About Us
Mission Statement
Hispanic Business Resources and Technology Center (HBRTC)
Workforce Development Training Program
Statistics
HCCLChamber of the year 2006
Hispanic in Louisiana after Katrina
The Hispanic Business Resources and Technology Center
On March 13, 2006 the Hispanic Business Resources and Technology Center (HBRTC) opened its doors and was heralded as the first program within the nation of its kind. The HBRTC was created with a grant to HCCL from the United States Hispanic Chamber of Commerce Foundation (USHCCF) to expand upon the Casa Cyber Network concept developed by the USHCCF and AT&T Foundation. By utilizing a holistic approach that addresses cultural sensitivity and language barriers, a more well-rounded and valuable service regarding business assistance, educational opportunities, and social services can be provided to the affected Hispanic community.
HBRTC represents a coalition of public and private entities having entered into partnerships forged by and with the HCCL. Our partners include the Hispanic Apostolate of the Catholic Charities Archdiocese of New Orleans (CCANO), the Jefferson Parish Public School System (JPPSS), and Southeastern Louisiana University’s College of Business through its Latin American Business Development Initiative (SLU). All four entities have dedicated staff and resources to the HBRTC to provide programs that are bilingual in format and culturally sensitive to the targeted needs of the Hispanic community.
Services are provided at the HBRTC campus of the Louisiana Technical College on Airline Drive in Metairie. Currently, HBRTC’s predominant focus is on workforce development dedicating a large part of the facility to a learning lab center containing 24 workstations. The HBRTC also has facilities available for ESL, citizenship classes, and social services. Additionally, through its collaboration with CCANO health promotional service representatives are on site to assist individual’s issues related to health care as well as Medicaid and food stamps applications.
The following programs and activities have been successfully conducted and will continue to be offered in the near future:
o Adult Education Program
• ESL classes
• computer classes
• Spanish classes.
o Business Development Workshops and Counseling
• creating your own business
• marketing your business
• human resource management
• one-on-one business counseling
• micro-enterprise development initiative program
o Personal Counseling and Seminars
• know your rights for employees
• trauma psychologist
• health promoters
• immigration for employees
• immigration for employers.
o Disaster relief services
• SBA Hub Zone Certification Training
• SBA AA & SBB Certification training
• FEMA preparedness training
• cultural sensitivity awareness sessions
The HCCL has sought and acquired collaborations for the HBRTC with the University of New Orleans Small Business Development Center, the AARP Foundation, the Home Builders Institute, Tulane University Latin American Resource Center, Tulane University Anthropology Department, International School of Louisiana, Generon Consulting Sustainable Food Lab, and the Latino Memphis Organization. Financial assistance has been received from grants and sponsors including the USHCC Foundation, the Inter-American Development Bank, Toyota, Bellsouth Real Yellow Pages, Cox Communications, Entergy, Prudential, Wal-Mart, New Beginnings LLC, Verizon, and the National Council of La Raza.
In April 2006 the HBRTC and its four founding partners were awarded the U.S. Hispanic Chamber of Commerce Foundation President’s Award for establishing a capacity building institution and providing leadership for Hispanic businesses after the devastation of Hurricane Katrina. Plans are currently under way to establish additional HBRTC locations throughout the area.
The HCCL and HBRTC have been featured in the press and media with EFE America Television, Univisión-Primer Impacto, Discovery en Español, WWL-TV, WGNO, ABC-TV, HBO-TV, Kenner TV 76, The Advocate (daily newspaper) in Baton Rouge, El Tiempo (monthly publication in New Orleans), the Times Picayune, City Business of New Orleans, Southeastern Louisiana University Television, De Todo Un Poco of Cox Communications, Radio Tropical 15.40AM and Radio La Fabulosa 8.30AM .
The HBRTC provides direction and guidance for Hispanics migrating to the region. It will also provide for the assimilation needs of new Hispanic workers as they potentially become new residents and contributors to the region’s economy. Because any entity providing services in the New Orleans area would need to consider family as well as business needs, the philosophical approach of the HBRTC is holistic in nature, requiring equal components of business and educational development, technological training, and social services.
For further information contact:
Darlene A. Kattan, Executive Director
Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of Louisiana
1515 Poydras Street, Suite 1010 New Orleans, LA 70112
Post Office Box 58031 New Orleans, LA 70158
Tel: 504-885-4262; Fax: 504-887-5422
dkattan@hccl.biz www.hccl.biz
HCCL is a proud member of the US Hispanic Chamber of Commerce
HCCL Benefactors
