Mexicans and Americans Thinking Together and ACCION-Texas Launch
Joint Micro-lending Program to Help People Establish Businesses
Released
on: September 28, 2009, 4:35 am
Author: Margaret Pulles, PuMa
Communications & Cultural Services
Industry: Non
Profit
San
Antonio, TX – Mexicans and Americans Thinking Together (MATT)
and ACCION-Texas, a national micro-lending organization, have
jointly created the MATT Micro-lending Assistance Program (MMAP)
designed to help individuals establish their new small
enterprise.
“The beauty of this program is that we not only provide
them with financial
assistance but with technical support as well to help ensure
their success” says Janie Barrera, President & CEO,
ACCION Texas-Louisiana.
The MMAP program depends on the generosity and financial support
from businesses and donors to succeed. MATT, a non-for-profit
headquartered in San Antonio, Texas, has committed to securing
financial supporters to ensure the continuation and success of
the program. “Our goal is to assist people help themselves.
We have many talented people who need some support and direction
to succeed in life. That is what we are committed to do, in association
with ACCION-Texas,” comments Aracely Garcia-Granados, executive
director of MATT, who helped devise this initiative after she
learned that ACCION-Texas is a non-profit and needs 3 million
a year in order to serve its constituencies.
MATT will identify and secure businesses to support ACCION-Texas.
However, MATT’s contribution comes with a twist. “We
are going after Mexican-owned companies so that they give back
to the community that has helped them succeed,” confirms
Garcia-Granados. “We need to cultivate a sense of philanthropy
among Latinos and this is one small way to do it.”
MMAP-San
Antonio is possible due to the generosity of Anne-Marie Grube,
owner of La Tradicional Tortilleria. As a successful small
business owner, Anne-Marie jumped at the opportunity to help
others realize their dream. She knows how hard yet liberating
it is to be an independent entrepreneur and when approached by
MATT and ACCION-Texas, she agreed to be the first to help establish
the MATT Micro-lending Assistance Program in San Antonio. “There
are many talented people in our communities, especially among
Latinos, who just need a little counseling and financial support
to make the American dream come true. I am glad to have had this
opportunity to partner with MATT and ACCION-Texas. I cannot think
of a better cause and a more needed program.”
It is MATT’s goal to work with its national network of supporters
to identify communities where MMAP is most likely to succeed.
“At this point, we want to get the information out there
to create interest among potential donors but we are also going
to aggressively promote this program and get supporters. There
is a lot of need out there and we are committed to make this program
work for those who will most benefit,” concluded Garcia-Granados.
Attending the program launch in San Antonio included Secretary
of State Esperanza “Hope” Andrade, MATT Board Member
Ernesto Ancira, City Manager A.J. Rodriguez, and San Antonio Hispanic
Chamber of Commerce President Ramiro Cavazos.
For more information on the MATT Micro-lending Assistance Program-San
Antonio, contact ACCION-Texas at 210.507.4283 or MATT at 210.270.0300.
# # #
Mexicans
and Americans Thinking Together (MATT) is a San Antonio-based,
bi-national, non-profit organization.
MATT’s mission is to bridge the gaps of understanding between
Mexicans and Americans and address quality of life issues so both
nations may truly prosper together. MATT, through its national
grassroots network and presence in Washington, D.C., implements
productive and effective projects focused on immigration integration,
economic development and education. MATT is governed by a Board
of Directors comprised of business and thought leaders from the
U.S. and Mexico. For more information, visit our website at www.matt.org
or call MATT toll free at 1-866-980-MATT (6288).
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