Español

Introduction

   SEPA Mujer helped empower us with so much knowledge of our rights, much of that many of us did not even know we had.This organization wants to empower Latina Women in order to create more awareness and defend their rights just as in our homes, in the workplace or in society.​

 SEPA Mujer’s unique 5-week, 25 hour intensive Civic Engagement and Leadership Development Trainings (C.E.L Level 1 & 2), also known as “Talleres de Liderazgo”, are especially crafted using popular education methods and in partnership with the American Friends Service Committee; an Immigrants Rights Program  from Newark, New Jersey in December 2006.
The training manual is designed to engage local Latina immigrant women with insider advocacy tools and skills concentrating on the fundamentals of civic engagement, the legislative process, community leadership, and community organizing.  The training also prepares participants to be more actively engaged in local grassroots campaigns and community projects. The training awards all those who have completed the entire training with a closing ceremony with certificates of completion from SEPA Mujer and from local legislators who are invited to participate.
The entire program is conducted in Spanish and is intentioned to be a safe space for Latina immigrant women and girls.

---

About the Program

 5 weeks and 25 hours of training on civic engagement and leadership development, also known as "Leadership Workshops." This program was designed using popular education methods. The training manual was created with the intention of helping to engage Latina immigrant women and youth with advocacy and empowerment tools and skills focused on the fundamentals of civic participation. The training also prepares participants to participate more actively in local campaigns, community projects or simply to develop leadership skills and improve communication methods with the media.

Level 1

Level 1 of the civic engagement and leadership development trainings focuses on the basics of leadership and the roots of civic engagement. At this level we explore the following concepts;

• Community leadership
• Grassroots organization
• Building community power through the power of advocacy

Other key themes we explore are; the history of immigration and civil rights in the United States, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, documenting human rights violations, advocacy and the legislative process, federal and state government, community organizing tools, and communications for the purpose of organizing.

Level 2

The newly developed Level 2 of Civic Engagement and Leadership Development trainings allows Level 1 course graduates to expand and dive into the weeds of concepts, allowing time and space for critical thinking, discussion and critical analysis. .
In this training, we explore the history of immigration specifically on Long Island by learning about the core of current systemic and cultural issues. We dive into the intersectionality of the feminist movement in Latin America, gender inequality in immigrant communities, and we learn about past and present Latina activists who have challenged all possibilities fighting for justice and equality. We explore the Constitution and the Bill of Rights as tools for effective defense. Finally, we learn more about voting, gerrymandering, and power mapping as tools to organize and drive greater local and state civic participation.

---

Participation Certificate

To participate and receive their Certificate of Participation from the organization and local elected politicians, participants must complete all sessions. Participants do not have to be official members of SEPA Mujer, although this may change in the future. Trainings are not limited to residents of certain cities or districts, however participants must be willing to travel to the designated training location.​​

---

Registration for the Next Leadership Workshop

To register for the next training available near you, register online at bit.ly/2RGrEG9 or call us at 631-980-2555. The trainings are held quarterly and in rotation at all SEPA Mujer locations. The approximate waiting time can vary from a few weeks to 2-3 months, depending on the level and the personnel.

ABOUT THE GRADUATION

Graduation includes a short welcome and introductions from our graduates with keynote speakers. Local legislators often join us and participants will have the opportunity to meet and greet their local representatives.

For the first time I felt supported as a Latino woman and as an immigrant, and even more so with a network of women of whom I am now my friends. Now I know how to defend myself, protect my children and not be afraid!