University of Florida
Our History
Established in May 16, 2008, CHISPAS will been in existence for two years. Recently graduated, Founder Grey Torrico embarked on a hard mission the last year of her academic career. She, along with co-founder Rommy Torrico, used her experience as an immigrant to help shape and mold the organization that would become CHISPAS. Grey had always wanted to create something that reflected her need to help her community, her brothers and sisters, who were in a fight for justice. Not knowing the outcome, she set out to establish the ONLY service organization that specifically serves immigrants and all the issues surrounding them.
Successes and failures have followed CHISPAS in its first year. Approximately 3 events were planned and executed in Fall 2008 including a program hosting the CIW, a rally against Chipotle and a Toy Drive for 3 migrant families in the surrounding areas of Florida. CHISPAS representatives have participated in migrant fairs, regional and national conferences as well as been pioneers in a regional task force for youth activism, SEYA.
In Spring 2009, CHISPAS successfully launched a campaign urging the passage of the DREAM Act and passed a resolution in the Student Government Senate who took a stance in support of it. To date, it has Hispanic/Latino allies all over campus included the Hispanic Student Association (HSA), the Colombian Student Association (COLSA) and the Peruvian Association of Students in Union (PASU). We have also created allies in the community including the Rural Women's Health Project (RWHP), the migrant Education Office and Harvest of Hope. Regionally, we serve as an ally to SWER (students working for equal rights) in Miami-Dade College-Wolfson, SER (students for equal rights) in Florida State University and FLIC (the florida immigrant coalition). Nationally, we support the United We Dream Coalition, dreamactivist.org and change.org.
In a year, we have had successful programs like Project Progress, our english classes that run per semester, and our immersion trips that run during summer break.
2010 proves to be an exciting year for this newly formed organization and we can only expect bigger and better things! As always, we show solidarity to all our brothers and sisters fighting in the cause! Si se puede!
Successes and failures have followed CHISPAS in its first year. Approximately 3 events were planned and executed in Fall 2008 including a program hosting the CIW, a rally against Chipotle and a Toy Drive for 3 migrant families in the surrounding areas of Florida. CHISPAS representatives have participated in migrant fairs, regional and national conferences as well as been pioneers in a regional task force for youth activism, SEYA.
In Spring 2009, CHISPAS successfully launched a campaign urging the passage of the DREAM Act and passed a resolution in the Student Government Senate who took a stance in support of it. To date, it has Hispanic/Latino allies all over campus included the Hispanic Student Association (HSA), the Colombian Student Association (COLSA) and the Peruvian Association of Students in Union (PASU). We have also created allies in the community including the Rural Women's Health Project (RWHP), the migrant Education Office and Harvest of Hope. Regionally, we serve as an ally to SWER (students working for equal rights) in Miami-Dade College-Wolfson, SER (students for equal rights) in Florida State University and FLIC (the florida immigrant coalition). Nationally, we support the United We Dream Coalition, dreamactivist.org and change.org.
In a year, we have had successful programs like Project Progress, our english classes that run per semester, and our immersion trips that run during summer break.
2010 proves to be an exciting year for this newly formed organization and we can only expect bigger and better things! As always, we show solidarity to all our brothers and sisters fighting in the cause! Si se puede!
The Meaning of Our Logo
Strength, Resistance and Vitality
Symbolized by the bull, our organization stands as strong as the people we represent. We overcome obstacles by providing a founding base of resistance against social norms that marginalize the immigrant community instead of integrating it. The vitality of a bull is its source of energy and way of surviving. This vitality provides our energy and will fuel our message for years to come.
Passion, Life and Teamwork
Symbolized by the blue flame, we know that our passion and belief in our cause will take us far. This passion is the "spark" that gives our organization not only its name, but its meaning. With the creation of fire by man, humans were able to live as never before opening opportunities for themselves and their futures. It changed the course of history forever. So, too, will we. With our spark, we are able to create eternal life in the form of fire, which roars with the passion and fury of our efforts in this organization. We are able to instigate change and use that power to make a difference in lives of countless people without a voice. Finally, the two flames together represent unity as a product of our teamwork. This is the perfect balance which is conducive to change.
Symbolized by the bull, our organization stands as strong as the people we represent. We overcome obstacles by providing a founding base of resistance against social norms that marginalize the immigrant community instead of integrating it. The vitality of a bull is its source of energy and way of surviving. This vitality provides our energy and will fuel our message for years to come.
Passion, Life and Teamwork
Symbolized by the blue flame, we know that our passion and belief in our cause will take us far. This passion is the "spark" that gives our organization not only its name, but its meaning. With the creation of fire by man, humans were able to live as never before opening opportunities for themselves and their futures. It changed the course of history forever. So, too, will we. With our spark, we are able to create eternal life in the form of fire, which roars with the passion and fury of our efforts in this organization. We are able to instigate change and use that power to make a difference in lives of countless people without a voice. Finally, the two flames together represent unity as a product of our teamwork. This is the perfect balance which is conducive to change.