The members of the NYS Legislative Task Force on Demographic Research and Reapportionment (LATFOR) have recently held a series of hearings in New York City, Albany and Suffolk County, with three remaining in Syracuse, Rochester and Buffalo. Click here for the schedule. These hearings have shed light on some of the major problems with the state’s process for redrawing legislative and congressional district lines. LATFOR’s proposed maps continue to represent a strong partisan gerrymander with disregard for population growth of communities of color and keeping communities of common interest together.  We continue to participate in workshops, hearings, and press conferences calling on LATFOR to propose district lines that fairly represent the people of New York.  To view maps being proposed for your community go to: http://www.latfor.state.ny.us/maps/.  To learn how you can make a difference and become involved, email Lucia at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).

We have elected a new slate of represent for our Leaders' Advisory Council (LAC) and institutional Advisory Committee (AC). Leaders' Advisory Council members work together to set priorities for and lead our civic engagement activities, campaigns, and Leadership Development Institute. Advisory Committee members meet with our institutional partners to identify and develop cross-organizational collaboration. For a full list of our Advisory Committee representatives, visit the Advisory Committee page of our website.

Our 2012 Votes & Voices program is kicking off in style, with enhanced voter engagement efforts and new work in collaboration. We're continuing our partnership with the Suffolk County League of Women Voters to register naturalized citizens on Long Island and Long Island leaders are attending the New York Black, Puerto Rican, Hispanic and Asian Legislative Caucus conference this month. In New York City, we are convening a large coalition of community-based organizations, students' groups, and religious institutions to register, educate and mobilize voters in low-income communities of color. To join in this coalition, contact Project Director Sussie Lozada at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).

On February 2nd, we joined with Councilwoman Julissa Ferreras and allies from the Too Crowded to Learn Coalition for a groundbreaking ceremony for PS287Q, the first of four new schools being built to alleviate over-crowding. "This is an historic moment for parents, students, and the entire community, as our pleas and needs have been heard," said Queens leader Berta Flores. "As a parent in Corona, I understand the relief these new developments will bring to my children's academic and social development." For more information on the Coalition and our efforts to alleviate over-crowding in Queens schools, contact Organizer Teresa Arieta at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).

We took our concerns to Albany this month to lobby for better public education! In his State of the State address, Governor Cuomo claimed that he wants to be the "students' lobbyist". As Evelyn Feliciano mentioned in this video, "We ARE the lobbyists for our children!" This is just the first Albany Day of the legislative season, so please contact us to get on the bus for the next one!

On Long Island, we spent the month of December collecting much-needed food and clothing donations to help residents of local shelters. Just before the new year, we delivered the donations to the very grateful residents of the Sunshine Residence in Freeport and the Peace Valley Haven in Hempstead. The food and clothing drive is part of our "Good Neighbors" program on Long Island, which highlights the positive contributions of immigrants to the greater community.