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Community

Program to Help Hispanic Women Network, Find Jobs

GQCHCC

Hispanic women in the Quad Cities have a new resource to help graduate college and find jobs. The Greater Quad Cities Hispanic Chamber of Commerce is starting a new program called the "Empowering Latina Leadership Alliance" or ELLA. 

Juanita Zertuche helps run the International Student Program at Black Hawk College, and is one of the first to join the all-female ELLA committee. The group also includes leaders from Community Health Care, Augustana College, the East Moline School District, and local small businesses.
Latinas now run 36-percent of all companies owned by minority women. But, Zertuche says there are still plenty of problems. For example, language barriers and cultural differences can still make it difficult to find work. 


She wants ELLA to connect students and other young women with a network of successful women in the community. It'll hold events with guest speakers, educational workshops, mentoring sessions, and social gatherings. 

The Empowering Latina Leadership Alliance will hold its first reception next Thursday (1/21) at ReFresh Lounge in Moline.