The Association for the Advancement of Mexican Americans RSS Feed

Caf Con AAMA on 16-Feb-12 8:30 AM

Thu, 16 Feb 2012 14:30:00 GMT

Café Con AAMA
Start Date: 16-Feb-12 8:30 AM
End Time: 16-Feb-12 9:30 AM
Event Details:

Please join us for

Café con AAMA

Thursday, February 16, 2011

8:30 a.m. - 9:30 a.m.

AAMA Learning Center

Board Room—Third Floor

6001 Gulf Freeway

Houston, TX 77023

Learn about our work, see our mission in action,

and enjoy a cup of coffee.

RSVP to Ashly Ordaz

713.929.2317 or aordaz@aama.org

2012 Tacos y Tacones Gala on 20-Oct-12 7:00 PM

Sun, 21 Oct 2012 00:00:00 GMT

2012 Tacos y Tacones Gala
Start Date: 20-Oct-12 7:00 PM
End Time: 20-Oct-12 11:30 PM
Location: Hilton-Americas, Houston, Texas 77010
Event Details:

Kick up your heels and join us for AAMA's...

2012 Tacos y Tacones Gala

Dinner, Dancing and

Diversión!

Attire: Black tie and gorgeous shoes!

Click here to watch 2011 Tacos y Tacones Gala Inspirational Video!

Hilton-Americas

1600 Lamar Street

Houston, Texas 77010

Sanchez Students Make History!

Ashly Ordaz - noemail@aamainc.us — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 19:00:00 GMT

Sanchez Charter School Science Olympiad team placed First in the State Competition!

Middle School placed First in the State competition, while Sanchez High School placed First and Third in state. The Math team placed Fourth in Regionals which allowed them to move on to the State Competitions in the Texas State Capital building in Austin, Texas!

The Science Olympiad is a 4 person team contest. Olympiad team is given 4 activities that are related to science and they receive points for each category. Activities for this year’s contest include; balsa bridge building, building a paper tower, paper plane build and design and a surprise activity which was a deck of cards stacking.

“This is the first time in Sanchez and charter school history where a Middle School and High School both placed First at the State Olympiad. This is unprecedented! Our success was a total team effort,” said Victor Wong, science teacher and coach at Sanchez Charter School.

Members of the middle school team include; John Gutierrez, Hope Alaniz and Marco Morales. High School team members include; Rogelio Garcia, Elsa Cobio, Enrique Alba, Marco Isidro, Benny Torres, Alvaro Morales, Alicia Alfaro, Vanessa Ramirez, Nancy Hernandez, Kimberly Luna, Daniel Delarosa and Isaac Luna.

Congratulations to the Math and Science Olympiad teams and sponsors and coaches including; Jesus Carrillo, Pierre Gonzales, Sylvia Luna and Victor Wong!

3-Feb-12 1:00 PM

Eagle Knights Chess Team Wins Big!

Fri, 03 Feb 2012 17:00:00 GMT

Our Sanchez Charter School Eagle Knights placed Second with 13 wins at the Houston Chess Association tournament Tuesday, January 31, 2012.

Benny Torres and Isaac Luna both won 4 out of 5 games and tied for Second in their section and division. Daniel Delarosa won 3 out of 5 games and tied for 7th place in the same division. Marco Isidro had 2 wins securing AAMA’s Second Place finish.

“Overall our students shined. I am extremely proud of our students; they practiced, studied and worked hard this whole year,” said Victor Wong, science teacher at Sanchez who is the chess team sponsor and Coach.

The Eagle Knights took Second Place again in the East Regional Charter School Chess contest,Tuesday, February 2, 2012. Team members include; Isaac Luna, Benny Torres, Daniel Delarosa and Marco Isidro. The Eagles have qualified to compete in the State Charter School Championship on February 11^th, 2012 in Austin, Texas!

“Thanks to all our Chess students for an awesome effort,” Wong said, "Our Region V tournament is this Saturday, February 4^th, 2012, hopefully we will shine again!”

A special thank you to Jesus Carrillo and Janeth Salgado for your support to the Chess team!

For more information on the winners, participating schools, chess rules, etc., please visit

http://www.texascharter.org/2010-2011%20TCSAAL/Chess/Chess.htm

3-Feb-12 11:00 AM

Jose's Big Dreams

Ashly Ordaz - noemail@aamainc.us — Mon, 12 Dec 2011 21:00:00 GMT

José dropped out of school at the age of 15. He went

to Mexico to live with his grandmother, but there was nothing for him to do there and no work.

When he returned to Houston, he worked with his uncle as a roofer. Although the pay was good; the hours were long, the work hard, and the heat unbearable. His uncle encouraged him to go back to school.

Because José had been out of school for a few years, most schools directed him to a GED program. Yet José wanted a high school diploma.

Then a friend told him about AAMA’s Sanchez Charter School. At Sanchez he found the support he needed to catch up and get his education back on track. Today he is a senior and a member of the National Honor Society.

When José graduates from Sanchez in June, he also will have 15 hours of college credit. His plan is to complete his Associate’s Degree in chemical process technology, which will give him the certification he needs to work in a refinery.

But José’s dream is bigger – he wants to earn a Bachelor’s Degree in engineering so he can get an even better job. Then, he wants to give back to his uncle by setting him up in an auto repair shop so he can quit the roofing business too!

Your year-end gift today will help us:

Educate young people like José who need at second chance at school.
Teach English to adults so they can enter the workforce.
Help people of all ages find the support they need to resist drugs, overcome addictions, and make positive choices for their lives.

Become an AAMA Difference Maker today with your gift of $100, $500, $1,000 or more.

DONATE NOW

Jose, pictured upper left, and the 2010-2011 Avanza leadership class.

Through this program, Sanchez Charter School students connected one-on-one with successful adult mentors and developed skills in leadership, trust, teamwork, and communication. Avanza students also experienced Houston beyond their neighborhood, explored possibilities for the future, and realized their inner strengths.

12-Dec-11 3:00 PM

Sanchez Student Selected for Mayor’s Youth Council

Ashly Ordaz - noemail@aamainc.us — Wed, 07 Dec 2011 23:00:00 GMT

Ramiro Jimenez, a senior at AAMA’s Sanchez Charter School, was inaugurated in October as one of 39 members of the Mayor’s Youth Council (MYC). Jimenez was selected from more than 400 applicants across Houston, based on a competitive written application and personal interview, and is the first student from Sanchez to serve on

the MYC.

Modeled after the elected City Council, the MYC meets twice a

month in public session. Members of the council help make decisions affecting Houston’s youth and participate in community service projects throughout their term.

“Ramiro is a leader,” said Albert Perez, the counselor at Sanchez who encouraged Jimenez to apply for the MYC. “I hope other students watch how he is getting involved and follow his example.”

Jimenez transferred to Sanchez after his freshman year because a friend told him about the school’s smaller size, credit recovery, and dual credit programs. At Sanchez he turned his grades around, played linebacker on the Eagles football team, and already has earned 12 hours of college credit.

“I’ll be the first in my family to graduate from high school,” Jimenez said. After graduation in June, he plans to continue his studies at Houston Community College working toward an Associate’s Degree in engineering

7-Dec-11 5:00 PM

Partnership with Genesys Works Puts Students to Work

Ashly Ordaz - noemail@aamainc.us — Fri, 02 Dec 2011 20:00:00 GMT

Only a few months ago, Vanessa Ramirez felt she

was in a “black hole” and would always live with

her family and work in a fast food restaurant.

Today, thanks to a partnership between AAMA’s Sanchez Charter School and Genesys Works, this

high school senior says, “I know I’m going to make

it.”

Vanessa was a featured speaker at the Genesys

Works Breaking Through ceremony where 145

interns were recognized for their achievements

and hard work.

Click here to listen to Vanessa’s story.

Six Sanchez students currently are in the Genesys Works program. After eight weeks of training during the summer, students were placed in paid internships with Houston corporations in information technology, engineering drafting, or accounting and finance. Through real-world professional experience, students discover they have the potential to succeed.

2-Dec-11 2:00 PM

AAMA Receives Star Billing

Ashly Ordaz - noemail@aamainc.us — Fri, 02 Dec 2011 19:00:00 GMT

The Drug Enforcement Administration; Houston Crackdown, the anti-drug division of the Mayor’s Office of Public Safety and Homeland Security; and Clear Channel Communications named AAMA as one of Houston’s Community Stars for 2011.

The Community Stars program annually recognizes organizations and individuals for their efforts to eradicate drugs in our communities. As part of the award, AAMA will be featured on a full-size billboard on a major thoroughfare in the community.

Through AAMA’s Health and Human Services prevention, referral, and treatment programs, more than 20,000 children, youth, and adults find the resources and support they need to resist drugs, overcome addictions, and make positive choices for their lives.

2-Dec-11 1:00 PM

Back to Back to Back State Champs

Wed, 02 Mar 2011 16:00:00 GMT

Congratulations to the Sanchez Boys’ Varsity Basketball Team and Coach Mitton for winning the 2010-2011 TCAL 3A District and State Championships. The team won all rounds in the State Championship in Waxahachie last Friday and Saturday.

This is the Boys' Varsity Basketball Team third consecutive year as State Champs.

According to Athletic Director Mason, they played with a lot of teamwork and determination to defeat some very good teams.

Go Mighty Eagles! You are champions!

2-Mar-11 10:00 AM

Boys' Varsity Basketball Team named Disctrict Champs

Thu, 24 Feb 2011 21:00:00 GMT

Celebration echoed through the halls of AAMA as we congratulated the new 2010-2011 Texas Christian Athletic League District Champions, George I. Sanchez Boys' Varsity Basketball team. They defeated Baytown Christian to land the title of District Champs.

The Eagles go on to play in the 3A Boys State Championship in Waxahachie, Texas Friday and Saturday, Feb. 25-26.

Help us cheer on the Varsity Boys as they compete for the State Championship.

24-Feb-11 3:00 PM

Chess Club Eagles take 2nd Place at State

Marie Tisdale - noemail@aamainc.us — Mon, 14 Feb 2011 22:00:00 GMT

Congratulations to the Chess Club Eagles at George I. Sanchez Charter School for winning second place in the Texas Charter School Academic and Athletic League state chess competition on January 29, 2011.

Team Captain Jesus Acosta along with teammates Isaac Luna, Benny Torres and Daniel Daniel traveled to Austin for the competition in the State Capitol Building after dominating in the Houston Regional Qualifier.

The Chess Club Eagles placed first in the Regional Qualifier landing a berth in the State Championship. Each team member played a five-round game with the team winning a total of 14 ½ games.

In addition to the team win at the Regional Qualifier, Isaac Luna placed first in the Regional High School Individual Competition and Benny Torres and Jesus Acosta tied for second place.“This is only the second year the Charter School League has sponsored a state chess competition,” said Victor Wong, Sanchez science teacher and sponsor of the team. “In previous years, our chess club/team competed at the city level and we did well. We definitely are proud of our students for their sacrifice, competitive spirit and the way they represented our school.”

Sanchez also won second place in the first state competition in 2010.

The next challenge? Wong’s science students will compete in the first state charter school-sponsored Science Olympiad scheduled for April 30th at Sanchez Charter School.

“Wish us well,” Wong said. “We will have two teams and we want to win the first and second place trophies!”

For more information on the winners, participating schools, chess rules, etc., please visit

http://www.texascharter.org/2010-2011%20TCSAAL/Chess/Chess.htm

14-Feb-11 4:00 PM

AAMA ANNOUNCES CLOSURES FOR SCHOOL AND SERVICES

Thu, 03 Feb 2011 16:00:00 GMT

HOUSTON (Feb. 3, 2011) - Due to predicted severe weather, AAMA is closing its George I. Sanchez Charter School, AAMA Adelante adult education program and Health and Human Services activities in Houston and San Antonio today beginning at 12 p.m. through Friday, Feb. 4. After-school activities, child care and other services at all Houston and San Antonio area locations also are cancelled.

For updated information about closures, please visit our website at www.aama.org.

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ABOUT AAMA
AAMA, the Association for the Advancement of Mexican Americans, is a 501(c)(3) organization formed in 1970 by a group of business leaders and community activists in Houston's East End to address serious concerns about the high drop-out rate among Latino youth and the lack of economic opportunities for Latino families. Today AAMA serves more than 25,000 people each year through the generous financial support from individuals, businesses and charitable foundations. For more information, please visit www.aama.org.

3-Feb-11 10:00 AM

AAMA & George I. Sanchez Have Power, Will Open

noemail@aamainc.us — Wed, 24 Sep 2008 19:45:00 GMT

Wednesday, September 24, 2008, Houston, Texas. Power has been restored the campus of AAMA, the Association for the Advancement of Mexican Americans. AAMA’s programs, which had been closed due to the power loss after Hurricane Ike, will reopen according to the following schedule:

George I. Sanchez School (George I. Sanchez School ISD): teachers and staff return Thursday, September 25, 2008; students return Friday, September 26, 2008.

AAMA Adelante classes resume Monday, September 29 at all locations.

Although the campus sustained some damage from the storm, repairs have been made and the campus is safe.

We encourage staff and students to exercise caution on the surrounding streets and allow for extra time to arrive on time due to traffic.

AAMA, Inc. Hurricane Ike Closings

noemail@aamainc.us — Thu, 11 Sep 2008 16:00:00 GMT

UPDATE Tuesday September 16 2008 The George I. Sanchez School, Adelante, and AAMA HHS programs are closed until further notice. We do not yet have power at our main campus. We will get word to the media and to this website once we know when we can open. Our phone system at the school will not work until power is restored. We apologize for the inconvenience, and ask for your patience as we work with media outlets to keep students and families updated. HOUSTON, September 11, 2008 — AAMA, the Association for the Advancement of Mexican Americans, announces the following information about programs and services in Houston during Hurricane Ike. The George I. Sanchez School will close Thursday, September 11, 2008 at 4:00 p.m. Classes and activities are canceled Thursday evening, Friday, and Saturday. Students with families living in mandatory evacuation areas will be accommodated. AAMA Adelante will hold class this...

Pablo Montero Concert

noemail@aamainc.us — Tue, 02 Sep 2008 21:00:00 GMT

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Pablo Montero returns to Houston for a concert benefiting Association for the Advance of Mexican Americans (AAMA) Families enjoy a free concert while AAMA Adelante reaches out to new students. DUE TO HURRICANE IKE THE CONCERT HAS BEEN CANCELED. HOUSTON, September 14, 2008 — AAMA’s highly-successful adult education and literacy program, Adelante, will host the second annual Adelante con AAMA en el 16 de Septiembre Concert on Sunday, September 14, 2008, at 7:30 p.m. at Miller Outdoor Theatre in Houston’s Hermann Park. We want everyone to know about our work, says Adelante Program Director Juan Esquivel. Our best students are often recent immigrants to Houston, so we want to host an event that will help welcome them to this incredible city while introducing them to the programs and services AAMA and Adelante can offer them. Pablo Montero, who performed at the inaugural concert in 2007, was eager to return to Houston to help spread the word about...

BANK OF AMERICA AWARDS $25,000 GRANT TO AAMA

noemail@aamainc.us — Fri, 29 Aug 2008 19:00:00 GMT

Bank of America announced a grant award of $25,000 to AAMA for support of its programs and services. Bank of America and AAMA share a common vision of a community in which everyone has access to educational opportunities that will allow them to create a secure future for themselves and their families, Rick Jaramillo, Bank of America Senior Vice President for Houston Market Development explained. We’re investing not just in AAMA, but in the long-term economic and civic vitality of our city. We are so grateful to Bank of America for this gift to our annual fund, said Board Chair Vanessa Sola. With their donation, we are able to help more students return from the brink of dropping out to graduate from high school, to give more adults the language and computer skills they need to get ahead in their jobs, and to support more troubled teens breaking free of gang involvement and drug addiction. Bank of America awarded AAMA with the prestigious Neighborhood Builders Award in 2005, and...

AAMA named Agency of the Year by UHD Testing Services

noemail@aamainc.us — Wed, 16 Jan 2008 15:45:00 GMT

Association for the Advance of Mexican Americans (AAMA) Honored by University of Houston Downtown for Outstanding Work with GED Candidates AAMA named Agency of the Year by UHD Testing Services HOUSTON, January 16, 2008 — AAMA’s highly-successful adult education and literacy program, Adelante, earned another accolade when the University of Houston Downtown Testing Services department named AAMA Agency of the Year UHD issued a separate statement acknowledging the outstanding work strong dedication AAMA has shown for the GED Program. It takes great courage for adults to come back to school to earn their GED, said Adelante Director Juan Esquivel. Our students are determined to learn the skills that will allow them to find good jobs, help their kids with homework, and be active citizens of the community. In the latest testing period, 67% of Adelante students passed the test and earned their GED certificates. Adelante regularly reports the highest GED passing rate of any agency...

AAMA Hosts Houston Literacy Consortium Spelling Bee

noemail@aamainc.us — Tue, 13 Nov 2007 20:00:00 GMT

HOUSTON, November 14, 2007 — AAMA’s highly-successful adult education and literacy program, Adelante, will host the first annual Houston Literacy Consortium Spelling Bee on Wednesday, November 14, 2007 at 6:30 p.m. at the Multipurpose Education Center on the AAMA campus at 6001 Gulf Freeway. I am very proud of all of our students competing in the spelling bee, says Adelante Program Director Juan Esquivel. These adults have dedicated themselves to learning English so they can find better jobs and be more involved in the community. It is inspiring to hear their stories and see their pride in their accomplishments. Not to mention loud when the cheering really gets going! Adelante, founded in 1986, has hosted a spelling bee for its students for the past several years. Students’ families and friends fill the bleachers to cheer for them. The spelling bee is not only a chance to demonstrate their new levels of English proficiency, but a time for students’ entire families to celebrate...

LCDC Chemical Dependency Counselor

Fri, 10 Feb 2012 06:00:00 GMT

Title: LCDC Chemical Dependency Counselor
Description:

AAMA Inc. is searching for a full-time out-patient Chemical Dependency Counselor to work with adults and adolescents. May work with adult federal probation clients. AAMA's mission is to advance the lives of at-risk Latino youth and families with innovative educational services. We've proudly served our community for over 40 years. Vist our website at www.aama.org to learn more.

Reporting to the Program Manager, this LCDC position provides individual and group therapy and works collaboratively with other staff in ensuring therapy goals are met. In addition assessment, intake and discharge plans may be a part of the work. AAMA offers a competitive compensation package and a chance to engage in very meaninful work.

EOE

Sat, 04 Feb 2012 04:19:07 GMT

File uploaded by Ashly Ordaz.

Chess Club (2)

Sat, 04 Feb 2012 04:19:07 GMT

File uploaded by Ashly Ordaz.