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E-newsletter #11 - October 2008
Latest News from Robert Renteria
Stop the violence.
Back when I sat down to write my story, it was not about publishing a bestseller. My goal was to help other people avoid the detours I took on my road to a better life. To date, I have donated more than 2,000 copies of From the Barrio to the Board Room to organizations, schools, and, most importantly, kids. Unfortunately, there are still too many young people in need of help, so many lives we need to touch. Please use your knowledge, experience, wisdom, and contacts to pave the way for young people to discover a brighter future. I continue to get such heartwarming sentiments from readers and they fuel my desire to keep my work surging ahead. Please join me. Reach out to a youngster. Share your stories with me so that I can let them know that we are in it together. It does take a community to raise a child, but just one person can make a big difference.
I promise to keep in touch with you. Please reciprocate and email me with your thoughts, ideas, and suggestions for getting the message of hope out to the world.
With warm regards,
Robert Renteria
P.S. I welcome requests to talk to your members, students, parents, volunteers, or anyone who recognizes the importance of making a difference in the lives of kids! Call me directly at (312) 933-5619 to see how we can work together!
The Barrio Making a Difference Challenge: A Grassroots Movement
Frustrated with the increase in violence, drug abuse, and school failure among our youth, my publisher and I have launched "The Barrio Making a Difference Challenge". We must guide at-risk youth to make better choices. You can take the Challenge by making a tax-deductible donation to the school or organization of your choice. Click here for more information or to step up to the Challenge.
Oberweis Foundation funds purchase of 1,000 books.
The Oberweis Foundation generously donated the funds to the Aurora East Educational Foundation to purchase 1,001 copies of From the Barrio to the Board Room for its students. The book has already inspired many East Aurora students and I am grateful that many more will be able to benefit from its empowering message. Get the full story here.
Appearance on Chicago television show
I had the privilege of being a featured guest on Adelante Chicago on WGN in Chicago on October 3. I shared my story with the show's host Lourdes Duarte. It's exciting to see the message spreading out to cities like Chicago. I welcome these opportunities so please contact me if you know of shows in your area that might be interested in talking about empowering our youth! Watch the Adelante interview here.
"Aurora Cares" documentary premiered.
More than 300 students, teachers, parents and community leaders turned out on Thursday, Oct. 23, 2008 for the premiere of "We Together". This riveting new documentary by Aurora Cares Corporation was produced to bring awareness to violence in our schools and on the streets, violence that robs us of promising youth. With every news report of a shooting, I feel the pain and vividly recall my years in the East L.A. barrio where the sound of gunshots was all too common. I had the honor of serving on the Executive Producers committee for the documentary and helped develop the story line as well as organizing the premiere.
Stand up for peace.
On September 11, I marshaled the march against violence with the students of East Aurora and shared with them my desire to see them live safely. Please find a way to be heard. March. Write. Speak out. Violence touches us all and steals the promise of our future!!
Keynote Speech at the ILLCF Conference
I am honored to be invited to be this year's keynote speaker at the Illinois Legislative Latino Caucus Foundation's annual conference on December 4th. This year's theme is "La Presencia Latina: Influencing Change" and I feel confident that I can offer insight to this group of attendees.
Around town
I have been visiting with teens, organizations, and community leaders to help spread the inspirational message of From the Barrio to the Board Room. It feels good to give back and to hear, firsthand, the difference that I have made in the lives of others. Here are just a few of the events that I have taken part in over the past few weeks:
- Waubonsee Community College invited me to speak to students on November 10. The student organization, Latinos Unidos, is hosting the event.
- I marched on October 18 with the Pigeon Hill Neighbors as they "Unite Against Crime". There have been several shootings in this community recently and we walked to show our solidarity in support of non-violence.
- I met with a few hundred people at the Fiesta de Luces. I gave away books to those who could not afford to buy them, and donated my books as prizes to dancers who competed at the event.
- On September 18, I participated in the Hispanic Business Expo where I met many of business men and women who encouraged me to share the book's powerful message with various children's programs!
- To help kick off Indian Trails Library's 50th anniversary celebration, Corey Blake and I spoke with those in attendance about my book and my involvement in the community.
Get Your Copy
Click here to order From the Barrio to the Board Room and see what everyone is talking about.
And take the Barrio Challenge! You don’t have to be rich to make a difference! Donate books in small numbers or large. Forward this newsletter. Be part of the solution by standing with me and actively doing something together today!
Partners in reaching out to our youth:
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Our youth are facing tremendous struggles and difficult odds. School shootings and gang violence are affecting all of us. But this is our moment. This is our time. Our time to take a new path for the children we love in this country we love. Everyone deserves a fair shot at chasing the American Dream! I am prepared for this challenge. I am prepared to make a difference. Together we can change the world!
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PASS IT ON!
Know some book lovers? Do them a favor and forward this e-mail.
For more information about Robert Renteria and From the Barrio to the Board Room,
Click here or contact Sue Publicover at Writers of the Round Table Press.
Writers of the Round Table Inc.
1670 Valencia Way
Mundelein, IL 60060
224.475.0392
www.writersoftheroundtable.com
