Past and Present | ¡Latinos en Spokane!

Past

Present

Latinos en Spokane was founded in September 2017, by three Latino advocates from the Spokane community. Jennyfer Mesa, Misael Vences and Alberto Alberty. The intention to form a group was to connect with local Latino residents from all backgrounds and create a sense of community. We created an online space through social media to hold conversations, share information on local events, and provide information on local resources for businesses, immigration processes, community workshops, and to learn more about the Spokane community. The group was launched with 70 members, and in 2018 we grew exponentially to over 2000 members of the Latino community in the Spokane area.

Our social media space has allowed us to connect to the Latino community and gain an insight of community needs. Throughout this year we have partnered with local organizations like World Relief, Catholic Charities, Spokane Immigrants’ Rights Coalition, ACLU, local Latino businesses, and churches to provide outreach. We’ve held multiple immigration workshops on Know Your Rights, citizenship applications, scholarships, and Temporary Protective Status. In addition, we provide translations on local events and community resources. Many Latino businesses and organizations advertise their events and promotions in our group page. Moreover, our online group has become a trusted space where community members can ask for help, guidance, report BP/ICE activities and arrests, can inform of us on wage theft, and discrimination. Our group also serves as a safe space for community members to ask questions, inquire about employment opportunities, and where people can express concerns and provide recommendations.

Present

Latinos en Spokane works to support the Latino population in their integration, civic participation, and community development. Through our community events and workshops, we work with local organizations and service providers to help support the self-sustaining and empowerment of the Latino community in Spokane.

Our Mission is to build capacity within Latino immigrant families and support the advancement of Latino community members, leaders, business-owners, and organizations in Spokane; to address the needs of the growing Latino population through arts, culture, inclusive community engagement, and connections to local resources; to create physical, digital and cultural spaces to empower underrepresented community voices; and to serve as catalyst for immigrant rights, inclusive planning, and social/racial/economic/environmental justice for a more equitable Spokane County.

Latinos en Spokane Workshops, Community Forums, and Cultural Events

Preguntale al Districto Escolar/Ask the School District- 5/8/2020
Interview with Gabirel Munoz from Latino Civic Alliance – 5/6/2020
Cosechando Esperanza Food Bank, collaboration with HBPA – 4/19/2020 and 4/25/2020
Nuestro Bien Estar/ Our Well-Being, Lantinx Mental Health Collaboration webinar – 4/20/2020
Commercial Kitchen workshop – Kitchen Spokane 3/11/2020
Commercial Kitchen workshop- Sweet Box Kitchen 3/4/2020
Census Public Forum – Shadle Park High School 2/6/2020
Scholarship workshop by Maura Ruiz 2/25/2020
Posada/Christmas holiday event – 12/11/2019
Small Business Start Up Workshop- 11/20/2019 and 12/4/2019
Reforesting Little Spokane- 11/17/2019
FASFA Workshop – 10/30/2019
Hagase contar/2020 Census- St. Joseph Catholic Church 10/10/2019
Tamalada : Community cuisine event with over 600 tamales Latin America 9/28/19
Hagase contar/2020 Census- Comunidad Cristiana 9/15/2019
Community futbol: Drop in soccer, open to Latinos en Spokane community members 9/20/2019
Ethnic, Race, and Indigenous People’s Conference, Gonzaga University9/13/2019
Mi Tianguis de Cuentos y Canciones: Bilingual story time 9/7/2019
Journal of Gratitude workshop – 8/24/2019
Latino Youth Empowerment: Mentorship and youth identity workshop8/18/2019
Unity in the Community: Information booth on Census 2020 and Latinos en Spokane8/14/19
How to avoid immigration fraud – 7/9/2019
Latinx Mental Health Collaborative – Focus group with community members and Latinx mental health therapist 7/10/19
Homebuyers workshop – How to apply to loans and buy a home 5/22/2019
Scholarship Workshop – How to write scholarship essays and apply to scholarships 2/15/2019 &1/16/2019
Tax listening session:Understanding WA Taxes10/27/13 & 11/13/2018
Praxis KYRS Jennyfer Mesa & Breean Beggs on Border Patrol in Spokane 11/18/2019
Immigration Action Week at EWU: Latinos en Spokane- Grassroot community organizing10/18/2018
ACLU-WA Flights & Rights : Unlawful searches and arrest by Border Patrol at the Spokane Intermodal Station 7/23/2018
The Easterner: Volume 102, Issue 8 , Greyhound SearchesProvoke Immigration Concerns, Erick McCormick, Published on Nov 6, 2018
Know Your Rights Workshop:7/15/2018
ACLU-WA Flights & Rights : Immigration issues in Spokane County 4/18/2018
TPS Immigration Forum: Understanding changes to TPS and Assylum Process3/8/2018
Citizenship instructor workshop: How to support citizenship applicants 10/28/2017