For Immediate Release                                                                            

Contact: Barbara Brown, (480) 767-7880   Drew Wathey, (602) 482-2738

 

 

 

CHICANOS POR LA CAUSA TOUCHES THOUSANDS OF LIVES

THROUGHOUT ARIZONA EVERY YEAR

The Art of Recovery Expo Exhibitor Impacts Every Stage in the Human Life Cycle

 

           SCOTTSDALE, Arizona (August 16, 2007) – Capitalizing on Phoenix’s rapid growth, Chicanos Por La Causa laid the foundation 39 years ago and has grown to become the state’s largest Hispanic community-based organization with programs operating in all 15 of Arizona’s counties.  Today, Chicanos Por La Causa maintains a strong commitment to its communities, having built a wide array of services from education and economic development to social services and affordable housing.

           Chicanos Por La Causa will be among the nearly 100 exhibitors at the 3rd annual Art of Recovery Expo, September 29 at the Phoenix Convention Center. The Art of Recovery Expo is free to the public and will be held in Hall E from 10am till 5pm.

           “Many individual Hispanics are doing better than when we first opened up our doors nearly 40 years ago, however as a group many of the same challenges are very much alive,” said Domingo Rodriguez, Executive Vice President of Chicanos Por La Causa. “We continue to see disparities and abuses in housing, employment and lack of access to health care. As the largest minority group in the United States, Hispanics, for the most part, are still seen as on the outside looking in.”

           Chicanos Por La Causa has been able to develop a statewide services structure that is found in 21 urban and rural cities and towns throughout Arizona with 45 offices. Programs have had far-reaching effect on numerous cultural diverse areas. “Cultural competency and respect is a hallmark of what Chicanos Por La Causa is all about,” added Rodriguez.

           As the fastest growing demographic in the United States, the Hispanic population continues to be unable to keep pace with advances and improved conditions in all aspects of life. Throughout the state of Arizona, Hispanics gravitate to Chicanos Por La Causa causing stress on their capacity to assist those in need. Funding has not been equitable. “A good case in point is the behavioral health system that serves 20-29% Hispanic children yet 70% of the entitled eligible children are Hispanic,” said Rodriguez.

           The Art of Recovery Expo will provide positive wellness solutions to individuals who are currently facing challenges whether they are drug or alcohol addiction, eating disorders, marriage or relationship problems, gambling addiction, among many others. Many exhibitors will be comprised of counselors, treatment facilities, out-patient clinics, family therapists and other prominent specialists from the Valley of the Sun. Additionally, workshops will be presented throughout the event covering numerous topics of interest.

The keynote speakers for the Expo are Rokelle Lerner and John Lee. Rokelle Lerner is a psychotherapist, international consultant & lecturer on women, relationships, families and chemical dependency and has appeared as a guest consultant on numerous television shows such as Oprah, Good Morning America, CBS Morning News and 20/20. John Lee, a best-selling author of fifteen books, has conducted private and group sessions on relationships and anger management for nineteen years. He’s consulted and trained with prestigious institutions, including The Betty Ford Clinic.

“The Art of Recovery Expo has had a profound impact locally and on a national scale, National Recovery Month in September has had great success. As a national advisor, I have seen first hand how many of these events have grown and blossomed to what they are today. They are an extremely valuable resource for many in our society,” said Rodriguez.

           For more information on the 3rd annual Art of Recovery Expo, visit the event web site at www.artofrecoveryexpo.com or call (480) 767-7880.

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