P&G Helps LULAC to Open Free 'Entre Comadres' Life Skills Training Centers for Latinas in the U.S.

CINCINNATI, Feb. 24 /PRNewswire/ -- Each year, thousands of Latinos move to the United States. For many Latina immigrants, learning new skills is key to helping them and their families successfully adapt to their new environment. Starting in February P&G and its Tide and Downy brands are helping LULAC (League of United Latin American Citizens) to create "Entre Comadres"—a program intended to help women have access to information that helps them and their families lead their best life in the country.

Through the program, LULAC and P&G are opening "Entre Comadres" training centers, providing Latinas access to resources for learning English as a Second Language, computer basics and personal finance, among others.

The "Entre Comadres" centers are located in Dallas, Houston and Los Angeles at LULAC community facilities and offer fully equipped classroom-style settings, including computers with Internet access, printers, video conferencing and other telecommunications equipment. The centers' course offerings vary and are taught by certified LULAC instructors, using leading software and curriculums. Each center is staffed by a bilingual program coordinator, responsible for personalizing the experience for each individual participant and guiding them through the process.

"We recognize that moving to a new place is stressful and requires one to learn new skills in order to have the best possible opportunity to succeed," said Alita Vegas, P&G Multicultural Marketing Director. "Latinas play a tremendous role as the gatekeepers and center of their families and we know that helping them is critical for the benefit of the community."

P&G teamed up with LULAC to help support the centers based on their ongoing relationship with the organization and the recognition of LULAC as a trusted partner of the Latino community. "Programs like 'Entre Comadres' open many doors of possibilities for Latinas in our communities, allowing them to improve their chances of securing better jobs, contribute more to their households and allow them to continue to be the strong foundation of their family. We are proud to be partnering with P&G on this initiative aimed at helping women succeed socially and economically," said Rosa Rosales, president of LULAC.

The centers will be open throughout the year and course offerings will be adjusted to meet the demands of each local community.  Participants can sign up for as many courses as are available to them. While the free courses are designed with Latinas in mind, anyone in the community can participate.  Community members unable to commit to course participation also can use the computer lab during lab hours to do research in the Internet in topics such as healthcare, job hunting and other.

For more information about "Entre Comadres" or to sign up for the free program options at LULAC, interested participants can call 1-866-606-6033.  Orientation opportunities will be available in each center. LULAC offers free tech centers to the community in many cities throughout the country and more information is available at www.lulac.org.

About Procter & Gamble

Four billion times a day, P&G brands touch the lives of people around the world. The company has one of the strongest portfolios of trusted, quality, leadership brands, including Pampers®, Tide®, Ariel®, Always®, Whisper®, Pantene®, Mach3®, Bounty®, Dawn®, Gain®, Pringles®, Charmin®, Downy®, Lenor®, Iams®, Crest®, Oral-B®, Actonel®, Duracell®, Olay®, Head & Shoulders®, Wella®, Gillette®, Braun® and Fusion®. The P&G community includes approximately 135,000 employees working in about 80 countries worldwide. Please visit http://www.pg.com for the latest news and in-depth information about P&G and its brands.

About LULAC

The League of United Latin American Citizens, the largest and oldest Hispanic membership organization in the country, advances the economic conditions, educational attainment, political influence, health, housing and civil rights of Hispanic Americans through community-based programs operating at more than 700 LULAC councils nationwide.

SOURCE P&G; LULAC