Annual Report
2014 - 2015
Building a Cala for all
A message from our Board Chair
I am particularly pleased to report that 2014-2015 was another
successful year for CALA, in which we delivered further programs
and events. Our organization has built strong connections within the
community, consolidated its brand, and crafted a significantly
improved strategic plan.
In brief, I would like to proudly present CALA’s newly adopted
strategic directions: Leadership: Empower the Latin American community to reach their full potential.
Brand & Community Engagement: Be a welcoming CALA for all.
Sustainability: Build a sustainable organization.
Connectors & Contributors: Create connections that foster community integration.
Cultural Identity: Preserve and share Latin American culture. Finally, I wish to acknowledge the contributions of my predecessors, Ivette Gutierrez
and Dr. Antonio Belda; and former and present board members, for their commitment to
the Latin American community of London.
We will continue to keep you informed of CALA’s advancements through our
revamped communication channels: websites, newsletters, and social media.
Sincerely,
George Pérez
Board Chair
A message from our Executive Director
During the 2014-2015 fiscal year, the Canadian Latin American
Association of London has seen a number of positive changes within
its governance, administrative and organizational capacity. This
success is a reflection of years of work and dedication of the many
volunteers working towards a common goal of having a unified Latin
American community in London.
This year’s administration led by our Board of Directors is committed
to expanding CALA’s relationship with our community. Our
organization has impacted well over 2,000 individuals through 12 events and information
sessions; developed and enhanced working relationships with over 80 community
resources from different sectors: public, academic, private and non-profit.
Our focus has been driven by our new mission of being a CALA for ALL and a relevant
resource to the Latin American community of London that enriches London’s cultural
diversity.
I respectfully invite you to review CALA’s 2014-2015 journey, which illustrates our desire
to continue growing for the benefit and representation of our vibrant community.
Selvin Mejía
Executive Director
Table of Contents
The year in numbers
5
Rebranding
6
CALA Events
7
Stop Bullying Forum
8
CALA Piñata 2014 / 7th Edition
8
CALA Fun Bowling / 5th Edition
9
RBC Maximice sus Beneficios Financieros
9
Volunteer Appreciation Night
10
Latin Gala
10
Community Activities
11
S.A.L.S.A. At Western’s Latin Fest
11
Get Active Sports Expo
11
Reforest London’s Tree Planting
12
LCCLC’s Community Cup
12
Pathway’s Skills to Work session
12
Programs
13
We Belong! Soccer and Salsa Dancing
14
CALA CASA Information Session
15
Acknowledgement of Support
16
Annual Report
2014 - 2015
Page 5
The year in numbers
Income
Source
Grants
- Ontario Trillium Foundation
- Ministry of Training Colleges and Universities
- Physical and Health Education Canada
- Service Canada, Canada Summer Jobs
Income on Events (non fundraiser)
Sponsorships
Fundraising Events
Amount
$60,327.00
$7,134
$4,509.05
$11,042.00
Expenses
Source
Salaries and Operational Expenses
Amount
$78,062.63
Annual Report
2014 - 2015
Page 6
Rebranding
In December 2014 we launched a new corporate image more contemporary and proud of
our heritage.
The 3 triangles in red, blue and green are a geometric and abstract representation of the
western hemisphere, zone of our native ancestors, our European and African roots and
home of more than 650 million Latin Americans.
The colour pallet selected illustrates the common tones of each region’s flags and
landscapes, and the triangles represents the geometric patterns used by 3 of our
aboriginal civilizations – Aztecs, Mayans and Incas.
The lower case text with the acronym CALA represents an innovative and contemporary
way to identify our corporate brand, that is enhanced by the red maple leaf; a recognized
icon of the Canadian identity.
The combination of the triangles from Latin American’s aboriginal art, our name’s
contemporary look and the maple leaf represents, all together, our mixed Latin American
community in London which thrives to expose its cultural heritage.
Annual Report
2014 - 2015
Page 7
CALA CASA / INFORMATION SESSION
SEP 15, 2015
TREE PLANTING ACTIVITY
MAY 30, 2015
Annual Report
2014 - 2015
Page 8
CALA Events
Stop Bullying Forum
November 29, 2014
Objective: Awareness event taking place during Bullying Awareness
to educate families about the different forms of bullying, and its
prevention from a cultural perspective.
Impact: Over 100 Parents & Children Attended the STOP
BULLYING! Forum. Attendees learned about the cultural impacts of
bullying, the types of bullying children face,
and strategies to
address it.
CALA Piñata 2014 / 7th Edition
December 21, 2014
Objective: Family-oriented event focused the holiday season and
our Latin American culture.
Impact: Over 200 community members attended CALA Pinata. This
annual Christmas celebration brought our community together to
celebrate the holiday, share our traditions and culture
Annual Report
2014 - 2015
Page 9
CALA Fun Bowling / 5th Edition
February 15, 2015
Objective: Family-oriented event that brings the Latin American
community together, focusing on celebrating family and physical
activity during the Canadian winter
Impact: More than 90 people attended this family event.
RBC Maximice sus Beneficios Financieros
April 29, 2015
Objective: Financial seminar developed to promote personal finance
literacy among Latin Americans. Seminar delivered in Spanish only.
Impact: This seminar was attended by 20 community members who
learned more about the tools of financial literacy.
Annual Report
2014 - 2015
Page 10
Volunteer Appreciation Night
May 12, 2015
Objective: Social event to recognize our volunteers work and
dedication towards our community and organization.
Impact: On May 12, 2015 CALA held its first Volunteer Appreciation
Night. Volunteers past and present were recognized for their
contribution to the organization. Past board members Dr Jose
Villeda and Mr. Rodolfo Jerez received awards of recognition for
their outstanding contribution to the Latin American community of
London and area.
Latin Gala
July 27, 2015
Objective: Social event to raise funds for Latin American senior
programming in London.
Impact: 150 Community Members Recognized the need to establish
a Latin American Seniors Program in London & Attended the Latin
Gala June 27, 2015. This event raised over $13,000 to fund CALA
CASA
Annual Report
2014 - 2015
Page 11
Community Activities
S.A.L.S.A. At Western’s Latin Fest
March 15, 2015
CALA participated with UWO S.A.L.S.A Club to promote
our culture during Latin Fest, March 15, 2015. This event
celebrated our diverse Latin American cultures and
included presentations by many local artists
Get Active Sports Expo
May 9, 2015
Objective: Sports Festival where traditional and nontraditional physical activities were presented to entice
engagement.
Impact: 30 Children & Youth Shared their Culture with the
London Community through a salsa dancing
demonstration.
Annual Report
2014 - 2015
Page 12
Reforest London’s Tree Plan1ng May 20, 2015 Objective: Family event promoting environmental
awareness in our community in which the entire family can
participate
Impact: CALA volunteers, staff & their families
volunteered with REForest London, planting trees &
assisting community members
LCCLC’s Community Cup August 8, 2015 Objective: Celebration of London’s cultural identity
through sports and cultural activities involving children,
youth and families.
Impact: 72 Children & Youth played in a cross-cultural,
non-competitive soccer tournament August 8, 2015..
making friends and having fun along the way!
Pathway’s Skills to Work session September 2, 2015 Objective: Skills to Work session gathered community
members to learn about Pathways’ courses for young
adults, and funding opportunities.
Impact: 15 people attended the session.
Annual Report
2014 - 2015
Page 13
WE BELONG! SOCCER PROGRAM
JAN TO MAR, 2015
LATIN GALA FUNDRAISER
JUN 27, 2015
Annual Report
2014 - 2015
Page 14
Programs
We Belong! Soccer and Salsa Dancing
PHE Canada / HAFC / London Salsa Academy
January 5th to May 9th
Objective: Promote physical activity among newcomer youth and children
Impact: 65 Children & Youth participated in CALA’s WE BELONG Pilot Program over 3
months, joining in Soccer Clinics & Salsa classes. 40% were Newcomers to Canada
Annual Report
2014 - 2015
Page 15
CALA CASA Information Session
Western University’s Hispanic Studies Dept / Kiwanis Centre
September 15, 2015
Objective: Community members learn more about the CALA CASA program, and provide
ideas and input on what this program should look like
Impact: 26 community members attended the CALA CASA Information Session & Focus
Group.
Annual Report
2014 - 2015
Page 16
Acknowledgement of
Support
Special Thank you to our Current Board Members:
George Perez, Board Chair
Editor-in-Chief, La Jornada Newspaper
Lucy Quaglia, Board Member
Personnel Manager, Sciencetech
Alfonso Camposreales, 1St Vice Chair
Lawyer, Lerners LLP
Raul Gonzalez
Arturo Dominguez, 2Nd Vice Chair
Retired, Certified Quality Control Inspector
Ana Rojas, Secretary
John Howard Society
Angelica Visbal, Treasurer
Bookkeeper, Sterling Marking Products
Dr. Carolina Bonilla, Board Member
Phd in Human Nutrition, University of Guelph
Many thanks to our Staff Members:
Selvin Mejia, Executive Director
Camilo Londoño Sterling, Marketing Manager
Sarah Gastle, Fund Development Manager
Vicky Lozada, Events Coordinator
Sergio Cobos Calvo, Summer Student
Andrés Silva, Summer Student
Anna Gutierrez
Operations Manager, La Jornada Newspaper
Dr. Antonio Jose Belda, Honorary Chair
Medical Doctor
Former Board Members:
Dr. Jose Villeda
Fabiana Baltazar
Dalbert Sanchez
Robert Zuñiga
Annual Report
2014 - 2015
Page 17
Volunteers:
Abe Giesbrecht
Alma Dinorah Gutierrez
Ana Chiarelli
Ana Villegas
Andres Rodriguez
Ben Corrigan
Carleana De Wilde
Catalina Barrios
Cindy Paredes
Claudia Calvo
Claudia Nichol
Claudia Santin Hernandez
Dalma Merino
Diana Alexander
Diego Morales
Dr. Bernie Hammond
Dr. Lynne Zarbatany
Duha Abid Al Hadi
Edrian Charles
Emilia Gonzalez
Fernando Sanchez
Fred Gallo
Fred Rhode
Irma Fonseca
Isabel Gonzalez
Jessica Camposreales
Jorge Arroyo-Boy
Jose Luis Zambrano
Karla Fonseca
Kelly Mejia
Laura Paola Galvis Daza
Louise Harvey
Luis Guerrero
Lupita Antonio
Lyndon Doung
Madeline Wilson
Manuela Belda
Margarita Jimenez
Maria Villamizar
Mariana Sanchez
Matilde Leon-Ponte
Michael Dufton
Miguel Garcia
Mishelle Ochoa
Monica Sanchez
Natalia Roldan
Nazly Castellar
Nicole Montero
Nour Malek
Orlando Valencia Jr.
Orlando Valencia Sr.
Otto Gutierrez
Paul Ascensio
Prerna Chandwani
Ramon Noguera
Roberto Carlos Mejia
Rodrigo Briones
Rogelio Luna
Sarai Fonseca
Seema Rathod
Sergio Chuy
Sergio Zapata
Stacey Sheldrick
Tatiana Pardo
Theresa Allot
Annual Report
2014 - 2015
Page 18
We acknowledge the support of the following agencies, organizations and individuals
during 2014-2015:
4 Points Sheraton
African Canadian Federation of London and Area
All Level Tennis
All Risk Insurance Brokers Limited, Liliana Lara
Alyssa Capson
Aquamed Spa
Artistically Speaking Against Bullying
AutoStrada Inc.
Barbara Valencia
Black Friars Salon & Spa, Rosy Pineda
Blackfriars Restaurant
Blackfriars Salon & Spa
Bowlerama Royale
Canadian Mental Health Association Middlesex
Carranza LLP, Rolando Aguilera
Carrer du Femmes
Centaur Accounting
Centre for Research & Education on Violence
Against Women and Children, Western University
Centrefield Sports
Che Resto Bar
Claudia Nichol
Claudia Walz, Investors Group
Cohen Highley LLP, Matthew Reid
College Boreal
Colombia en London
Corrigan Law Office, Edward Corrigan
Cory Bannon
Couponing in Canada, Catalina Barrios
Culinary Catering
Downtown Dollars
Dr. Antonio Belda
Edward A. Bartlet
El Encanto Salon
El Ranchito
ElEncanto London Spa, Miriam Nixon
Emilia Gonzalez
Esters Hair Salon
Fair Play
Family services Toronto
Fanshawe College
Festival Foodmart
Gaby & Mike Popovici
Gisele Varillas
Goodwill Industries
Hands on Health Wellness Centre London
Heritage Garden Gallery
Hernandez Variety
Hispanic American Football Club (HAFC)
Irene Mathyssen
J. Real Jewellers
Jessica Camposreales
Kids Learn & Play
King of the Pigs
Kings University Centre for Social Concern,
Western University
Kings University College Social Justice and
Peace Studies Program, Western University
Kovacs Group
La Jornada Bilingual Newspaper
La Voz Hispana CHRW 94.9
Latino Market
Lerners LLP
Literacy Link South Central
London Anti-Bullying Coalition
London Community Foundation
London Cross Cultural Learning Centre
London Intercommunity Health Centre
London International Academy
London Living, Claudia Valencia
London Optimist Sports Centre
London Police Services
London Potters Guild
London Salsa Academy
London Urban Services Organization (LUSO)
Los Comales Latin Food
Lucy Quaglia
Lucy’s Cleaning Service
Luxe Events & Weddings
Margarita Tovax
Maria Hubert
Maria Murillo
Maria Murillo
McIntosh Gallery
Annual Report
2014 - 2015
Middlesex- London Health Unit
Ministry of Training Colleges and Universities
Muslim Resource Centre
No Frills Dundas
No Frills Hamilton Road
Northwest Community resource
Now & Zen Chiropractic
Olive R. Twists
Ontario Trillium Foundation
Orlando Valencia & the Pachanga Band
Outpost 2
Pathways
Physical and Health Education Canada
Pillar Non-Profit
Platinum Printing
Pure-Health Wellness and Shulman Weightloss
Clinics
Qdoba Mexican Grill
ReForest London
Renaissance Massage Therapy Clinic & Spa
Riverpark Dental
Royal Bank of Canada
Page 19
Sandra Pineda
Sarah Wade
Service Canada - Canada Summer Jobs
Shelbys Mediterranean Food
Shoppers Drugmart Masonville
Small World Choice Envios de Dinero
South London Neighbourhood Resource Centre
Sports 4 Life London
Sue & Tom Gastle
Sun Life Financial, Oscar Enriquez
Thomson Mahoney Delorey Barristers &
Solicitors, Luis Cortes
Travel Expressions Limited, Patricia Herrera
Vendors at the Covent Garden Market
Viva London – Rogers Television
Waldo’s on King Bistro & Wine Bar
Western University, Hispanic Studies Department
Western University, Modern Languages
Department
Western University, Psychology Department
YMCA London
YWCA St Thomas-Elgin
Annual Report
2014 - 2015
Page 20
CANADIAN LATIN AMERICAN ASSOCIATION
255 Horton St East, 3rd Floor, Suite 2
London, Ontario, Canada – N6B 1L1
Tel: 226-700-1405 I info@calalondon.org
www.calalondon.org