A client’s Latino father is having a hard time getting a job. Everywhere he goes, he is told that he needs to have a Social Security number or driver’s license. What should you do?
This is one of several exercises discussed at the Multicultural Heritage Center of Daviess County’s Multicultural Workshop Tuesday. Presenter Maura Robinson, a native of Venezuela who is a licensed social worker, adjunct teacher at the University of Evansville and business owner, discussed the differences between Latino and North American culture — and how the two cultures can work together for the good of the community.
Attending were representatives from Daviess Community Hospital, Eastgate Manor, American Family Insurance, Advance Manufacturing Productivity Center and the city of Washington.
“We represent everyone in the city of Washington, and we want to be able to serve all cultures,” said Mayor Larry Haag.
Latinos have come to America because of political unrest in their native lands, economic hardship, guerrilla warfare and military repression, said Robinson.
The 2000 census showed 242,518 documented Latino immigrants and 45,000 undocumented in Indiana, and those numbers are growing, she continued, so it’s important for communities to understand and work with Latino cultures for economic growth.
Latinos think more in terms of groups and families rather than individuals when making decisions. They prefer to keep smooth social relationships so will usually agree with whatever a person in leadership says, even if they intend to do something else. They also tend to believe that there is little a person can do to alter fate.
Therefore, hospitals and schools need to work with the whole family when expecting activities unusual in the Latino culture — like putting babies in car seats, keeping children in school or not leaving very young children at home alone, said Robinson. Police officers and firefighters need to build relationships within the Latino community since Latinos generally fear law enforcement and don’t understand how the American legal system works.
After the workshop, participants discussed the possibility of community identifications to help Latinos get jobs, and getting Latino community leaders involved in future workshops.
Robinson will continue the workshop series Oct. 1, 8 and 22. The Multicultural Heritage Center, part of Daviess County Partnership, is sponsoring the series of workshops through a Daviess County Community Foundation grant to reduce barriers and build a stronger, healthier community, said center coordinator Mary Swarn.
For more information or to volunteer with the Multicultural Heritage Center of Daviess County, contact Swarn at 257-2656. The center meets at 4 p.m. every third Wednesday at their office at 108 Southside Ave.
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Maura Robinson discusses the challenges facing Latino’s living in Washington---Photo by Sally Petty.
Discussion
Daviess County Multicultural Heritage Center holds workshop
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