Mayor Dyer’s Hispanic Office for Local Assistance (HOLA)
Proposed Program Enhancements

About the HOLA Program:

The mission of Mayor Dyer’s HOLA program is to connect individuals and families new to the Orlando community with the information, resources and tools necessary for a successful transition to their new home.

From job assistance and language skill building to school and child-care support, the City’s newly enhanced and expanded HOLA program will link individuals and families with positive opportunities.


Program Enhancements:

Welcome Center
The City of Orlando will administer an information “hot line” and welcome center at the Englewood Community Center on 6123 LaCosta Drive. A new, permanent office is under construction at the Primrose Community Center on 595 North Primrose Drive (expected completion date is October 2006).

The Puerto Rican Federal Affairs Administration will provide additional services through an employee working on-site.

Working Together Coalition (Association of 40 non-profit Hispanic Professionals) will have an information distribution center on-site.

Jobs Program
Through a partnership with the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, an employment matching program will be established that will be available 24 hours a day through a dedicated Web site. A link will be established from cityoforlando.net to the job placement Web site.

Language Acquisition
The City of Orlando will continue its partnership with Orange County Public Schools to provide language acquisition programs at the Englewood Center.

New Comers Expo
An employment fair will be presented by the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce during the Hispanic Business and Consumer Expo to assist new arrivals with job opportunities in Orlando.

Latino Leadership will present the Central Florida Community Information Fair before the start of the school year to provide details on community and education resources for Orlando families.

Community Involvement
An advisory council will be named to advise the Mayor on improvements to the programs. They include: the Puerto Rican Chamber of Commerce, the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, Latino Leadership, Casa de Mexico, Working Together, the Cuban National Council and the Puerto Rican Federal Affairs Administration.


Timing:
The enhanced and expanded HOLA services will remain uninterrupted with the new HOLA office opening April 3rd at the Englewood Community Center.


Public Awareness:
City of Orlando HOLA Hotline
A bilingual information hotline has been established (407) 254-HOLA and will be activated April 3rd.

City of Orlando Web site
The City’s Web site will be expanded to include information in Spanish on the new and expanded HOLA Programs at www.cityoforlando.net.


Investment
With the newly enhanced and expanded HOLA program, the City has more than tripled its investment from real estate to staff time and funding dollars for programs and initiatives. The City’s investment is estimated at more than $200,000.00 to implement the HOLA program.


HOLA Community Partners:
Blanquita Trabold Casa de Mexico
Vicky Llevada Cuban American National Council
Ramon Ojeda Hispanic Chamber of Commerce
Marytza Sanz Latino Leadership
Emilio Perez Puerto Rican Chamber of Commerce
Sylvia Caceres Puerto Rican Federal Affairs Administration
Eva Pagan-Hill Trabajando Juntos (includes network of more than 40 organizations)

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