This week, we would like to share our gratitude to the members of the community and partners who came together on Saturday, July 27th, at the Bridgeville Library to talk about the issues that most concern them. For the past year, La Esperanza and the Haitian Coalition of Delaware have been collaborating on the Thriving Newcomers project, a community feedback process for newcomers that is resident led and driven. Our community advisory committee includes 10 members representing the Hispanic and Haitian communities. Our committee members and organizers gathered feedback from more than 400 individuals about their top concerns throughout the Spring, then shared that data and led conversations about those concerns on Saturday with a group of about 80 community members.
The issues of most concern include housing, employment, access to childcare and immigration assistance. As several community members shared, “housing options are too expensive, but we don’t have a choice,”; “We pay (for housing), but our other needs are neglected,” and “I don’t feel comfortable in my neighborhood.” La Esperanza and the Haitian Coalition of Delaware will release a report in the Fall with the findings and learning about this project, sharing these stories and the experiences of our resident leaders as we look forward to how we can take action together.
Aprende del pasado, vive el presente y trabaja para el future.
Jen