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Luisa Baars receives Hispanic Business Person of the Year Award

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Luisa Baars receives Hispanic Business Person of the Year Award

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Each year, the Rochester Hispanic Business Association highlights an individual who contributes to the economic development and business interests of the Latin Community in the Greater Rochester area.

This year, the RHBA has named Luisa Baars the Hispanic Business Person of the Year. 

Growing up on a farm in Puerto Rico, Baars often saw her mother treat people for their injuries. This inspired Baars to begin her career as an occupational therapist in 1959. In 1979, Baars came to Rochester, continuing to work with members of the Latin community through drug and alcohol addiction treatments with The Health Association and finding new ways to provide culturally appropriate treatments.

“I think we need to be providing services needed in the community, and demonstrate that there is a lot of potential for Hispanics to be active and contributing members of society,” Baars said.

After working for the NYS Office for the Aging in translation services, Baars founded MAS Translation Services in 1988 after seeing the need for translation and interpretation services in Rochester’s Latin community. 

“The good news does not get highlighted as much as when something bad happens, and that is unfortunate,” she said. “I think that there are misconceptions in the community about Latinos and Hispanics, and it is important that we highlight the contributions of Hispanics to this community.”

Visit rochesterhba.org to learn more.

— Genae Shields is the business and development impact reporter. As a member of the local community, Genae enjoys learning about newly emerging businesses and changes that impact Rochester’s BIPOC and LGBTQ neighborhoods. She also enjoys supporting local artists and nonprofit organizations. Contact Genae at gshields@gannett.com.

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