The Morning Journal (Lorain, OH)
El Centro leaders host meeting to call for Latino unity
An effort to unite the Latino community in the International City has begun.
El Centro de Servicios Sociales hosted a meeting at 5 p.m., Sept. 25, at the Lorain Historical Society - Carnegie Center, 329 W. 10th St.
Barb Piscopo, executive director for the Lorain Historical Society, said that the goal of the meeting was to bring together leaders in the community for a common goal.
Victor Leandry, executive director of El Centro, and Maria Carrion, housing and property manager for El Centro, led the discussion. Because of a Coalition of Hispanic/Latino Issues and Progress (CHIP) meeting occurring at the same time, the meeting’s turnout was adversely affected, Leandry said.
Lorain City Council President Joel Arredondo, Lorain police Sgt. Rick Soto, Lorain Treasurer Terri Soto, City Council candidate Rey Carrion, former city Councilman at-Large Fred Lozano, Oberlin College professor Gina Perez, former director of El Centro Nelson Ramirez and other leaders in the community were in attendance.
“We toured communities similar to Lorain, and they eventually all came back,” Rey Carrion said of other towns with industrial backgrounds. “Don’t get discouraged; if you invest in South Lorain, you’ll see returns.”
“For this to work, it’s going to take a lot of effort,” Lozano said. “But it’s about how we put our resources together and make a plan; it doesn’t cost you anything to vote, so do it.”
The attendees then separated and sat at three tables.
Each had a scribe to share the ideas that their table discussed with the rest of the attendees.
Past efforts
“What do you remember has been done?” Leandry asked. “By who, and when?”
At this point, Carrion took over leading the discussion.
The groups acknowledged some of the ongoing events in Lorain that highlight Latinos in the area, such as the Lorain Public Library System, which has featured several programs in honor of Hispanic Heritage Month.
As part of its programming, the South Lorain Branch plans to highlight several Latina authors Oct. 5: Raquel Ortiz, a children’s book author; Gina Perez, who was in attendance at the meeting; and Maritza Molis Aponte, a nonfiction author.
One of the tables recommended a book that dealt with assimilation into the community, “Making ‘The International City’ Home,” by Pablo Mitchell and Haley Pollack.
The groups highlighted initiatives, organizations, people and events that they believe contributed positively to the Latino community in the area, such as Oberlin College, the Lorain Historical Society, Sacred Heart Chapel, Puerto Rican Day Parade and Lorain’s Pentecostal community.
Working in the present
“This is the time to envision and dream,” Leandry said.
The tables voiced a desire for more representation and preservation of the community’s history with Lorain.
Some in the group expressed a desire to keep Latino music and art alive in the community through books, articles and event programming.
Others wanted a permanent exhibit on Latino history at Lorain High School and Sacred Heart Chapel.
Another table suggested utilizing a moving museum that can be taken around Lorain or possibly opening a museum in South Lorain.
Some thought to preserving history by saving articles and establishing a website would contribute to the community’s goals.
Writing a book documenting this history also was discussed.
Religious and historic organizations have to be involved in telling the history, attendees said, due to the role of religion in the community.
“Social clubs should play a role in how we capture that history of Lorain,” Leandry said.
Understanding the power that Latinos have in politics and voting is important as well, Lozano said.
Introducing Lorain to possible plans
Carrion asked “Who that is not in the room should be a part of that vision?”
The group expressed desire to work with CHIP, Disciples of Christ, Sacred Heart, local athletes, city directors, the Hispanic Fund, retiring Lorain police Chief Cel Rivera and others.
The groups suggested sending invitations to churches of all denominations and several prominent unions from different professions.
“Include the backyard dog, if you can,” Lozano said. “Reach out to everyone, so at least it’s on their plate.”
Another meeting is coming, Leandry said, but a date and a time has not yet been determined.