New Board Executives
The staff of HAO would like to thank Joan Martin for her years of dedication to our agency. She has recently agreed to become our new Chairwoman. Joan has been a cornerstone of the Board serving as Secretary, Vice-Chair, and now Chairman. Her commitment has been a great source of inspiration to us all. Joan and her husband, Richard, are real estate agents here in the Lehigh Valley. She has lead her agency in production for many years. We are extremely proud that she has chosen to be a part of our family.
Tom Groves, owner of the Equinox Agency in Fogelsville, has been an important part of our Board for years. He has just agreed to become our Treasurer, a position that carries a great deal of responsibility. The staff is grateful for his efforts and caring. He is devoted to our mission and will make a wonderful part of the Executive team.
We must say good-by
It is with a great deal of sadness that we have to say good-by to two of our favorite people.
Steve Carothers, our Board Chair, has taken a position in Oklahoma with the Dell Corporation. Steve has been with us through our great period of expansion including our purchase, renovation, and move from our headquarters at 711 Chew to the campus at 136 S. 4th Street, the establishment of the Roberto Clemente Charter School including the many subsequent renovations to the S. 4th Street location to accommodate the ever expanding school, the start of the HAO Counseling Services, and the purchase and move to our new headquarters at 462 Walnut Street. Under his Chairmanship HAO has grown from a staff of about 20 to one of about 60. He will be missed.
Larry Thomas is the second person we must bid farewell. He has taken the President & CEO position with Primet Precision Materials, Inc. in Ithaca, NY. Larry served as our Treasurer through our growing years. His detailed and focused approach made what could have been a difficult time into a period of rapid and smooth growth that has kept the agency in the forefront of the Lehigh Valley’s Hispanic Community.
We wish them all the luck in the world. They will always be a part of our family.
A very successful Gala
This year’s Annual Hispanic Gala was held at the Holiday Inn in Fogelsville on September 13. Our theme this year was “An Evening in Rio.” Guests were presented with authentic Carnivale masks as they entered the ballroom. Mr. Joe Brake, VP and General Manager of Coca Cola of the Lehigh Valley was our 2008 Bert Daday Community Service Award honoree for his great commitment to the educational needs of our children through his outreach into the community with organizations such as the Boy Scouts Latino Initiative, the Roberto Clemente Charter School, and Los Niños Learning Centers. There were 270 guests attending the celebration.
Roberto Clemente Charter School
With a $99,000 grant from the Lowe’s Foundation, we were able to establish a library at the Charter School. Roberto Clemente Charter School used the grant to establish and furnish a library within the school. The funds went towards the purchase of tables, chairs, bookcases, a 25 workstation computer lab including electronic whiteboard and projector, and 2,500 books organized with the Dewey Decimal System.
“Lowe’s generosity exemplifies their dedication to community improvement,” says Dr. Maritza Robert, Principal. “These funds will allow our students access to a state-of-the-art library, greatly enhancing their learning environment.”
We also just completed another major renovation of the Charter School campus. The entire wing that had been dedicated to HAO offices was converted into classrooms and offices for the school over the summer. This gave the students much needed classroom space for the 6th grades and the music program.
HAO Expansion
Because of this renovation, HAO purchased the Chamber of Commerce building at 462 Walnut Street and moved their headquarters there last year. Last month the HAO Counseling Services moved from their old home at 711 Chew into newly renovated space at the home office. This now gives us more space for the psychiatrists and therapists to serve our clients.