Richard Abisla grew up on the peninsula of Cape Cod, Massachusetts. He graduated from the University of Chicago with a Bachelors in Spanish Language and Literature in 2002 and is proud to have devoted the last two years to increasing technology access and education for some of the hemispheres most impressive grassroots groups. Concurrently he also has cultivated his interests in organic farming, taught English and Spanish, and has been teaching himself French and Portuguese. His interests include m! usic, literary translation, the expansion of civil rights, supporting local business, and Latin American history.

Crystal is currently a third-year undergraduate student at the University of Chicago. She participated in NOWRIDER, a program in which she and other students converted a van to run on vegetable fuel and drove it across the country, hosting environmental awareness workshops. She speaks Spanish and Portuguese.

 

Matt Ginsberg-Jaeckle recently graduated in Latin American History from the University of Chicago. He has been active in the anti-corporate-globalization movement for six years. He co-founded the Palabras y Acciones popular education project in Honduras, has worked as a human rights observer in Chiapas, Mexico and throughout Honduras, and currently is gaining experience as a tenant organizer on Chicago's South Side. He is fluent in Spanish, is learning Portuguese, plays jazz piano, and works part time at a community technology center in Chicago's North Lawndale neighborhood.

Chris graduated from the University of Chicago in 2002 with a BA in International Studies, and he is currently pursuing a MA in Latin American Studies at the University of Texas at Austin. He was a co-facilitator for the computer-training seminars in Honduras and in Jamaica. Chris has several years of experience working with youth programming, development and communication. He is fluent in Spanish and Portuguese.

Della Moran, a founding member of the Rising Roots Coordinating Team, develops strategies for creating sustainable communities. Her interests include urban gardening, seeking alternatives in economic structures and urban housing. Della currently works to organize tenants in Chicago neighborhoods threatened by gentrification and sits on the board for a group starting an affordable housing cooperative. She has a wonderful family in Omaha, Nebraska which is growing and growing.

Tarik Perkins grew up on the island of Jamaica and has been active in various social movements from a very early age. Tarik received his B.A. in Economics from the University of Chicago at nineteen, and is currently working on an M.A. in Latin American Studies at Georgetown University. He has experience working as a Business and IT consultant, is talented in web-design, and fluent in Spanish and Portuguese, and he also speaks some French.

Jillian received her B.A. in Sociology from the University of Chicago in 2002. She is currently attending an M.A. program in the Social Sciences there as well. Her academic interest lies in the criminal justice system and urban poverty. She has experience administering technology training programs for marginalized populations, technology assistance and web-design.