Blog
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Stand & Deliver Partner Profile: La Paz Chattanooga Wednesday, July 21, 2010
La Paz Chattanooga is the leading organization connecting the growing Latino community to the people of the greater Chattanooga area. The mission of La Paz is to empower and engage Chattanooga’s Latino population through advocacy, education, and inclusion.
La Paz advocates on behalf of the Latino community by creating awareness and building trusted relationships with partner organizations and individuals working to serve the Latino population. La Paz educates the Latino community to become self-sufficient, engaging members of the Chattanooga community through pre-conception and prenatal care, educational information sessions, small group interaction, client consultation and referral, and language and cultural exchange. La Paz includes our Latino neighbors into the greater Chattanooga community by introducing them to organizations/businesses that might fall beyond their cultural boundaries and/or comfort levels.
In the past several years, the Chattanooga community has seen continuous growth and influence on behalf of the Latino population. For example, the number of Latino children enrolled in Hamilton County public schools has more than tripled since 2000. A recorded 5,116 Latinos paid a visit to the Chattanooga Health Department in 2008. The number of Latinos employed in the Chattanooga metro area nearly doubled between 2000 and 2006, and more than 50% of the current Latino population are 25 years of age or younger.
Due to recent grant funding from several local foundations, La Paz has been able to heavily concentrate their work on the education and empowerment of Latino clients. For example, through the Entre Nosotras program, Laz Paz strives to empower Latinas by way of education and lifestyle classes on topics ranging from self-help issues to practical cooking lessons.
Last month, several women gathered to make crafts and other things with their hands as part of an Entre Nosotras meeting. Each woman was challenged to create a card based on one question: Who Are You? Your answer will be expressed through what you put on this piece of paper.
Marta said, “I am simple and shy to demonstrate all that I am and can be.”
Norma said, “I remember my Guatemala, I carry this image with me.”
Aura said, “I was inspired by the culture and clothing of Guatemala.”
Yolanda said, “I now know I can make something beautiful.”
Simply, yet powerfully stated, these women were reminded of details from their home country and were encouraged to share their story and experiences with others. It was through a creative outlet and fellowship with other women that walls were broken down and La Paz clients were able to open up with both themselves and their peers.
La Paz sold the cards crafted by the Entre Nosotros group to members of the Chattanooga community at La Feria Hispana, the organization’s sixth-annual fundraiser. The money raised through card sales was put back into La Paz programs, thus enabling clients to help themselves.
Through their many programs, one-on-one client management, and outreach, La Paz works to build tolerance, opportunity, and mutual understanding, so as to create an environment in which cultural acceptance can thrive.
For more information about La Paz and/or how to get involved, contact the La Paz office at 423-624-8414 or visit their website at http://www.lapazchattanooga.org.
