FIRST CLASS GRADUATION FROM SAMA WILLIMANTIC

On May 8, 2008, The Spanish American Merchants Asoociation  (SAMA), Willimantic Office graduated the first class from the Pasaporte Computer Training Program. Thirteen local area business owners and potential business owners successfully completed ten weeks of training, which included instruction in computer skills, Quickbooks Accounting Program and general instructions on owning and operating a business. Five of the graduates are local business owners and key staff from local non-profit organizations. The remaining graduates are future business owners working on developing their business plans and preparing for the challenges of owning and running their own businesses.

SAMA staff on were also very excited that this was the first graduation class from Willimantic and offered the following:

George Hernandez, Small Business Specialist Willimantic Office  “This 1st Graduating class is only the beginning of many more great things to happen – in Willimantic – soon we’ll see many of these graduates start to open their own business. The first one – La Rosa Bakery – is looking to open with its Mexican home baked goodies in the early part of June .The doors are always open at all of our SAMA offices to help and train up new and existing businesses. Our next Business Planning Workshops here in Willimantic are scheduled for May 28th, June 19th and July 22nd."

Ana Sánchez-Adorno Directora de los Adiestramiento de SAMA menciona: "A nombre de SAMA me siento muy orgullosa de los comerciantes. Trabajar durantes largas horas después de un aldo día de trabajo en sus negocios no es fácil. Pero el esfuerzo valió la pena. Espero que otros comerciantes tomen ventaja de este adiestramiento que se ofrece en el patio de su casa. Les invito a comunicarse con Frank, George o Keyla para comenzar a registrarse para la aproxima clases. Estos adiestramientos se ofrecen libre de cargo alguno.

Frank Alvarado, Director, Willimantic and New Haven Offices “While this is the first class to graduate in Willimantic, we expect many more to come. The stories of the graduating students were heart warming and everyone at SAMA offers our most sincere congratulations”.

Presenting and speaking at the at the graduation ceremony were State Representative Walter Pawelkiewicz and Town of Windham, First Selectwoman Jean de Smet. Graduates were also presented with an Official Citation from State Senator Donald E. Williams congratulating the graduates on their accomplishment. The ceremony was attended by over 60 people and included Roger Adams from the Greater Windham Regional Chamber of Commerce, Roberta Dwyer from the Northeast CT Economic Alliance and many other local elected officials and local business owners.

In addition The Spanish American Merchants Association,s Executive Director, Julio Mendoza and Board of Directors President, Angel Sierra for the first time presented a special recognition award to State Senator Donald E. Williams, State Representative Walter Pawelkiewicz and Jeff Beadle, Executive Director of WRCC for their help in establishing the SAMA, Willimantic office.