Letter to the Editor: There is still a need for the Hispanic Center

Editor,

The 2005 annual report for the Hispanic Center states that 1,315 people were helped. This is part of what I do as a social work practicum student. Being engaged to an amazing man, this is one way to share my revitalized happiness and simultaneously assist the vital needs of the Hispanic Center to stay alive and to thrive in meeting the needs of the fastest growing minority group.

One of the purposes is to help Hispanics adapt to responsibilities, while yet gaining strength in cultural heritage. Leo Bravo, with help from his wife, has worked with the Hispanic community to teach them their responsibilities; meanwhile, collaborating with the community.

Certainly, there is a need to keep the Hispanic Center open, with Hispanics making 13-15% of the population and predicted to reach 25% by 2050. The Hispanic Center should be expanded to reach other growing minority groups.

My professors have cultivated in me the value that combined cultures can bring to a community, the enriched beauty and colors that cultural symbols can bring to the American flag. As my brother stated, it’s not about diversity, its unity.

According to news articles I read for a report; President Fox of Mexico, and President Bush agree that the labor the Hispanics do here in the United States is extremely beneficial to the economies of both nations.

The power is in our own hands to open our hearts and minds to realize they need us and we need them for reasons even deeper than our economy and deeper than the color of our skin. It’s about minds and motivations and humanities and hearts reaching out to our neighbors in need. As we do so, I believe it will almost be magical how they will reciprocate.

Though we have many things on our minds, as my military family has taught me, humans are capable of much more than they think. Therefore, may we contribute to this good cause in any way we can. Call the Hispanic Center at 753-8486 to find out how.

Celestia Sala