A Fort Bragg audience got a kick out of a new effort by leaders in the Latino community to provide young people with a positive activity while attracting a new group of visitors to town.
The event, Enlance Comunitaro, or “Community Connection — meet your Latino neighbors” was organized by the Alliance for Democracy.
Those who chose to make the hookup Aug. 1 heard about a long list of Latino-owned businesses and charitable efforts by Latinos that benefit the entire community.
The struggles and travels of Latino people were documented in a film and illustrated in artwork by Latino people. Hanging on the wall were quilts called “Threads of Life,” or Hilos de La Vida, which originated at the Anderson Valley Adult School. The Latino quilters tell elaborate stories in the colorful quilts, which they translate as part of the process of classes at the school.
The most energetic new effort was likely the Atlas Soccer Academy, a new soccer league that brings teams from out of the area to challenge Fort Bragg teams twice a week.
An effort that started last year with four teams has now ballooned to more than 115 players, too many for the eight teams in place this year, Helio Cen, a member of the board of directors of the league, told the Town Hall crowd.
A professional soccer team will visit this year to give instruction to youngsters and a professional coach has been hired. Games now feature referees.
Cen said the effort is much more than just sports and features a family day every Sunday. He said the effort will boost the health of youngsters, while giving them something to do and keeping some out of trouble.
“We are keeping them as busy as we can and as tired as we can,” said Cen.
Fort Bragg teams are arranged by occupation. One team is cooks, another gardeners, another painters, another all Fort Bragg High graduates and students.
The soccer league is an example of one of the many positive activities going on in the Latino community that leaders want more people in the Anglo community to know about, speakers said..
Hosted by the Alliance for Democracy, the First Friday event, drew a full house to Town Hall, with the audience split between Latino and Anglo peoples.
“The Alliance for Democracy is helping build a bridge with the Latino community tonight,” said Laura Welter, head of Safe Passage Family Resource Center.
Welter is working on the idea of a Latino leadership council. That group could provide leadership and interface with other governments and civic groups.
Teresa Rodriguez of Safe Passage described efforts by Latino adults to improve their English skills, which she said was hampered by College of the Redwoods” inability so far to provide needed classes.
Safe Passage has helped about 50 adults get their Graduate Equivalency Degrees in the past three years, many of the adults working with full-time jobs.
The event was organized by Irene Malone, whose roles at Safe Passage illustrate the wide range of services that organization provides.
Malone is family advocate for the Early Start Program, presenter of the Intercambios gatherings (bilingual discussions), facilitator of the Grandparents Raising Grandchildren support group and teacher of the beginning folk guitar class.
“I had participated in several discussions with Latino parents at Intercambios and in the Safe Passage parenting classes bout problems in the town, and when a mom suggested a positive meeting to begin to hook up folks from the communities, I contacted the Alliance for Democracy, and was given the go-ahead to put the First Friday event together,” Malone said.
Latino speakers described family values and community building efforts, such as the Latino business owners and professionals who fill key roles in the community.
Jim Tarbell of the Alliance for Democracy, liked what he heard.
“A Latino leadership council would be a good vehicle for people of the Latino community to become further involved in the politics, education and cultural life of the Northern Mendocino Coast. Participation of each of the various social groups in the civic life of the coast makes everybody”s life here richer and stronger,” Tarbell said.
Malone said she had lots of positive feedback from the Latino community too with lots interested in doing more.
“I don”t really have answers, but would like to be part of the process to bring folks together,” Malone said.
She says to call Safe Passage at 964-3077 to find out more.
