Only a couple of weeks ago, the world’s coronavirus crisis felt surreal – a reality that could be easily denied as we did what we wanted and needed to do. Today, we are working in survival mode – re-organizing our lives to fight an enemy about which we barely know. Fear of the unknown and anxiety extend beyond ourselves and our families to the many families we know, love and support every day in our communities. Many of these families live on the edge with limited financial stability and reduced access to nutritious foods, safe housing and other basic need-related resources. These and the inequities within our educational, health and social services systems will widen gaps and increase needs and challenges faced by Latino immigrants.
La Colectiva was created based on the common needs and challenges that we all experienced in improving the lives of Latino families. It was built on the beliefs, and hope, that we can succeed by sharing our experiences, expertise and resources to create new opportunities and innovative solutions. Elements integral to success and sustainability include strong relationships, engagement of the Latino community, and approaches based on research and best practices. Collaboration is built on need, trust, learning and investments in each other and it takes time.
BUT – It is a different time NOW. Our survival depends on jumpstarting collaboration. More of our partners are imagining new, yet similar approaches. WE can use available technology in our organizations to connect to each other and build the needed approaches that will benefit families now and into the future.
Let us help you – Coronavirus Collaboration
Please to complete this short survey so we can support you and share with all the partners.
If you have been collaborating and/or developing ideas – please review the Collaborative Planning Team (CPT) description and use the CPT Idea Proposal Guidelines.
Connect with us at info@lacolectivadelaware.org.
In closing, I am thinking about what I have learned in my work over the last 13 years – the power of a hug – and the strengths and great resiliency of our Latino immigrants. While I will miss the hugs in the short term, I am assured that our families will teach us how to weather this storm.
Be well!
Dr. Christine Cannon
Executive Director, Arsht-Cannon Fund, Delaware Community Foundation,
and La Colectiva Steering Committee, Co-Chair