ernie ortiz

De Colores

nester623 — Thu, 13 May 2010 00:45:55 +0000

Source: http://vimeo.com/user955835

De Colores is a bilingual 28-minutes documentary about how Latino families are replacing the deep roots of homophobia with the even deeper roots of love and tolerance. Through moving personal stories we learn about how families are breaking cultural barriers and how love always prevails.

De Colores es un documental bilingüe de 28 minutos mostrando como las familias y comunidades latinas están reemplazando la homophobia con la tolerencia y el amor. A través de historias personales aprendemos como familias rompen barreras culturales y como el amor siempre prevalece.

Source: http://vimeo.com/user955835

Para mas informacion visite http://www.pflagphoenix.org/familias/index.html

One Voice Community Center announces new Executive Director

nester623 — Sat, 20 Feb 2010 20:41:07 +0000

PHOENIX, AZ – Concluding an extensive executive search, the Board of Directors of One Voice Community Center is pleased to announce the selection of Ernesto Ortiz as the organization’s new Executive Director.

Ortiz’ has spent over a decade working in the non-profit sector. He brings extensive experience in nonprofit management, community outreach, marketing and fundraising. Born in Oregon and raised in West Phoenix, his nonprofit career began at the National Marrow Donor Program where he co-managed the largest Latino donor base in the country. His experience includes fundraising for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society of Arizona and St. Mary’s Food Bank Alliance in Phoenix. As an active community advocate, in 2009 Ortiz was named as one of the “40 under 40 Hispanic Leaders” by the Arizona Hispanic Chamber of Commerce and in 2010 he was named as one of the “40 under 40 Leaders” by The Phoenix Business Journal.

“We are excited to start working with Ernesto,” said Rocco Menaguale Co-Chair and Co-founder of One Voice, “We believe he will be able to really push our mission and vision in a positive direction for the community as a whole. His experience and community knowledge will be a great asset to the organization.”

“I have known Ernesto and his work in the community for some time and I’m thrilled to have him at the helm as we take 1VCC to the next level of service to the LGBT community” added Linda Elliott, Chair-elect of the Board of Directors of One Voice Community Center.

“I am humbled and honored to be selected as the Executive Director for One Voice Community Center,” said Ortiz, “This center is an important part of our community. My goal is continue to grow One Voice and create an inviting resource that fits the needs of our diverse community. I am excited to work with the dedicated and passionate board and staff.”

The community is invited to meet Ernesto Ortiz at a reception held in his honor on:

March 5th, from 5:00PM to 7:00PM

One Voice Community Center

725 West Indian School Road, Suite #125, Phoenix, AZ

Mission Statement:

One Voice Community Center serves as a cultural focal point uniting LGBT individuals and reinvests in the community by providing vital educational, social and wellness programs.

The past couple of months. So much has gone on.

nester623 — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 07:19:42 +0000

So much has happened in the last couple of months. All have been very exciting. I am not sure where to start.

Hispanic 40 under 40

Luis, me, Gerardo, Juan

On September 23rd I was honored along with 39 other talented and amazing individuals as one of the 40 Hispanic Leaders Under 40 by the Arizona Hispanic Chamber of Commerce. What an honor. My friend Gerardo was nice enough to nominate me. The award was given to 40 key Hispanic business and community leaders who are making significant contributions to the greater good of the community. It was so nice to be honored. I did not realize anyone was watching the work I was doing. My work was very proud and sent out a press release to all of our media contact. I made page 9 on Teleritmo magazine and kept seeing my name pop up all over the place. It was very humbling. My mother loved it. She has about 20 copies of the Teleritmo issue. LOL.

Univision and HRC

Another VERY exciting thing that went on was the HRC and Univision Coming Out Day project. HRC approached my friends Gerardo, Tony and myself to help produce a week full of “coming out” segments on Univision. This was very exciting for many reasons. HRC or the Human Rights Campaign is the Largest LGBT civil rights organization in the nation. Univision is a house hold name in a Latino home. Even if you do not speak Spanish, you know about Univision. I have grown up with that channel and had worked with them on different projects in the past. Most of the time it was to represent the non-profit I was working for. This time I was representing myself and LGBT community. This was the first time EVER that Univision, the number one rated television station in Arizona and the number one rated Spanish TV station in the US did a project like this. The topic “GAY” in the Latino culture is very taboo. It is not talked about in many Latino families much less on Spanish TV. It was our chance to make a huge impact. Wow! I was honored to help.

The stories featured three coming out stories. The stories were of a woman coming out at work, a religious organization that supports the LGBT community and of course a gay man and his relationship with his mother (this story featured my mother and myself watch the clip at Univision Arizona). The segments ran for three consecutive days. On the fourth day, a phone bank was offered. A hotline was created to offer services to those who were dealing with coming out issues. The project was a success. The HRC and Univision project gained local and national attention. Locally so many people approached me after and commented on the project. In one case, an owner of a Mexican restaurant my mother and I frequent approached out table and congratulated us. She was so excited that the program took place. She also shared that her son was gay and it was terribly hard for him when he came out.

This project helped stress the need local Spanish resources within the LGBT community. One exciting thing is that PFLAG (Parents and Friends of Lesbians and Gays) Phoenix is now recruiting members who would like to start a Spanish PFLAG group. This is awesome. The number one topic or question during the coming out segments on Univision was “how can I get help as a parent of a gay or lesbian child in Spanish?” Now a resource is being created. I get chills talking about it.

El Break

During the same time I was working with EL Break on a Latino LGBT community forum. This forum help was to help those who are Latino and are dealing with “coming out.” This form was at the new One Voice Community Center on 7th Avenue and Indian School Road. The forum had resources from the community like 1in10, Southwest Center for HIV and AIDS and the Stonewall Institute. This forum was one of many that El Break puts on throughout the year. We were exited that some Spanish speaking parents showed up. They were supporting their son who had not yet come out of the closet. If he decided to come out they wanted to be ready with all of the education possible to support him. It made me feel so good that those parents were so loving and understanding. I hope the forum helped. I also hope there are more parents like them. The guys from El Break were so helpful. Kudos to them for being an ally to the LGBT community. El Break is a group of talented people who started off as an independent radio show. They work to better the community through forums, advocacy projects and community service. They are great. Muchas Gracias El Break.

So much has happened. These are just a couple of things. I am exhausted. I am also excited to see what is next.

Help St. Mary’s…Help Yourself to Breakfast

nester623 — Thu, 27 Aug 2009 20:23:51 +0000

Fratellos means “brother” in Italian and underscores this new Westside restaurant’s relationship with its community. As part of the effort to ease the burden of increased demand for food donations, Fratello’s Cafe in Peoria (13560 N. 94th Drive) is offering a free pancake breakfast to customers on Saturday, Aug. 29, from 7:30 a.m. to noon. Make any non-perishable food donation to St. Mary’s Food Bank Alliance and receive a delicious pancake meal for no charge from one of the Westside’s hot new breakfast spots. For more information, call (623) 875-1411 or visit http://fratelloscafe.com/id34.html

Lack of Sleep

nester623 — Thu, 23 Jul 2009 14:41:41 +0000

Lack of sleep has really taken a toll on me. I do not understand what is going on. I have cut back on caffeine and I am trying to eat better. I slowly am getting to the gym and have tried every relaxation exercise out there. What is going on! Who knows. This happens to me about twice a year. I refuse to take medication to help me sleep. I DO NOT trust herbal and homeopathic remedies (some fool mows their lawn, puts it into a capsule and I am supposed to believe that it good for me). I feel like I am turning into a character from Twilight. My brain is turning into mush (as you can tell by the quality of this post). Well I am off to work. Maybe I can get some sleep there.

1st Annual “Burrito Project” to Benefit Valley Food Kitchens Community Joins Hands with Challenge of Making 3,000 Burritos in 3 Hours

nester623 — Mon, 20 Jul 2009 15:19:58 +0000

I work for a large non-profit in Phoenix. Having this type of job is very exciting. Everyday it is something new. Many times I am able to participate in activities that help the community. Today is a great example. I will be helping with an annual campaign that will build 3000 burritos in 3 hours. The burritos will benefit local soup kitchens. We will be at La Tolteca from 1-4pm. Please stop on by. For more information click here.

Beyonce Fights Hunger … And So Can You!

nester623 — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 17:14:58 +0000

I am so excited. Beyonce has partnered with Feeding America to help fight hunger. A couple of event will be going on in the valley to benefit Feeding America Food Banks like St. Mary’s Food Bank Alliance. I will be working at the concert. If you are attending that night please stop by, say hello and bring your can of food. For more information on events and locations please visit Showyourhelpinghand.org or firstfoodbank.org.

Thank you BEYONCE!!!

Volunteers Needed to Help Latino/a Community! You can Help

nester623 — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 07:52:08 +0000

Many of you reading have commented to me that you’d love to get involved. You’d like to help. Well I have a wonderful opportunity for you to do just that. The Human Rights Campaign (HRC) is looking for volunteers to assist Latino/a legal permanent residents – individuals and families – in completing their applications to become US citizens. This is something each and every one of us can help with. Please donate your time. Feel free to contact me with any questions.

Save Marlon: Gay Youth in Phoenix Facing Deportation

nester623 — Tue, 24 Mar 2009 21:40:15 +0000

Hello All. I thought this was very important that I share this with you. This is your opportunity to help. Every penny counts. With out your help, Marlon will face the possibility of being deported. Returning to his native country would be extreamly dangerous to his life.

The following message was posted on Facebook by Micheal Weakly, Program Director of Valley One in Ten.
If you would like to donate please contact me at ernesto@phoenixpride.org and I can put you in contact with organizers of this fundraiser. Your help is needed. Please consider donating.

Save Marlon: Gay Youth in Phoenix facing deportationShare

*** Special UPDATE! Checks need to be made to Marlon Frederick. N Touch Magazine is overseeing the expenses and ensuring that ALL of your donated funds are properly given to the Law offices of Thomas and Jeffries. ********

Marlon Frederick is an amazing young man from Antigua. He came to the US in hopes of receiving refugee status from Antigua where he was assualted twice for his sexual orientation. Threats have been made by the local community there that if he returns his life and his family’s life will be in danger. Marlon is an awesome muscian, participate at 1n10 and YEP!, received an honor from SoulPurpose this year and has many friends that support him.

We have to raise 1,500 for his lawyer retainer fee before Friday March 28th. His court date is April 1 and he faces deportation on that day. Please have us save a fantastic Gay young person. This campaign is being sponsored by N Touch magazine. Please contact Micheal Weakley for donation information. Checks can not be made directly to the law firm.

Thomas and Jeffries are a Immigration Solutions firm dealing specifically with LGBTQ immigration issues. There usual retainer fee is over 3000 but because of the nature of this case, decreased it in half.

With love and hope
Micheal

Who’s Going to Pride

nester623 — Tue, 10 Mar 2009 05:11:22 +0000