Robert and Cheryl (Executive VP of the Foundation) appeared March 4, 2010 on “In Little Village” with Augie Salas, President of the Little Village Community Council.

The Diversity Committee of the Chicago Law offices of Holland & Knight is hosting an event for Barrio in the windy city to celebrate the From the Barrio Foundation’s commitment to all of our youth in Illinois. The cocktail reception will take place at the firm on February 18th from 5:00 – 6:30 pm. Attending will be influential guests from Corporate America as well as political and educational leaders, and prominent leaders from Latino communities. We are honored to work with Holland and Knight in an effort to raise attention and financial support for our From the Barrio to the Classroom program. If you have not received your invite, and believe it is important for you and/or your organization to attend this intimate gathering, please contact us asap: Corey@fromthebarrio.com. Space is limited.

On the evening of January 6th, Robert celebrated Noche De Reyes hosted by La Quinta De Los Reyes in Aurora, IL. The night was filled with several hundred kids and their family members from Aurora and surrounding communities who also gathered to celebrate and receive toys, gifts, candy and more. Pictured is Robert with Congressman Foster talking to and handing each child bags of candy. It was a truly remarkable night and Robert wants to personally thank the Aurora Hispanic Chamber of Commerce as well as all the community leaders who supported these families.

In 2009, Swedish Covenant Hospital donated books to Roosevelt High School where we piloted From the Barrio to the Classroom. This year they have stepped up to the plate again and helped us place books at Taft High School in Chicago. Nearly 200 students have participated in the program thus far and Robert will be addressing an auditorium of students on February 10th. The From the Barrio Foundation wishes to thank Swedish Covenant Hospital for recognizing the value of our program and assisting us in delivering it to help make a difference in the lives of our youth.

In January, Fred Morelli donated Barrio books to prisons in Kane, Kendall and DeKalb counties. Fred believes in Robert’s inspirational message that you can be anybody you want to be, that gangbanging and violence are not a lifestyle but a death-style. The future belongs to those who believe in themselves and Fred plans to work with Robert and the Barrio Foundation to help as many people as they possibly can to live productive and meaningful lives.

Weed & Seed Site Director Pam Bradley and Robert Renteria will be visiting a classroom at Waldo Middle School next week in Aurora, Illinois to interact and engage with students who have already read the Barrio book. Pam shares Robert’s passion and they have a mutual desire to inspire and motivate our teens and misguided youth to make better choices! They are currently collaborating together to introduce and implement From the Barrio to the Class Room into the Weed & Seed programs throughout the country. Thank you Pam Bradley for helping make a difference!

Nancy Bartosz, assistant principal at Westmont High School is one of those people that you thank the world for every day. Nancy has been emphatic about our program since the day she heard about it and has gone out of her way to ensure that the program was delivered to her students. Corey Blake had the opportunity to meet Nancy in person recently at Roosevelt University, where the two participated in an event for youth based initiatives. In February, Robert plans and is eager to visit Westmont and speak to their students.

With only one year of programming left, it is both imperative and crucial that we make the effort to get Robert Renteria,Latino author of From the Barrio to the Board Room, to meet with Oprah’s producers. We ask you to please take two minutes of your time to fill out this form that goes directly to Oprah’s team. Please tell them about your belief in the Barrio book and the impact we are experiencing in helping to change the landscape for our youth across America: http://www.oprah.com/ownshow/plug_form.html?plug_id=3337311

Mr. Renteria,

Two other teachers, besides myself, have used the novel thus far.  I have heard nothing but positive feedback from both the teachers and the students.  I am using it with my Freshman classes; I’ve even had some of my past students who are now in higher grades come get a copy and read it on their own.  I can honestly tell you that this is the first reading assignment that I have had 100% of my students engaged in the reading, even silent reading.  I thank you for the opportunity of working with the book.

Chris Sindelar, English Teacher, Fontana High School
Boys Basketball Varsity Assistant Coach
Baseball Varsity Assistant Coach
Link Crew Coordinator

The Barrio book/message and the From the Barrio to the Classroom curriculum have not only changed the lives of boy’s, girl’s, men and women alike; it has changed my life as well. In 2010, I will be focused on reaching out to pull people from the Barrio’s and Ghetto’s by teaching them that anything is possible if we believe and that living a productive and meaningful life only comes from making the right choices. There are no shortcuts in life and even though we have had to survive a difficult 2009, all of us must maintain our integrity, respect and honor for the sake of all our fellow human beings. We will be looking to build on our momentum and continue to create partnerships around the world that will better serve all those who are working hard to live out their hopes for American dream!