El Paracaidista: 6 years helping immigrants

“In 2001, two Latin American journalists risked efforts and resources to dedicate themselves to socially conscious, community oriented journalism in South Florida. Their dream was to help newcomers with the process of adapting and assimilating, while providing information to long time residents. Today, their newspaper, El Paracaidista, has an established reputation of prestige and genuine service to the community. This month of May finds this free, monthly newspaper and website, http://www.elparacaidista.com, in its sixth year of operations with 20,000 copy monthly print run, audited over three consecutive years by Certified Audit of Circulations (CAC), a step crucial to demonstrate to regional and national advertisers a true commitment to business. And now they have plans to go to television and radio nationwide.

“To enter our sixth year with audited circulation, sustained growth, even distribution among the three main counties of South Florida, the affection of our readers, and the financial support of our large, midsized and small advertisers, is by far the best reward to our work team”, said Ira Guevara, a Venezuelan journalist, editor of El Paracaidista and co-founder of the project, along with Argentine journalist Cynthia Zak, associate editor of this publication based in Miami Beach, Florida.

Guevara noted they are currently working in association with PicabÚ Productions, in Fort Lauderdale, to create a pilot program of brief informative capsules for TV and Radio, based on the same newspaper’s content, only adapted even more to a nationwide audience.

This guide provides readers every month with necessary and useful information, such as: what to do if you are paid a bad check, where to find an inexpensive dentist, how to register a trademark or a corporation, who to turn to if you don’t have medical insurance, details on how to get an occupational license for your business, how to choose the best magnet school for your children, or how to check your doctor’s or lawyer’s records. All articles are presented to readers after careful scrutiny by “old school” journalists who adhere to a professional work ethic that bestows the privilege of serious, unbiased and independent information.

The newspaper was first released with a 5,000 copy print run through 60 distribution points in Miami-Dade County, and it now distributes 20,000 copies through nearly 700 points including Broward and Palm Beach counties, as well. The website receives over 30 thousand unique visitors per month -more than half millions hits- from throughout the country, Latin America and Europe, who daily send their emails to El Paracaidista with their comments and questions.

The editorial team of El Paracaidista also offers monthly seminars on how to revalidate your foreign title and get a license to practice a profession in Florida, if regulated in the state. Next session will be held on May 25th, from 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm, at Nova Southeastern University, North Miami Beach Campus (for more information call 786-325-6999 / 305-866-9033 – or visit www.elparacaidista.com). “

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