Hispanic Heritage Month is quickly approaching. If you are Hispanic or simply appreciate Latino culture, this is your time to shine! Latinos are the fastest-growing ethnicity in the United States for good reason: we are passionate about people, food, and life.
This is your inside guide to local Southern California organizations that support Latinos. In particular, the list below highlights nonprofit organizations geared toward Latinos in San Diego.
1. San Diego Squared: SD2
San Diego Squared is designed for Latinos interested in science, technology, engineering, and math — or STEM for short. SD2 assists underrepresented Latinos and other racial and ethnic minorities in entering STEM careers.
Tap into the resources of SD2 and you’ll obtain access to educational opportunities, invaluable mentors, and additional resources. SD2 funding and support are derived from local businesses including Neurocrine Biosciences and Illumina. Surf the web over to the SD2 site and you’ll find funding opportunities along with informative STEM Capsules.
2. Metropolitan Area Advisory Committee (MAAC)
Launched in 1965, the Metropolitan Area Advisory Committee helps Latino individuals and families live fulfilling lives. All in all, MAAC provides services to more than 100,000 people throughout the greater San Diego area. The MAAC Pathways of Service include:
- Housing support
- Educational funding
- Economic development
- Local leadership programs
MAAC supports the overarching mission of enhancing Latino self-sufficiency. MAAC also provides programs such as the Unidos in Finance initiative to help local Hispanics start careers in financial services. If you are a Latino living in the greater San Diego area, this is your opportunity to obtain web-based job training and assistance finding employment.
3. MANA de San Diego
As a component of a National Latina Organization, MANA serves the binational region of San Diego. MANA is centered on helping Latinos thrive throughout the Southern California region through advocacy, leadership development, and education.
The MANA de San Deigo four-month Success Leadership Program for Latinas helps hardworking women thrive. The program makes it easier for Latinas to break through the glass ceiling, steering them toward leadership roles that create the opportunity to build generational wealth.
4. San Diego County Hispanic Chamber of Commerce
The local Hispanic Chamber of Commerce is the region’s largest designed to support Latinos. This business association has more than 500 active members and affiliates throughout San Diego. Check out the program’s frequent events for yourself and you’ll meet like-minded people, expand your network, and grow your business.
Moreover, the San Diego County Hispanic Chamber of Commerce helps aspiring entrepreneurs launch businesses. The Chamber holds a cafécito get-together every month, creating networking events for local Latino leaders to meet movers and shakers ready to rise through the ranks.
5. San Diego Foundation’s El Camino Fund
The El Camino Fund provides local Latinos with an invaluable opportunity to climb the socioeconomic ladder. The fund is designed to catalyze locals’ economic mobility for financial advancement. It recognizes local Latinos’ economic struggles and directly addresses them through a Camino, which means a road or pathway to success.
The El Camino Fund provides locals with leadership council guidance and resources, including direct grants for economic stimulus. The overarching aim is to begin building generational Latino wealth. The fund also provides locals with access to business capital, financial guidance, and adult education. Surf through the El Camino Fund website, and you’ll even find that it provides affordable housing initiatives for local Latino homeownership support.
6. Latino Community Foundation
The local community foundation for Hispanics presents a golden opportunity to join a powerful social network to bring about positive social change. The foundation provides grants to organizations led by Latinos, providing invaluable financial investment for business growth. It also has political aims to bolster democracy through Latino civic leadership and participation in municipal, state, and regional government.
Launched in 1989, the LCF is a United Way affinity group that aims to boost workplace donations to Latinos. For more than 30 years, the LCF has spearheaded several initiatives to improve the social and financial standing of Bay Area Latinos and has amassed the largest group of Hispanic philanthropists in the nation, investing more than $25 million in nearly 400 grassroots organizations.
To date, the LCF has connected with more than 30 million Latinos to increase political participation. Locals credit the organization with registering more than 70% of local voting-age Latinos to vote.
7. The San Diego Immigrant Rights Consortium (SDIRC)
The SDIRC is a project launched by the Alliance San Diego in 2007. At the time of this publication, it has 50+ organizations. The purpose of SDIRC is to defend immigrants’ human and civil rights. SDIRC protection extends to political refugees from Latin America. The aim is to educate and empower Latinos who’ve arrived in Southern California, arming them with the skills necessary to obtain gainful employment. Moreover, SDIRC engages in public relations work in an attempt to defeat the negative stereotypes of Latino immigrants.
8. Building Skills Partnership
Assimilating to a new culture and language is not easy. Building Skills Partnership (BSP) recognizes immigrant challenges and prepares them for the hurdles ahead. From education to language, finances, and cultural norms, Latinos entering the United States have plenty of obstacles to overcome.
This nonprofit organization assists migrants with the financial support they need for educational and professional success. In particular, the partnership enhances the quality of life for Southern California service workers who selflessly sacrifice their time, energy, and bodies in low-wage positions. These hardworking Latinos are the backbone of the region.
BSP programs are centered on community, the inclusion of immigrants, and workforce development. In total, BSP programs serve and train nearly 20,000 Latinos through in-person and web-based services.
Though few know it, BSP emerged out of the Justice for Janitors movement, which helped thousands of Latino custodians live with dignity. The organization’s pilot project was workplace training with the teaching of vocational English. Today, BSP has partnered with nearly 100 custodial employers, including more than 60 owners of commercial buildings.
FAQ
Q: Does San Diego provide support for Latinos and those who recently migrated to the area?
A: Yes! San Diego is one of the best places for Latino immigrants. The area has a rich Hispanic culture and dozens of local organizations that assist hardworking Latinos.
Q: If I’m not fluent in English, can I assimilate to life in San Diego?
A: Indeed, you can. The organizations and resources listed above assist with skill-building and job training that often include lessons in vocational English.
Q: If I am hurt at work or discriminated against, will there be a lawyer available to help?
A: Yes. Our employment and personal injury attorneys help both Latinos and non-Latinos overcome discrimination, sexual harassment, and other injustices through the legal system.
Contact Gomez Trial Attorneys
For help, contact Gomez Trial Lawyers today for a free consultation by calling 866-TRIAL LAW (866-874-2552) or by contacting us online.