Build It and They Will Come...

Some three dozen people came to the Tuesday evening's Open House to check out the first Centro Latino Outreach housed in the lower level of the First Baptist Church (1205 Main St) in La Crosse. First and foremost the Center's hope is to help area Latinos assimilate into U.S. society and create good will.

Build it and they shall come... This pilot program was initiated to unite not only the latinos but our community as well. For the open house representative members of the following supporting organizing community groups were present the Catholic Charities Diocese, AMOS, both Viterbo University and  UW-L, and the Franciscan Sisters of Perpetual Adoration.  There were students, teachers, lay  people, clergy, interpreters, translators, neighborhood resource policemen and even someone who specializes in immigration law.  

( R to L)Viterbo intern and Center Director,   La Crosse Catholic Charities first Spanish speaking director and his wife,  immigration law specialist, and some Viterbo Spanish Club members. 

As we introduced ourselves and how we'd like to participate in this endeavor we learned a bit more about each other.  Some latino nationalities I remember mentioned included Mexican, Nicaraguan, Puerto Rican, Uruguayan, Cuban, Bolivian and Chilean. 

An informal welcome was given by a couple members of the Task Force including FSPA Sister Antona Schedlo and Víctor M. Macías-González, (pictured R) UW-L professor of History and Latin Studies, recent Wisconsin Teacher of the Year recipient along with being recognized for his minority mentoring achievements expressed the long need for this bridge between the communities and providing service learning opportunities  regardless of age.

Macías cited some 350 students identify themselves as latino in the 2 universities and that doesn't include Western Technical College. The Centro Latino is meant to be for latinos of all levels of education, professions/needs. Documented/ undocumented. Approximately 1/3 of the latter constitute the latino community.

The Center will be open once a week, every Tuesday 10a.m.-2p.m. and 6pm-8:30pm to be used as the needs present themselves. A survey revealed the desire to have English classes, counseling, a male AA group, classes on nutrition and diabetes, networking for small businesses, organizing for car pooling system, a co-op, social possibilities, etc... The two rooms will serve various purposes from computer usage, classes, meetings and for family events.

So the now the task becomes to let the community know about the Centro Latino's existence as a safe place to come for community and comaraderie for programming the latinos in our community deem necessary.     Best Wishes and Buena Suerte!

* Addendum: A very excited community member approached my Uruguayan friend Marta and myself at the gathering. This lady had spent the day with a newly arrived Mexican family. They had an apartment but no furniture, food, NADA. They had gone grocery shopping and found necessities like silverware, bedding, some beds, etc… but her main concern was the grandmother’s anxiety.  She spoke no English and was having a panic attack without the support of friends her own age. Marta called her that very instant and I know both women slept better that night… This is what this center will be about, making connections.