Tiempo with Joe Torres

On this edition of Tiempo, we discuss how the Tri-State area is preparing for the 2026 World Cup. New Jersey recently hosted a summit on public safety surrounding the colossal event. The Garden State's MetLife Stadium is one of several U.S. sites hosting matches. The conversation touched on crowd behavior, security readiness and community coordination. The event was held at Seton Hall University in South Orange and brought together leaders across professional soccer, global event security, small business development and law enforcement. The focus: to ensure the region is ready to safely welcome the soccer competition. The public summit is part of a docuseries called "Kicking it to 2026" that will document how the World Cup will impact the communities surrounding it. Joining us to disucss is Giovanna Aguilar, director of "Kicking it to 2026," and Kelly Brozyna from the New Jersey Small Business Development Center. Also ahead, a new program offers free libraries inside bodegas in the Bronx. The program is the mission of a nonprofit that wants to address the absence of bookstores and low literacy rates. They also want to expand children's interest and curiosity in books. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

On this edition of Tiempo, we discuss the importance of family-owned, home-based day care businesses in the Latino community. Over 85% of Latino infants and toddlers in low-income households depend on these home-based businesses, according to the Hispanic Research Center. The Women's Housing and Economic Development Corporation (WHEDco) is a nonprofit organization helping to address that need. One of their many programs is to help home-based day care owners successfully run their businesses. The organization offers extensive training opportunities for home-based child care providers. The nonprofit is based in the South Bronx and was founded in 1992 and serves over 40,000 people annually. Joining us to discuss is Davon Russell, president of WHEDco, and Ana Escoto, who owns a home-based day care. They talk about the critical role home-based child care businesses play in the Latino community. Also ahead, a closer look at the new off-Broadway production, "Public Charge." It's an autobiographical play that chronicles the life of a Latina powerhouse who rose through the ranks of the U.S. government to become a high-level diplomat and ambassador. The production explores the principled use of power and the belief that government can be a force for good. We'll have details on the play and where you can catch it coming up. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

On this edition of Tiempo, we discuss the growing homelessness crisis and its disproportionate impact on the Latino community in New York City. Hispanic people represent about 32% of heads of household in the shelter system, according to the New York State Comptroller's Office. [url HREF="https://www.projectrenewal.org/" TARGET="_blank" REL="nofollow"]Project Renewal[/url] is helping Latinos transition from shelters to stable housing to end the cycle of homelessness. The nonprofit was founded in 1967 as a de-toxification program and has evolved into a comprehensive social services agency. Project Renewal serves over 10,000 New Yorkers annually. Their mission is to empower individuals and families through three primary pillars: health, homes and employment. Joining us to discuss is Shannon Gonzales from Project Renewal. Also on our program, New York City's Summer Youth Employment Program (SYEP) has extended its application deadline. There are about 100,000 summer job opportunities available for young adults between ages 14-24. The city program helps keep youth engaged and active during the summer. We'll talk to one of the nonprofit organizations involved in the program and learn more about the many available jobs. And more on Teatro Fest 2026, the citywide event celebrating Latino theatre productions. The festival spans multiple neighborhoods in three boroughs with over 20 different performances, including musical comedies, children's puppetry and dances like tango, just to name a few. There's something for the entire family, and we have the details coming up. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

On this edition of Tiempo, we discuss the recent legislative victory for street vendors in New York City. New York City Council members recently passed a bill which makes it easier for vendors to obtain a license. Former Mayor Eric Adams vetoed the reform package before he left office. Only a few thousand permits and licenses are authorized in the city, and there are an estimated 23,000 street vendors doing business across the five boroughs. The vast majority of vendors operate unlawfully and without proper documentation. Proponents of the street vendor measure say it is an important step to remedy the city's broken vending system and to protect the city's largely immigrant vendor workforce as immigration arrests surge under President Donald Trump's administration. Joining us to discuss is Carina Kaufman Gutierrez from the New York City Vendors Project, a major advocate of the reform package. Also ahead, New Jersey's Public Schools Superintendent of the Year is Latino. Dr. Raymond Gonzalez leads the Westfield Public Schools District. The New Jersey Association of School Administrators recently chose the doctor for his exceptional leadership and vision in the Garden State's public schools. We'll talk to him about the prestigious acknowledgment coming up. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

On this edition of Tiempo, we discuss the potential impacts of federal funding cuts on nonprofit organizations in New York City. President Donald Trump announced his administration will withhold federal payments to sanctuary cities beginning on Sunday. The president believes sanctuary cities have policies that limit local law enforcement's ability to cooperate with federal immigration officers. A significant portion of the federal funds go to social services, education and housing, just to name a few. The decision has a major financial impact for many nonprofits in the Tri-State area. Joining us to discuss is Dr. Lauren Jen, assistant medical director at Children's Aid, and Pedro Rodriguez, executive director of La Jornada. We also catch up with the Bronx Council on the Arts, the official cultural agency for the borough. The organization offers grants, artist residencies and resources, especially for underrepresented groups in the Bronx. We'll have more on the council and the free workshops and programs it offers coming up. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

On this edition of Tiempo, we take an in-depth look at the capture of ousted Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and his wife Cilia Flores. The couple pleaded not guilty to drug trafficking and other federal charges in a New York federal court week. U.S. military forces captured the president and his wife last weekend in a military operation in Caracas, the capital of Venezuela. Since then, country officials swore in Venezuelan Vice President Delcy Rodriguez as the interim leader, after what the Venezuelan Supreme Court called Maduro's kidnapping. Maduro and his wife will remain at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Sunset Park, Brooklyn until their next court date in March. Joining us to discuss is Alejandro Velasco, an associate professor of Latin American Studies at New York University. We also take a look at a report from Nielsen focusing on Latino viewer trends in 2025. The company studies and measures audience behavior across all channels and digital platforms. The good news is that Latino viewers are driving significant shifts in media consumption, with a high usage of many streaming services. Analysts expect strong ratings for Boricua star Bad Bunny's 2026 Super Bowl Halftime Show. We talk with the folks at Nielsen to highlight the significant Latino footprint across American sports and pop culture. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

On this edition of Tiempo, we discuss the findings of a new report on how arrests made by Immigration and Customs Enforcement may be disproportionately impacting the Latino community. A new report released by the New York Immigration Coalition finds that agents with ICE unfairly target Latinos. According to research from the coalition and the University of Colorado, nearly 3 in 4 people arrested by ICE agents are Latino. The report say approximately 70% of those arrested by ICE have no criminal conviction or previous record. The report also found that an increase in immigration enforcement makes it harder for businesses to hire workers and limits potential growth for those businesses. Joining us to discuss is Mario Bruzzone, vice president of policy at the New York Immigration Coalition. Also on our program, catching up with Queens Councilman Francisco Moya. The councilman joins us to discuss a new development that he pushed in Queens designed to bring affordable housing to the borough. Moya also gives us the latest updates on the new soccer stadium that will serve as the permanent home for the New York City Football Club (NYCFC). Naturally, we will ask him about the impact of the FIFA World Cup coming to our area next summer. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

On this edition of Tiempo, we catch up with one local school that is on a mission to mentor the next generation of licensed caregivers. The Ideal School of Allied Health Care on Long Island prepares people for jobs like medical assistants and much more. The school offers classes in Spanish, and Tiempo has featured the institution before. The institution was founded more than a decade ago by a registered nurse who saw a shortage of caregivers, which impacts the quality of service for patients. School administrators collaborated with Local 1199 to create the Community Pathways Training Program. The program pays for nearly all the tuition at the school. Joining us to discuss is Nicole Laborde, CEO and founder of the Ideal School of Allied Health Care, and current students Karla Rubio and Leandro Rodriguez. Also on our program, more on "¡Wepa!: Puerto Ricans in the World of Comics." It's an exhibit that highlights the great Boricua legends in comics history. Three decades of comic book collections are currently on display at the New York Public Library. The exhibit is the largest collection of Puerto Rican comic book creators. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

On this edition of Tiempo, we discuss how one local nonprofit organization is helping families in need of food aid amid the government shutdown. The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, also known as SNAP, has been put in jeopardy since the shutdown. The lapse in funding has put more pressure on food pantries and afterschool programs to alleviate hunger for students and families in underserved communities. In a major development last Wednesday night, President Donald Trump signed a funding bill ending the longest government shutdown in U.S. history. The shutdown lasted 43 days. According to the latest data from Feeding America, about 1.4 million New Yorkers are facing food insecurity. The nonprofit New York Edge has food pantries and afterschool programs across the city to help with the ongoing issue of food insecurity. Joining us is Rachael Gazdick from New York Edge to discuss what the nonprofit has been doing to help during these tough times. Also on our program: We'll tell you about a new independent film, "The Veteran." The movie follows the story of a U.S. Marine who faces significant challenges after returning home from deployment in Afghanistan. The film tackles the many struggles veterans face after deployment overseas. We'll talk with the filmmaker about the work and its significance. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

On this edition of Tiempo, we discuss a new poll that shows President Donald Trump's approval amongst Latinos has fallen since the beginning of 2025. According to an October 2025 poll by the Associated Press and NORC Center for Public Affairs Research, the president's favorability has significantly declined among Hispanic adults since he began his second term in January. The poll points to a drop on key issues like the economy and immigration, which were major factors in his 2024 election victory. The poll was conducted between October 9 and October 13. It samples more than 1,200 adults across the country, and nearly 380 participants identified as Hispanic. Joining us to discuss is Renata Castro, immigration attorney and founding member of the USA4ALL law firm. Castro says optimism among her Latino clients has changed. Also ahead, we catch up with the Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of New York. Tiempo has featured the organization many times, and now Catholic Charities has a new leader who is Latino himself. Catholic Charities is a national network of independent agencies that provide a wide range of support to people in need. We'll have more on the organization and hear from their new leader on this program. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

On this edition of Tiempo, we break down what students and families need to know about this year's federal student aid form and its new changes. The 2026-2027 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form is now available. The form is a critical first step for students hoping to receive federal aid, grants and educational loans as well as work study programs. Technical problems with the form and delays led to major headaches in recent years. This year, administrators streamlined the form to make it easier to fill out. Here to help guide us once again through the form and some of the new changes is James Rodriguez from UFT's College and Career Resource Fairs and Francisco Garcia-Quezada from the NYC Regional Bilingual Education Resource Network. They have several FAFSA completion events specifically designed to help students and families successfully submit the application. Also on our show: The Dominican American Distinguished Awards takes place later this month in New York City. The inaugural event will honor Dominican leaders and visionaries for their cultural, entrepreneurial and social impact. We'll hear more about the prestigious event coming up. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

On this edition of Tiempo, we discuss a unique tool allowing people to monitor and be aware of immigration enforcement activity on Long Island. The organization Islip Forward launched the ICE Tracker in Nassau and Suffolk counties. The online tool allows community member to track and report sightings of immigration and customs enforcement agents in real time to help keep immigrant families informed. Joining us to discuss is Brian Delgado of Islip Forward. Meanwhile, we continue our celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month. Throughout the month, Tiempo recognizes the contributions and impact of Latino Americans to history and culture. Today, we share the inspiring story of a Latina who traveled from the Dominican Republic with a single suitcase and a dream, and now runs a media empire. Also on our program: Catching up with the Latino leader of New Jersey City University. The school has a large Latino population and it supports its Latino students through partnerships with various Hispanic organizations and businesses. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices