The Valley Initiative for Development and Advancement, a W/SWIAF labor market intermediary in the Rio Grande Valley of Texas, announced that they have been awarded a $150,000 grant from the Greater Texas Foundation to prepare low-income adults to obtain jobs in high demand fields. GTF Executive Director Dr. Wynn Rosser notes, "We became very interested in VIDA's work after learning that 91 percent of VIDA's participants served last year had either graduated or were still in school." VIDA's innovative program combines financial assistance with support services for adults motivated to graduate from college.

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In Pomona, hundreds of leaders assembled last spring to challenge a planned waste transfer station in a neighborhood already burdened with one. Leaders cited increased risks of cancer and other respiratory illnesses that exceed local regulatory standards. The Inland Empire Sponsoring Committee (locally known as the Pomona Valley Cluster of One LA) generated over 1,000 letters in opposition to the proposed project while proponents mustered only twelve.

This summer, the fight over trash escalated with a over 100 leaders hitting the streets in a neighborhood walk to inform residents of increased risks of cancer and other respiratory illnesses implicit in the planned expansion of a local waste transfer station. Press from miles afar picked up the story. Leaders await a decision from the City of Pomona Planning Commission.

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In effort to expand the membership base beyond Del Rio, leaders with The Border Organization are working to recruit new institutions in neighboring cities such as Brackettville and identifying potential leaders in Methodist and Lutheran congregations in Maverick County / Eagle Pass.

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Immigration Reform Takes Center Stage at Texas Legislature, Brownsville Herald

Pacoima Couple Accuses JP Morgan Chase of Illegally Foreclosing on Their Home, Daily News of Los Angeles

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Divine Intervention at the Ballot Box, InFact Daily

One LA, Others Join to Make Healthcare Services Accessible, The Tidings

Other articles documenting One LA's work on health

Acting on stories from people desperately needing medical equipment, DAI leaders launched a Durable Medical Equipment Initiative to acquire, sanitize (according to state code) and distribute gently used medical equipment. This would provide residents with wheelchairs, hospital beds and walkers.

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W/SWIAF labor market JobPath, in Tucson, AZ, won a $200,000 grant to help train over 50 adults in technical careers. The funds were awarded by the US Department of Labor. JobPath was also cited by the Morrison Institute for Public Policy as an example of effective labor market intermediation.

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The launch of a mobile pre-natal care clinic drew public recognition from the Catholic Campaign for Human Development, with a laudatory letter by Director Ralph McCloud celebrating AMOS' achievement.

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