In 1975, Dr. Mario G. Obledo founded the California Coalition of Hispanic Organizations (CCHO), as a civil rights organization. The organization grew over the years, and in 1997 Keda Alcala-Obledo was hired as Executive Director of the organization – orienting the organi-zation to undertake the task of increasing the public’s awareness of domestic and international humanitarian issues. As a result of her efforts the organization became both a civil rights and humanitarian organization. Upon arrival she was successful in securing the organization a Section 501 (c)-3 tax-exempt status. Working together, Dr. Obledo and Keda Alcala-Obledo established a 12 member BOARD OF DIRECTORS and a five-member Advisory Board representing every region of the United States. In 1999, due to the nationally focused agenda and the intensity of their work, under the direction of Keda Alcala-Obledo, the name of the organization was changed to the National Coalition of Hispanic Organizations (NCHO), as it is known today. NCHO’s vision is to serve as an umbrella organization for all Hispanic organizations, providing support, counsel, and rapid response to the multitude of issues that affect the Hispanic community and others similarly situated. As its founder and President, Dr. Mario G. Obledo utilized his extensive experience in civil rights work as well as his access to the highest levels of both state and federal government to guide the organization.
The National Coalition of Hispanic Organizations is governed by a twelve-member BOARD OF DIRECTORS and has adopted as its official policy a prohibition against any form of discrimination based on race, creed, color, disability, ethnicity, age, sexual preference or any other form of discrimination. Some examples of the NCHO’s work include:
- Meeting United States and Mexican officials in a humanitarian effort to stem the deaths of people attempting to cross the United States-Mexico border.
- Creating a “Farmworkers Bill of Rights” that would protect the people who bring food to our table every day. The domestic farm worker is the most exploited working group in America. Constructing federal legislation covering the rights of Farmworkers wages, housing, ed-ucation, health, transportation and other issues.
- Working toward reducing the school dropout rate of Hispanic children – the highest rate of any ethnic group – by encouraging individual school districts to provide equal access to quality education and by fighting any legislative effort to reduce parental rights, parental involvement, or school funding.
- Working with the American Advertising Federation to ensure fair portrayal and participation of Hispanics in commercials, with television as well as printed media, in an attempt to increase the participation of Hispanics. Encouraging governors throughout the United States to improve access to the judicial system by appointing Hispanic judges in number commensurate with the Hispanic population of California.
The Mario G. Obledo National Coalition of Hispanic Organizations (NCHO) seeks equality, opportunity, fairness and justice in dealing with the problems and challenges facing Hispanics and others who are similarly situated in the areas of employment, education, health, housing and services in the public and private sectors.NCHO is a human rights organization made by the people for the people, and for the betterment of humanity.
The Mario G. Obledo National Coalition of Hispanic Organizations (NCHO) is a private, non-profit, IRS 501 (c) (3) tax-exempt organization devoted to civil rights and humanitarian causes. U.S. Presidential Medal of Freedom Award recipient Mario G. Obledo, founded The National Coalition of Hispanic Organizations, as a human rights organization made up by the people, for the people, for the betterment of all humanity. Former Supreme Court Justice, The Honorable Cruz Reynoso, also a Presidential Medal of Freedom Award recipient, serves as President of the Coalition. NCHO is the only organization in America that has had two Presidential Medal of Freedom Recipients. NCHO is devoted to addressing problems and challenges facing Hispanics and others similarly situated, especially in the areas of civil rights, employment, education, health, housing, public services and humanitarian issues. It seeks equality, opportunity, fairness and justice for all.