Contacts:   

Jerry Gonzalez, GALEO, jerry@galeo.org, 678.691.1086, for media inquiries.

(Norcross, GA) January 17, 2020 – GALEO wanted to update our community members on changes in staffing and update on our 2020 plans moving forward.

“After over three years of service to our organization and our state, Harvey Soto, Policy Analyst and Program Manager for Civic Engagement, will be leaving GALEO at the end of the month to take on a role leading a coalition of civic engagement groups in Florida.  We are happy that Harvey will be working to ensure our communities continue to have their voices heard and respected during this critical 2020 election cycle,” said Jerry Gonzalez, Executive Director of GALEO.

“In addition, Harvey Soto has greatly contributed to the success of our community’s civic participation with recent record Latinx voter participation in our outreach areas and increased presence of Latinos at the State Capitol.  For those contributions, we are grateful and wish him well as he broadens and expands his experience in our neighboring state of Florida,” concluded Gonzalez.

Harvey Soto added, “working with GALEO has helped me grow as an organizer and community member. I am so happy to have been part of the team that has helped increase Latinx voter participation to historic levels in 2016 and 2018, and I have no doubt the same will happen in 2020. Although I will be leaving for Florida, Georgia is still my home and I will keep up with your successes. I will not be leaving the organizing movement and will be taking my passion for voting rights and good governance to continue to help our most disenfranchised communities.”

In the last few days, GALEO discussed plans for an effective transition period and adjusted our staffing to ensure a smooth process as we continue our efforts for our robust 2020 Census community education and outreach and our voter education and outreach efforts after the Census.  During the latter part of 2019 and in the beginning of 2020, GALEO staff has increased to ensure we have the depth and capacity to move our work forward to ensure a complete count of the Latinx community in Georgia and record breaking Latinx voter participation in the 2020 election cycle. 

Jeniffer Chow will increase her responsibilities and become our Program Coordinator for Civic Engagement and will lead our team of four full-time County Team Field Coordinators and all of our part-time canvassing team.  With the change in role for Jeniffer Chow, we do have two full-time County Field Coordinator positions open for DeKalb and Cobb counties.

“I am eager to embark on the journey Harvey has lead over the years. As I transition into this new role, I am nothing short of excited to take on the new challenges. I have always had a passion for helping the community, and it is an honor to serve on this team,” said Jeniffer Chow.

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