The Problem (Extension)

The Problem

The US has been called "a country of immigrants" but despite the fact that
many cultures are well integrated in the US (because they share the same
territory), they are still strongly segregated culturally. This phenomenon
affects all races throughout the US, especially minority groups.

The Latino community is the fastest growing minority group in the US and
seems to be especially separated from the mainstream population because
they face enormous barriers in language, education, cultural expression, and
public support. Why are Latinos at such a disadvantage compared to other
minority groups? Because many Latinos in the US also lack formal
immigration documentation and other documents related to citizenship.

Latinos in the US are a young population and many are families (young
married couples and youth). This makes the this group even more vulnerable
and the lack of formal immigration documentation sets the stage for some
painful consequences. Division of the families is one of those consequences.
Many Latino families are separated because of the borders and we find
situations were youth are living alone in the US and can't see their parents
because the parents are not allowed to enter the US. This issue affects
Latinos in all areas of their life, especially the youth community. The last
report compiled by the United Way of Dane County's Latino Advisory
Delegation (2006) launched a great document that draws the reality of the
Latino population very well.

Cultural identity crises often affect Latino families. Many Latino immigrants
temporarily lose their identities while attempting to adjust to their new
country. Teenagers, who are dealing with their own identity crisis, are even
more vulnerable. The lack of cultural resources for Latino youth and the lack
of bicultural mentors and professionals available in the community to serve
them, adds to the difficult situation that our Latino youth face. The result is
often violence and other destructive social behavior (such as participation in
gangs, violence, drugs, racial aggression, etc.)

As Latinos struggle to have a place in the community and to have access to
equal resources and benefits, because of the mentioned lack of formal
documentation, the government does give them a legal Social Security
number with which to pay taxes and contribute to the US economy. So, being
in such a disadvantage, and without a legal status, Latinos still contribute to
the US enormously and their buying power is growing at a faster rate than
that of any other ethnic group in the nation.

We want to support this community, we want to empower the Latino youth
(the future of the Latino diaspora) and we want to do it in an integral way,
incorporating all parts of their development. We are convinced that by doing
so we will make the life of the Latino families more enjoyable, strengthen
their contribution to the US, and will build a more diverse, humane and fair
society for us all.