Three-Day Latino Expo to Include Free Job Fair, Home Rescue Counseling, Health Screenings, and Citizenship Fair—Plus Celebrity Visits, Giveaways, Tastings, Music, and More

Washington, DC—NCLR (National Council of La Raza), the largest national Hispanic civil rights and advocacy organization in the United States, will offer Chicago families valuable services and an array of free, fun activities at Latino Expo USA, July 25–27, during the 2009 NCLR Annual Conference to be held at McCormick Place West. McCormick Place West is located at 2301 S. Lake Shore Drive in Chicago.

Latino Expo USA is the largest Hispanic consumer show in the country, with more than 200 exhibitors and 25,000 attendees. The Expo, supported by Title Sponsor UPS, is free and open to the public and kicks off with an official ribbon cutting ceremony at 10:15 a.m. on July 25. The ribbon cutting ceremony will feature a local mariachi group and Sparky, mascot for the Major League Soccer team Chicago Fire.

The Expo will offer critical information and services to help families get through the recession, including resources on citizenship, health, jobs, and homeownership.

Special events include:

U.S. Citizenship Application Processing Session: In collaboration with the ya es hora campaign, ConAgra Foods, Inc., the Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights, and Erie Neighborhood House, NCLR is hosting this session where legal experts and volunteers will provide free assistance in completing U.S. citizenship applications for hundreds of eligible legal permanent residents. [Saturday, July 25, 9:30 a.m.–1:00 p.m., Room W-375b-c]

Health Fair: Sponsored by United Health Care, the NCLR Health Fair will feature bilingual health professionals, free health screenings, information on access to health programs and services, and family health tips. Screenings will check blood pressure, glucose and cholesterol levels, and body mass index, and test for early Alzheimer’s disease, among other conditions. Clear Channel’s Wellness Mobile will provide dental screenings, and Johnson & Johnson will sponsor comprehensive eye exams that include glaucoma screenings. [Saturday, July 25 and Sunday, July 26, 10:30 a.m.–6:00 p.m.; Monday, July 27, 9:30–11:30 a.m. and 2:30–5:00 p.m., inside the Expo]

Career Fair:Sponsored by Kraft Foods, the Career Fair is where job seekers will get the opportunity to connect with Chicago-area employers and get tips from human resources professionals on how to make the most of the career fair, how to be ready for the hottest careers in the market, and how to continue the job search individually after the fair is over. The Career Fair will also feature workshops sessions in English and Spanish to help sharpen the skills and readiness of jobseekers. [Saturday, July 25, 10:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m. and Sunday, July 26, Noon–5:00 p.m., Room W-375a]

Home Rescue Fair: Loan specialists, housing counselors, and attorneys will provide one-on-one counseling services—including expert advice, options, and community resources—in multiple languages to Chicago homeowners at risk of foreclosure. NCLR is hosting the Home Rescue Fair as part of the Alliance for Stabilizing our Communities, in partnership with Bank of America, the National Urban League, and the National Coalition for Asian Pacific American Community Development. [Sunday, July 26, 10:00 a.m.–2:00 p.m., Room W-375b-c]

AND THERE IS LOTS OF FAMILY FUN AT THE LATINO EXPO, TOO!

The array of activities and giveaways at Latino Expo USA includes fun for children and adults of all ages. The whole family can enjoy games, raffles, prizes, live music, dancing, food, and product giveaways, as well as receive information from more than 200 exhibitors.

Children and grownups can pose for photos with their favorite television characters and local personalities, including Sparky, mascot for the MLS soccer team Chicago Fire, the Oreo cookie character, the White Sox mascot South Paw, and many others! A NASA astronaut, Hollywood and reality television celebrities, local professional athletes, local musical talent, and others will also be on hand for autograph sessions.

Latino Expo USA will feature the Fiesta¬ Tour McDonald’s® Music Experience, which is a traveling music exhibit that features memorabilia from more than 50 Latino artists who have contributed to the advancement of music, culture, and education.

A Green Trail, sponsored by Nissan, will feature environmentally friendly booths and fun ways to stay green. The Entertainment Stage and Talent Showcase will feature music and dance acts showcasing Chicago’s next generation of Latino superstars. The UPS driving simulator, a NASA interactive constellation exhibit, and food tastings will also be featured.

MEDIA ADVISORY

JOIN THE FUN AT LATINO EXPO USA, PRESENTED BY NCLR!

It’s easy to make it to the 2009 NCLR Annual Conference and Latino Expo USA. Families can avoid parking fees by taking Chicago public transit to McCormick Place West. Visit http://www.mccormickplace.com/visitors/transp.html to learn more.

To obtain media credentials for the 2009 NCLR Annual Conference, press may register at www.nclr.org/pressregistration. For more information, please contact Sherria Cotton at scotton@nclr.org or (202) 785-1670.

For more information, visit www.nclr.org/latinoexpo.