Mission
L.A.C.A., Latino Advocacy in Community Affairs, is a profitable organization with social goals. The primary goal is to teach the mainstream tolerance and acceptance of diverse, ethnic cultures, especially as they relate to the Hispanic, Chicano or Latino communities, immigrant or native, and Spanish-speakers. Located within the Indianapolis Urban League, we find immense support and assistance to cross social barriers, like discrimination and bias against Latinos Partnerships like these are necessary to bring representation to important issues where the Latino communities lose out, often due to their immigrant status.
L.A.C.A., Latino Advocacy in Community Affairs, is a profitable organization with social goals. The primary goal is to teach the mainstream tolerance and acceptance of diverse, ethnic cultures, especially as they relate to the Hispanic, Chicano or Latino communities, immigrant or native, and Spanish-speakers. Located within the Indianapolis Urban League, we find immense support and assistance to cross social barriers, like discrimination and bias against Latinos Partnerships like these are necessary to bring representation to important issues where the Latino communities lose out, often due to their immigrant status.
Our Philosophy
We, the US, are a people of immigrants with the exception of the Native American Indians. History continues to repeat itself, as new waves of immigrants make their way to the great a-MERR-i-ca, those who are here resist and often oppose change. There are terms such as acculturation and assimilation that can be used to describe the immigrants adaptation to our country. We can assist them in their adaptation by learning at least a little bit of their language to promote better communication. If nothing more, we know that each new ethnic group that has assimilated to our way of life, has also brought new ideas, achievements in their own respective areas, inventions, and products that have bettered our lives. Some may feel that language barriers and cultural differences have burdened them at times, and others are downright vocal of their intolerance. We feel that the tide is turning and more people are embracing the cultural differences who wish to be involved.
We, the US, are a people of immigrants with the exception of the Native American Indians. History continues to repeat itself, as new waves of immigrants make their way to the great a-MERR-i-ca, those who are here resist and often oppose change. There are terms such as acculturation and assimilation that can be used to describe the immigrants adaptation to our country. We can assist them in their adaptation by learning at least a little bit of their language to promote better communication. If nothing more, we know that each new ethnic group that has assimilated to our way of life, has also brought new ideas, achievements in their own respective areas, inventions, and products that have bettered our lives. Some may feel that language barriers and cultural differences have burdened them at times, and others are downright vocal of their intolerance. We feel that the tide is turning and more people are embracing the cultural differences who wish to be involved.
Staff Members
- President, Spanish Instructor & Diversity Trainer, Brenda Graves-Croom
- Spanish Instructor, India Farley
- Director of Children's Programs/ Spanish Instructor, Adriana Escoto
- Study Abroad Instructor, Miguel Angel Velez
- Spanish Instructor, Carlos Melo
- Website/Graphics designer , Javier Barrera
- Spanish Instructor , Ivonne Portillo
Brenda Graves-Croom-President
Brenda Graves-Croom is a graduate of Indiana University, Bloomington, where she completed her Bachelor of Arts in Spanish and Sociology. Mrs. Graves-Croom spent several years in the field of Social Services, working in various community programs. During this time, she also privately consulted with organizations and businesses, conducted research at the university level and independently wrote for papers and journals. She also spent time in the field of marketing and public relations. In 2001, Mrs. Graves-Croom began her own company in Indianapolis, Indiana, called L.A.C.A., Latino Advocacy in Community Affairs. Mrs. Graves-Croom is the President of L.A.C.A., managing client services in language and communication endeavors, especially as they relate to the Latino communities.
Brenda Graves-Croom is a graduate of Indiana University, Bloomington, where she completed her Bachelor of Arts in Spanish and Sociology. Mrs. Graves-Croom spent several years in the field of Social Services, working in various community programs. During this time, she also privately consulted with organizations and businesses, conducted research at the university level and independently wrote for papers and journals. She also spent time in the field of marketing and public relations. In 2001, Mrs. Graves-Croom began her own company in Indianapolis, Indiana, called L.A.C.A., Latino Advocacy in Community Affairs. Mrs. Graves-Croom is the President of L.A.C.A., managing client services in language and communication endeavors, especially as they relate to the Latino communities.
India Farley- Spanish instructor
India Farley is a Spanish instructor for L.A.C.A. India was born and raised in Indianapolis. She has taken Spanish classes from second grade throughout her high school and college years. In 1998, she spent a semester studying Spanish and International Business in Monterrey , Nuevo Leon, Mexico, and she graduated the following year from Indiana University Bloomington with a Bachelors degree in Business Management and International Studies, with a minor in Spanish. India worked for three years at Mays Chemical Company, where she traveled to their Puerto Rico office to train the employees on how to use the new computer systems. Currently, she works full time in the Latin American & Caribbean Office of Global Ministries where she works with the missionary personnel who travel to Spanish-speaking countries.
India Farley is a Spanish instructor for L.A.C.A. India was born and raised in Indianapolis. She has taken Spanish classes from second grade throughout her high school and college years. In 1998, she spent a semester studying Spanish and International Business in Monterrey , Nuevo Leon, Mexico, and she graduated the following year from Indiana University Bloomington with a Bachelors degree in Business Management and International Studies, with a minor in Spanish. India worked for three years at Mays Chemical Company, where she traveled to their Puerto Rico office to train the employees on how to use the new computer systems. Currently, she works full time in the Latin American & Caribbean Office of Global Ministries where she works with the missionary personnel who travel to Spanish-speaking countries.
Adriana Escoto- Director od Children's Programs/ Spanish Instructor
Adriana hails from Northwest Indiana with roots in South Chicago, where she was born. She made the move to Indianapolis in 2000 with aspirations of becoming a history teacher. Adriana has studied spanish in Morelos, Mexico at Ideal, Escuela de Español in Cuernavaca and also at La Universidad de Salamanca in Spain. She credits all her life experiences for the respect and great admiration she posseses for the different cultures and languages on our globe. She has attended IUPUI since 2001 and is now pursuing a degree in Anthropology.
Adriana hails from Northwest Indiana with roots in South Chicago, where she was born. She made the move to Indianapolis in 2000 with aspirations of becoming a history teacher. Adriana has studied spanish in Morelos, Mexico at Ideal, Escuela de Español in Cuernavaca and also at La Universidad de Salamanca in Spain. She credits all her life experiences for the respect and great admiration she posseses for the different cultures and languages on our globe. She has attended IUPUI since 2001 and is now pursuing a degree in Anthropology.
Miguel Vélez- Study Abroad
Miguel Vélez has been teaching Spanish as a second language for over 26 years in several language schools in Mexico, as well as how to become a Spanish teacher for a community of university students at his local university in 2002. He has been using games and several methodologies like: F.S.I. Silent Way, Total Physical Respond, Natural Approach and many others; in that way his students can really understand the target language. Now at L.A.C.A. he is managing the study abroad exchange in Mexico. Velez also, has been leading groups of foreign students and adult learners in Mexico to explain the history and culture of the country for many years.
Miguel Vélez has been teaching Spanish as a second language for over 26 years in several language schools in Mexico, as well as how to become a Spanish teacher for a community of university students at his local university in 2002. He has been using games and several methodologies like: F.S.I. Silent Way, Total Physical Respond, Natural Approach and many others; in that way his students can really understand the target language. Now at L.A.C.A. he is managing the study abroad exchange in Mexico. Velez also, has been leading groups of foreign students and adult learners in Mexico to explain the history and culture of the country for many years.
Carlos Alberto Melo- Spanish Instructor
Carlos Alberto Melo was born and raise in Bogota, Colombia. After graduating from high school, he served for a year in the Colombian army. Part of his time he spent teaching kids in rural areas. He attended Law School at the San Buenaventura University. He moved to Puerto Rico for two years and taught Spanish. He and his wife then moved to Indianapolis and he resumed his teaching with LACA.
Carlos Alberto Melo was born and raise in Bogota, Colombia. After graduating from high school, he served for a year in the Colombian army. Part of his time he spent teaching kids in rural areas. He attended Law School at the San Buenaventura University. He moved to Puerto Rico for two years and taught Spanish. He and his wife then moved to Indianapolis and he resumed his teaching with LACA.
Javier Barrera- Web Designer/ Graphic Designer
Javier Barrera was born in Mexico and is currently attending the School of Informatics at IUPUI pursuing a bachelors degree in New Media.
Javier Barrera was born in Mexico and is currently attending the School of Informatics at IUPUI pursuing a bachelors degree in New Media.
Ivonne Portillo- Spanish Instructor
Ivonne Portillo was raised in Venezuela, where she completed her Bachelor of Business Administration. In the past three years she has been working as bilingual assistant with Indianapolis Public Schools. She enjoy helping people who needs or just simply has a desire to learn Spanish. By her own experience she knows learning a new language could be a big challenge, but it is possible if you really try.
Ivonne Portillo was raised in Venezuela, where she completed her Bachelor of Business Administration. In the past three years she has been working as bilingual assistant with Indianapolis Public Schools. She enjoy helping people who needs or just simply has a desire to learn Spanish. By her own experience she knows learning a new language could be a big challenge, but it is possible if you really try.
LACA Fall Spanish Courses will begin the week of September 8th, and currently LACA is registering students for these courses. Deadline to register is August 29th.
LACA is recruiting volunteers for the Annual Fiesta Indianapolis to be held on September 20, 2008.
LACA is planning its next study abroad trip to Cuernavaca, Mexico, for the spring of 2009.
Contact LACA at 317-693-7603 ext 7640 regarding these announcements for more information.
LACA is recruiting volunteers for the Annual Fiesta Indianapolis to be held on September 20, 2008.
LACA is planning its next study abroad trip to Cuernavaca, Mexico, for the spring of 2009.
Contact LACA at 317-693-7603 ext 7640 regarding these announcements for more information.