Toyota Invests in Education for Latino Families

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Oct 192015

Alejandra Ceja, executive director of the White House Initiative on Educational Excellence for Hispanics and NCFL president and founder Sharon Darling in Washington D.C.

NEW YORK, Oct. 16, 2015 — Toyota and the National Center for Families Learning (NCFL) answered a call to action made by the White House Initiative on Educational Excellence for Hispanics, and in the spirit of what President Obama calls a “shared responsibility,” that challenges public and private sectors to create Commitments to Action that will build on, and accelerate federal, state, and local investments in high-quality education, from cradle-to-career, for the nation’s Latino communities.

Toyota Family Learning, a partnership between Toyota and NCFL, is among the 150 Commitments to Action that total an investment of $340 million announced by the President today on the culmination of the 2015 Hispanic Heritage Month.

“It is an honor to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month and the Initiative’s 25th anniversary with the release of nearly 150 commitments to action that will help strengthen the educational outcomes and opportunities for the Hispanic community from cradle-to-career,” stated Alejandra Ceja, executive director of the White House Initiative on Educational Excellence for Hispanics. “These commitments will bring critical resources to Latino students and families across this country, are examples of meaningful investments being made in support of the largest, youngest and arguably the fastest growing minority community in the country and will help fulfill America’s future.”

WASHINGTON - APRIL 20: Ana Maria Archila (R) and Carly Fox, of the New York State Dream Act Task Force, hold each other during a mock graduation ceremony at the West Front of the U.S. Capitol April 20, 2004 in Washington, DC. Several hundred students and advocates took part in the ceremony and urged Congress and the Bush administration to pass the Dream Act, which would put U.S.-raised immigrant students on the path to college and U.S. citizenship. (Photo by Alex Wong/Getty Images)

(Photo by Alex Wong/Getty Images)

Toyota Family Learning is a two-generation solution to educational challenges that responds to societal changes and opportunities. This six-year nationwide program was created to address educational needs and provide opportunities for low-income and ethnically diverse families to roll up their sleeves and build stronger communities.

“Toyota Family Learning promotes an inclusive approach to a child’s education that empowers families to learn together through service learning and mentoring, leveraging technology in the process,” said NCFL president and founder Sharon Darling.

“Toyota is proud to join the White House Initiative on Educational Excellence for Hispanics with Toyota Family Learning, helping to bring education into family life,” said Patricia Salas Pineda, group vice president of Toyota’s Hispanic Business Strategy Group.

To learn more about the Initiative and to view the major commitments to action in response to the initiative’s call to action, visit: https://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2015/10/15/fact-sheet-25-years-hispanics-fulfilling-americas-future. To view the full list of Commitments to Action visit www.ed.gov/HispanicInitiative. To learn more about Toyota Family Learning visit toyotafamilylearning.org.

Nissan Features the 2016 Titan XD at the State Fair of Texas

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Sep 302015

Pictured with the 2016 Nissan TITAN XD is Fred Diaz, senior vice president, Sales & Marketing and Operations, U.S.A.

Latino Traffic Report recently attended the State Fair of Texas auto show media preview in Dallas where Nissan kicked off its biggest presence ever with a special showing of the all-new 2016 Nissan TITAN XD full-size pickup.

The 2016 TITAN XD, which was planned in Tennessee, designed in California, engineered in Michigan, tested in Arizona and assembled in Mississippi, will be featured on a specially built “TITAN Proving Grounds” display, providing truck fans the unique opportunity to take part in a series of interactive activities and experience TITAN XD in its natural setting. The State Fair of Texas runs September 25 through October 18 at Fair Park in Dallas.

“Texas has played a huge role in the development of our all-new lineup of American TITAN trucks. The initial focus groups took place here and we’ve taken it through multiple clinics throughout the state. Texans know trucks and we wanted to hear from expert truck customers,” said Fred Diaz, senior vice president, Sales & Marketing and Operations, U.S.A., Nissan North America, Inc. “To test TITAN XD under real world conditions, we’ve also put prototype trucks in the hands of folks in Texas and across the U.S.—construction workers, farmers, ranchers, and even a rodeo equipment manufacturer.”

The centerpiece of Nissan’s State Fair of Texas display is the TITAN XD, which is powered by a new Cummins 5.0L V8 Turbo Diesel engine rated at a powerful 555 lb-ft of torque and is set to go on sale at Nissan dealers nationwide in December.

The TITAN XD, which features a maximum towing capacity of more than 12,000 pounds* when properly equipped, will later be available in a total of three cab configurations, three bed lengths, two frame sizes, 4×4 and 4×2 drive and five grade levels.

“The key attributes of TITAN XD are that it offers increased towing stability, along with more torque, than a traditional half-ton pickup—without the sacrifices of a harsh ride, unnecessary capability and higher price of a ¾-ton truck,” said Diaz.

2016 Titan XD interior

TITAN’s innovation leadership continues with cutting-edge available towing, utility features and driving aids, including an Integrated Trailer Brake Controller, Trailer Sway Control (TSC), Tow/Haul Mode with Downhill Speed Control and a Trailer Light Check system that allows one-person hook-up operation – including checking turn signals, brake lights and running/clearance lights.

Also assisting trailer hook-ups is the TITAN’s RearView Monitor with Trailer Guides, while the available Around View Monitor (AVM) provides a virtual 360-degree “bird’s eye” view of the surrounding area from front, rear and side cameras to help with parking and pulling in and out of tight spaces. The system also includes Moving Object Detection (MOD), which helps detect moving objects such as vehicles, shopping carts or other large objects near the vehicle when backing out via an on-screen notification and warning chime.

Helping TITAN XD owners take advantage of its ample towing power are two available hitches—including an integrated gooseneck hitch engineered into the frame and easily accessible in the bed.

Nissan currently employs more than 1,000 people in Texas at the Nissan Motor Acceptance Corporation (NMAC), Nissan Central Region and a parts distribution center. There are also 71 Nissan dealerships in the state.

UPDATE: The Titan XD would go on to be named the Truck of Texas by members of the Texas Auto Writers Association at the annual Truck Rodeo.

Seventh Win for Pechito López

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Sep 152015

José María “Pechito” López secured his seventh race win of the season at Motegi, extending his lead at the top of the FIA World Touring Car Championship. The Japanese meeting narrowed the field of possible title contenders, with Citroën Total drivers López, Yvan Muller and Sébastien Loeb now the only men still in the running.

The Citroën team’s points haul from this weekend means it can wrap up the Manufacturers title in the next round in Shanghai on 25–27 September.

Despite the menacing skies and forecasts of rain, Race 1 got under way on a dry track. Norbert Michelisz was unable to take advantage of his pole position, with López getting a better start and passing him at the first turn! Loeb, who was third on the grid, nestled in behind Michelisz, but found himself boxed in on the outside and was overtaken by Gabriele Tarquini and Muller, who shot out of the blocks like a cannonball from the fourth row.

José María López

“Japan has been pretty good to me!,” enthused López. “I got off to a great start in Race 1 and managed to overtake Michelisz before the first bend. I thought it would be harder to keep him at bay, as our 60 kg of ballast were a real handicap on this circuit. But as it turned out, I was able to pull away and get the win.”

But the reigning WTCC champion had to wait until midway through the race to open up a significant gap on the chasing pack. With four laps to go, Ma Qing Hua pulled off a terrific manoeuvre to snatch fourth place from Yvan Muller. Loeb, too, then gained ground on the four-time WTCC champion, but there were to be no further changes in the standings before the chequered flag, giving José María López his seventh victory of the season!

With the first ten from the Race 1 starting grid lining up in reverse order for Race 2, the second race promised to be a trickier proposition for the Citroën team. The few drops of rain that fell during the repair time were not enough to soak the track, and all the drivers opted to stick with their slicks. The first turn was an eventful affair in the pack: López was rear-ended, sending him crashing into Loeb. The Race 1 winner was forced to pull out of the running with a punctured front left tyre. Pushed into Hugo Valente by Tarquini, Muller managed to hang onto third place, while Hua and Loeb finished lap 1 in fifth and seventh respectively.

The race remained lively until the last, thanks to an epic tussle between Rob Huff, Sébastien Loeb and Gabriele Tarquini. Despite launching countless attacks, Loeb just couldn’t find his way past Huff. Tarquini took advantage to slip past the nine-time World Rally Champion, before Seb reclaimed his spot just before the chequered flag!

“In Race 2, another driver ran into me and I couldn’t avoid hitting Seb,” López recounted. “I’m really sorry about that, but fortunately it didn’t totally ruin his race. Since Yvan didn’t fare any better than I did, the gap between us has widened. That means I can go into the next few races feeling quietly confident, but I certainly won’t be relaxing.”

The Citroën team scored enough points to keep them in an ideal position in the Manufacturers’ World Championship. Provided it doesn’t drop more than 37 points in Shanghai in two weeks’ time, Citroën will secure its second successive world title.

“First of all, I must pay tribute to Pechito López for his win,” said Xavier Mestelan, Deputy Team Principal, Citroën Racing. “He got a terrific start and followed that up with a perfect race. Things didn’t go quite so well for him in Race 2, but that is sometimes how it goes when you’re in the pack. Citroën is now in an ideal position to secure another World Championship title. That will be our ambition at the next meeting in China.”

GM Foundation Grants $1 Million to Hispanic Groups

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Sep 102015

The General Motors Foundation presents grants totaling $1 million to fund Hispanic education and science, technology, engineering and math initiatives to help empower young Latinos to join the workforce of the future, Thursday, September 10, 2015 in Washington, DC. Nineteen leading Hispanic groups will receive grants to fund programs focused on STEM education. (Photo by Mark Finkenstaedt for General Motors)

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The General Motors Foundation today announced grants totaling $1 million to fund Hispanic education and science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) initiatives to help empower young Latinos to join the workforce of the future.

Grace Lieblein, General Motors vice president of Global Quality and the highest ranking Latina at GM, announced the grants during a press conference at the National Press Club, where she was joined by GM Foundation Vice President Lori Wingerter, Chief Diversity Officer Ken Barrett, U.S. Rep. Tony Cárdenas, D-Calif., and representatives from Hispanic organizations.

“Hispanics represent an important facet of our business as the next generation of leaders and innovators, and also our customers,” Lieblein said. “At GM, we want to help fund vital programs aimed at increasing opportunities for Latinos to pursue STEM careers and strengthen their skills to compete for jobs.”

The grants benefit the nation’s leading Hispanic organizations, including the League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC), the National Council of La Raza (NCLR), the Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute (CHCI), the Hispanic Association on Corporate Responsibility (HACR), the United States Hispanic Leadership Institute (USHLI), the Congressional Hispanic Leadership Institute (CHLI) and Service Employment Redevelopment (SER) National.

General Motors Vice President Global Quality Grace Lieblein announces grants on behalf of the GM Foundation totaling $1 million to fund Hispanic education and science, technology, engineering and math initiatives to help empower young Latinos to join the workforce of the future, Thursday, September 10, 2015 in Washington, DC. Nineteen leading Hispanic groups will receive grants to fund programs focused on STEM education.

Cárdenas, who represents California’s San Fernando Valley, said the grants will help increase the small number of Latino STEM graduates from U.S. colleges, helping to put more Americans into the family-wage jobs of the future.

“As the President has said, America can only succeed when we are playing with a full team. That means ensuring that everyone in our country has a great chance to not only learn, but also to succeed,” he said.

For decades, GM and its philanthropic foundation have donated hundreds of millions of dollars to organizations across the country and around the world. These grants focus on advancing access to education through programs such as the Buick Achievers Scholarship, one of the largest programs of its kind in the country.

“We recognize the increasing importance of investing in the education and empowerment of Hispanic youth,” said Wingerter of the GM Foundation. “Through these grants, we hope to make a lasting difference in their lives and in their communities.”

Nineteen leading Hispanic groups will receive grants to fund programs focused on STEM education, including:

League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC) – will expand its Empower Hispanic America with Technology (EHAT) initiative, which provides access to state-of-the-art technologies in 60 Hispanic communities across the United States. The centers will provide STEM related student support services to five EHAT sites to help improve high school STEM achievement among Hispanic youth.

National Council of La Raza (NCLR) – As part of its Special Initiative, NCLR will develop a new component within its successful Lideres program, facilitating professional development opportunities for 18-to-24 year-old Latinos and helping students gain leadership skills required for midlevel positions in both the non-profit and for-profit sectors.

Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute (CHCI) – CHCI will invest in planning and capacity to build scalable and sustainable models to prepare for dynamic population growth and need associated with the prediction that Latinos will comprise one-quarter of the U.S. population by 2030.

United States Hispanic Leadership Institute (USHLI) – USHLI will develop a school-based project for economically disadvantaged students attending underserved schools and engaging the community in four predominantly Latino communities Prominent Latino experts in STEM-related fields from similarly disadvantaged backgrounds will help promote a greater understanding of STEM-related studies, practical uses and employment/career opportunities.

Hispanic Association on Corporate Responsibility (HACR) – HACR will focus on the HACR STEM Initiative, a forum of business sessions focusing on education, recruitment, retention, and Latinas in STEM, among others. The HACR STEM Initiative was created to understand the mechanisms that lead to lower participation in STEM fields for Hispanics and to identify barriers to successful career progression for those Hispanics in the STEM pipeline.

SER National – SER National will focus on an early education model designed to respond to the unique needs of young linguistically and culturally diverse youth and their families. The primary goal is to advance early development and dual language learning of young children, preparing them for achievement in school, higher learning, economic well-being and participation in civil society.

Additional Hispanic organizations receiving funding include:

American GI Forum (AGIF)
ASPIRA
Cuban American National Council, Nurturing Hispanic Communities (CNC)
Congressional Hispanic Leadership Institute (CHLI)
Great Minds in Stem (GMiS), formerly known as Hispanic Engineer National Achievement Awards Corporation (HENAAC)
Hispanic Association of Colleges & Universities (HACU)
Hispanic Heritage Foundation (HHF)
Hispanic Scholarship Fund (HSF)
Latin Americans for Social & Economic Development (LA SED)
LULAC National Education Service Centers (LNESC)
MANA, A National Latina Organization
National Puerto Rican Coalition (NPRC)
Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers (SHPE)

“We thank GM for its longstanding commitment to the Hispanic community,” said HACR President and CEO Cid D. Wilson. “This funding will help provide STEM-related programming, as well as professional development opportunities for Latinos in corporate America competing in a dynamic and changing workforce.”

Protecting Your FCA Vehicle from Hackers

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Sep 022015

2014 Jeep Cherokee

By Gualberto Ranieri

We read about “hacks” every day. All industries are potential targets of a hacker and the automotive industry has been no exception.

Well-known hackers Charlie Miller and Chris Valasek recently teamed-up with a WIRED reporter to publish a story that you may have read about or seen on the news. The story highlights how Miller and Valasek hacked into Miller’s 2014 Jeep Cherokee and remotely controlled some functions. Miller and Valasek have been working on intentionally hacking into Miller’s vehicle over the past year as part of their on-going research in the area of automotive cybersecurity and have communicated with FCA about some aspects of their work.

To FCA’s knowledge, there has not been a single real world incident of an unlawful or unauthorized remote hack into any FCA vehicle.

After becoming aware of the vulnerabilities in some 2013 and 2014 vehicles equipped with the 8.4-inch touchscreen systems, FCA US and several suppliers worked to fix the vulnerabilities in model year 2015 vehicles. FCA also created a software update that eliminates the vulnerabilities uncovered by Miller and Valasek in their laboratory tests. This software update is available to customers right now and can be downloaded to a USB drive from http://www.driveuconnect.com/software-update/ and installed in a vehicle.

FCA will be contacting potentially affected customers with these details and has provided the software update to the FCA US dealer network for immediate customer installation.

Customers can enter a vehicle identification number (VIN) and find out if their vehicle needs the software update. If your vehicle needs the update, you can download the software update to a USB drive and install it yourself. Another option is to make an appointment with your FCA US dealership and have

2014 Dodge Durango

them install it for you at no charge. The update, if installed DIY, will take 30-45 minutes, and your vehicle needs to be parked throughout the software update/installation process.

In addition, FCA US has been working with its suppliers to implement additional protocols to block remote access. These changes will not require any action by our customers.

The vehicles listed below that have a 8.4 inch touchscreen radio system need this software update:

2013-2014 Ram 1500 Pickup
2013-2014 Ram 3500 Cab Chassis
2013-2014 Ram 2500 Pickup
2013-2014 Ram 4500/5500 Cab Chassis
2013-2014 Ram 3500 Pickup
2014 Grand Cherokee
2014 Durango
2013-2014 Viper
2014 Cherokee
Some 2015 Chrysler 200s

For any questions regarding how to complete the software update please call our Customer Care Center at 1-877-855-8400.

July 24, 2015 update: Click to read about the additional measures that FCA US has taken to ensure the security of the vehicles with particular 8.4-inch touchscreen systems.

Updated to clarify: Due to market access to cellular connectivity, the 8.4 touchscreen issue noted in the blog post is for vehicles sold only in the U.S.

Audi Mexico Reaches Out to North American Suppliers

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Aug 202015

Quality-inspection trainer Minerva Leon (right), of Audi Mexico.

Audi may be locating its first North American plant in Mexico, but the establishment of the company’s first manufacturing footprint on the continent is meant to expand its relationship with the supplier community in the United States and Canada too.

AUDI AG invited dozens of suppliers and more than 200 people from across North America to its first-ever Supplier Day on August 20 at the plant site in San José Chiapa, Puebla.

2015 Audi San Jose Chiapa, Mexico plant

The company’s goal was for about 90 percent of the value of each Q5 crossover produced in Mexico to come from suppliers, materials and processes based in Mexico, the U.S., and Canada.

Audi has worked with the plant’s suppliers throughout the supply chain, well beyond the Tier One level and to unprecedented lengths, to ensure that quality standards are met. Three years prior to plant opening, suppliers were going through up to 10 modules to prepare them to work with Audi.

Once Audi meets its supplier objectives, an estimated 20,000 indirect jobs would be created throughout North America at supplier facilities, in addition to the 1,800 Mexicans who are expected to be employed by Audi at the plant.

At this point, Audi executives have said they are about two-thirds of the way to fulfilling the 90-percent goal. One reason for the Supplier Day was for would-be suppliers to explain and demonstrate their capabilities to Audi executives and to meet with members of the Audi of Mexico team to see where relationships can develop

Latino Artist Featured in Toyota Special Olympics Mural

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Aug 082015

Toyota_SOWG_DavidFloresWorldStageLegacy_002_B47B04CE6A43C44CF646F9AABEDFD5AB1D15EDDB_low

This mural at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum was created by David Flores and is one of three commissioned by Toyota to welcome the LA2015 Special Olympics World Games, in Los Angeles. (Photo by Casey Rodgers/Invision for Toyota/AP Images)

As part of Toyota’s “Share the Journey” campaign for the 2015 Special Olympics World Games, athletes’ uplifting journeys inspired three public murals, including one by David Flores. City leaders joined Toyota executives, artists and Special Olympics fans at the freshly painted Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum mural to ask for participation and a celebration of athletes’ joy and courage.

Like the original freeway murals created for the 1984 Olympics in Los Angeles, the Special Olympics-inspired artwork is intended to stand the test of time. Working with the Mural Conservancy of Los Angeles, the internationally recognized muralist and original 1984 Olympics artist Kent Twitchell returned to create one of his famous realistic portraits. Twitchell’s piece and the two other murals mark the upcoming global event and build on the city’s storied history of outdoor art.

“The murals are a lasting gift to Los Angeles to celebrate the life-changing power of Special Olympics and also honor the rich, artistic history of this city that has embraced us,” said Jim Lentz, CEO of Toyota North America. “Special Olympics is not only an important global sports movement, but also an organization that touches individuals every day around the world. We hope everyone gets to experience the impact and help us cheer on the athletes.”

All three murals are just blocks away from venues hosting Special Olympics World Games events July 25-August 2. Each weaves in the spirit of Special Olympics through the individual artist’s own iconic vision. Discover stories around each piece at sharethejourney.toyota.com

Located at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, World Stage Legacy by well-known muralist Flores, pays tribute to the 2015 Special Olympics World Games and events that have taken place at the Coliseum throughout its more than 90-year history. Figures include Special Olympics athlete and World Games Global Messenger, Ramon Hooper alongside iconic figures with a connection to the site.

“Long after the 2015 Special Olympics World Games end in Los Angeles, the mural project leaves a historical monument to our athletes’ spirit, determination and courage,” said Patrick McClenahan, president and CEO of LA2015, the Games Organizing Committee for this year’s event. “Toyota’s partnership and support of the mission of Special Olympics has helped us reach further in spreading the message of acceptance and to make a lasting impact.”

The Special Olympics World Games is the largest sports and humanitarian event anywhere in the world in 2015, hosting 177 countries, 7,000 athletes and 3,000 coaches. It is the single biggest event in Los Angeles since the 1984 Olympic Games.

For more information about the Special Olympics World Games, visit www.LA2015.org. For information about Toyota’s philanthropy programs, visit www.toyota.com/usa.

Ford Partners with LULAC, Invests $180,000 in Education Programs

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Jul 102015

Salt Lake City, UT—Ford Motor Company Fund announced a total of $180,000 for the 2015 Ford Driving Dreams Through Education, LULAC grantees as they work together to promote on-time high school graduation and college enrollment among Latinos, the fastest-growing segment in public schools. The grantee recipients were announced today, July 10, at LULAC’s 86^th Annual National Convention in Salt Lake City.

Eight LULAC councils will each receive a $20,000 grant over two school years to implement a high school dropout prevention program in partnership with an educational entity. The eight grant recipients are:

Chicago, IL #313
Corpus Christi, TX #1
Little Rock, AR #756
Milwaukee, WI #319
Moline, IL #5285
Sacramento, CA #2862
Stockton, CA #2060
Vancouver, WA. #47013

Given their success, two grantees from 2013–LULAC Council #8035, Albuquerque, NM and LULAC Council #4933, Austin, TX–were selected to receive a $10,000 grant from Ford to continue their programs for an additional school year. These model councils will continue programs that uniquely promote on-time high school graduation through student engagement activities such as mentoring and academic support. The eight new LULAC council grantees will begin to implement their programs this fall.

Joe Avila, manager of community outreach, Ford Motor Company Fund and Community Services.

“For six consecutive years, Ford Driving Dreams Through Education has activated local LULAC Councils around the country. Together we have made an extraordinary impact on more than 1,200 students by providing them with access to technology resources and innovative opportunities that help them achieve academic success,” said Joe Avila, manager of community outreach, Ford Motor Company Fund and Community Services. “Education will always be a priority for Ford because there is still much work to do to ensure that Hispanics attain a solid education that will prepare them for the future.”

Since launching Ford Driving Dreams Through Education grants in 2010, LULAC Councils have been able to leverage their success. One of the first grant recipients, LULAC Council #326 in Milwaukee has made great strides since receiving the $20,000 grant to work with at-risk students in some of the most challenging public schools. The council used the grant to start a dual-enrollment program with the Milwaukee Area Technical College and Milwaukee Public Schools. The program has inspired these students to graduate from high school and then to transition college. For each class taken in the program, students earn credit towards high school graduation as well as college transferable credits.

To date, the student participants in the council’s program have achieved a 100 percent high school graduation rate and 100 percent college transition rate. As a result of the Ford Driving Dreams grant, the council has continued to raise and secure matching funds, resulting in a $485,000 grant from the Great Lakes Foundation to continue their educational programs and help more students.

Margaret Moran, LULAC president.

“LULAC has always placed great emphasis on education and leadership development of our youth,” said LULAC National President Margaret Moran. “Although we have seen a decrease in the nation’s dropout rate, we must continue our efforts to ensure all students graduate from high school. Today, we congratulate the grant recipients for helping Latino students graduate and thank the Ford Motor Company Fund for its continued help in this effort.”

The educational success of the next generation is critical to the entire U.S. workforce. In the Latino community specifically, data from the Pew Research Center shows that the Hispanic high school dropout rate has declined and reached a record low. Yet, the Hispanic dropout rate remains higher than it is among African Americans, whites and Asians. Moreover, Hispanics still lag in obtaining a four-year degree even though they are the largest minority group on U.S. college campuses tripling the number of 18 to 24 year olds enrolled in a two-to-four-year college.

The Ford Driving Dreams Through Education Grants were launched in 2010, and to date, 52 grant recipients have worked to keep more than 1,200 students on the road to graduation. The grant selection process considers the best practices for engaging students, including mentorship programs, after-school volunteer and extracurricular programs, and parental involvement. The winning programs also must be sustainable, reflect the local education landscape, and rely on partnerships with local education institutions. For more information on the Ford Driving Dreams grants, visit www.lulac.org/ford.

Ford Motor Company Fund, the philanthropic arm of Ford Motor Company, invests more than $8 million a year in scholarships and other education initiatives. In addition to Ford Driving Dreams, Ford Fund educational programs include Ford Blue Oval Scholars, Ford Next Generation Learning, Ford College Community Challenge and the Ford STEAM Lab

Toyota Helps Paralyzed Veteran Open Spinal Cord Injury Recovery Center

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Jul 032015

Romy and Gaby Camargo open the Stay In Step Spinal Cord Injury Recovery Center in Tampa, Fla.

TAMPA, Fl—During his third tour of duty in Afghanistan, Romy Camargo’s patrol was ambushed. A sniper’s bullet changed the life of this decorated war veteran and his family. Now, with help from Toyota, Camargo, his family and a strong team of supporters are forever changing the lives of paraplegics and quadriplegics across the country.

Camargo and his wife, Gaby, have opened the doors to Stay In Step, a new, non-profit recovery center dedicated to helping spinal-cord injury (SCI) patients take a step forward toward recovery. This groundbreaking facility offers treatment, rehabilitation and support services to veterans and civilians in Tampa, Fla.

Toyota donated $300,000 in last-mile funding to help the facility reach its $750,000 fundraising goal and open its doors. At the grand opening June 20, Toyota Motor North America Executive Vice President and Chief Administrative Officer Simon Nagata also presented Stay In Step with a wheelchair-accessible 2015 Toyota Sienna minivan.

Surrounded by friends, board members, and family, Gaby and Romy Camargo cut the ceremonial ribbon to open the Stay In Step Spinal Cord Injury Recovery Center in Tampa, Fla. Toyota Motor North America Executive Vice President and Chief Administrative Officer Simon Nagata (far left) spoke at the opening ceremony.

“Supporting Stay In Step is aligned with Toyota’s corporate vision to lead the way to the future of mobility and enrich lives around the world with the safest and most responsible ways of moving people,” Nagata said. “Toyota is proud to support Stay In Step and the tremendous work of Romy and Gaby.”

By combining intense strength and conditioning workouts with a focus on the natural movements and weight of the body, Stay In Step will use emerging therapies and a “never quit” attitude to help patients and their families.

“Stay In Step is dedicated to providing cutting edge physical rehabilitation services and including the much needed tools to win the mental game,” Gaby Camargo said. “We want to create an environment for patients to support one another, share stories and give encouragement, and offer some relief from the intense daily schedule. Stay In Step provides a place of comfort, relaxation and shares a sense of family.”

That sense of family was in full force June 20, when the Camargos cut a long resistance band to open the center. They were surrounded by Nagata, Lt. Gen. Martin Steele, Lt. Col. Scott Mann and other supporters.

Toyota donates wheelchair-accessible 2015 Toyota Sienna minivan to Stay In Step non-profit recovery center dedicated to helping spinal-cord injury (SCI) patients.

For Toyota, the support and interest in Stay In Step goes beyond the donations.

“We are applying the strength and expertise of Toyota’s engineering and robotics to the challenges faced by those injured in service to this country,” Nagata said. “Toyota’s partner robots are being developed to assist people in their everyday activities.

“By sharing this technology, we hope to serve the mobility needs of veterans and people around the world.”

The Stay In Step story began in 2008 when Romy was shot. He spent 18 months of intensive inpatient care before he was finally able to leave the hospital, in a wheelchair. Romy and Gaby drove twice a week from their Tampa home to Orlando for treatment.

Now, there is a center in Tampa that can treat Romy and other SCI patients in the community, helping them continue on their road to recovery. Tampa is home to the busiest polytrauma unit in the nation at the James A. Haley VA Medical Center. The Haley polytrauma unit treats the most severely injured veterans while they are in the hospital.

“With everyone’s support, we have built up a center that’s going to impact so many lives,” Romy Camargo said. “Gaby said that we could do this – that we could open up this center in Tampa. And now it’s a reality.”

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