The next segment of the Latino Awareness Series, 'Education and the Latino Community,' will be on Monday, from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. at East Lake Elementary at 3600 13th Ave. This will be the fourth installment in the Latino Awareness Series.

The luncheon and workshop will feature a panel of experts working in the education field and in the Latino community, including Marisol Jimenez and Etienne Easley from the Hamilton County Department of Education, and Mike Feely from Chattanooga State Community College. Dr. Carlos Parra, Chair of the Modern Languages Department at Southern Adventist University, will be the keynote speaker, as well as a panelist.

"Education is a basic right and an essential part of any child's life. At La Paz, we understand that Latino youth, a diverse group coming from a variety of cultures, languages and countries of origin, need a special approach to be successful in school and beyond," said Stacy Johnson, executive director of La Paz Chattanooga. "In addition to meeting the needs of the people who walk through our door, we want the Latino Awareness Series to be a forum for Chattanoogans to learn how to most effectively reach young Latinos in the classroom and to address some of the most pressing issues in education for Latinos."

The Latino Awareness Series, comprised of quarterly, two-hour luncheon workshops, features speakers addressing topics deemed by the public as "the most important and pressing" in the Chattanooga Latino community. In June, 2011, La Paz was awarded a grant from the Lyndhurst Foundation to launch an awareness campaign in Chattanooga. As the area's Latino population continues to climb steadily, it is evident that there is a notable need for the recognition of, as well as the collaboration, networking and partnering with this immigrant community living and working in Chattanooga.

Through the Latino Awareness Series workshops, businesses and individuals will learn how to be best prepared to effectively work with and interact with the Latino community. All topics for the Latino Awareness Series were selected as highly relevant by the public.

This event is open to the public and costs $10. Food will be provided by Tacqueria Jalisco. Space is limited, so RSVP's are highly encouraged.

To RSVP or find out more information, call 624-8414 or email dmartin@lapazchattanooga.org.