Leadership Development and Support
With Latino communities across the country suffering increased
hate crimes, racial profiling, high drop-out and teen pregnancy
rates and the deterioration of our nation’s healthcare,
Nuestra Casa believes that only through organizing in our
communities, by our community members and in our language,
will we be able to tackle those issues.
The Leadership Development and Support Program from Nuestra Casa is a
comprehensive strategy to recruit and support emerging Latino
leaders in the East Palo Alto community. We seek to build
and strengthen a broad-based movement for political participation/civic
engagement in our community. The project will support individuals
as they develop civic engagement projects in the community.
A key pathway to integration, civic participation actively
engages newcomers in community problem-solving, leadership
development, and democratic practice.
While participation for an immigrant or refugee often begins
with a collective effort among neighbors to reduce crime,
improve schools, increase access to health care, develop
affordable housing, or engage in artistic and cultural exchange,
we wish to expand political activism opportunities for Latino
immigrants. Participation can eventually expand to policy
advocacy and electoral work--testifying before their representatives
and helping to register and motivate voters--but our definition
of civic participation is not limited to these highly visible
forms of political involvement.
To become involved with the Leadership Development and Support Program, contact
Julio Garcia at jgarcia@nuestracasa.org or (650) 330-7456.
