Website connects Latino community with services

Ligia Gomez, a native of Colombia who after 20 years of residence calls Cincinnati home, is one of more than 8,000 people of Hispanic or Latino heritage in Cincinnati, according to US census data. A former healthcare worker, Gomez says she became aware of the difficulties that many Latino families face when trying to locate and access culturally compatible services delivered in their native language. “Their needs are great,” she says. “I wanted to find a way to help those families.”
 
Gomez now teaches Spanish for social workers at the University of Cincinnati, helping to ensure that the next generation of providers can more easily address the needs of a growing Latino population. Her contributions to supporting Latino families don’t end with teaching, however. Gomez is also the Chair of the Greater Cincinnati Latino Coalition, which collects and shares resource information online.
 
The coalition’s website acts as a central location for community resource information, including social and legal services, religious congregations and bilingual services in a city where Latinos and Hispanics represent about 2.7 percent of the total population. “Latino communities can be found in various neighborhoods in the area,” says Gomez. “We depend on our website to reach those communities, especially low-income families who are struggling.”
 
Since the coalition began in 2005, the local Latino population has continued to grow and more services have become available. As a result, the group’s website could use a makeover. “The coalition is looking for a website developer to make some much-needed changes to both its functioning and content,” says Gomez. “An updated site would enhance our ability to reach families and individuals who need assistance, providing them with timely and centralized information.”

As a non-profit, the coalition is looking for a website developer to donate the time and skills needed to make an updated and fully functional site a reality.
 
While the organization’s website is central to its mission of helping Latino families, the coalition also hosts a series of monthly meetings featuring experts on topics ranging from immigration to economic development and more. These meetings are open to the public, and work to bring people together through education concerning issues that face Latinos. “The meetings provide a regular forum for highlighting services and community resources,” says Gomez.
 
Although the coalition is currently challenged by a lack of technical resources to improve their website, it is gaining recognition for its work. On May 18, the GCLC will be honored with an organizational award at Santa Maria Community Services’ annual Bienestar, an event that recognizes both individuals and organizations that have done outstanding work to enhance access to health and educational resources for Hispanics and Latinos. “We are very proud to receive this award,” says Gomez.
 
There are many ways to become active with the GCLC. When it comes to volunteers, the coalition is looking for anyone who is interested in helping the community’s growing Latino population. In addition, donations are welcome, as are community experts willing to serve as speakers for their monthly meetings. Gomez says, “We encourage people to become part of the cause by contributing time, funds or skills to help Latino families living in Cincinnati.”
 
Do Good:

If you or your company have website design skills, consider donating your time and services to the GCLC’s website redesign.

Donate. Your dollars help fund important work for Latino families and individuals

Get educated. Attend a meeting to learn more about issues facing Latino populations and find out how you can help.
 
By Deidra Wiley Necco