Voto Latino Plans Numerous Initiatives to Celebrate a Decade of Serving Hispanic Community

Voto Latino, the non-profit dedicated to "bringing new and diverse voices to develop leaders by engaging youth, media, technology and celebrities to promote positive change," is celebrating a milestone this week as the organization is celebrating it's 10-year anniversary.

The organization was founded in 2004 by Hollywood actress Rosario Dawson and President and CEO Maria Teresa Kumar.

"In 10 years and with your support, we have engaged and developed the leadership skills of Latino Millennials; registered nearly a quarter million voters; rallied for immigration reform; ensured our community got counted in the 2010 Census and enrolled in the new healthcare law; and together, we have fought against laws that would make it harder for Latinos to vote," Dawson and Kumar said in a joint statement.

Voto Latino is planning a plethora of celebratory programs to mark the decade.

The "Share Your Story" campaign will highlight stories of individuals who have been moved to action through the organization's efforts. A Voto Latino tech contest will also be announced later this year. Voto Latino's "Power Summit" will be a "four-city leadership training conference educating, empowering and engaging Millennials." "Trend Ur Voice" is planned to be the largest-ever online Latino voter registration campaign, while "Rep Ur Letters" is aimed at getting Latino college Greeks (fraternity and sorority members) to encourage their peers to register.

In November, a Voto Latino Gala is planned to mark the 10-year milestone.

In the interim, Voto Latino is continuing to promote its Affordable Care Act Google Hangout series, and has announced that they will again co-manage National Voter Registration Day to raise awareness of voter registration opportunities.

While the people involved with Voto Latino are celebrating the longevity and reach of their efforts, founders Dawson and Kumar reiterate that they feel a lot is left to be done.

"We have done all of this with your support, but we still have our work cut out for us," the pair stated. "Latino unemployment remains above the national average, and immigration reform remains elusive as 1,100 families are torn apart each day because of deportations. And although Latino Millennials are graduating from high school at higher rates than ever before, getting a college education is becoming more difficult with rising tuition and cuts to federal grants and student loans."