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Willmar Forum - October 5, 2010

CLAC conducts forums in an effort to assess and learn about the situation and needs of the Latino community in Minnesota.

On October 5, 2010 at the WAMM - Willmar Area Multicultural Market “La Cocina,” Executive Director  Hector Garcia and Community Relations Astrid Ollerenshaw joined a group of community leaders from Willmar: Al  Juhnke, State Representative; Roberto Valdez, Willmar Area Multicultural Market; Charly Lenze, Executive Director at West Central Integration Collaborative; Paola Janeth Peña, Community Member; Paul Schmitz, Administrator at Willmar Public Schools; Francisco J. Morales, Charter Communications Willmar, CLAC Council Member; and Jill Lara, Community Health Outreach Worker at SW/WC Service Coop. This community has progressed in terms of integration and participation. However, within the Latino population there are still issues that could be changed to improve their lives and future community.

Some of the ideas brought out as social issues of the Latino community faces were:

• In Willmar, 30% of students, out of approximately 2000 students, are minority students. 75% of the minority students are Latino (22.5% of total). The School District is engaging parents on an individual level by phone. The only group activities are the 9th grade and 12th grade nights.
• Low participation in civic activities from the Latino community, such as voting and volunteering
• Issues with Latino students at school, and low participation and engagement of their parents. Seems like there is no support system at home.
• Many Latino parents and parents from other immigrant communities do not know or understand the “American way of living,” values, and systems in general.
• Bad image of the Latino community; we need to show and look at other Latinos that are doing well, promoting their good behavior.

The group finalized the meeting with ideas for future actions including best practices based on prioritized issues with focus on the education of the parents and students, the design of an educational model for civic participation and well-developed citizens and civil society, a promotional plan for “Role Model Latinos” in Willmar, Minnesota, and U.S., and the development of strong relations with nonprofits and corporations to support strategies and plans.

Sitting: Francisco Morales, Paul Schmitz, Paola Peña, Charly Lenze, Roberto Valdez

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