Local News - January 2004

Hispanics invited to multicultural study circle

Published January 9, 2004

By SARAH GRANO, Staff Writer

————————————

Hispanics in Lincoln County have a new opportunity to learn about their adopted country.

The Lincoln Literacy Council plans to start a multicultural study group, which all can attend. The literacy council particularly has targeted Hispanics.

“I just want to give them a place to practice their English skills and to learn about the government so that they can have a voice,” said Dona Douglass, executive director of the literacy council and organizer of the study circle.

“Think about what they went through to get over here. I want it to be worthwhile for them.”

The group will meet each month with a new subject at each meeting.

At the first meeting, Lincoln County Manager Stan Kiser will present an overview of facilities run by the city government. The following meeting will have a speaker on naturalization.

Besides educating immigrants on the American government, the study circles will be a place for Hispanics to speak English.

“Many Hispanic people can understand English, but they’re not able to speak it,” Douglass said. “A lot of the reason for that is that they don’t have an outlet to talk to Americans.”

Many Hispanics work labor intensive jobs and then go home to their Spanish speaking family and friends, Douglass said.

Part of the goal of having the study circle is to help immigrants meet the strict English literacy and civic requirements for becoming an American citizen.

Douglass also hopes that the study circle will improve participants’ potential for employment and also encourage them to become involved in education and the government.

“I don’t want this to become a gripe session,” Douglass said. “We are going to push this toward a positive solution.”

Participants in the study circle will be asked to discuss topics like immigration and racism in English. Anyone who is interested is invited to attend.

“We’re stressing Hispanics because we have such a large population, but it’s open to any culture,” Douglass said.

Lincoln County had 4,000 Hispanics in 2003, Douglass said.

She hopes to bring in the Hispanic community by going to popular places in the Hispanic community, such as Hispanic markets.

“We’re going to shake hands and kiss babies,” Douglass said.

The first multicultural study circle will take place on Monday at 7 p.m. at the Lincoln Literacy Council office. The office is located on 326 East Main Street below the Lincolnton Post Office.

Another study session will be offered Friday at 1 p.m. for those who work nights.

—————

Staff Writer Sarah Grano can be reached at 704-735-3031 or sgrano@ltnews.com

——–———————

© 2001 Lincoln Times-News  

Terms and Conditions