LULAC Facilitates Voter Registration with Oportunidad App
July 12, 2016
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, the League of United Latin American Citizens unveiled its new Oportunidad mobile app at the 87th Annual LULAC National Convention and Exposition. The app will bring critical civil rights resources to mobile devices across the country.
“LULAC brings its 87 years of civil rights advocacy into the digital era with the Oportunidad app,” said LULAC National Executive Director Brent Wilkes. “With such high levels of smart phone usage in the Latino community, this app will be critical to bringing important legal resources and civil rights information to Latino communities in one easily accessible centralized place. We are thankful to the generous support of the Verizon Foundation and the partnership with the Immigration Advocates Network and Pro Bono Net for making this app a reality.”
Users will gain access to important civil rights information on immigration, civic engagement, and economic empowerment issues from their mobile device or tablet. In addition, users will be able to register to vote, access budgeting information and fraud protection resources, learn how to enroll in health insurance, and locate local immigration services via the app’s ‘Find Help’ feature.
"The development of the Oportunidad app highlights Verizon's passion for helping communities leverage technology to address real world concerns,” said Emilio Gonzalez, Executive Director of Strategic Alliances, Verizon. “This innovative and comprehensive app allows Latinos across the United States access to vital resources that foster civic engagement, connect them to quality healthcare and help simplify the complex immigration process. We proudly affirm our position as a trusted partner and resource for the Latino community, and look forward to helping expand the role of technology in improving communities nationwide."
According to the Pew Research Center, Latinos are much more dependent on smart phones for internet access than their White counterparts and typically use their mobile devices to access important resources on a more frequent basis. The app’s ‘Find Help’ feature allows users to access their nearest LULAC council or a network of pro bono legal help providers through Pro Bono Net and the Immigration Advocates Network through inputting their zip code or enabling the app’s geolocation feature.
“We are pleased to work with LULAC to offer easily-accessible information for immigrants and the Latino community,” said Matthew Burnett, Director of the Immigration Advocates Network (IAN). “Creating the Oportunidad mobile app aligns with our mission to improve access to justice for immigrants through strategic collaboration and innovative technology.”
Oportunidad is available for IOS and Android devices and is fully compatible for mobile devices and tablets.
About The League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC)
The League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC) is the nation’s largest and oldest civil rights volunteer-based organization that empowers Hispanic Americans and builds strong Latino communities. Headquartered in Washington, DC, with over 1,000 councils around the United States and Puerto Rico, LULAC’s programs, services and advocacy address the most important issues for Latinos, meeting critical needs of today and the future. For more information, visit www.LULAC.org.
About Verizon Communications Inc.
Verizon Communications Inc. (NYSE, Nasdaq: VZ), headquartered in New York City, generated revenues of nearly $132 billion in 2015. Verizon operates America’s most reliable wireless network, with 112.6 million retail connections nationwide. The company also provides communications and entertainment services over America’s most advanced fiber-optic network, and delivers integrated business solutions to customers worldwide.