Turning the Tables
Hispanics gain leadership skills thanks to APS support

Not long ago, Arizona's decision tables tended to look pretty much the same - at least in terms of race and gender. Thanks to APS and some vocal advocates, more Arizona Hispanics are getting the type of leadership training that gets them to those tables.

APS has supported the Hispanic Leadership Institute, Hispanic Leadership Institute-West and the Hispanic Leadership Institute in Pinal County.  Each has provided Hispanics with the means, training and education to become more active community leaders.

Several years ago, Hispanic Leadership Forum board members began discussing the lack of Hispanics in decision making positions, which was especially alarming given Arizona's demographics and rapidly growing Hispanic population. The group knew that Valle del Sol had experience with conducting Latino leadership institutes. They decided to ask Valle del Sol, as well as APS and Estrella Mountain Community College, for support.

"APS has been a strong supporter of Valle del Sol's leadership and community programs," said Luz Sarmina, president and CEO of Valle del Sol. "The growth of our success, in expanding our leadership institute to the West Valley and Pinal County, could not have happened without APS' generous contributions. We greatly appreciate the commitment that APS makes to the Latino community. More importantly, the advice and direction provided by many of their community leaders has been invaluable. APS helps touch many Arizona communities."

The Hispanic Leadership Institute-West has graduated four classes and will start its fifth class in October 2008. The most recent HLI-West participants graduated on December 18, 2007. Participation is open to all individuals of diverse backgrounds in the West Valley.

The Hispanic Leadership Institute-West was created to prepare and involve the Hispanic community in leadership roles in the Southwest Valley. APS ensures that the institute is successful through its involvement, both in capital and in-kind services.

APS has served as the institute's premier sponsor and has helped with start-up and funding. APS is involved with a similar institute in Pinal County. Classes in each institute average about 25 participants, and Hispanics already are more visible on these community's boards and commissions and with community and non-profit organizations.

In Pinal County, the institute arose out of an APS funded study, "Trends, Challenges and Opportunities Facing Hispanic Families in Arizona." The study reported some disturbing statistics regarding issues such as high school drop-out rates and teen pregnancies. A group of local Hispanic leaders began meeting and discussing these trends. One thing that was obvious was the lack of Hispanic leadership in critical decision-making roles such as on city councils and school boards. Through a partnership with Valle del Sol, the Latino Familia Initiative and Central Arizona College, the institute graduated its first class in March 2006 and it's second in 2007. Year three of HLI-Pinal will begin in January 2008.