April 29, 2003
Hispanic/Latino Group meeting
LaHacienda
Attending were: Jamie Thompson, Andy
Melendez, Danielle Blanck, Chris Angelo, Tom White, Raquel White, and Art
Schneider.
Contact for Emergencies--Chris noted a
correction is need on the sheet with emergency contacts to be given to Spanish
speaking people. It will be corrected in future printings.
English As Second Language-Jamie Huff served
as a missionary in Japan and is offering free English classes at First Baptist
Church in Boonville. The only cost to participants is the cost of the books. She
has offered to teach the class here.
We checked with La Hacienda and staff, whom are mainly from Columbia, said
Hand-to-Hand offers the sessions and provides childcare.
Chris will contact Jamie Huff and see if there are needs outside of La Hacienda
that cane be met through Jamie’s offer. Jamie also will be kept on the mailing
list so she will be aware of future efforts.
Edusat-Jamie Thompson discussed the Mexican
government wished to bring Secondaria to the United States for Mexican citizens.
There are five subject matter areas and each subject matter takes about 18 weeks
to complete. At the completion, a Secondaria exam is given. Successfully
completing the exam offers significant occupational opportunities in Mexico.
This program also was noted and discussed with La Hacienda employees. While
there seemed to be interest, the Hand-to-Hand program met their immediate needs.
U.S. and Mexican business culture-Jasmie has
attended a program on differences between Mexican and American cultures as
relates to business. The Workforce Development Board of Western Missouri
sponsors the program to promote understanding of Mexican business culture. Jamie
was uncertain whether they could come at night. She provided the e-mail and
phone number for Havaca and Art would check on this.
There appeared to be some interested in offering it through the Vo-Tech Center
either as a cost or free program. Mayor Blanck said she would check on the
center’s interest in co-sponsoring and sheltering the program.
Other possible co-sponsors are the Boonville Area Chamber of Commerce, the City
of Boonville economic developer.
Master Gardeners-Jamie Thompson reported
that Master Gardeners are piloting a Master Gardener Junior program in Spanish.
It is to be ready in 2004. Group discussed possibility of contacting youth for
spring 2004 if the pilot is successful. Some concerns there are very few Spanish
as first language youth in the area at this time.
Chris Angelo is a Master Gardener and with fluency in Spanish may be a resource.
Conversational English Opportunities-Several
on the committee are somewhat fluent in Spanish and would like to improve their
skills. There also are Spanish as first language speakers who would like to
improve their fluency in English. Members discussed offering regular sessions,
perhaps once every week or two, of an hour or so around a particular topic.
Consensus to start this in the fall. First session would be at La Hacienda and
then group would discuss where to meet for future sessions. Sessions would be
from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Cinco de Mayo--Noted May 5 celebration of
Mexican Independence Day is coming up. Art Schneider said he would let the
newspaper know to see of a story could be developed.
Famous People Met-A bit of a digression as
Andy Melendez noted he had met Freddie Prinz; Danielle Blanck had met Al Jolson
and Rollie T. Farnsworth. Farnsworth was the gay drama teacher recognized when
Tom Hanks received his Academy Award for the film Philadelphia; Jamie Thompson
had met Earnest Hemingway; Tom White had met Neal Armstrong, Johnny Cash and
Chad Everett. This might be a topic for the conversational Spanish/English
classes.
Sister City-Art Schneider suggested the
group pursue Sister City opportunities. In an earlier e-mail on this, Eduardo
Crespi had responded and suggested Sayulita in Mexico. He is setting up a
facility for families there.
Members asked Art Schneider to check on both the formal Sister City program that
has an administrative fee, but also offers services. In addition, he is to check
with Eduardo to see if Sayulita may want to join the formal organization or to
pursue it outside the formal organization.
Eddie Brickner-Tom White mentioned that
Presiding Commissioner Eddie Brickner is interested in the group and may, on
occasion, join a meeting. Art Schneider said he would put the commissioner on
the e-mail list.
Meeting adjourned about 7:30 p.m.