News (Noticias) Tagged ‘Western Union’

Following through on its commitment to empower communities by way of education and global economic opportunity programs, The Western Union Foundation through its Agent Giving Circle, and Western Union Agent Grupo Elektra, today donated USD $300,000 to Fundación Azteca’s Plantel Azteca education program.

Western Union’s Agent Giving Circle program matches one-for-one Agent donations to eligible nonprofit organizations in support of programs such as Plantel Azteca, Mexico’s first and only fully-funded and privately run school for gifted students living in underserved communities.

The Western Union Foundation and Grupo Elektra grant will help support Plantel Azteca’s education programs, and is part of Western Union’s Our World, Our FamilySM global signature program.

“Education is one of Western Union’s Our World, Our Family key funding priorities,” said Western Union Foundation President, Luella Chavez-D’Angelo. “Western Union recognizes — as does Fundación Azteca — the core value of learning, and that education is one of the most important tools to improve the quality of life of individuals and communities.”

Plantel Azteca was established in 1997 by Fundación Azteca, the philanthropic arm of Grupo Salinas. To date, the school has received more than 140,000 student applications, and has so far accepted 2,500 students in grades seven through nine, with plans to eventually include up to the 12th grade.

Plantel Azteca also offers more than 600 hours of computer training programs, allowing students to graduate as computer technicians or database programmers within three years if they cannot afford to pursue a higher education.

Students participating in the program are required to maintain an 8.5 grade point average (on a scale of 10) to participate in the program. Plantel Azteca covers all registration and tuition expenses, including school supplies.

The school also extends its reach to its students’ parents, encouraging them to attend counseling sessions on family and community issues.

Western Union’s Our World, Our FamilySM, is a five-year, $50 million signature program designed to provide communities with the skills, knowledge and resources essential to breaking the cycle of poverty. The program is framed around four areas: Our World Gives; Our World Learns; Our World Strives and Our World Speaks, with each pillar given equal attention towards helping families stay connected, overcome barriers and realize their dreams.

About the Western Union Foundation

Through the donations of The Western Union Company, its employees and Agents, the Western Union Foundation helps to fund programs that create economic opportunity around the world. Embracing the truly global nature of its corporate sponsor, the Western Union Foundation has granted nearly $48 million to more than 1,750 nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) in 70 countries. Its signature giving program, Western Union’s Our World, Our FamilySM, is a $50 million, five-year commitment reaching people at every rung of the economic ladder.

About Western Union

The Western Union Company (NYSE: WU) is a leader in global money transfer services. Together with its affiliates, Orlandi Valuta and Vigo, Western Union provides consumers with fast, reliable and convenient ways to send and receive money around the world, as well as send payments and purchase money orders. It operates through a combined network of more than 365,000 Agent locations in over 200 countries and territories. Famous for its pioneering telegraph services, the original Western Union dates back to 1851. For more information, visit www.WesternUnion.com.

About Grupo Elektra

Grupo Elektra (www.grupoelektra.com.mx) is Latin America’s leading financial services company and specialty retailer focused in the mass market. The Group operates more than 1,900 points of sale in Mexico, Brazil, Guatemala, Honduras, Peru, Panama, El Salvador and Argentina. Grupo Elektra also sells and markets its consumer finance, banking and financial products and services through Banco Azteca branches located in Mexico, Brazil, Panama, Guatemala, Honduras and Peru.

About Fundación Azteca

Dedicated to improve health, nutrition, education and the environment, Fundación Azteca is one of the most recognized non-profit organizations in Latin America, and has expanded its footprint to the U.S. Hispanic community through Fundación Azteca America.

Instead of charity, it gives individuals the resources to help themselves. Since 1997, Fundación Azteca has contributed to improve the lives of thousands of persons, connecting people with willingness to help, and organizations with noble causes, while creating awareness of some of society’s most serious problems. For more information, visit www.fundacionazteca.org.

About Grupo Salinas

Created by the entrepreneur Ricardo B. Salinas, Grupo Salinas operates as a forum designed for the development of entrepreneurial abilities and support for decision-making by the top executives leading the firms that integrate it: TV Azteca, Azteca America, Grupo Elektra, Banco Azteca, Afore Azteca, Seguros Azteca, Grupo Iusacell, and Azteca Internet. “

The Western Union Company (NYSE:WU), a worldwide leader in money-transfer services, today announced it will fund an additional twenty-one 4+1 projects, in the States of Zacatecas, Veracruz, Guanajuato, Michoacan, and Guerrero in Mexico.

Through its global signature program, Our World, Our Familysm, Western Union will allocate more than $430,000 USD to support the various economic and community development projects throughout the five states.

“The 4+1 program is producing concrete results,” said Christina Gold, President and Chief Executive Officer, Western Union. “In Zacatecas alone, the program has helped create more than 4,000 temporary jobs – boosting economic development throughout the region.”

The program is an extension of the 3X1 Program, established by the Mexican government in partnership with Mexican Hometown Associations in the United States.

Western Union first announced the 4+1 program in 2005 with Governor Amalia Garcia in the State of Zacatecas. Western Union is the first private-sector company to support the program.

The new 4+1 projects include:

Zacatecas: Green House, Municipality of Jerez; Prickly Pear Production Plant, Municipality of Nochistlan; Eco-Tourism Park, Municipality of Valparaiso; Commercial Market Place, Municipality Valparaiso; and Technical Assistance to Zacatecas 4+1 Projects across the state. Western Union’s 4+1 project funding for Zacatecas totals $100,000 USD.

Veracruz: Pork Farm, Municipality of Ayahualco; Diary Farm Equipment, Municipality of Miahuatlan; Acquisition of Green House; Diary Product Production, Municipality of Miahuatlan; Agricultural Tourism, Municipalities of Naolinco, Tonayan, Chiconquiaco, Miahuatlan and Landero y Coss; and a Poultry Business in the Municipality of Tepatlaxco. Western Union’s 4+1 project funding for Veracruz totals $142,000 USD.

Guanajuato: Diary Farm Equipment, Municipality of Leon; Textile Production, Municipality of Yuriria; Cattle Feed Production, Municipalities of Leon and Nuevo Lindero; Linen and Sports Clothing Production, Municipality of Cortazar; and Linen Production in the Municipality of Parra. Western Union’s 4+1 project funding for Guanajuato totals $80,000 USD.

Michoacan: Lamb Farm, Municipality of Charo; Tortilla Products, Municipality of Charo; Tomato Greenhouse, in Municipalities of Villamar and Vista Hermosa. Western Union’s 4+1 project funding for Michoacan totals $85,000 USD.

Guerrero: Vegetable Greenhouse, Municipality of Pilcaya. Total Western Union project funding will be $25,000 USD.

In the initial stages of the program, Western Union donated funds for eight projects in Zacatecas communities. These included an eco-tourism park, fruit and vegetable processing, nopal farming, agribusiness equipment, a pork farm and a computer assembly plant. In all, Western Union will contribute at least $1.25 million to these and other projects in several Mexican states.

Western Union’s Our World, Our Familysm is a five-year, $50 million corporate signature program supported by The Western Union Foundation and The Western Union Company. The program is designed to provide communities with the skills, knowledge and resources essential to breaking the cycle of poverty. The program is framed around four areas: Our World Gives; Our World Learns; Our World Strives and Our World Speaks, with each pillar given equal attention.

About the Western Union Foundation

Through the donations of The Western Union Company, its employees and Agents, the Western Union Foundation helps to fund programs that create economic opportunity around the world. Embracing the truly global nature of its corporate sponsor, the Western Union Foundation has granted nearly $48 million to more than 1,750 nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) in 70 countries. Its signature giving program, Western Union’s Our World, Our Familysm, is a $50 million, five-year commitment reaching people at every rung of the economic ladder.

About Western Union

The Western Union Company (NYSE:WU) is a leader in global money transfer services. Together with its affiliates, Orlandi Valuta and Vigo, Western Union provides consumers with fast, reliable and convenient ways to send and receive money around the world, as well as send payments and purchase money orders. It operates through a combined network of more than 365,000 Agent locations in over 200 countries and territories. Famous for its pioneering telegraph services, the original Western Union dates back to 1851. For more information, visit www.WesternUnion.com. “

Western Union today asked the Arizona State Supreme Court to review a recent ruling by the Arizona Court of Appeals, which overturned a trial court’s decision in Western Union’s favor concerning the ability of the state to seize money transfers sent from states other than Arizona to Sonora, Mexico.

“This case presents important constitutional issues that we believe merit continued consideration by the courts,” said David Schlapbach, Western Union General Counsel and Executive Vice President. “We support and endorse the State of Arizona’s law-enforcement goals. We are also concerned about the constitutional rights of people to undertake ordinary financial transactions without unreasonable government interference. We hope that the Arizona Supreme Court will give these issues the attention they deserve,”

BACKGROUND – The case dates back to September 21, 2006, when the Arizona Attorney General issued a warrant seeking to seize all Western Union wire transfers over $500 sent from 28 states to locations in Sonora, Mexico. Western Union obtained a stay of this warrant in Arizona State Court. After a hearing and trial, the trial court ruled in January 2007 that the seizures were invalid and enjoined the Attorney General from continuing such seizures. In July 2008, the Court of Appeals overruled the trial court. Today, Western Union asked the Arizona Supreme Court to review the matter and uphold the initial trial court decision.

About Western Union

The Western Union Company (NYSE: WU) is a leader in global money transfer services. Together with its affiliates, Orlandi Valuta and Vigo, Western Union provides consumers with fast, reliable and convenient ways to send and receive money around the world, as well as send payments and purchase money orders. It operates through a network of more than 355,000 Agent locations in over 200 countries and territories. Famous for its pioneering telegraph services, the original Western Union dates back to 1851. For more information, visit www.westernunion.com.”

Finding bilingual information on starting and running a business just got easier thanks to a new partnership between the League of United Latin American Citizens and the National Hispanic Business Information Clearinghouse.

In keeping with its commitment to improve the economic condition of Hispanic Americans, LULAC is adding an “Entrepreneurial” button to its web site to link members to NHBIC’s robust collection of online business resources.

“LULAC is pleased to partner with NHBIC to bring this valuable business resource to our members and web site,” says Rosa Rosales, LULAC’s National President. “Connecting Hispanics to information on how to finance, manage and market a successful business fits LULAC’s vision of economic empowerment.”

This new addition to LULAC’s web site is quick and easy to use, adds LULAC National Executive Director Brent Wilkes. “Just go online, log on to www.lulac.org and click on the ‘Entrepreneur’ button to access NHBIC’s remarkable network of business resources. We also look forward to unveiling the new ‘Entrepreneurship’ button at our national conference in Washington D.C.”

According to NHBIC founder Salvador Gomez, the BIC resources include pre-screened business information from hundreds of online sources, arranged in strongly defined categories he calls the “Three Ms of Business: Money, Markets and Management.”

Technology is another category aspiring business owners will find helpful, says NHBIC President Michael Barrera, in addition to links to local and national government agencies, business associations, and NHBIC’s network of Latino organizations around the country.

The League of United Latin American Citizens is the largest and oldest Hispanic Organization in the United States with thousands of volunteer members providing community-based programs through more than 700 local LULAC councils nationwide.

NHBIC, a not-for-profit organization, launched its bilingual web site in 2007 to provide information to Hispanics starting or expanding a business. Its purpose is to empower new and established entrepreneurs, build wealth in the Latino community, and boost Hispanic contributions to the U.S. economy.

NHBIC’s lead corporate sponsor is Western Union, to date contributing $2 million through its “Our World, Our Family” global economic opportunities program. NHBIC is also funded by a $3.3 million grant from the U.S. Department of Labor. “*

Five new channels join the exclusive Latin American network line-up, making LAETV the only media sales rep firm that covers 50 percent of available

Hispanic channels in the country

Miami, Florida (May 14, 2008) — Latinamerican Ethnic TV (LAETV) announced today the addition of five new networks to its portfolio, which makes it the largest Latin American television network sales rep firm in the United States, covering 50 percent of available U.S. Hispanic network options.

“Without a doubt, we are the most qualified option for those advertisers seeking to establish brand recognition and to increase their products’ demand.  We have definitely become the best connection between the media and the Hispanic communities originating from Mexico, Central and South America,” said Kurt Pflucker, president of LAETV.

Experience and knowledge of the market has allowed LAETV to provide Hispanic’s in the U.S. with excellent programming from their countries of origin. In addition to keeping them in touch with their roots, it allows advertisers to establish more emotional ties to this community and reinforces their brand loyalty.

The networks represented by LAETV range from those specializing in sports and news, with direct broadcasts from Latin American countries to those specializing in entertainment and general information, these channels include CANAL SUR, SUR Perú, TV Venezuela, SUR México, TV Colombia, Telefe, Ecuavisa, TV Chile, CentroaméricaTV, 22 México, Once México, AYM Sports, Televisa Michoacán and MI CINE México.

It’s important to emphasize that the increase in the number of networks represented implies potential access to almost 100 percent of all the diverse nationalities that comprise the Hispanic market in the United States.

Businesses oriented towards the Hispanic market seek to maximize the awareness already gained in Latin America of their brands.  By having networks with original content from these countries and offering a portfolio with so many options, LAETV responds to the needs of these companies.

“We know very well each of the idiosyncrasies of the different groups that comprise the Hispanic community.  We know what they watch, what attracts them and what they buy.  Thanks to our varied and extensive portfolio, we offer our clients the possibility of a real closeness with these groups,” stated Pflucker.  “Although our signals are not yet measured by Nielsen, our clients continue to buy our networks because of the reaction of their audiences to the brand and during direct response campaigns that have proven to be successful,” concluded Pflucker.

LAETV offers its services to clients from diverse industries, from airlines to car dealerships, phone card and remittance companies.  The current portfolio of clients, include LAN Airlines, Spirit Airlines, Toyota, Lexus, Americatel and Western Union among others.

About LAETV

LAETV, the largest U.S. Hispanic cable/satellite television sales rep firm in the United States, offering new alternatives focused specifically on attracting this lucrative market.  With headquarters in Miami and offices in New York and Los Angeles, the company provides specific local programming, an opportunity that allows advertisers to establish closer emotional ties with consumers from these Hispanic communities.  LAETV represents 14 of the principal Latin American networks that reflect the views and diversity of the Hispanic segments that live in the United States, proving to be highly efficient in brand positioning and in generation of direct responses.

For more information visit www.latinoethnictv.com

The National Hispanic Business Information Clearinghouse, a new online resource to help Hispanic entrepreneurs overcome historic barriers to business success, will be unveiled to a prominent international audience today at a meeting of the Institute of Mexicans Abroad (IME) in Dallas.

The IME is a 152-member advisory council formed by the Mexican government in 2003 in recognition of the need to incorporate Mexican communities abroad in the design of policies that affect them and to create an important bond with countrymen who live in other countries. The group meets twice a year, and the Dallas meeting — being held at the Renaissance Hotel — will mark only the second time that it has gathered in the United States.

On the agenda is an intimate “screening” of the National Hispanic Business Information Clearinghouse, or NHBIC. Located at www.nhbic.org , the Web-based resource helps aspiring and current business owners navigate the legal, licensing, permitting, accounting, contracting, human resource, marketing and sales challenges associated with running a successful business.

Officially rolled out in Dallas two weeks ago at an event hosted by founding sponsor Western Union and the Greater Dallas Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, the NHBIC will be presented today to the IME’s Economic Affairs Commission. Among the attendees will be immigrant leaders from across the United States who can help multiply the reach of the NHBIC among immigrant communities at the grassroots level.

“Whether they are born in the U.S. or migrate here seeking a better life, Latinos share an ethic of hard work and an entrepreneurial spirit. No matter how inspired and driven they may be, however, they still need a sound fundamental grounding in the Three M’s of business — Money, Markets and Management — in order to be truly successful,” said Salvador Gomez, founder of the website and president and CEO of Denver, Colo.-based Source One Management, Inc. “The NHBIC was designed to provide clarity and access to that information for communities that have not historically enjoyed such access.”

More than a static website, the NHBIC features professionally pre-screened and categorized business content, available for free in both Spanish and English and customized with resources specific to the greater Dallas area. The Dallas site is the second (following Denver) of what will ultimately be 15 locally customized versions of the NHBIC nationwide. It is also the first in what will become a series of online portals designed specifically for ethnic audiences; additional clearinghouses will be launched in coming years to serve African-American, Asian and possibly other communities.

“The NHBIC and subsequent clearinghouses go to the core of helping diverse individuals and communities around the world realize their potential and improve their futures through business innovation, education and training,” said Michael L. Barrera, president of the NHBIC and former president and CEO of the United States Hispanic Chamber of Commerce. “We are very pleased to be included within the context of an IME meeting, as we share that organization’s goal of empowering Mexican immigrants and other populations with the tools and knowledge to succeed.”
“*

Confronted with fortress Jericho, Joshua’s forces let wail on ramhorns and, as the spiritual has it, “the walls came a-tumblin’ down.” Millennia later, it’s possible that another communication device — the ubiquitous cell phone — may blow away the border barrier currently being erected between the United States and Mexico.

This possibility emerged in the unlikely — and funny — convergence of two press releases on April Fool’s Day. Within hours of Department of Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff’s announcement that he would invoke congressionally granted waivers to expedite 470 miles of security-wall construction across the American southwest, Western Union rolled out a new service targeted at U.S. Latino consumers that will enable them to transfer money to Mexico with but a few keystrokes from their mobile phones.”*

*From: http://www.chron.com
Traducido: usando Google o Altavista/Babel Fish

A new, online resource to help Hispanic entrepreneurs overcome such historic barriers as access to capital, markets, management skills and technology launched today in Dallas, before an audience that included dozens of Dallas-area business leaders as well as Western Union President and Chief Executive Officer Christina A. Gold.

The National Hispanic Business Information Clearinghouse (NHBIC), located at www.nhbic.org, helps aspiring and current business owners navigate the legal, licensing, permitting, accounting, contracting, human resource, marketing and sales challenges associated with running a successful business.

“The American Dream provides Latinos and other minorities with the inspiration to start and build a business, but what has been lacking has been a source of sound fundamental advice on precisely how to get that done,” said Salvador Gomez, president and CEO of Source One Management, Inc., and founder of the NHBIC. “The NHBIC was designed to be that source, and we expect it to have a tremendous impact on not only the Hispanic business community but also the U.S. small business landscape and the economy as a whole.”

More than a static website, the NHBIC features professionally pre-screened and categorized business content, available for free in both Spanish and English and customized with resources specific to the greater Dallas area. The Dallas site is the second (following Denver, Colo.) of what will ultimately be 15 locally customized versions of the NHBIC nationwide.

“Furthermore, the NHBIC is also just the first in what will become a series of online portals designed specifically for ethnic audiences. Additional clearinghouses will be launched in coming years to serve African-American, Asian and possibly other communities,” noted Michael L Barrera, president of the NHBIC and former president and CEO of the United States Hispanic Chamber of Commerce.

The presence of Ms. Gold at the launch event, a luncheon hosted by the Greater Dallas Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, reflected the role of Western Union as the primary corporate sponsor of the NHBIC program. The website’s development has been funded primarily by Our World, Our Family, Western Union’s $50 million, five-year initiative to empower communities around the world. It has also been supported by a $3.3 million grant from the U.S. Department of Labor.

“One of Western Union’s cornerstone values is helping diverse individuals and communities around the world realize their potential and improve their futures through business innovation, job training, financial literacy and other practical but critical skills,” said Ms. Gold. “The NHBIC serves this mission by helping to empower a population that has always had an entrepreneurial ethic but frequently lacked access to fundamental information, best practices and training.””*

*From: http://www.businesswire.com
Traducido: usando Google o Altavista/Babel Fish

The 49th Annual Meeting of the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), which will be held in Greater Miami April 4-8, will bring together high-level government officials, star CEOs and international celebrities, among them U.S. Secretary of Commerce Carlos Gutierrez.

“I am pleased to participate in an event that is bringing world-class business and government leaders together. With such close commercial and social ties to Latin America, Miami is the ideal venue for this meeting,” Gutierrez said. The Annual Meeting of the IDB is the premier forum on Latin American finance, trade, and economic development.

Secretary Gutierrez will deliver a keynote address as part of a panel on competitiveness in the Americas, which will highlight the IDB’s role in building member nations’ capacity for maintaining and expanding economic activity in an environment of rapidly changing trade conditions.

Others participating in the competitiveness panel include Jose Maria Alvarez-Pallete Lopez, president of Telefonica Latin America; Juan Cento, president of FedEx Express Latin America and Caribbean Division; Danilo Astori, Minister of Economy of Uruguay; Rui da Costa, Managing Director for Latin America and the Caribbean of Hewlett Packard; Manu Bhaskaran, a member of the Knowledge Panel at MasterCard; and Andres Velasco, Minister of Economy and Finance of Chile.

According to Jorge L. Arrizurieta, Chairman of the IDB Miami 2008 Host Committee and former Alternate U.S. Executive Director of the IDB, the panel on competitiveness is one of many groundbreaking events scheduled for the Annual Meeting. Others include a seminar on private philanthropy, an event on youth as agents of change, a panel on infrastructure, and a seminar on confronting natural disasters.

“This historic event will again allow Miami to unite the private and public sectors of Latin America and the Caribbean, further highlighting our role as a business center for the region,” Arrizurieta said.

A forum on the role of private philanthropy in development will feature a keynote address from Microsoft founder Bill Gates and remarks by IDB President Luis Alberto Moreno. Preceding these appearances, Alberto Ibarguen, President and CEO of the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation, will moderate a panel of high-level executives including Emilio Azcarraga, Chairman of Televisa; Christina Gold, President and CEO of Western Union; and Bill Rhodes, Vice Chair Citi. Cesar Alierta, Chairman of Telefonica International, will make a presentation.

“The IDB wants to become the region’s preferred partner in private sector development, bringing additional benefits such as mobilization of private bank funds, improved corporate governance and compliance with environmental standards,” said IDB President Luis Alberto Moreno. “We want to be closer to our customers and build strategic alliances with governments, privates sector companies and NGOs to bring the benefits of growth to the 70 percent of the population who earn less than $3000 a year.”

General Anthony Zinni, Vice President of DynCorp and former CENTCOM Commander, will speak on response and preparedness for natural disasters, a priority of the IDB and an important safeguard of human welfare in the region. Joining General Zinni on the panel will be Roberto Velluntini, Sector Manager, Infrastructure & Environment Dept. IDB; Omar Dario Cardona, a consultant for the IDB on natural disaster issues; Lorenza Martinez Trigueros, General Manager of insurance at the Mexican treasury (Secretaria de Hacienda y Credito Publico); Anne Hassberger, Deputy Head for International Financial Institutions, Federal Dept. of Foreign Affairs, Swiss Agency for Development & Cooperation (Moderator).

“Latin America and the Caribbean are a very important partner,” Zinni said. “I am excited to accept the Host Committee’s invitation to share my views on how to prepare and mitigate natural disasters. This is of vital importance to the development and growth of the region and ultimately it impacts people the most.”

As part of the forum Celebrities and Youth as Agents of Change, the IDB and MTV Latin America will present the U.S. premier of their television program on youth as agents of change. The program celebrates youth whose leadership has made a difference in their community. As part of a roundtable discussion led by Generation Engage, a non-profit organization dedicated to increasing political awareness among young people, Secretary of the Treasury Henry Paulson will participate in an iChat dialogue with youth leaders. The President of MTV Latin America, Pierluigi Gazzolo, will speak about the impact of the program.

A panel on opportunities and challenges for private investment in infrastructure in the Americas will bring together a number of distinguished private and public sector leaders, including Robert Mosbacher, President of the Overseas Investment Corporation; Manny Diaz, Mayor of the City of Miami; Felipe Montoro Jens, Head of Project and Structure Finance of Odebrecht; Alberto Aleman Zubieta, CEO, Panama Canal Authority; Carlos Contreras, Executive Managing Director, Caja Madrid; Javier Falces, General Manager, Global Via Infraestructuras; and John Gage, Chief Researcher and Director of the Science Office, Sun Microsystems; Sergio Cabral, Governor, State of Rio de Janeiro; Daniel Scioli, Governor, Buenos Aires; Norman Anderson, CEO, CG/LA Infrastructure; Lic. Federico Patino, Director of the Mexican National Infrastructure Fund. “*

*From: http://www.hispanicprwire.com
Traducido: usando Google o Altavista/Babel Fish

The Western Union Company (NYSE: WU), a global leader in money-transfer services, today announced it will sponsor The United Farm Workers (UFW) Foundation 10th Annual Cesar E. Chavez Walk and Festival to benefit farm workers, migrants and their families in the U.S.

Following through on its commitment to empower migrant communities through education and global economic opportunity programs, Western Union’s $25,000 commitment is part of its Our World, Our Family(SM) global initiative. Proceeds will help support part of the UFW Foundation research efforts, civic engagement, and community education programs.

“One paycheck at a time, one family at a time, and one community at a time, farm workers and migrants are transforming our world,” said Mario Hernandez, director, community relations for Western Union. “They are changing how we think about public policy and providing new answers and new optimism. They are everyday heroes, the world’s greatest givers, and we are proud to take a leadership role in supporting them in realizing their dreams.”

The UFW Foundation Board President, Arturo Rodriguez added, “Western Union’s generous show of support underscores its commitment to further Cesar Chavez’s legacy of justice for farm workers.”

Our World, Our Family is a $50 million, five-year joint initiative of the Western Union Company and the Western Union Foundation. Since its launch, the Western Union Our World, Our Family initiative has granted more than $5 million to more than 150 non-profit organizations worldwide.

The Our World, Our Family initiative is the result of extensive research. During its development, Western Union consulted with leaders in corporate philanthropy and experts in global migration as well as its own consumers, employees and Agents. The program is framed around four pillars or focus areas: Our World Gives; Our World Learns; Our World Strives and Our World Speaks. Each pillar is designed to address the critical needs and challenges of the world’s migrant population.

With more than 10,000 people expected to attend, Western Union will join the UFW Foundation and community leaders at The 10th Annual Cesar E. Chavez Walk and Festival. The event will take place Saturday, March 29 in Downtown Los Angeles at La Placita Olvera (Olvera Street). Registration begins at 9:00 a.m. PDT with the walk starting at 11:00 a.m. PDT and the Festival at 1:00 p.m. PDT.

About Western Union
Western Union, together with its affiliates Orlandi Valuta and Vigo, is a leading provider of global money-transfer services, providing people with fast, reliable and convenient ways to send money around the world, pay bills and purchase money orders through a network of more than 335,000 Agent locations in over 200 countries and territories. For more information, visit www.WesternUnion.com .

About The United Farm Workers Foundation
The UFW Foundation is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization inspired by the United Farm Workers’ first president and founder, Cesar Estrada Chavez. The organization’s mission is to empower and improve the lives of farm workers and other low-income and immigrant workers through (1) the advancement of research, implementation, and enforcement of equitable policy, (2) civic engagement, and (3) community education. The walk is the Foundation’s largest and premiere community education event.”*

*From: http://www.hispanicprwire.com
Traducido: usando Google o Altavista/Babel Fish

Together with the First Lady of Mexico, Mrs. Margarita Zavala de Calderon, The Western Union Company presented a $20,000 grant to Centro San Juan Diego, a non-profit organization serving families and children in the greater Denver area.

Following through on its commitment to empower migrant communities through education and global economic opportunity programs, the grant is part of Western Union Our World, Our Family and will help Centro San Juan Diego address the root causes of poverty through strength-based, family support and education programs in four areas:

– Education, Adult Literacy and Computer Skills Training

– Community Economic Development and Leadership

– Health Education and Counseling

– Legal Assistance and Advocacy

“One family at a time, and one community at a time, migrants are transforming our world,” said Liz Alicea-Velez, executive vice president Western Union Latin America and the Caribbean. “Western Union’s grant will help Centro San Juan Diego provide opportunities to families on their journey to a better life.

“First Lady Zavala’s participation signals her commitment to better understand and explore ways to help migrant families living in the United States; and to recognize the great humanitarian service of organizations like Centro San Juan Diego.”

Our World, Our Family is a $50 million, five-year joint initiative of the Western Union Company and the Western Union Foundation. Since its launch, Western Union Our World, Our Family has granted more than $5 million to more than 150 non-profit organizations worldwide.

The Our World, Our Family initiative is the result of extensive research. During its development, Western Union consulted with leaders in corporate philanthropy and experts in global migration as well as its own consumers, employees and Agents. The program is framed around four pillars or focus areas: Our World Gives; Our World Learns; Our World Strives and Our World Speaks. Each pillar is given equal attention and is designed to address the critical needs and challenges of the world’s migrant population.

About the Western Union Foundation
The Western Union Foundation began in 2000 as a philanthropic organization to facilitate charitable giving programs worldwide. Through the donations of The Western Union Company (NYSE:WU), its employees and Agents, the Foundation helps to fund programs that enhance the quality of life for those most in need around the world.

Since 2001, the Western Union Foundation, in collaboration with Western Union Agents and employees, has granted nearly $45 million to more than 1,500 nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) in 70 countries around the globe to support humanitarian projects. In addition, the Foundation has supported more than 50 disaster-relief operations and has funded education and human services programs. For more information, visit www.westernunion.com/foundation. “*

*From: http://www.hispanicprwire.com
Traducido: usando Google o Altavista/Babel Fish

R. Paniagua Inc., a leading Latino content provider, and Multimedios del Caribe (CDN) the Dominican Republic’s leading News and Sports Network, have joined forces to produce La Noticias De La Republica Dominicana. La Noticias De La Republica Dominicana, 30-minute programs focusing on news and entertainment from the Dominican Republic (D.R.), will be televised on NY 1 Noticias every Saturday and Sunday starting March 8th at 7pm and 10:30pm.

The weekly half-hour shows present a compilation of the D.R.’s news and entertainment. Saturday’s give a wrap-up of the week’s reports from the island and Sundays provides the latest in entertainment features, fashion and cuisine.

CDM boasts the most complete daily news coverage in the D.R. In addition, CDN is the exclusive broadcaster of Major League Baseball games in the D.R., a favorite sport on the island.

“We have the most complete news coverage, with interviews and footage of current events that are of interest to all Dominicans,” stated Michael Roy, the General Manager of CDN. “There are nearly 1 million Dominicans that reside in the New York Tri-state area and these shows will meet their interest in knowing and seeing the news from home on NY 1 Noticias.”

“NY1 Noticias strives to present a global perspective of issues affecting the Hispanic community, abroad and locally. We hope adding La Noticias De La Republica Dominicana to our weekend programming provides viewers with the same level of information they get when they call family in D.R.,” said Maritza Puello, Executive Editor of NY1 Noticias.

“There exists a bridge that connects the New York/New Jersey residents from the Dominican Republic with the island. Local residents from the D.R. are able to vote in the island’s general elections, and residents from both sides travel constantly between the two points,” stated Ralph Paniagua, President of R. Paniagua Inc. “We have been methodical in the preparation of the show concepts, delivery methods, graphic design preparation and unlimited current content. And the timing is right for these shows to air to the New York Tri-state Dominican community and connect them with their island and families,” Paniagua stated.

Program Schedule:
News, Saturday, 7pm and 10:30pm
Culture, Sunday, 7pm and 10:30pm

The advertising inventory will be managed by R. Paniagua Inc. The show’s corporate sponsors include PNC Bank, New York Presbyterian Hospital and Western Union.

About NY1 Noticias

New York 1 Noticias, the 24-hour Spanish language version of NY1 News, is a division of Time Warner Cable available on Time Warner Cable channels 801 and 95. On Cablevision, Noticias is available on channel 194. Noticias reaches an audience of over 1.4 million homes throughout New York and the tri-state area. “*

*From: http://www.hispanicprwire.com
Traducido: usando Google o Altavista/Babel Fish

A brightly-colored mural depicting aspects of Central American culture created controversy at the Homestead City Council meeting Monday.

Part of a national ad campaign by Western Union known as ”Proyecto Raices,” or Project Roots, to raise awareness about and unify Hispanic cultures, the 54-foot by 10-foot mural is proposed for the southern left corner of Borges Supermarket, at 625 Washington Ave. Though the mural would be on private property, all murals must be approved by the city council.

Unlike traditional murals, this one would not be painted on the building, but would instead be installed over a period of two days. Similar murals have been erected in Dallas and Los Angeles.”*

*From: http://www.miamiherald.com
Traducido: usando Google o Altavista/Babel Fish

So did you know this? If you didn’t, perhaps you could send it to someone you know to help spread the knowledge and please tell them about HispanicTips.

View more “Did You Know?” facts in our “Did You Know?” section

From: http://www.dallasnews.com
Traducido: usando Google o Altavista/Babel Fish

As part of its commitment to better serve the Hispanic community during tax season 2008, H&R Block is unveiling 257 new Latino offices in 18 markets nationwide starting Jan. 2, 2008.

Staffed by Spanish-speaking, bilingual tax professionals, these new offices have been designed to provide a family-friendly and culturally inviting environment for Latino clients. The offices feature work by local Hispanic artists, a children’s play area and magazines, all designed to make clients’ overall tax preparation experience easier and less stressful. The new offices will be located in top high-density Hispanic markets, including Albuquerque, Atlanta, Castroville/Monterey, Charlotte, Chicago, Dallas, El Paso, Ft. Myers, Houston, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Miami, New York, Orlando, Palm Springs, Phoenix, San Diego, and Tucson.

The Spanish-speaking, bilingual tax professionals at H&R Block have received the latest training on all the recent tax law changes and will guide the clients, in the language of their choice, to file their returns and claim the relevant credits and deductions they are entitled to. In addition, they have been trained to help recently arrived taxpayers better understand the U.S. tax terminology and process.

“H&R Block has been helping taxpayers comply with their tax obligations for more than 53 years,” said Maria Stanco, Director of Multicultural Marketing at H&R Block. “We recognize that the U.S. tax requirements can be very different from those in their home countries, while the second language can add to the complexity. From experience, we know that our Spanish-speaking clients prefer to have complex financial discussions in their language of choice, and we are ready to provide them an easy- to- understand tax experience.”

Through these offices, taxpayers who do not have or qualify for a Social Security Number can also process their Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN), a 9-digit number issued by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) for tax purposes only. As an authorized acceptance agent for the IRS, H&R Block can facilitate the application process for taxpayers by preparing and submitting their ITIN paperwork, as well as filing their returns, all in their language of preference.

Aside from tax preparation, other relevant products and services offered at participating offices include the H&R Block Emerald Prepaid MasterCard(R), which allows taxpayers to directly deposit their refunds to it so they can use the funds anywhere MasterCard(R) prepaid cards are accepted; money transfer services offered through Western Union at a discounted rate for our H&R Block Emerald Card customers; and a special $49 offer for the preparation of one 1040 EZ form.

As part of the new office opening celebration, H&R Block will make a $1,250 donation in select cities to a Latino charity that shares the company’s mission to enhance the lives of Latinos in the United States.

No matter how long taxpayers have been in the U.S. or how complicated their tax situation is, the trained H&R Block professionals at these new Latino offices will make them feel at home while they take care of their tax and financial needs in their own language.

Visit www.hrblock-espanol.com to find more information about H&R Block’s new and existing products and services as well as to locate a Latino designated office near you. “*

*From: http://www.hispanicprwire.com
Traducido: usando Google o Altavista/Babel Fish

The Western Union Company (NYSE: WU), a global leader in money transfer services, and Grupo Vimenca, a privately held group of financial services companies in the Dominican Republic, have renewed their relationship by entering into a 10-year agreement.

The deal, ratified at a signing ceremony in Santo Domingo to commemorate the companies’ 18-year business relationship, will continue to provide consumers the ability to send and receive intra-country and outbound global money transfers through the Western Union(R) Agent network. Christina Gold, President and CEO Western Union, and Don Victor Mendez Capellan, President and Founder Grupo Vimenca, represented their companies at the event.

Grupo Vimenca, a family-owned company that began as a small business with one employee, today offers consumers global money transfer services through Western Union, in addition to banking, mortgage, business-to-business call center services, travel and mobile offerings.

Western Union entered the Dominican Republic in 1989 with Remesas Vimenca, a wholly owned subsidiary of Grupo Vimenca which now boasts a strong network of more than 205 locations throughout the country.

Gold commented: “Dominican Republic is a key strategic market for Western Union. For companies operating on a global scale, the ability to interact with consumers on a day-to-day basis is a prerequisite for business success. Through Vimenca, Western Union has been able to consistently achieve this goal over the last 18 years. Today’s announcement is yet another demonstration of Western Union’s commitment to serve and help our consumers achieve their life goals. We are delighted to work with Vimenca and look forward to continue delivering fast and reliable money transfer services that support the evolving needs of the Dominican consumer.”

Mendez Capellan added: “Western Union and Group Vimenca are names synonymous with trust. Western Union’s mission to serve others mirrors the founding principles of Vimenca: patience, humility, prudence, discipline and loyalty. Together, we share similar attributes in our approach to business, which include the shared belief, the consumer comes first. In the years ahead, we will continue to cultivate our mutual strengths to benefit of the families we serve.”

According to The World Bank, the number of worldwide immigrants is nearly 200 million or approximately three percent of the world’s population. As economic and social climates change, Western Union is uniquely positioned to respond to these trends. With more than 320,000 global Agent locations, Western Union’s robust Agent network enables consumers to chose, when and how to send money to their loved ones.
“*

*From: http://www.hispanicprwire.com
Traducido: usando Google o Altavista/Babel Fish

“Orlandi Valuta, a leader in the money transfer business, recently announced the addition of 18 new Agents with a total of 1,060 locations throughout Central and South America.

The majority of the new Agent locations previously offered Vigo money-transfer services. These locations will now offer Orlandi Valuta services in addition to Vigo services.

The agreement with these 18 new Agents will allow consumers to receive money transfers at additional locations in Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, the Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Peru. In addition, consumers in the United States can send funds to any of these 1,060 Agent locations in 11 countries from any Orlandi Valuta Agent location in the United States.

New Agents include Latin Express in Argentina, with 34 locations; Banco de Credito de Bolivia in Bolivia, with 46 locations; Afex and Cambios Inter in Chile, with a total of 62 locations; Macrofinanciera and Suma Valores in Colombia, with 80 total locations; Teledolar and Soluciones Monetarias in Costa Rica, with a total of 47 locations; BHD in the Dominican Republic, with 39 locations; Coonecta, Rianxeira and Banco del Austro in Ecuador, with a total of 249 locations; Fedecaces in El Salvador, with 42 locations; Fenacoac and Elektra Guatemala in Guatemala, with a total of 239 locations; Facach in Honduras, with 90 locations; and Jet Peru and Interbank in Peru, with a total of 132 additional locations.

The addition of the new Agents in Ecuador more than triples the number of Orlandi Valuta Agent locations in that country. Orlandi Valuta launched services for the first time ever in Ecuador at the end of 2006.

“As people continue to move around the world and send money home to their loved ones, demand for money-transfer services is strong,” said Liz Alicea-Velez, Western Union’s Executive Vice President, Latin America and the Caribbean, and President, Orlandi Valuta. “We are proud to offer these additional locations in 11 countries to meet the different needs of our consumer segments.”

About Orlandi Valuta

Orlandi Valuta is a subsidiary of The Western Union Company (NYSE:WU).

Established in 1986, Orlandi Valuta, an electronic money-transfer service provider, offers international money transfers from the United States to agent locations in Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, the Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Peru and all 32 states in Mexico. The company has more than 12,000 agent locations worldwide, including approximately 7,000 that offer both Orlandi Valuta and Western Union services. “

“Pro Mujer, a development organization providing Latin America’s poorest women with micro-finance, business training and healthcare support, today announced it will honor Western Union President, CEO and Director Christina Gold, as Pro Mujer Woman of the Year, for her outstanding support of women and the global communities in which they live.

“Christina is a dynamic leader who stands apart because of her passion to support women and families,” said Lynne R. Patterson, Pro Mujer’s executive director and co-founder. She cited Western Union’s efforts to support immigrants’ home countries through the 4 1 gift matching program.

Pro Mujer will present the award to Gold next month at its annual “Giving Women Credit” celebration.

“Pro Mujer’s work is reflective of our corporate culture,” Gold said. “It not only respects but helps families leverage their unique skills to live a better life. On behalf of my colleagues, thank you for working hard to lead such an important cause.”

Under Gold’s leadership Western Union has successfully launched and executed the 4 1 program, a private-sector gift-matching initiative in Mexico to support immigrant communities. According to the Population Reference Bureau, there are approximately 200 million migrants supporting women and children back home. Through its 4 1 gift-matching program, Western Union is both creatively fighting poverty and promoting economic development so that migration can be an option, not a necessity, and the well-being of those who remain in their own communities can be improved.

Through a presence in Argentina, Bolivia, Mexico, Nicaragua and Peru, Pro Mujer believes that health is women’s most precious asset, a key to their well-being and success in the home, the workplace, and their community.

Health care is particularly crucial for micro-entrepreneurs because an illness can deplete savings and other assets, keep them away from their business, and cause other disruptions that can threaten a business.

Pro Mujer has pioneered an approach that integrates health care and financial services, providing information and services that help clients stay healthy and run their businesses.

Pro Mujer offers both health care and financial services from neighborhood centers. Pro Mujer reinvests the profits generated from financial services to expand coverage; to innovate and better serve clients; and to partially subsidize the social development services, including healthcare support, business training and empowerment programs.

Salma Hayek, Placido Domingo, Benjamin Bratt, Talisa Soto, Robert and Luciana Duvall, and Maria Elena Lagomasino lend their support to Pro Mujer’s achievements in improving the lives of over one million women and their families throughout Latin America over the last 17 years.

About Pro Mujer

Pro Mujer is an international micro-finance and women’s development network that offers financial services, business training and healthcare to poor women in Latin America, helping them to achieve economic security and improved health.

Established in 1990, the network comprises micro-finance institutions in Argentina, Bolivia, Mexico, Nicaragua and Peru. Since its inception, Pro Mujer has disbursed more than US$327 million in small loans averaging approximately US$189.

Pro Mujer clients have saved US$12 million, providing a financial buffer for their families in times of crises.

Pro Mujer is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization. More information is available on the website, http://www.promujer.org.

About Western Union

Western Union (NYSE: WU), together with its affiliates Orlandi Valuta and Vigo, is a leading provider of global money transfer services, providing people with fast, reliable and convenient ways to send money around the world, pay bills and purchase money orders through a network of more than 312,000 Agent locations in over 200 countries and territories. For more information, visit www.westernunion.com. “

“Maggie Rivas-Rodriguez, a journalism professor who helped spearhead a grassroots campaign for meaningful inclusion of Latinos in the upcoming Ken Burns documentary titled THE WAR, and Maria Burns Ortiz, a college soccer columnist with ESPN.com and one of the newer Latino voices in the country’s newsrooms, are among those to receive the prestigious n Awards next month from the National Association of Hispanic Journalists.

Rivas-Rodriguez, from the University of Texas at Austin, and Burns Ortiz will receive the Leadership Award and the Emerging Journalist of the Year Award, respectively.

Others honored with n Awards include Dianne Solis of The Dallas Morning News for her thoughtful and sincere coverage of immigration, Gary Coronado of The Palm Beach Post for his stunning photographs chronicling the physical risks Central Americans take jumping trains to go north and enter the U.S., and Rebecca Aguilar of KDFW-TV Fox 4 in Dallas for her reporting work that gives a voice to those who typically don’t have one in the media. They will receive the Frank del Olmo Print Journalist of the Year Award, the Photojournalist of the Year Award and the Broadcast Journalist of the Year Award, respectively.

All the n Award recipients and winners in 14 other categories will be honored at the 22nd Annual Noche de Triunfos Journalism Awards Gala on Oct. 4 at the Capital Hilton in Washington, D.C., NAHJ’s signature event during Hispanic Heritage month. Gloria Campos Brown, news anchor at WFAA-TV Dallas, the evening’s honorary gala chair, and master of ceremonies Antonio Mora, anchor at CBS 2 News Chicago, will host the event attended by journalists, Latino leaders and the community at large.

The work honored with the Journalism Awards that evening ”” produced all across the country from Miami and Charlotte, North Carolina in the east to Salinas and San Diego/Baja California in the west ”” range from an editor’s impassioned defense of undocumented immigrants in the deep South in his commentary to a documentary investigating California’s rural gangs and their devastating effect on Latino families.

The award-winning work also chronicled the emotional journey of a woman diagnosed with an aggressive form of cancer during her fifth month of pregnancy, investigated the little-known, yet incredible story on the U.S. military’s contingency plans to invade Mexico, and descriptively narrates in literary style a woman’s story of sexual violence on both sides of the border and the forced silence of undocumented abuse victims who have little hope of finding justice.

“Immigration was a big issue in 2006 and in our journalism awards, it shows,” said Ivan Roman, NAHJ’s executive director. “Much of the winning coverage went way beyond the huge immigration marches to deeply explore other aspects of the debate and tell simply heart-wrenching stories conveying much of the emotion with such wonderful writing that as journalists, they make us proud. It’s bound to be an inspiring evening.”

The five n Awards honor journalists for their professional achievements and their leadership in bringing greater awareness to issues affecting the Latino community, while NAHJ’s Journalism Awards are given out to honor Latino journalists for excellence in their specialized fields of work or to any journalist, regardless of ethnicity, for their outstanding coverage of the Latino community.

The gala’s presenters include Janet Murguia, president of the National Council of La Raza, Gilbert Bailon, publisher and editor of Al Dia (Dallas) and current president of the American Society of Newspaper Editors, Maureen Bunyan, anchor of WJLA-TV in Washington, Miguel Almaguer, a reporter with WRC- TV in Washington, and Renay San Miguel, senior vice-president/senior media strategist with Weber Shandwick/WCTV public relations firm and former anchor of CNN Headline News.

For information on purchasing tables, tickets or other sponsorship opportunities, please contact Azuree Salazar, NAHJ Development Director, at (202) 662-7482 or asalazar@nahj.org. The deadline to confirm a sponsorship option is Monday, September 24, 2007. Sponsors to date include: Freddie Mac, Continental Airlines, Chrysler, Hearst Newspapers, State Farm Insurance, Disney, Harrah’s Entertainment, Prudential Financial, Toyota Motor Sales USA Inc., Univision Communications and Western Union.

For more information about all the winners and winning entries, please go to www.nahj.org/sponsorship/specialevents/2007/noche/07awardwinners.shtml

For general information about the Gala event, presenters and sponsorships, please go to www.nahj.org/sponsorship/specialevents/2007/Noche/07nochedetriunfos.shtml“

“To help the victims of Peru’s deadliest earthquake in more than 35 years, The Western Union Foundation today donated $50,000 to CARE USA, a humanitarian nonprofit organization fighting global poverty with local operations in Peru since 1970.

Additionally, for individuals and corporations wishing to donate to disaster relief efforts in Peru, The Western Union Company (NYSE:WU) and its Peru Agents A. SERVIBAN S.A. and DHL Express have set-up a Quick Collect contribution account in the U.S. - code city identified as “PERUHELP, WA” or “AYUDAPERU, WA” - benefiting CARE USA. Western Union will provide U.S. consumers with no fee Quick Collect money transfer services directed to the account, up to $2,500 over the next 30 calendar days.

“The damages to the cities of Pisco, Ica and Chincha are catastrophic, leaving tens of thousands in need of support,” said Luella Chavez D’Angelo, president The Western Union Foundation. “CARE USA will use the funds to assist with critical efforts such as providing food, water and shelter to families and children most affected by the disaster.”

The Western Union Foundation also is encouraging employee donations through the Western Union Employee Gift Matching Program. The Western Union Foundation will match registered employee donations to CARE USA on a one-to-one basis, up to $25,000.

“The hearts of all Western Union employees go out to everyone affected by this disaster,” said Liz Alicea-Velez, executive vice president, Latin America and the Caribbean Western Union.

“We are working together with our Agents in Peru to help facilitate the delivery of services, to the region, in a fast, reliable and convenient manner during this time of need.”

Since 2001, The Western Union Foundation alone has awarded over $40 million in grants to more than 1,500 nonprofit organizations, across 70 countries, that provide critical disaster relief, education and basic human services.

“Western Union’s support of CARE’s response is providing critical support to Peruvians in the worst affected areas,” said Erin Geiger senior director development CARE USA. “Through the grant, Western Union has become one of the corporate leaders in helping CARE carry out this important work alongside the international community.”

CARE response teams are providing clean water, food, blankets, tents, medicine, flashlights and tools to families in the wake of the 8.0-magnitude earthquake. In addition to distributing relief supplies, CARE is also working with local partners to develop a longer-term response to help communities rebuild homes and water systems.

Together, The Western Union Company and The Western Union Foundation support education and cultural inclusion for migrants and their families and the creation of economic pathways to opportunity for those striving to develop their businesses and become entrepreneurs.

Western Union is committed to fostering hope in the developing world by creating a dialogue about issues that impact our consumers and our global community.

About CARE USA
CARE fights root causes of poverty in the world’s poorest communities. CARE places special focus on working alongside poor women because, equipped with the proper resources, women have the power to help whole families and entire communities escape poverty. In 66 countries, women are at the heart of CARE’s community-based efforts to improve education, prevent the spread of HIV, increase access to water and sanitation, expand economic opportunity and protect natural resources. Each year, CARE helps tens of millions of people around the world effect real, positive changes in their lives. For more information, please see www.care.org.

About The Western Union Foundation
The Western Union Foundation began in 2000 as a philanthropic organization to facilitate charitable giving programs worldwide. Through the donations of The Western Union Company, its employees and Agents, the Foundation helps to fund programs that enhance the quality of life for those most in need around the world. Since 2001, The Western Union Foundation, in collaboration with Western Union Agents and employees, has granted nearly $40 million to more than 1,500 non-governmental organizations (NGOs) in 70 countries around the globe to support humanitarian projects. In addition, the Foundation has supported more than 50 disaster-relief operations and has funded education and human services programs.

About Western Union
Western Union, together with its affiliates Orlandi Valuta and Vigo, is a leading provider of global money-transfer services, providing people with fast, reliable and convenient ways to send money around the world, pay bills and purchase money orders through a network of more than 312,000 Agent locations in over 200 countries and territories. For more information, visit www.WesternUnion.com. “

“Western Union will return $400,000 in fees paid by customers from Illinois and 25 other states whose money transfers were seized by Arizona authorities last year.

The funds remain in dispute, however.

Arizona officials alleged that wire transfers through firms such as Western Union and MoneyGram help fund the smuggling of drugs and illegal immigrants from Mexico. The Arizona attorney general’s office has said that since 2002 it has seized $17 million in wired funds to Arizona and Mexico.”

“The Western Union Company (NYSE: WU), a leader in global money transfer services, announced today the expansion of the 4+1 Program to the State of Veracruz. Since last year, Western Union has been working with federal, state and local officials in Mexico to implement this pioneering initiative, supporting economic development projects across local communities in Zacatecas and four other Mexican states.

For the second time in less than a year, Christina Gold, CEO, Western Union, visited Mexico to meet with key Western Union Agents and top government officials involved in economic development and the remittance industry. In addition to the 4+1 Program, they discussed matters regarding social responsibility and competition within the Mexican market.

“Western Union is deeply committed to all the communities we serve around the globe, and Mexico is no exception,” said Mario Hernandez, Director of Public Affairs, Western Union, who accompanied Ms. Gold on her trip to Mexico. “Our dedication to the Latin American and U.S. Hispanic consumer grows stronger every day, through our corporate giving campaigns, improved service and lower rates.”

In the initial stages of the program, Western Union donated funds for eight projects in Zacatecas communities. These included an eco-tourism park, fruit and vegetable processing, nopal farming, agribusiness equipment, a pork farm and a computer assembly plant. In all, Western Union will contribute at least $1.25 million to these and other projects in several Mexican states.

The 4+1 program is an extension of the 3X1 Program, established by the Mexican government in partnership with Mexican Hometown Associations in the United States. The Western Union Company is the first private-sector company to participate.

“Western Union is helping the community here on many levels,”said Esthela Valencia, President of Zacatecano Federation of Northern California. “Not only have they made it easier to send money to our families, but they continue to show a commitment to crucial development projects in our communities back home.”

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, Hispanics constitute the fastest-growing segment of the American population with more than 43 million people now residing in the U.S. Approximately two-thirds of these are Mexican, many of whom regularly send remittances to their families in Mexico. According to the Bank of Mexico, total remittances to Mexico totaled more than $23 billion in 2006.

About Western Union
Western Union, together with its affiliates Orlandi Valuta and Vigo, is a leading provider of global money transfer services, providing people with fast, reliable and convenient ways to send money around the world, pay bills and purchase money orders through a network of more than 305,000 Agent locations in over 200 countries and territories. For more information, visit www.westernunion.com. “