GACHA Board Members
Eloy Acosta is a retired Assistant Research Scientist from the State University of New York at Downstate Medical Health Center, College of Medicine, in Brooklyn, New York. A Certified Laboratory Technician with a specialty in immunopathological investigation; he was the Chief Technical Assistant in research. His name appeared in the Journal of Medical Association under the investigation of Infections and Immunity, (Nov.77;Vol.18 No.2); Adjuvant Effect of Vitamin A and Analysis on cell Mediated Immunity (JnCL, Vol.67 No. 5- Nov. 88). Mr. Acosta has been very involved with the English and Hispanic Religious and Medical Affairs, spanning more than forty years of dedicated service; he chairs, coordinates, organizes, and leads many programs as well. He was Chairman of Hispanic Communications in the Diocesan Advisory Board for the Hispanics and English Speaking for the Apostolate. He co-founded the Puerto Rican Catholic Organization, which accomplished the naming of four Hispanic bishops. He currently chairs and serves as Past District Governors of Lions Club International, a non-profit World-wide Organization. Major accomplishments are addresses to the blind, the poor, the handicapped, the elderly, and on education. Major contributions given to countries like, Paraguay, El Salvador, Honduras, Chile, Peru, Mexico, Puerto Rico, Dominican Republic and many others.
Nancy Bastidas-Lopez is President/CEO of DelawareHispanic.com (www.delawarehispanic.com). She is the publisher of the first Hispanic "yellow pages" in Delaware, and is currently working on the second edition. She is also Founder of the Delaware Hispanic Historical Society. Ms. Bastidas-Lopez's vision is to "continue to be the eyes and hears of the Latino community, working with all of my fellow Council members." She is the mother of a daughter and two stepchildren. Nancy is also a free-lance reporter for 1450 WILM radio.
Maria D. Cabrera is President of her own business, Los Angeles, Inc. (LAINC), a communications, event planning, and community outreach company that she started in March 2002. The company specializes in bilingual marketing, multilingual translations, television productions, and focus groups. Ms. Cabrera has more then 23 years of marketing and sales experience combined, and 13 years of experience in event planning and community organizing. LAINC has been involved with launching Spanish language publications and currently facilitates media buys in the region with some of the most prominent Hispanic/non-Hispanic media. She has taken on a more avid role as a Hispanic Advertising consultant, and is conducting and facilitating focus groups and homeownership seminars. Prior to this, Ms. Cabrera worked with the Grand Opera House as Director of Education and Community Relations for three years, and for the City of Wilmington's Mayor's Office of Cultural Affairs as the City's Event Coordinator for six years. Ms. Cabrera currently sits on the Social Justice Committee and chairs the Economic Development Committee of GACHA. Her focus is to assist Hispanics in Delaware become more economically empowered and informed. Her goals for 2007 are to become an expert in cultural competency and work with organizations and individuals who want to learn more about how to get beyond the barriers that separate our communities.
Milton Delgado is a retired U.S. Navy veteran, former instructor at the U.S. Naval Academy, and currently works for Nemours Health and Prevention Services as a Community Relations Associate. He helps community leaders build an infrastructure that will sustain community-based, long-term educational programs focused on healthy eating and physical activity. Mr. Delgado sits on the Board of Directors of the Latin American Community Center, Westside Health, and chairs the Health Committee for GACHA. Mr. Delgado has a Bachelor of Science degree in engineering, a Master of Science degree in business administration, and is currently pursuing a Doctor of Education degree at Wilmington College. Additionally, he is a co-owner, along with his life partner of 15 years, of DelCor Home Interiors, a design center in Middletown, Delaware. Mr. Delgado's goals include the completion of his dissertation, which will focus on childhood obesity in Delaware's Hispanic population, and hopes that his research, coupled with his association with GACHA, will bring awareness to and enlighten legislation and the community at large of the importance of healthy eating and physical activity and how it effects the health and well being of our children.
Pastor Israel Figueroa worked for six years in the Worldwide Missionary Movement, Inc. where he did missionary work in Mexico, Uruguay, Argentina, Dominican Republic, and his native island of Puerto Rico. Pastor Figueoroa obtained his bachelor's degree in Business Administration in Puerto Rico. After holding several banking positions, he became the External Studies Director of the Chesapeake Bible College in Maryland. Since 1998 he has been the Pastor of the Iglesia de Dios Maranatha Church of God in Seaford, Delaware.
Wanda Lopez is the mother of two children, Jared and Eliana. She has 20 years of professional experience in the financial industry. She worked for 17 years as a financial consultant in New York City and completed her tenure in Delaware working for Fidelity Investments. Ms. Lopez is a Licensed General Securities Registered Representative and certified Insurance Agent She began working for GACHA in2003 where she got involved in various community projects. She was a member of Delaware's Infant Mortality Task Force (2005) and VISION 2015 (2006). Ms. Lopez is currently a graduate student at the University of Delaware, School of Urban Affairs and Public Policy, studying for a Master's degree in Public Administration. In that capacity, she is a research assistant for the GEAR UP program, working with the underserved population to increase higher education. Ms. Lopez is a member of the Friends of ASPIRA Advisory.
Jorge (George) Luis Camacho is a retired United States Air Force Master Sergeant who became a skilled C-5 aircraft mechanic during his 16 years of honorable service. Mr. Camacho is currently a Delaware State Police Trooper assigned to the Human Resources Department. While serving as State Trooper, he has been assigned to the Patrol Unit, Community Policing Unit, Undercover Drug Unit, Youth Aid Unit (as a School Resource Officer in a Middle School), and currently holds the position of a full time Recruiter. He is currently finishing his undergraduate degree in Human Resources Management through Wilmington College. Mr. Camacho is also a member of the Latino Peace Officers Association (NLPOA). His goals are to continue to improve his services to the community, to make a difference in the Hispanic community, and to directly and indirectly improve the quality of life of Delawareans.
Maria Matos has been the executive director of the Latin American Community Center in Wilmington for the past 12 years. Major accomplishments for this past year include the selection of the Latin American Community Center by National Council of La Raza as the regional affiliate of the year for the last two years; the development of a high school re-entry program at the LACC to reduce the number of high school dropout among Latino youth; and the designation as a supplementary education provider for the state of Delaware. Elected by the northeast affiliates of the National Council of La Raza to serve as their representative to the National Affiliate Council, Ms. Matos serves on the national community advisory board for JPMorgan Chase Bank, providing a Latino perspective. She sees GACHA as an intricate partner in the governor's strategic planning process for the state.
Joseph Miro spent 31 years as a teacher for the Christina School District/Wilmington School District and served as chair of the World Language Department. After retiring, he became President/Consultant of Miro Diversified Services. He serves in many leadership roles, including State Representative, 22nd District, Vice Chair- Health and Human Development Committee, Chair Business/Corporations/Commerce Committee, Chair-Homeland Security, Member-Education Committee, Bond Bill Committee (Alternate), Joint Finance Committee (Alternate), and Appropriations Committee (Alternate). He previously served as Councilman, New Castle County Council, 3rd District. Mr. Miro holds a bachelor's degree from Lincoln University, a master's degree from West Chester University, and has done post-graduate work at the University of Delaware.
Edith Prado is the Assistant Program Coordinator for Creating Lasting Family Connections at the Latin American Community Center. She also served as Delaware's State Coordinator for Voter Registration for the Puerto Rico Federal Affairs Administration (PRFAA), as Quality Control Officer. Mrs. Prado is the Chairperson for the Delaware Hispanic Historical Society. She has served on various boards and continues to work with these organizations: League of Woman Voters, Delaware Lung Association, Roberto Clemente League, Archeology Society of Delaware, Senior Olympics, Literacy Volunteers of American and Woman's International Club.
Eli Ramos was born in Puerto Rico. He migrated to the U.S in 1950 and grew up in New York. He received a bachelor's degree and a Master of Science degree in Education from the City University of New York. He worked as a New York City teacher for 30 years, then retired to Delaware, where he re-entered the teaching field, and is now actively promoting Hispanic youth development. Mr. Ramos founded the Hispanic-American Student Union. He served on the diversity committee, achievement gap committee, and is the Hispanic affairs liaison for the Cape Henlopen School District. Mr. Ramos is President of the Hispanic Lions Club in Sussex and is both a member of the Board of Advisors and serves on the education committee for GACHA. Mr. Ramos is concerned with issues affecting the Hispanic community in Sussex County, and hopes to be instrumental in closing the achievement gap of the Hispanic youth. His goal is to work with the Hispanic community and assist them in developing greater community participation and recognition. Personal interests include Hispanic culture (music, literature, and cuisine).
Margaret Reyes is retired from the Department of Fire and Rescue Services in Montgomery County, Maryland, where she was a firefighter, emergency medical technician, and instructor in specialist rescue training, including Trench Rescue, Confined Space Rescue, High-Angle Rescue, and Rope Rescue. Ms. Reyes is also a Nationally Certified Swiftwater Rescue Technician Instructor and Hazmat Specialist. She was activated by FEMA as a member of USAR MD TF-1 to several natural and man-made disasters, including the Oklahoma City bombing in 1995, and received a Meritorious Service Medal from President Clinton for her service there. Ms. Reyes retired from the Fire Service in 1997 and moved to Lewes, Delaware, with her family in 2000. A love of teaching brought her into ELL instruction, where she is currently the ELL Coordinator for the Indian River School District, Georgetown Campus. Ms. Reyes serves on the Board of Directors for La Esperanza Community Center in Georgetown, DE, a Community Center dedicated to assisting immigrants in Sussex County. Having life experience as both an immigrant and emigree, Margaret's goals are to assist that population with issues that affect them. Ms. Reyes is a dual national with both Irish and American citizenship.
Carmen Rivera was born in Ponce, Puerto Rico and immigrated to the US in 1957 with her parents and three siblings. Mrs. Rivera lived in the Bronx until 1972 and attended New York City public schools. She attended Springfield College graduating magna cum laude. While working full time at the LACC she worked with middle and high school students in the Red Clay School District providing drug and alcohol prevention classes. Carmen created an educational consulting company that provided services to students in the Christina and Red Clay School Districts. Mrs. Rivera is currently a second year graduate student in the Masters of Social program at West Chester University in Pennsylvania. Carmen served as volunteer State Director for ASPIRA of Delaware, Inc; Board of New Castle County Head Start; the Delaware Department of Education's 21st Century Community Learning Centers Statewide Advisory Committee; the Hispanic Student Recognition Program; the State Office of Volunteerism Selection Committee. Carmen' is currently is doing an internship with SOAR, Inc., an organization specializing in providing mental health services to victims of sexual abuse.
Harry J. Sanchez is a 20-year veteran with the United States Air Force. He has a Bachelor of Science degree in Behavioral Science and a Master's degree in Social Work. His career also includes more than ten years as a public servant for many Delaware state agencies. Presently, he is employed at Delaware State University, College of Health and Public Policy, Department of Social Work, as Project Coordinator for the Domestic Violence Initiative, a Field Practice Student Supervisor, and an instructor for several Department of Social Work courses. Mr. Sanchez also serves as a board member to two human service agencies, People's Place II, and for Kent and Sussex County Alcohol and Drug Counseling Inc. Additionally, he sits on the RD&C oversight committee. He has been a member or currently is a member of the following professional organizations: National Association of Social Workers, American Counseling Association, Association for Multicultural Counseling and Development, National Association of Puerto Rican/ Hispanic Social Workers, Latino Social Workers Organization, and the Puerto Rican Association for Community Affairs. Mr. Sanchez resides in Kent County with his family. He is married to his childhood sweetheart, Leida (Cookie) and his three children Melanie, Angie, and Justin.
Yvette Santiago is Senior Manager of the Department of Community Relations for Nemours Health & Prevention Services. She is involved in many projects related to community and government relations, Hispanic advocacy, and educational issues impacting Hispanic students in Delaware. Ms. Santiago is the Co-Chair for GACHA's Education Committee, board member for the Latin American Community Center, and a member of the Wilmington's Hope Commission Community Services Subcommittee. She has been a trailblazer for Latinas in the State of Delaware by being the first Hispanic woman to server as juvenile probation officer, the first Hispanic female leader/supervisor at Ferris School for Boys, the first Hispanic female serving as a district-level administrator in the state's largest school district, and the first Hispanic female senior leader at Nemours Health & Prevention Services. Through her various positions, she has been instrumental in developing programs and services for the Hispanic population. "My vision for GACHA," says Ms. Santiago, "is that through our work, action, and due diligence, we become a powerful voice for issues impacting Hispanic Delawareans! I will continue to do whatever I can to promote the advancement of Hispanics in Delaware."
Danny Perez serves on the Economic Development Committee.
Cherisse Carlisle serves on the Economic Development Committee.
Michelle Jewel serves on the Social Justice Committee.
