Nancy Quero
Dr. Longberg
EN 102
June 14, 2011
Hispanic Center of Western Michigan
Being a Hispanic and an immigrant woman in this country, I felt insecure and fearful to confront a new world of living in the United States. When I first got here, I had so many questions and doubts. I did not know the language, how to apply for a job or where to look for help and support to make my life easier. After a couple of years, I found a small but very important Hispanic organization that helped me to succeed through the services that they provided. There are many people who still do not know about it, and I think people should be aware and take advantage of the different services that the Hispanic Center of Western Michigan have for Hispanic and non-Hispanic population. This center is making a difference educating the population and also its services are impacting the cultural, economic and political fields of the United States, since Latinos have become the largest ethnic minority in this country. The Hispanic Center of Western Michigan is a non-profit organization that mainly assists Latino and immigrant communities. Since its foundation in 1978, its main goal was, and still is, “to provide unmet social services to the Hispanic community in Kent County” (Hispanic Center). Also, its main mission statement is: “To serve. To educate. To advocate. For the staff, board and volunteers of the Hispanic Center, this statement means we offer services the community needs in order to bridge gaps in cultural differences, build self-sufficiency in individuals and families, and ultimately grow an integrated, stronger community together”(Hispanic Center).
The Hispanic Center of Western Michigan, “relies on public support combined with grants from foundations and local charitable organizations” to keep offering free or inexpensive services that benefit the community (Hispanic Center). These services include: Family Support Services, Adult Education & Employment, Youth Services, Immigration Rights Program, Civic Engagement Program, Interpretation and Translation Services, and Cultural Event Program (Hispanic Center). These programs were created to empower and improve the quality of Latinos’ life, to advance the education of Hispanic adult and youth people, to bridge differences, and to assure fair and equivalent treatment of the Hispanic community.
Talking about education, The Hispanic Center CEO Martha Gonzalez-Cortes says: “The Hispanic Center wants to increase the awareness in Latino Community about the education; the statistic shows that Latinos have a higher dropout from High school comparing with other ethnic groups” (Gonzalez). Also, according with The Sallie Mae Fund, a charitable organization, states that, “the percentage of Latinos enrolled in institutions of higher education is low. For undergraduates (ages 18 to 24), for example, 37 percent of Caucasians, 28 percent of African-Americans and 20 percent of Latinos are currently enrolled” (Latino Student). Moreover, a survey conducted by the Tomas Rivera Policy Institute at the University of Southern California found that, “many Latino families are not adequately planning for college prior to the end of High School” and this is causing Latinos not to have a superior education because of the lack of money (Latino Students).
To fight these statistics, the Hispanic Center has developed a Youth program that prepares students for college, helps students to explore opportunities through college visits, has workshops on ACT and FAFSA, shows students how to apply for scholarships, assists financially for college books, and many other things. The Hispanic Center is also conscious of the recent U.S census which states that, “Latinos represent more than 13 percentage of the U.S. population”, and estimates that by 2050, “one in four people in the united States will be of Latino Origin” (Latino students). These facts and statistics make the Hispanic Center’s purpose stronger about leading Latinos to a better education. The Sallie Mae Fund supports the Hispanic Center’s Vision about education, recognizing that people should support, “programs and initiatives that help open doors to higher education, preparing families for their investment, and bridging the gap when no one else can” (Latino Students). Through the Hispanic Center’s programs, the youth are prepared to hopefully be active citizens who will collaborate in the country’s prosperity in the future. A survey conducted by the same institution above found that, “most Latino parents (51 percent) would prefer to learn about financial aid in Spanish” (Latino Students), making the Hispanic Center aware of the barrier of communication that a lot of Latinos may have. To bring down the barrier of English, the Hispanic Center offers ESL (English as a Second Language) programs that teach adults the proper English writing, speaking and reading. This program makes parents more confident about helping their children with homework and projects from school.
In addition to expanding the cultural field, the Hispanic Center organizes one of the largest ethnic festivals in the state of Michigan, involving approximately 80,000 people. The main purpose, besides to collect funds for the center, is to, “promote understanding of diversity, increase awareness of the rich cultures within the Hispanic community, and grant your company [sponsors] exposure to a large market” (Hispanic Center).
A study by the Hispanic Business Alliance confirms that the Latino Community is still growing in Southeast Michigan, “estimating that Hispanics will make up a larger portion of the overall population, increasing from 2.4 percent to 7.3 percent between 2005 and 2035.” The study also shows the economic impact of Hispanic residents contributing, “at least $14.5 billion to the regional economy.” Moreover, the study “estimates that the economic activity of Hispanic residents in the region supports 281,053 total jobs in Southeast Michigan” (First-Ever Study). Dr. Lyke Thompson, Director of the WSU Center for Urban Studies and lead researcher on the study, said: “Essentially, for every 100 Hispanic jobs in the region, Hispanics help support approximately 95 additional jobs” (First-Ever Study). Contrary to many misperceptions, a report by Michigan State University’s Julian Samora Research Institute and the Center for Economic Analysis, “found Latinos have a positive impact on the state economy” (Latinos Have). Just as an example, some people think that Latinos are taking away jobs from Americans. In fact, Latinos are creating more jobs, according with a report from the White House Council of Economy Advisers concludes that Latino businesses create jobs: “In 2002, 1.6 million Hispanic-owned firms provided jobs to 1.5 million employees, had receipts of $222 billion, and generated payroll of $36.7 billion” (Jacoby). All these studies help the Hispanic Center to focus its programs to benefit Michigan’s economy, prepare and train Latinos to qualify for better jobs and give advice to Small Latino business’ owners for successful. Inside this economic topic, Martha Gonzalez-Cortes states: “it is important to recognize that without a preparation through college it is almost impossible that Latinos will qualify for higher positions in the future and the Latino economic contribution will be less than expected” (Gonzalez). Furthermore, Ruben Martinez, director of the research institute states that, without preparation, “Latinos are confined to low-skill, low-paying occupations” (Latinos). The Hispanic community is a group that keeps growing; the Census Bureau said that, “the group predicted to post the most dramatic gain is the Hispanic population” (Minorities expected). All the studies reflect the important need for Latino representation in all areas, especially in politics. In an interview to a local Grand Rapids newspaper, The Hispanic Center CEO Martha Gonzales expressed that, “the lack of Latino representation on political institutions, should now change” (Census: Hispanics). The Hispanic community needs to be heard through Latino representatives. There have been political changes during the last years, such as the 2010 historic elections for Hispanics. “For the first time ever, three Latino candidates—all of them Republicans—won top statewide offices. In New Mexico, voters elected the nation’s first Latina governor, Republican Susana Martinez. In Nevada, Republican Brian Sandoval won the governor’s race and became Nevada’s first Hispanic governor. And in Florida, Republican Marco Rubio won the U. S. Senate race” (The Latino Vote). Also, Sonia Sotomayor was nominated by the President Obama, once her nomination was accepted; she became the first Latina in the United States Supreme Court. These triumphs are not enough.
The Hispanic Center of Western Michigan wants these kinds of examples to be increased. All the employees at the Hispanic Center truly believe that is a goal that can be accomplished with preparation and education. The center also supports this goal by hosting a, “Leadership Development Program designed to build tomorrow’s leaders in politics, community organizations and state appointed boards and commissions” (Hispanic Center). In addition, the center persuades the Hispanic community to participate in elections throughout the voting season, having voter registration drives and providing voter information and referral services. According to the national House exit poll, Latinos represent more than 19 million voters, more than previous elections, which represent 10.1 percent of all voters (The Latino Vote).

Summarizing, the Hispanic Center of Western Michigan is really working hard to make a difference in the Latino Community. Its goals are clearly establish and they are being accomplished during all these years. It is time to contribute with this organization and let the people’s voice be heard, Hispanic or non-Hispanic. The Latino community wants to be seen, to be heard, to take action about all the issues that make the Latino’s life miserable. This is a great opportunity to support an organization such as the Hispanic Center of Western Michigan, which provide the tools to a better Education, that eventually will led us to a better future. In my personal experience, this organization helped me to succeed; taking ESL and computer classes at the center, giving me advice about economic issues, making me conscious of my Latino background, and the most important, helping me to take the right steps to college. Being educated and prepared, a person can go over his/her limits and expectations. At the same time, the Hispanic Center prepared me to plan for my son’s education, convincing me that certainly only with education, my son can be the next Latino business owner, a Latino leader in his community, or who knows, the first Latino president of the United States.

Works cited
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