LA CAUSA, INC. ANNOUNCES GEORGE A. TORRES AS IT’S CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER

Milwaukee—La Causa, Inc.’s Board of Directors announced today that Mr. George A. Torres, a Milwaukee native, has been named CEO of La Causa, Inc. Mr. Torres who has served as the director of the Department of Transportation & Public Works for Milwaukee County since 2003, will assume his position on January 5th.

Founded in 1972, La Causa is a bilingual, multicultural agency committed to providing comprehensive services that support healthy child and family development. La Causa offers a wide range of program services that include: Early Education and Care Center for ages 4 weeks to 12 years of age, K5-8th Grade Bilingual Charter School, 24-hour 7 days a week Crisis Nursery and Respite Center, Family Resource Center, Social Services and Child Welfare programs. These programs provide a variety of services including child care, education, family support, training, clinical treatment, foster care, safety services, wraparound, child abuse prevention, and family development.

“I am eager to develop relationships with business and community leaders that can further contribute to the success of this community. La Causa is committed to providing children and families with quality comprehensive services to nurture healthy family life and enhance community stability. I certainly want to focus my energy on our services to children and families making available the best resources that will ultimately benefit our community as a whole,” said George A. Torres.

“We selected Mr. Torres after an extensive national search that began in December of 2007. The executive search committee was made up of three board members and nine representatives from foundations, corporations and government. The process we went through made it very clear that George was the right person to lead La Causa. He has extensive leadership experience in the public and private sector as well as the academic area. In addition George was born and raised right in this area and he understands the opportunities and challenges facing this community,” said Board Chairperson, Mike Falbo.

Mr. Torres will be succeeding, Hugo Cardona, who will be retiring on June 30, 2009. Mr. Cardona joined La Causa in what were challenging times for the organization. Hugo and his wife Gloria moved to Milwaukee in 2004 and he committed to turn the organization around. In his five-years here he was able to turnaround La Causa completely; erasing the $2.6 million deficit, reducing the debt by $5 million, and securing the funds for the $2.5 million school expansion that will be completed in June 2009. La Causa’s chairperson said the organization will be indebted to Hugo for all of his great work.

In his position with Milwaukee County, Mr. Torres was responsible for eight divisions including General Mitchell International, Highway Operations, Milwaukee County Transit Systems, Architects and Engineering and other major divisions; encompassing 600 plus employees and $350 million in budgets. Prior to his position at the County’s Department of Transportation & Public Works, Mr. Torres held several division head positions with the Department of Public Works in the cities of Milwaukee and Brookfield as well as the Department of Transportation in Waukesha County. Mr. Torres received a Masters in Business Management from Cardinal Stritch University. He also holds a B.S. in Business Administration and certifications in Labor Arbitration, Engineering Principles, is a Wisconsin Certified Public Manager and is also certified as a Senior Human Resources Professional. In addition Mr. Torres is on the faculty at both Cardinal Stritch University’s College of Business and Management, and Ottawa University in Brookfield and sits on numerous Commissions, including the Regional Transportation Authority (RTA) representing the County Executive.

La Causa, Inc. provides childcare, K5 – 8th Grade education, child abuse prevention, family support services, social services, and child welfare programs to children and families in one of the least advantaged, yet diverse, areas of Milwaukee. Some of this premier nonprofit organization’s initiatives include a bilingual Charter School, Wisconsin’s first bilingual childcare center accredited by the National Association for the Education of Young Children, a Family Resource Center and a 24-hour Crisis Nursery.