About Us
Who Are We,
Latinos En Spokane is a 501(c)(3), non-profit organization centered on supporting citizen participation, culturally-led community development, and empowerment of the Latino and immigrant population in Spokane County. We have centered our efforts on community outreach, listening to needs, building trust and providing support and wrap-around services directly to families navigating the complexities of immigration, education, health care, housing and city resources.
Our Vision is to be a transformative force for systemic change, racial justice,climate action, health and wealth, to empower Latinos, immigrants and marginalized communities of Eastern Washington. Our Mission is to provide wrap-around services, building cultural landscapes, supporting entrepreneurs, organizing our community, and creating policies for justice and inclusion.
Belonging
We emphasize love, inclusion and cultural celebration
Trust
The Latinos en Spokane Center is a sanctuary of safety and support
Accountability
We strive for transparency and meaningful change
Disruption
We challenge systemic inequities, advocate for inclusive policies and dismantle harmful structures
Tenacity
We remain determined in the process for short and long-term impact
Healing
We address trauma, often rooted in immigration and systemic inequities
Liberation
We empower our community through self-determination and the pursuit of sovereignty
VALUES
Story and History
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.
Our History and Accomplishments
At Latinos en Spokane, our work is community-led, which means we continuously evolve and adapt to meet the needs of those we serve. In recent years, shifting circumstances have shaped our focus, pushing us to expand our efforts and strengthen our impact.
Through collective action, the dedication of our team, and the support of our community and partners, we have achieved meaningful change. Latinos en Spokane (LES) has had a high-impact year at both the state and local levels, driving initiatives that uplift and empower our community.
Latinos En Spokane
in the Media
2024
Organization Highlights
Latinos en Spokane launched new programs:
Emprendete - Food business incubator
Economic Empowerment - Empowerment Through Financial Coaching
Legal Department - Poder Legal
Hogares Sin Fronteras
Youth Program: Ser y Crecer
Driving Academy: Academia de Manejo Rutas Seguras
2023
Organization Highlights
2,092 Community intakes served through Latinos En Spokane Center
98,000 Pounds of food distributed through El Mercadito
101 Elders assisted through Activa Tu Salud
500 Individuals reached during open enrollment for Immigrant Health Expansion
8 Mothers and infants delivered through Doula health program
48 New drivers completed their drivers education course
80 Cultural and education events held in 2023
12 Free legal clinics in partnership with Spokane Volunteer Lawyers Program
11 Free Immigration clinics in partnership with Gonzaga Law School and Manzanita
$8,000 Spent on emergency and immigration community support
2022
Organization Highlights
1,602 Community intakes served through Latinos En Spokane Center
1,352 Families served through El Mercadito
65,000 Pounds of food distributed through El Mercadito
90 Elders served every month through Activa Tu Salud
12 Cultural events in our local community
11 Education & Empowerment events
12 Free legal clinics in partnership with Spokane Volunteer Lawyers Program
400+ Washington Immigrant Relief Applications completed
$448,900 Rental and energy assistance funds distributed through LiveStories and SNAP
$8,000 Spent on emergency and immigration community support
2022?
Valle Latino Housing Cooperative
2021
El Mercadito Food Justice
2020
Launched the first Center for Latinos and immigrants in Spokane County
2020-2021
Address the COVID-19 Pandemic
Our staff conducted COVID testing at pop-up clinics and provided food distribution to our clients’ homes. We observed this was insufficient in meeting the needs of the community. So in September 2021, we signed a lease for an office space. The Center became a medical test site and six staff were certified by the DOH to provide COVID-19 testing. We provided walk-in testing, six days a week at the Center from 9/21 to 11/22.
Community Comadre program provided:
Direct food delivery, covid testing, hygiene and mask distribution services
Elder care - weekly food distribution to vulnerable groups
https://www.spokesman.com/stories/2021/jul/11/how-the-native-project-brought-vaccines-to/
2019
Keeping Families Together
We are also committed to raising awareness about critical issues like children in detention, ensuring that their stories are heard and advocating for their rights and well-being. Our efforts aim to create a sense of community and belonging, ensuring that Latino residents in Spokane feel supported, empowered, and safe.
https://www.spokesman.com/stories/2019/jul/14/who-else-is-helping-latinos-en-spokane-works-for-s/
2024
Partnered with Spokane Public Schools to ban Border Patrol and ICE from campuses
2020
2020 Census
Immigrants were excluded from participating in the 2020 census. To counter, we partnered with Washington Census Alliance.
https://www.spokesman.com/stories/2021/aug/18/2020-census-finds-spokane-is-growing-and-growing-m/
https://www.nwirp.org/news-events/press-releases/posts/border-patro-agrees-to-two-35k-settlements/
2019
Keep Washington Working
In response to Border Patrol and ICE presence we led the first Know Your Rights volunteer outreach effort campaign in partnership with ACLU. This led to the passing of City Ordinance C35681, which requires immigration enforcement agents to stay out of non-public areas of city-owned property unless they have a warrant from a judge. We testified before the WA Law & Justice Senate Committee in support of SB 5497 Keep Washington Working, an act relating to establishing a statewide policy supporting Washington state's economy and immigrants' role in the workplace.
https://www.aclu-wa.org/news/victory-immigrant-rights-keep-washington-working-act-be-signed-law
Annual Organization Highlights
Latinos en Spokane launched new programs:
-
Emprendete - Food business incubator
-
Economic Empowerment - Empowerment Through Financial Coaching
-
Legal Department - Poder Legal
-
Hogares Sin Fronteras
-
Youth Program: Ser y Crecer
-
Driving Academy: Academia de Manejo Rutas Seguras
Community Comadres:
2,398 Community intakes served through Latinos En Spokane Center
91 Elders assisted through Activa Tu Salud
782 Health Insurance Applicants
Emprendete:
24 Educational and training sessions held in 2024
259 Community intakes for technical assistance
52 New Latino businesses in Spokane
Poder Legal:
123 Assistance at our Immigration clinic
157 Assistance at our Legal Clinics
El Mercadito:
142,012 Pounds of food distributed through El Mercadito
1,802 Families were served.
213 Small business were supported
Financial Coaching:
8 financial coaching workshops
19 new WSHFC first time homebuyers
26 empowered for credit score improvement, and 30 ready to improve their personal debt.
Driving Academy:
8 Driver 101 classes
148 new drivers graduated
2024
2,092 Community intakes served through Latinos En Spokane Center
98,000 Pounds of food distributed through El Mercadito
101 Elders assisted through Activa Tu Salud
500 Individuals reached during open enrollment for Immigrant Health Expansion
8 Mothers and infants delivered through Doula health program
48 New drivers completed their drivers education course
80 Cultural and education events held in 2023
12 Free legal clinics in partnership with Spokane Volunteer Lawyers Program
11 Free Immigration clinics in partnership with Gonzaga Law School and Manzanita
$8,000 Spent on emergency and immigration community support
2023
1,602 Community intakes served through Latinos En Spokane Center
1,352 Families served through El Mercadito
65,000 Pounds of food distributed through El Mercadito
90 Elders served every month through Activa Tu Salud
12 Cultural events in our local community
11 Education & Empowerment events
12 Free legal clinics in partnership with Spokane Volunteer Lawyers Program
400+ Washington Immigrant Relief Applications completed
$448,900 Rental and energy assistance funds distributed through LiveStories and SNAP
$8,000 Spent on emergency and immigration community support
2022
Partnerships
