Background

This project, with its many activities, addresses the issues of cultural isolation and language barriers presented by the new population of Latino immigrants coming to the rural resort areas of Colorado. The project assists and trains individuals, advocates for fair treatment for Latinos (including working for the hiring of Spanish-speaking staff in public agencies), and builds bridges and coalitions between the Anglo and Latino cultures. It provides services in four areas: health and human services, education, business, and public safety/immigration. The project seeks to identify and build on the assets and capabilities of the Latino community, fostering a regional cross-sectoral, collaborative problem-solving approach that encourages the Latino and Anglo community to see each other as resources.

Narrative

The mission of Asistencia para Latinos is to empower the Latino community towards self-sufficiency through service, education, advocacy, and inter-agency collaboration. The Winds of Change is a movement developed by Asistencia para Latinos to address the issues of cultural isolation and language barriers presented by the new population of immigrants coming to the rural resort areas of Colorado.
The Spanish-speaking population of the Roaring Fork Valley (from the city of Aspen to Parachute) has increased from about 500 to approximately 12,000 in the past five years; many are first-generation immigrants from Mexico, El Salvador, Belize, and other Latin American countries. This represents a challenge to both the new residents and the existing community, which has previously experienced very little cultural diversity. As this minority group grows, a lack of communication skills, lack of respect, and a lack of understanding of cultural traditions has become apparent between the Latino and Anglo communities. The Winds of Change program addresses this situation with thoroughness and creativity. It advocates, encourages, and facilitates a new concept of the Latino community. It promotes a regional cross-sectoral, collaborative problem solving approach that encourages the Latino and Anglo communities to see each other as resources. The program facilitates businesses, nonprofit organizations, local governments, and citizens in meeting the needs of the rural resort Latino population, while also educating the Anglo community on the assets of the Latino population.

Through the program's advocacy, businesses and public agencies have increased their number of Spanish-speaking staff. Now every human services agency in Pitkin County has a bilingual staff person. Two Latin American festivals were conducted with a total attendance of over 6,000 people. A new coalition of 100 people, professionals, educators, law enforcement, and community members, Latinos and Anglos, have come together to work on issues affecting the Latino community, and the issue of integration of both communities. Partnerships between law enforcement and Latino youth have been created to address the issues of crime and violence. The private sector, particularly the banking industry, is directing efforts toward economic development of the local Latino community.

Impact

• Over 5,000 people have received services;
• Every human service agency in Pitkin county now has a bilingual staff person;
• In past 2 years, 10 small Latino-owned businesses have opened in the area;
• 2 Latin American Festivals were held, total attendance of over 6,000 people;
• Program serves 5 counties.

Sustainability

The project has been successful in bringing about considerable institutional change to the area in which it operates. For example, all social service agencies now have bilingual staff members, and the Latin American Festivals seem likely to continue. Some of the advances are intangible: the program has promoted a community norm of equity in service provision, increased the sense of pride of the Latino population, devised ways to develop mutual respect, and has assisted the Latino and Anglo community in recognizing the economic and social power within the Latino population. All these factors suggest a more promising outlook for the long-term integration of this overwhelmingly immigrant population into the mainstream than would have been possible without these efforts. The initiative's local, grassroots character and diversified funding base should also add to its sustainability.

Contact

Asistencia para Latinos
1512 Grand Avenue, Suite 110
Glenwood Springs
Colorado
USA
81601
(970) 945-4060

Sponsor

Asistencia para Latinos, Glenwood Springs, Colorado
Jackie Morales, Executive Director
1512 Grand Avenue, Suite 110
Glenwood Springs
CO
USA
81601
(970) 945-4060

Partners

County, state, local, and national governments
Morales, Jackie
1512 Grand Avenue, Suite 110
Glenwood Springs
CO
USA
81601
(970) 945-4060

The Aspen Foundation; Norwest, Colorado National, and Alpine banks
Munoz, Lidia
1512 Grand Avenue, Suite 110
Glenwood Springs
CO
USA
81601
(970) 945-4060

Many community organizations and coalitions