On December 17th, the Florida League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC) celebrates its state meeting at the Jacksonville University Auditorium from 1pm to 5pm.

Local resident Maria Machin leads the recently created Northeast Florida LULAC Council. Since the creation of this new chapter, the Cuban born LULAC advocate has been working in a comprehensive project for the city of Jacksonville to have a Hispanic Resource Center providing case management in a wide range of social matters.

At the JU Auditorium, Machin will host the upcoming LULAC state meeting where representatives of the organization across Florida will gather to discuss priorities in the interaction with the Latino communities.

Though the basic program of LULAC is to promote civil rights among Hispanics and fight discrimination (based on race and ethnicity), immigration, education, and employment are also priorities, according to LULAC Florida State Director Jose A. Fernandez. “Housing is also another top matter of concern these days,” said Fernandez who last October appointed Maria Machin as a local Commissioner of Membership.

“The Hispanic poverty level is higher than the African American and so is the high school drop-out rate,” said diligent Maria Machin. She is already providing assistance on all these concerns to a vulnerable Hispanic community many times exposed to abuse and unfair treatment. “Hispanics are not taken seriously due to their lack of political engagement. More than 50,000 Latinos who turn 18 every month are legal to vote,” said Machin calling for civic participation.

Among the projects in progress, Fernandez high-lighted LULAC’s efforts in partnership with NALEO and the Central Redistricting Council to create the first Hispanic Congressional District encompassing the Central Florida corridor area. “The 2010 census has proven that our population is enough to configure a district. We need to make justice to the figures,” said Fernandez referring to the project that would bust Hispanic representation.

LULAC engages a network of 135,000 community volunteers, 880 local councils, 60 community technology centers and 15 educational service centers to empower Hispanic families through different programs in 34 states. Please contact the LULAC National Office at 202-833-6130 or the Northeast Florida line 904 307-2276 maria.machin@ymail.com