Local institute propels Hispanic professionals

A local institute has been working to ensure that young Latino adults who show leadership potential have the opportunity to work towards a greater good.

The idea for the Great Lakes Bay Hispanic Leadership Institute, or GLBHLI, came about a few years ago, says Monica Reyes, who serves as the program director as well as the director of the Saginaw Valley State University Office of Continuing Education and Professional Development.

While there were many successful Latino leaders in the community, a need was identified as the Hispanic population had been growing: there needed to be a way to help youth become more involved in their community and help them to become leaders by using their strengths and helping them grow through skill-building, community involvement, and leadership roles.

Soon after that, GLBHLI grew out of community summit meetings, while the founders studied how Great Lakes Bay African American Leadership was run, helping them to mold their program with many of the same goals and missions in mind.

GLBHLI has found much support from SVSU and is located on its campus. In the community, Great Lakes Bay Regional Hispanic Business Association (GLBRHBA) has stepped up and partnered with the institute by providing mentors, participant referrals and some financial support. The institute has also received support from Dow Chemical Company, Team One Credit Union, and Mi Gente Magazine, just to name a few.

With operating costs at about $50,000 a year, the organization appreciates the support they have received, says Reyes.

"I don't believe the program would exist or have been as successful without the support of SVSU. They have allowed me to spend a lot of time on the program throughout the years," Reyes says. "We are able to use the tools, and professional expertise of the university to continue to grow the program."

GLBHLI seeks out individuals whose talents and potential may otherwise not be explored in traditional means, such as the workplace, streamlined leadership programs, and community settings, Reyes says.

"A majority of the people we are targeting are either beginning their career or are not in positions that would normally be looked at as potential candidates (for other programs). In addition, we seek out individuals that may have showed an interest in becoming involved but don't know how to get started," Reyes says.

The organization reaches out to potential participants through the Internet, Facebook, Mi Gente Magazine, Latino Banner, and MidWestTejanoRadio.com. They also get referrals from alumni and GLBRHBA.

The institute looks for local Hispanics who are 21 to 45 years old, looking for an opportunity to foster their potential leadership skills and who can fulfill program requirements, which include 40 hours of community service and attendance at eight leadership training sessions, four networking sessions and two online training sessions held throughout the year. Not only do participants learn professional development, they also get to hear a variety of speakers, learn about the importance of community involvement, networking, career planning and fundraising, and attend a session called "Understanding Cultural Similarities."

Success rates have been high for the program and 16 future leaders will be graduating from the 2013 program on Jan. 30--the fifth class to do so.

Reyes expects there to be 15 to 18 participants in the 2014 program, which will begin next month. While they have not had to turn anyone away from the program due to space, keeping it around this size is not only good for the students but also for the leaders, who have more time to work with each student, Reyes says.

"It is a tough program and we strictly push our requirements, but large majorities do complete the entire program," Reyes says. "We have many examples and testimonials of how the program positively affected their life and career. A large number of graduates have found a passion for volunteering and involvement in the community, which is a win-win for everyone."

Alumni of the program have gone on to be successful in various sectors, from receiving job promotions to joining boards, and becoming more involved in their communities. For example, Elvis Machul, class of 2011, went on to earn his MBA, joined the local United Way board of directors and was recognized for his philanthropy efforts by the Garber Automotive Group.

A 2010 graduate of Northwood University, Machul graduated magna cum laude with a bachelor's degree in business administration. Just about a year after completing GLBHLI, he went on to receive his MBA from Northwood University.

Machul heard about GLBHLI from a friend and he thought it sounded like a great program to join.

"I wanted to join, because I liked the thought of Hispanics receiving more opportunities in business, community boards, and being introduced to corporate America," Machul says. "I also thought it was awesome that we would be able to uplift and volunteer within my own community."

The program allowed for Machul to experience a wide array of skills from networking, to philanthropy, to taking on leadership roles and learning how to utilize them in the real world.

"I learned that Hispanics many times have all the skills and abilities to perform at the highest levels, they just don't know the ways to open the doors needed to propel them to the next level," he says.

Since completing the program he has gone on to be a leader within the community by heading up a multi-day Great Lakes Bay Habitat for Humanity home revitalization effort staffed with volunteers from Garber Automotive, where he works as the business manager, both in June 2012 and June 2013--and more than 115 employees joined in this past June thanks to Machul's efforts.

He has also participated in many other volunteer activities including the National Junior Disabilities Championships, Houghton-Jones Urban Gardens Revitalization Project and the Deindorfer Woods Park Revitalization Project.

Machul continues to keep serving the community in the forefront as he now sits on the board at the United Way.

"There is no doubt that GLBHLI opened doors for me that would have never been opened without attending the program and I'm truly grateful," Machul says. "It gave me the confidence to sit in the board room and know I belonged. My life has truly changed because of the program and I haven't looked back since."

Julia Woehrer is a freelance writer, photographer and assistant marketing manager. She attended the School of Art and Design at Northern Michigan University where she concentrated in photography and minored in journalism. She volunteers at a local no-kill cat shelter and enjoys spending time with her cats, Bella and Macy.