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Owatonna, MN January 23, 2012 – After an extensive search, Centro Campesino has hired Ernesto Vélez (29) as the new Executive Director of Centro Campesino, Inc., effective immediately. He is replacing co-founder and longtime community organizer and former Executive Director, Victor Contreras. In addition to a strong commitment to Centro Campesino’s mission and a demonstrated conviction to create positive social change, Mr. Vélez brings with him almost 10 years of experience with Centro Campesino in the areas of community organizing, fundraising and development, program management and advocacy.

Open the attachment below for the complete press release:

Centro Campesino is proud to announce the release of a new policy paper highlighting 16 powerful and proven solutions that if implemented could drastically improve the education of students of color in Minnesota. Centro Campesino is a co-releaser of this policy paper in collaboration with 11 other organizations convened by the Organizing Apprenticeship Project through the Education Equity Organizing Collaborative. The racial disparities in our education system are clear and we present a proactive approach that looks at ways to reduce and eliminate the disparities in our system. Please take some time to contribute to the work of Centro Campesino and the EEOC coalition convened by OAP.

Excellent article covering the viwes of rural Latino youth in Minnesota. Members of Centro Campesino's Youth Network talk about their views about school, life, and their dreams of going to college.

Follow the link to see article and view the video: http://www.minnpost.com/ruralmn/2011/06/24/29455/latino_students_in_owatonna_talk_of_their_lives_and_plans 

Dear Friends and allies, We are glad to share with you that White House Office of Innovation and Civic Participation has written about our work in southern Minnesota. You can find the article on the White House website by visiting this link:

http://www.whitehouse.gov/blog...

Thank you for supporting our work! If you can, take the time to make a small contribution to Centro Campesino so we can continue to innovate! Visit www.centrocampesino.net to contribute or mail your contribution to PO BOX 525, Owatonna, MN 55060.