School swap preps kids for September
26.aug.2005
Between 200 and 300 Philadelphia students received school uniforms and supplies at the hand of ASPIRA's Truancy Intervention staff and Hunting Park/Kensington Stakeholders on Friday, August 26th, in the parking lot of ASPIRA, located on 5th Street between Hunting Park Avenue and Cayuga Street.
(Article © NorFilly™ Magazine.)

Dominican Fest organizers host job fair at ASPIRA
19.aug.2005
Dominican Parade and Festival, Inc. hosted its First Job Fair at ASPIRA, Inc. of Pennsylvania, located at 5th and Cayuga Streets, on Friday, August 19th. Community residents received employment and other information from COMHAR, U.S. Marine Corps, MIS Realty, The Hartford, PNC Bank, ASPIRA of Pennsylvania, Herrs, La Mega, Congreso de Latinos Unidos, Inc., and Philadelphia Corporation for the Aging (PCA).
(Article © NorFilly™ Magazine.)

Youth workers recognized at reception in Concilio
18.aug.2005
It was awards, certificates and raffles for students who participated in the six-week YouthWorks and Summer Career Exploration Program at ASPIRA, Inc. of Pennsylvania. The programs had formally ended a week earlier, but ASPIRA's Talent Search staff wished to recognize the talent, work and accomplishments of their students with dinner, awards, dancing and raffles at the Concilio Ballroom.
(Article © NorFilly™ Magazine. Photos by Martín.)

Camp is barrel of emotions on last day
12.aug.2005
Some parents might have thought the worst when they picked up their crying children from ASPIRA's Coquí Camp on Friday, August 12th, the last day of the six-week summer camp. What looked much like a room full of students in deep trouble turned out to be Philly's future expressing the emotional hurt that comes from saying good-bye to their new - and some old - friends made this summer.
(Article © NorFilly™ Magazine.)

Coquí Camp awards precede actual closing
11.aug.2005
ASPIRA's Coquí Camp awards and dance, standard procedure the for the 36-year-old organization, marked the end of the six-week summer camp at the organization's 5th and Cayuga Streets building, but not the official closing of the program.
(Article © NorFilly™ Magazine. Photos by Martín.)

YouthWorks, SCEP culminate in Center City
11.aug.2005
Six weeks of youth employment, community service and service learning peaked Thursday morning, August 11th, at the Pennsylvania Convention Center in Philadelphia where hundreds of Philly students were recognized for their work at numerous worksites this summer.
(Article © NorFilly™ Magazine. Photos by Martín.)

ASPIRA's 'honorary Latina' named Aspirante of the Year
03.jun.2005
ASPIRA, Inc. of Pennsylvania broke a number of its trends in celebrating its 35th Annual Awards Ceremony this year. This year's Aspirante of the Year was neither Latino nor African American, the most common minorities served by ASPIRA.
(Article © NorFilly™ Magazine. Photos by Martín.)

Students, parents pick up financial aid tips
18.may.2005
High school students and their parents flocked to ASPIRA, located at 5th and Cayuga Streets in North Philadelphia, for the organization's "Financial Aid Night", held on Wednesday, May 18th.
(Article © NorFilly™ Magazine. Photos by Martín.)

Home Depot to hire through four top national Latino organizations
16.feb.2005
ATLANTA, Feb. 15 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- The Home Depot(R), the world's largest home improvement retailer, today announced that the company has formed a hiring partnership with four of the country's leading national Hispanic organizations, The ASPIRA Association, Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities (HACU), National Council of La Raza (NCLR), and SER - Jobs for Progress National. The Home Depot will work with these organizations and their strong network of local offices and contacts to help recruit candidates for full-time and part-time positions across the country.
(View press release)

Youth organizations unite against proposed Presidential budget
14.feb.2005
On February 7, President Bush released his budget, which calls for the elimination of funds for two important TRIO programs, Talent Search and Upward Bound, that have helped over two million disadvantaged students prepare for college since their inception in 1965. Not providing funding for these important programs significantly decreases the likelihood of college access, enrollment and graduation for many minority and low-income students.
(View press release)

Hostos School celebrates Tsunami talent show success
10.feb.2005
A week after the booming success of their "Youth for Tsunami Survivors Talent Show", students of the Eugenio Maria de Hostos Charter School celebrated a well organized and professionally executed event with a pizza party in ASPIRA's board room, located on the third floor of the 5th and Cayuga Streets organization. The youths received certificates from their leaders, ASPIRA's Educational Advisor Venita DeLaRosa-Ortiz and Hostos teacher Sandra Gonzalez.
(Article © NorFilly™ Magazine. Photos by Martín.)

Teens' gala speeches drew tears from sponsors, peers
5.feb.2005
Students had sponsors in tears as the young speakers told about the “benefit” in attending Aspira, Inc. of Pennsylvania’s 13th Annual Benefit Gala and VIP Reception on Saturday, February 5th. The scene, set in a lower-level ballroom at the Wyndham Franklin Plaza Hotel in Center City Philadephia, provided the professional atmosphere that relaxed the VIP attendees, but slightly unnerved the young student speakers.
(Article © NorFilly™ Magazine. VIP Reception photos by Martín.)

Victor Manuelle live in Philly for ASPIRA gala
5.feb.2005
Direct from Puerto Rico, Victor Manuelle and his band were at the top of the bill that sold out yet another consecutive ASPIRA, Inc. of Pennsylvania event, the organization’s 13th Annual Benefit Gala, held Saturday, February 5th, at the Wyndham Franklin Plaza Hotel in Center City Philadelphia. Beginning his class act at midnight, Manuelle closed the show that attracted over 1,000 VIP’s and other attendees who also saw performances by Los Brothers Band, Racies de Borinquen, and Salseros Clave y Cache Dancers and Muévete Dancers.
(Article © NorFilly™ Magazine. General gala photos by Martín.)

Kids break a grand for Tsunami survivors
3.feb.2005
Between pounding the floors at ASPIRA/Hostos and hosting a talent show at Concilio last night, February 3rd, Eugenio Maria de Hostos Charter School students and Merecumbé Dancers raked in over $1,000 in fundraising efforts for Tsunami survivors in Asia.
(Article © NorFilly™ Magazine. Photos by Martín.)

Aspirantes continue Winter fun with paintball trip
31.jan.2005
ASPIRA, Inc. of Pennsylvania continued efforts to keep students busy throughout this Winter with a paintball trip to Jim Thorpe, Pennsylvania Saturday, January 29th. The all-day trip included 10 students and four ASPIRA staff members, most of whom participated in at least two games orchestrated by Skirmish staff in the company's vast playing fields.
(Article © NorFilly™ Magazine. Photos by Martín.)

Good promo plan behind PJ jam success
25.jan.2005
ASPIRA Club officers and members from Little Flower Catholic High School were all smiles for the success of their Pajama Jam held Friday night, January 21st at Hancock and Ontario Streets. By at least one count, the party invitations and flyers attracted more than 300 teens and young adults all too eager to hear the sounds of DJ Redz, rapidly earning a nickname as North Philly's PJ DJ!
(Article © NorFilly™ Magazine. Photos by Martín.)

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Central High's ASPIRA club hosts Winter Jam
31.dec.2004
Students of the ASPIRA Club at Central High School hosted a Winter Jam to raise funds for student activities on Wednesay, December 29th, in the 2nd floor of Sanchez Lounge, located at Orkney and Dauphin Streets. The event was an overall success, attracting students from all over North and Northeast Philly.
(Article © NorFilly™ Magazine. Photos by Martín.)

Needy fams spend Christmas Eve with Santa
24.dec.2004
ASPIRA's Hunting Park Junior Stakeholders and the Sierra Family joined forces Friday, December 24th, to wrap, bag and deliver hundreds of toys to needy families in North Philadelphia neighborhoods that don't often get to see Santa.
(Article © NorFilly™ Magazine. Photos by Martín.)

ASPIRA students visit post-9/11 New York
11.dec.2004
ASPIRA, Inc. of Pennsylvania took about 40 students and 15 adult chaperones to New York for a post-9/11 tour on Saturday, December 11th. Students, accompanied by ASPIRA staff, invited guests and one parent, visited Ground Zero, the United Nations Building, Central Park for lunch, shopping at 125th and St. Nick's, the Lincoln Center for photos and El Caribeño for dinner. The trip ended on a high note, students revelling in the games and laser tag at NY's Laser Park arcade.
(Article © NorFilly™ Magazine. Photos by Elis Negrón, Martín and students 1 | 2 | 3.)

ASPIRA of Pennsylvania represented at Puerto Rico Conference
5-8.dec.2004
ASPIRA, Inc. of Pennsylvania staff joined hundreds of educators, IT personnel and executives who attended the Technology Tools Conference in San Juan, Puerto Rico last week. Registration for the conference started Sunday, December 5th at about 3 PM, the evening closing with remarks from keynote speaker Congressman Donald M. Payne (NJ-10).
(Article © NorFilly™ Magazine. Photos by Martín 1 | 2.)

ASPIRA staff raise money for student acitivites
3.dec.2004
ASPIRA, Inc. of Pennsylvania hosted its first Happy Hour Fundraiser on Friday, December 3rd, at the ACES Borincano Banquet Hall, located at Front and Susquehanna Streets in North Philadelphia. Staff members organized the event to raise money for activites and trips benefitting students participating in any of the organization's several programs, among them Leadership, Development, Talent Search and Educational Options (Twilight).
(Article © NorFilly™ Magazine. Photos by Martín.)

Junior Stakeholders scare up food and uniforms at Halloween bash
29.oct.2004
The ASPIRA Junior Stakeholders, a group of students of vested interest in their Hunting Park community, hosted a Halloween party to raise not funds, but uniforms and canned foods to help their peers in need. The Friday, October 29th party was one of many Halloween parties held that night, but one of few efforts to serve the needy in the community.
(Article © NorFilly™ Magazine. Photos by Martín.)

ASPIRA takes 3rd place for non-profit groups in Puerto Rican Parade
26.sep.2004
The Council of Spanish-Speaking Organizations (Concilio) announced results of their 42nd Regional Puerto Rican Parade held Sunday, September 26th, in Center City Philadelphia. ASPIRA took 3rd place among non-profit groups and Hostos Charter School took 2nd place among middle schools. Salsa-ASPIRA Central High School won first place for high school groups!
(Article © NorFilly™ Magazine. Photos by Martín.)

ASPIRA among hosts for 21st Annual Feria del Barrio
12.sep.2004
ASPIRA joined Taller Puertorriqueño, HACE, AMLA and others in bringing another successful Feria del Barrio to North Philadelphia's "Bloque de Oro" (Golden Block) on 5th Street between Lehigh Avenue and Cambria Street.
(Article © NorFilly™ Magazine. Photos by Melissa Gomes and by Martín 1 | 2.)

ASPIRA's "Toyland" brings out the kid in everyone
26.aug.2004
ASPIRA's Summer Dance Program brought out the child in parents, sponsors and other attendees at their Concilio Ballroom recital entitled "Babes in Toyland."
(Article © NorFilly™ Magazine. Photos by Martín 1 | 2.)

ASPIRA-Hostos Coquí Camp Closing
20.aug.2004
View photos of our Coquí summer camp closing exercises held in the Grover B. Washington Middle School auditorium for parents and friends of Coquí campers.
(Photos by ASPIRA Staff.)

Annual awards ceremony packs Romano's
11.jun.2004
ASPIRA's 24th Annual Awards Ceremony attracted hundreds of youths, parents and friends to Romano's catering for special S.T.E.P. dance performance under direction of Hector Serrano.
(Article © NorFilly™ Magazine. Photos by Martín.)

Aspirantes S.T.E.P. it up!
16.apr.2004
"Stupid-packed" didn't even begin to describe how hype and intense ASPIRA's STEP group's first live performance at Concilio Ballroom was, but that was the prediction when the dance troupe's founder and director Hector Serrano sent out invitations to the Friday night event.
(Article © NorFilly™ Magazine. Photos by Martín.)

Will work for fun!
9.apr.2004
Students took a week off from school, but not from the fun and excitement of the community service and overnight bowling trip with ASPIRA during Easter Break, from April 4th - 8th.
(Article © NorFilly™ Magazine. Photos by Martín.)

Achievement Matters Rally
6.mar.2004
(Photos by ASPIRA Staff)

Teens organize ASPIRA benefit gala
7.feb.2004
From opening remarks to conversation with friends and associates at the VIP Reception, Lydia Hernandez-Velez made no secret about her love for ASPIRA and its students that helped put together ASPIRA's 35th Anniversary benefit gala.
(Article © NorFilly™ Magazine)

ASPIRA hosts live entertainment for gala
7.feb.2004
Celebrating its 35th anniversary this year, ASPIRA of Pennsylvania delivered nothing less than the best with superb food and live entertainment from DJ Jose Rodriguez, Orquesta del Barrio, El Grupo Fuego and a long-awaited appearance by El Gran Combo of Puerto Rico.
(Article © NorFilly™ Magazine. VIP Reception photos by Martín | Gala photos by David Cruz and Martín.)

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