Media Release
| Contact:Cassandra
D. Oshinnaiye |
For Immediate Release: October 22, 2004 |
| MANA, A National Latina Organization Partners With State Farm Insurance Companies For Child Passenger Safety |
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The program will offer MANA’S twenty chapters and two affiliates the opportunity to apply to MANA National for State Farm funding to train two “Community Technicians” per chapter who will train to become certified experts in child passenger safety. The two Community Technicians will participate in two passenger safety events each year. About 2,000 children 15 years and under die, while 325,000 sustain injuries in auto crashes each year, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). “Child passenger safety (CPS) technicians play a critical role in addressing this issue. Their technical skills, experience, and knowledge on the proper installation and use of child safety seats are necessary for the conduct of child safety seat inspections at permanent sites, special clinics, and mobile inspection units,” stated Alma Morales Riojas, President & CEO of MANA. “ Just recently we learned of a horrible accident in which a car rolled down an embankment and flipped on its top. In it was a young mother and her six-week-old daughter. According to the police reports, if it had not been for the seat belts and the infant safety seat the mother and baby would not have survived. This State Farm program is making it possible for Hispanic families to ensure the safety and survival of their children.” Spanish bilingual technicians are in high demand and MANA technicians will play a critical role in providing CPS knowledge to the Latino community. Additional Information: ************ MANA, A National Latina Organization, is a nonprofit, advocacy organization headquartered in the nation's capital, Washington, D. C. With chapters across the country, it is the oldest National Latina membership organization in the United States. MANA, whose mission is to empower Latinas through leadership development, community service, and advocacy, envisions a national community of informed Latina activists working to improve the quality of life for all Hispanics. MANA also has the only national young Latina's mentoring program for girls 11 to 17, "HERMANITAS®" which brings over 200 girls to Washington DC to a summer institute that includes a briefing at the White House and a visit to the girls' Congressional representatives. |