Las Colonias in the 21st Century: Progress Along the Texas–Mexico Border
July 30–31, 2015 Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas
Hosted by the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas and Texas State Affordable Housing Corporation (TSAHC)
Agenda
Thursday, July 30
Opening Event:Celebración de las Colonias
Special music provided by the University of Texas–Pan American’s student band, Mariachi Atzlan.
Partnerships and Social Enterprise
Jordana Barton, Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas, San Antonio Branch
bcWORKSHOP, Chilton Capital Management and Community Development Corporation of Brownsville
Exhibits: Challenges and Innovative Solutions
Featured the innovative work of organizations and individuals that represent the spirit of colonia communities. Exhibits included:
Agua Viva Community Center
AYUDA Inc.
bcWORKSHOP
Brownsville Community Health Center, Mano a Mano promotora program
Community Development Corporation of Brownsville
Deep South Texas Financial Literacy Alliance
Digital Opportunity for the Rio Grande Valley (DO4RGV), with Rosen Publishing
Ein Gedi Ranch Community Garden
Health and Human Services Commission, Office of Border Affairs
LiftFund, with microenterprises from multiple colonias
Proyecto Azteca
Texas A&M University Colonias Program’s water filtration project
University of Texas–Pan American's financial literacy program
Friday, July 31
Check-in and Breakfast
Welcome and Opening Remarks
Alfreda B. Norman, Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas
Leading Approaches for Improving Housing and Infrastructure
Moderator: Jordana Barton
Enriqueta “Keta” Caballero, Colonia Initiatives Program, Texas Secretary of State
Homero Cabello, Office of Colonia Initiatives/Housing Trust Fund, Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs
Jesse Miller, bcWORKSHOP
Ann Williams Cass, Proyecto Azteca
Innovations in Health and Wellness
Moderator: Oscar J. Muñoz, Colonias Program, Texas A&M University
Elvia Alcala, Mano a Mano, Brownsville Community Health Center
Francisco Fernandez, University of Texas Rio Grande Valley School of Medicine
Paula S. Gómez, Brownsville Community Health Center
Connecting Communities to Regional Economic Opportunities
Moderator: Roberto Coronado, Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas, El Paso Branch
Marie Mora, University of Texas–Pan American and University of Texas Rio Grande Valley
Emily Ryder Perlmeter, Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas
Teófilo Tijerina, Onko Solutions
Elvira M. Valles, LiftFund
Lunch and Keynote Remarks
Introduction: Jaime Chahin, Texas State University
Senator Eddie Lucio Jr., Texas Senate, District 27
Building on Assets: Advancements in Education
Moderator: JoAnn Canales, Texas A&M University–Corpus Christi
David Arizmendi, South Texas College
Daniel P. King, Pharr–San Juan–Alamo Independent School District
Robert T. McLaughlin, Education Development Center
Imaginando el Futuro: The Millennial Generation and Youth
Moderator: Juanita Valdez-Cox, La Unión del Pueblo Entero (LUPE)