Every moment is an organizing opportunity, every person is an activist, every minute is a chance to change the world!– Dolores Huerta, Co-Founder of La Union del Pueblo Entero |
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When you notice the Palm trees begin to shed their leaves, we know Fall has made its way into the Valley. In this edition, we are sharing recent LUPE Staff developments, member victories, and upcoming collaborations. We are also excited to introduce two of LUPE's esteemed members who will be honored at our 7th biennial Gala by receiving our organization's most prestigious awards.
We hope that this Hispanic Heritage month you feel proud and empowered to continue fighting for our cultura, our roots and our rights. This administration can try to intimidate us, they can try to push us into the shadows but our gente will always prevail in the face of adversity as our ancestors have done before us. Happy reading! |
In solidarity, Estefania and the LUPE Team ❤️ |
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LUPE's 7th BIENNIAL GALA AWARDEES |
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Si Se Puede Awardee: Emma Alaniz
Emma has been an active advocate for her community at the local, state, and national levels. At the local level, Emma represents her Colonia Curry Estates, at Commissioners Court meetings where she has issues regarding flooding and trash collection. She encourages her neighborhood committee to fight for solutions, succeeding with the development of drainage infrastructure in her Colonia. At the state level, Emma was very active in the fight for Street Lights legislation and has advocated for State issued Driver’s Licenses. The Street Light legislation passed in 2015 and Emma and her neighbors submitted an application to the county to obtain lighting installed in her colonia. At the national level, Emma traveled with a group of colonia residents and community advocates to advocate for a just and fair comprehensive immigration reform.
As a LUPE member, she has the opportunity to organize several initiatives like Unidos por RGV and the Planning Committee for the Annual Cesar Chavez March. |
Self-Help Awardee: Mari “Trini” Arias
Maria “Trini” Arias doesn’t just live in her North Edinburg colonia; she helps build it. For twenty years, as a LUPE member and former farmworker, she has turned the lesson that “farmworkers are family” into a blueprint for community change.
Her motivation is deeply personal. As a mother, her goal is to raise children who leave the world better than they found it. As a neighbor, she sees her community as an extension of her family. This profound sense of solidarity drives her to advocate at commissioner’s court and beyond, always guided by the principle to treat everyone with inherent dignity. |
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CELEBRATING COLONIA CARDINAL FOR THEIR PUBLIC LIGHTING WIN |
Residents of Colonia Cardinal are among the many who have been helped by LUPE to overcome darkness. For community leader and LUPE member Imelda Maldonado, this was an initiative she and her vecinos were ready to take head-on. The darkness brought its own problems to the Colonia. After experiencing thefts, vehicular crashes, and 2 fatalities, the members of Colonia Cardinal pursued their organizing efforts to secure public light in their community. After incidents in the Colonia, members hosted Juntas Caseras, knocked on doors to collect signatures, and attended Commissioners Court repeatedly. After over 17 years without public light, Colonia Cardinal los vecinos finally witnessed the results of their persistence. |
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LUPE STAFF RECEIVES CERTIFICATION FOR DISASTER RESPONSE SERVICES |
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On September 19th, LUPE Staff joined a disaster intake training at the Harlingen Convention Center, hosted by the World Renew Organization, alongside groups such as Arise Adelante and the RGV Long-Term Disaster Recovery Group. Staff and community members learned to conduct intake interviews for disaster-affected individuals, continuing our support following the March flood storms that impacted much of the RGV’s low-income, rural areas—Cameron County was one of the hardest hit, with many still reeling from the effects.
At the end of the training, staff received certification in Unmet Needs Assessment, equipping LUPE with immediate practical skills for disaster response. These new skills will enable LUPE to more efficiently identify and address urgent and ongoing needs in collaboration with the RGV Long Term Disaster Recovery group. LUPE will apply this training as it prepares to assess colonia residents at our LUPE San Benito office to help residents recover and rebuild.
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COLONIA MEMBERS ADVOCATE FOR INTERNET ACCESS IN COLONIAS |
On September 30th, LUPE members filled the seats at the Commissioners Court, painting the room in a sea of red. They brought digital devices to show the lack of internet connection colonia residents face and shared testimonies from those impacted by the disruption. This comes after many programs have been affected by recent federal budget cuts, with services supporting low income communities hit hardest and ending essential resources they need to thrive. |
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LUPE will continue hosting monthly virtual Know Your Rights Sessions. The next session will be on Tuesday, October 7th, through Zoom.
We encourage everyone, regardless of your immigration status, to join these sessions. When we stay informed, we can better protect one another. To receive text message notifications and reminders for the next meetings, sign up using our button below or by visiting our website at www.lupenet.org/kyr.
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With the rampant ICE raids in our community, some targeting local businesses, LUPE has extended their Know Your Rights Training Sessions to include information that could help protect businesses and their employees in case of an encounter with ICE or other state officials.
As business owners you have rights! Keeping our community informed about what those right are is a way of keeping us protected. Schedule a training at www.lupenet.org/information and help keep each other safe from unlawful deportations and targeted attacks. |
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7th Biennial LUPE Gala: Sowing Seeds of Change |
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Get ready! We're thrilled to announce that Julie Chávez Rodríguez will be joining Paola Ramos for an exclusive fireside chat.
Julie is a powerhouse political strategist who served as Campaign Manager for the Biden-Harris 2024 re-election campaign and was a Senior Advisor to President Biden. From her roots in labor organizing with the United Farm Workers to the highest levels of government, hear her incredible story of advocacy and empowerment.
Save the date! Thursday, October 16th at 7pmWhere: LUPE'S 7th Biennial Gala
RSVP at www.lupenet.org/gala or click on the button below. | |
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This October, LUPE Votes Texas Pac is bringing the info straight to you. At our Juntas Generales, we’ll break down the amendment propositions you’ll see on the ballot in the upcoming constitutional election. 🗳️ Catch us at the location nearest you! 📍
🔗 RSVP at www.lupevotes.org/JG or click the button below!
Let’s get informed and make our voices heard! 💪🏽
POL. ADV. PAID FOR BY LUPE VOTES TEXAS PAC | |
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5th Annual Dia de los Difuntos Event |
Come enjoy our catrina/catrín contest, lotería, prizes, food, games, and so much more!
This year we celebrate five years of keeping our tradition alive, remembering those who are no longer with us and celebrating life with our families. Register here: www.lupenet.org/DDD or click the button below |
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Become a member or renew your membership between today, September 23rd,
and October 10th to participate in our member loteria. Remember: if you renew your membership in the same month it expires, you get $5 off.
Annual Membership fees:
Individual: $50
Marital: $70
Students & Seniors: $30 |
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We're Tabling at Turcha's Ponte Spooky Event!
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Join us Oct. 25 at Archer Park in McAllen for a terriying-ly good time! We're tabling at Truchas Ponte Spooky event, come stop by our table for some spooky treats and information. We will also be collecting canned food or other food items for our November Resistance and Resilience event coming soon. |
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La Union del Pueblo Entero
1601 US-83 BUS
San Juan , TX 78589
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