Latest news with #Guardia
Yahoo
10-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Austin nonprofit helps Latinas with workforce readiness program
AUSTIN (KXAN) — Latinos make up about a third of the workforce in Central Texas. However, according to a report by the Hispanic Fund, many are 'confined to minimal incomes.' A workforce readiness program in Austin hopes to help bridge the economic gap. The nonprofit Latinitas created the self-paced course for people to earn certifications in a skill of their choice. Report shows progress, shortfalls in economic growth for Central Texas Latinos 'Latinitas is an Austin based nonprofit empowering girls in their communities through culturally relevant education. We do this through after school clubs, summer camps, conferences and online coding classes,' said Latinitas Executive Director Gabriela Kane Guardia. Guardia said its become one of their fastest growing programs. 'A career upskilling initiative that supports adult learners, whether they're job seekers, career-pivoters or recent graduates.' Latinitas Executive Director Gabriela Kane Guardia Guardia said nearly half of participants don't have a college degree and a majority of them are looking for new employment. How Latinas are redefining Austin's entrepreneurial scene 'Mostly Hispanic, mostly female participants in our programs,' Guardia said. 'They're balancing full-time work, caregiving or job search.' Top certification interests for the program included: Project Management Data Analytics IT Support The nonprofit also offers in-person workshops in financial literacy, resume building and mock interview practice. Guardia said they just started a new spring cohort for their workforce readiness program. Registration will open again in the fall with 20 available seats. Guardia said they've been able to expand their youth programs in both Austin and San Antonio, along with a national reach with their online coding program. 'Running a small nonprofit means wearing many hats, and Justworks has been a game changer for us in scaling our organization,' Guardia said. 'They've been taking on payroll and HR and compliance off our plate, and so we can focus on growing our programs and building our community.' For four months, Karlie Ramirez learned the ins and outs of project management. 'We say we want to go back to school, and time gets away from us,' Ramirez said. 'I've always wanted to go back and study project management and focus on that.' She participated in the workforce readiness program. Ramirez said she uses this knowledge at her job as an enrollment manager for a local charter school. 'It's definitely helped me to kind of build out and lay out working in groups, working with volunteers, laying out the logistical side of planning out these initiatives,' Ramirez said. These are lessons that will stay with her for a lifetime. 'It just is beneficial for not only myself, but for the organizations that I'm a part of,' Ramirez said. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
USA Today
22-03-2025
- USA Today
Video catches former megachurch pastor sneaking into woman's home in stalking case
Video catches former megachurch pastor sneaking into woman's home in stalking case Show Caption Hide Caption Virginia megachurch pastor convicted for stalking caught on camera A former Virginia pastor was convicted of stalking a female churchgoer. Video from 2023 shows him entering the woman's home while she's away. The former pastor of a Virginia megachurch has been convicted of burglary and stalking after video captured him sneaking into the home of a previous member of his congregation. A Virginia jury found Sergio Guardia, 49, guilty of the charges on March 12, according to court records obtained by USA TODAY. His sentencing is scheduled for Aug. 20. The woman he was convicted of stalking, Marie Columna, told WSET-TV that Guardia entered her home when she was out of town on Nov. 10 and 11 back in 2023. At the time, Columna was a phone notification woke Columna up telling her a man was inside her home, she said. 'I just was yelling, 'There's a guy in my house,'" she said. Following Guardia's conviction, Columna told the outlet: "I do feel like I've gotten my power back, power that he took." Guardia's attorney did not immediately respond to USA TODAY's request for comment on Friday. Former congregant says trouble started after divorce Columna told WSET-TV that Guardia was her pastor at the Spanish-language campus of Thomas Road Baptist Church in Lynchburg, Virginia, until she left in 2016. She said she left the church because Guardia repeatedly made her feel uncomfortable. 'It all started when my divorce was finalized," she told WSET-TV. "He was coming to my house ... to help me." And then at some point, it became clear he wanted more. She said that his pattern of stalking went on for around six years before she caught him on camera. She said the way the church responded to the allegations against Guardia was frustrating. Thomas Road Baptist Church did not immediately respond to USA TODAY's request for comment on Friday. "Their response towards me was negative. They were supportive of him," Columna said, adding that she hopes her story helps others. "As powerful as that position of authority as a pastor may seem and as powerful as that church may seem, (victims) have power, too," she said. Fernando Cervantes Jr. is a trending news reporter for USA TODAY. Reach him at and follow him on X @fern_cerv_.
