NCLR: MAAC is Our Affiliate of the Year

PHOENIX—Today, NCLR (National Council of La Raza) recognized its San Diego Affiliate MAAC (Metropolitan Area Advisory Committee on Anti-Poverty of San Diego County, Inc.) as its Affiliate of the Year. The Affiliate of the Year award is the highest honor that NCLR confers upon its Affiliates, awarded to an organization for their outstanding effort partnering with NCLR to broaden opportunities for the Latino community.

MAAC was founded in 1965 and became an NCLR Affiliate in 1987. Since then, MAAC has worked with NCLR to create new opportunities for Latinos through immigration, civic engagement, education and workforce development programs.

“We are proud to have partnered with MAAC for 30 years and look forward to continuing to work with this organization that has helped so many Latino families overcome housing and educational barriers. The work they do to promote the betterment of Latinos in San Diego has contributed to making the broader community more prosperous,” said NCLR President and CEO Janet Murguía.

MAAC has helped more than 2,300 families get on the path to educational success, and has helped nearly 800 families obtain affordable housing. MAAC has utilized NCLR’s workforce development forums to network and discuss best practices with workforce providers in order to improve their own programs. MAAC has also used NCLR’s LatinosVote app to help eligible voters in their community register and ensure that their voices could be heard.

Additionally, when NCLR released information about DACA (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals), MAAC held meetings in their local community to ensure that the Latino and immigrant communities were aware of their rights under the new program. In total, MAAC benefits more than 70,000 people every year in the San Diego Area, and NCLR looks forward to continuing this fruitful partnership.

“MAAC is honored to be NCLR’s 2017 Affiliate of the Year. When our founders opened our doors in 1965, they were passionate about advocating on behalf of the Latino community. Our organization has grown tremendously in the span of fifty-two years, but the heart of our mission remains focused on providing sustainable solutions to poverty and social injustice. Our partnership with NCLR and its Affiliates strengthens MAAC’s ability to provide the highest caliber programs and services while amplifying the Latino voice at local, regional and national levels. We love our work and are proud to be recognized for its positive impact. Thank you, NCLR, for this extraordinary recognition,” said MAAC President and CEO Arnulfo Manriquez.

The Affiliate of the Year Award is presented in conjunction with the Ford Motor Company Fund. The Ford Motor Company Fund is the philanthropic arm of the Ford Motor Company.

“Ford congratulates MAAC’s accomplishment to empower their community in Chula Vista, CA,” said Joe Avila, Manager, Ford Motor Company Fund. “Our long-standing collaboration of more than 25 years with NCLR continues to make a difference to ensure a brighter future in the lives of so many.”

In addition to MAAC, NCLR also recognized the contributions and accomplishments of outstanding regional Affiliates. NCLR recognized Valle del Sol as their Far West Affiliate of the Year; Mexican American Unity Council, Inc. (MAUC) as Texas Affiliate of the Year; Latino Policy Forum as Midwest Affiliate of the Year; Concilio as Northeast Affiliate of the Year and Mary’s Center as Southeast Affiliate of the Year.

NCLR—the largest national Hispanic civil rights and advocacy organization in the United States works to build a stronger America by creating opportunities for Latinos. For more information on NCLR, please visit www.nclr.org or follow along on Facebook and Twitter.

About Ford Motor Company Fund and Community Services

Ford Motor Company Fund and Community Services works with community and global partners to advance driving safety, education and community life. Ford Motor Company Fund has operated for more than 65 years with ongoing funding from Ford Motor Company. Ford Driving Skills for Life is free, interactive, hands-on safety training focused on skill development and driving techniques while addressing inexperience, distractions and impaired driving. Innovation in education is encouraged through Ford Blue Oval Scholars, Ford Driving Dreams, Ford Next Generation Learning and other innovative programs that enhance high school learning and provide college scholarships and university grants. The Ford Volunteer Corps enlists more than 30,000 Ford employees and retirees each year to work on local projects that strengthen their communities and improve people’s lives in more than 40 countries around the world. For more information, visit www.community.ford.com.