MESSAGE FROM THE CEO

On behalf of the Hispanic Access Foundation board and staff, thank you for honoring us with your participation as a Fellow of the Hispanic Leadership Network program. As a Fellow, you will receive information, tools, mentoring and coaching, resources including tools, and financial support for an event or activity. You will also inform this program and assist us in developing thriving pastoral leaders through peer/mentoring, communication and collaboration with your peers, in addition to providing timely data through our evaluation surveys that will improve the program experience for future participants. Nevertheless, the main purpose of this program, is continuing to grow your trust and a relationship with the Lord by building a strong sense of self, mental and physical well-being, a healthy relationship with your family, and a support network of peers and mentors, and expanded partnerships and engagement with your community.

I founded Hispanic Access Foundation in 2010 to establish bridges of access that provide a path for the development and rise of Latino leaders and elevate our voices in areas where we are underrepresented. While we serve and collaborate with leaders of all backgrounds, including youth, families, community leaders, media and elected officials; we know that faith-based leaders and their congregations are essential to a thriving society and are an important source of support for our Latino communities. 

Hispanic Access has worked with Latino pastors and their congregations in cities across the nation since our founding, providing educational programming, partnerships and resource support. Our decision to apply for this grant from the Lilly Endowment was our way of honoring the important work of our faith-based partners and utilizing HAF’s capacities in administration, design, implementation, and expansion of high impact programs to help strengthen pastoral leaders and promote thriving congregations and communities.

We hope this program will bless you in many ways and will promote unity as we work to strengthen our communities nationwide.

Sincerely,
Maite Arce

THE FELLOW’S ROLE 

Hispanic Access Foundation provides a general framework for Fellowship program within this orientation packet. 

The roles and responsibilities of the Fellows:

• Honor the Hispanic Access Foundation core values (Trust, Commitment to Equity, Dedicated, Community, Nimble, Servant Leadership)
• Participate in the 10 month long Fellowship
• Frank and timely communication about your needs, challenges, and successes with program staff 
• Participation in 100% of the program activities is required. 
  • Fellows are permitted 2-missed webinars, there will be a 2-week window to independently complete the seminar (self-study) and survey. If more than 2 webinars are missed, we will schedule a discussion with you. All activities need to be up to date to attend the national training conference.

Program Activities:

• Ten (10) 90 - 120 minutes webinars, study materials, and surveys
• Twelve meetings/calls with your mentor
  • Meetings/calls with mentor
  • A monthly evaluation form will be administered to learn about your peer/mentor support progress
• Hold an event with your congregation or community
  • One webinar will be dedicated to community engagement 
  • This webinar will include a grant proposal process and award to assist you in learning more about the grant’s administration process 
• The National Training Conference 
  • The training conference will include training and recognition for Fellows (requirement: be up to date with all program activities)
  • Held in October-November; travel to be arranged and paid for by Hispanic Access Foundation
• Mentoring with Dr. Francisco Colop
  • Is optional, available 24/7, and confidential for all Fellows throughout the program period for any and all personal and professional challenges or crisis