La Alianza, a Hailey-based nonprofit organization that promotes the interests of Latinos, recently received a grant that will greatly increase the fledgling group's exposure and ability to work in the community.
The National Association of Realtors, through the Sawtooth Board of Realtors, awarded a $5,000 Diversity Initiative Grant to support La Alianza in its development as a cultural center in Blaine County.
The Sawtooth Board of Realtors "strives to take a leadership role in promoting (cross-cultural) activities which improve understanding and communication in our communities," Sawtooth Board of Realtors president Jim Figge said.
Located at the Community Campus in Hailey, La Alianza was established earlier this year by a consortium of community leaders to build cross-cultural alliances. Its mission is to improve the quality of life in the community through education, advocacy and direct services. La Alianza relies on such grants for its survival. Other organizations that granted funds to La Alianza include the Wood River Women's Charitable Foundation and St. Thomas Episcopal Church.
"We appreciate the interest that the Sawtooth Board of Realtors has shown in our organization," said La Alianza's Interim Executive Director Rebecca Hornbach. "The success of this grant request is an indication that others share our understanding of the importance of bringing Blaine County's cultural communities together."
In addition to the grant, the Sawtooth Board of Realtors, through its Government Affairs Committee, will contribute staff time in partnership with La Alianza to accomplish several diversity-oriented goals outlined in the grant request.
"The first goal is to research home ownership trends in the Hispanic community in valley. We want to see what the patterns and barriers might be," Hornbach said. "The second is to host a diversity training session for realtors and interested people in the community. And the third is to encourage businesses to adapt potential policies that address the diversity issues."
For more information on the organization, visit Laalianzaidaho.org.
Upcoming La Alianza events
· Wednesday, June 4, at 5:30 p.m. Fundraiser for La Alianza at the Back Alley Party at the Wicked Spud on Main Street in Hailey, with music by The Damphools.
· Wednesday, June 11 & 25, at 7 p.m. Study Group for the U.S. Citizenship Test with Penny Thayer, an English as Second Language teacher at College of Southern Idaho, Blaine County. At the La Alianza Multicultural Center -- open to anyone interested in the exam.
· Thursday, June 26, at 6 p.m. Finance Class: Saving for Retirement. This is the third in a series of finance classes sponsored by Zions Bank. Ruby Mireles of Zions Bank and Dan Summers of the Pioneer Federal Credit Union will discuss savings and retirement plans.
· Saturday, June 28, at 11 a.m. La Alianza World Cup Soccer Tournament at Atkinson Park in Ketchum with games, food, and activities including aerobics, raffles, volleyball and piñatas for all.
Come with family and friends to this community soccer event.
· Every Wednesday, from 12-- 2 p.m. Career Assistance at La Alianza to help with filling out applications, making cold calls, preparing resumes and more.
