News Release – For Immediate Release

Winthrop Rockefeller Foundation Builds the Capacity of an Emerging Grassroots Organization
AUCC Helps Immigrants to Enter the Workforce and Integrate into Mainstream Society

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (February 13, 2012) – The Winthrop Rockefeller Foundation (WRF) recently made a grant of $30,000 to the Arkansas United Community Coalition (AUCC) to strengthen grassroots programs that help immigrants to integrate into the community and state economy.

“When immigrants have a public voice and are given the resources they need to organize their communities and take on tangible community development projects, they prosper,” remarked Ms. Mireya Reith, Executive Director of AUCC. “And when the immigrant population prospers, the whole state prospers.”

AUCC’s strategy strongly supports WRF’s goal of reducing poverty in Arkansas.

Building the capacity of early-stage nonprofits such as AUCC is an important way in which WRF can serve the people of Arkansas. Throughout its history, WRF has helped to incubate emerging nonprofits that address critical needs. Several organizations that were supported by WRF at an early stage, such as Arkansas Advocates for Children and Families and Southern Bancorp Community Partners, have grown into major institutions that are moving Arkansas from poverty to prosperity. AUCC holds that same potential.

“AUCC is establishing itself as an important advocate for the immigrant community,” noted Dr. Sherece West, president and CEO of the Winthrop Rockefeller Foundation. “By investing in its growth, we are investing in a stronger, more effective nonprofit infrastructure across the state.”

About the Winthrop Rockefeller Foundation

For over 35 years, the Winthrop Rockefeller Foundation has helped to build and sustain the organizations that serve and strengthen Arkansas. Through grantmaking and strategic partnerships, we are working hard to help close the economic and educational gaps that leave too many Arkansas families in persistent poverty. www.wrfoundation.org

About the Arkansas United Community Coalition

Arkansas United Community Coalition (AUCC) is an immigrants’ rights nonprofit organization that was founded in 2010 to bring together Arkansas-based organizations and individuals across sectors, with the mission to empower immigrants in Arkansas through organizing, coalition building and the promotion of civic engagement. AUCC supports immigrants and other multicultural communities to be agents of positive change in Arkansas. www.arkansascoalition.org

Contacts

Ms. Regan Gruber Moffitt
Senior Associate, Public Policy
Winthrop Rockefeller Foundation
(501) 376-6854
rmoffitt@wrfoundation.org

Ms. Mireya Reith
Executive Director
Arkansas United Community Coalition
(479) 871-2168
director@arkansascoalition.org

###