FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact:  Orlando Rolon (407) 246-3701 or Brie Turek (407) 246-3106

MAYOR BUDDY DYER UNVEILS ENHANCED & EXPANDED HOLA PROGRAM PARTNERING WITH MORE THAN 40 COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS

(ORLANDO, FL) – March 27, 2006 – Today, Mayor Buddy Dyer was joined by leaders from the Hispanic community to unveil the City of Orlando’s newly enhanced Hispanic Office of Local Assistance (HOLA) program, whose mission is to equip newly relocated individuals and families with the tools and resources necessary for a successful transition (view press conference online).

“Initially, HOLA was created as a two-year pilot program in partnership with one community organization,” said Mayor Dyer. “Today, I am proud to announce that we now have nearly 50 community organizations partnering with the City of Orlando.”

Over the past several months, City staff has been conducting a comprehensive review of existing HOLA services, exploring options to improve and expand the program to meet the needs of the City’s growing Hispanic population.

“Through our unwavering commitment to the HOLA program, we are accomplishing our goal to provide the highest quality services to citizens,” stated Mayor Dyer. “We have enhanced HOLA services and community partners to best assist the newest members of our community, creating new opportunities and offering vital resources to ensure their success.”

On April 3rd, the City will officially open HOLA offices at the Englewood Community Center while a new, permanent office is constructed at the Primrose Community Center.
Two, full-time City personnel will staff the HOLA office and be available to connect individuals and families with community partners.

The City will also administer a bilingual, information hotline (407) 254-HOLA, which will be activated on April 3rd. The City’s award-winning Spanish language web site will also be a source for details on the HOLA program at www.cityoforlando.net/esp.

Each of the new HOLA community partners will play an equal and critical role in assisting residents through the City’s umbrella HOLA program. The expanded scope of services include:

· An innovative and interactive job program will be funded by the City and administered by the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce directly linking new comers with more than 1,000 area companies. This online, job-matching program will be accessible 24 hours a day for residents through a dedicated Web site. Additionally, the Hispanic Chamber will host the Hispanic Business and Consumer Expo, a community event that will again, link new arrivals with positive job opportunities.

· Latino Leadership will be the second of two partner organizations to receive funding from the City to present the Central Florida Community Information Fair. The Fair will be held before the start of each school year to equip Orlando families with necessary community and educational resources.

· The Working Together Coalition, which includes a connected network of 47 social service agencies, will house an information distribution center in the HOLA offices for organizations to help small businesses through the Orlando Regional Chamber, families receive healthcare through Hispanic Health Initiatives, and United Way with 2-1-1.

· The City will accommodate a satellite office of the Puerto Rican Federal Affairs Administration, with a part-time staff person, whose mission is to advance the social and economic development of the Puerto Rican community.

· Orange County Public Schools will also continue to provide language acquisition programs that will help children and adults break the language barriers in our community.

In addition to critical services that will be provided through HOLA, Mayor Dyer has established a new advisory council consisting of representatives not only from the above organizations, but also including the Puerto Rican Chamber of Commerce, Casa de Mexico and the Cuban National Council.

The advisory council is tasked with evaluating services provided through HOLA and exploring options to improve upon them. The group will also serve as the voice of the Hispanic community, providing updates to the Mayor on issues of importance to Orlando residents.

With the newly expanded HOLA program, the City has more than tripled its investment at an estimated $200,000 which includes real estate, staff time, office technology and equipment, and funding dollars for programs and initiatives.

See HOLA fact sheet.

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