The lack of integration of Latinos into mainstream America is growing rapidly due to the increase in numbers of immigrants and lack of cultural competency, both from the new immigrants and the established community. The Latino segment of the population is the fastest growing group in Indiana (19% growth from 2000 to 2004), while the total population is decreasing (-0.36% in the same period). This reality also affects the Tri-State.  An estimated 15,000 Latinos reside in Southwestern Indiana, with some 8,000 living in and around Vanderburgh and Warrick counties.  

Root causes for the lack of integration: 

1)        Lack of English fluency and general education

2)        Lack of cultural awareness, acceptance and appreciation in communities which drive:

       a)        Unhealthy living behaviors

       b)        Inadequate housing arrangements

       c)        Under-education

       d)        Under-employment

       e)        Gangs and social decomposition

3)        Lack of support and effective outreach from church and community

4)        Lack of advocacy leadership skills

5)        Lack of good citizenship awareness 

Nativity Catholic Church and HOLA (Hospitality & Outreach for Latin Americans) are partnering to create the Juan Diego Latino Center.  This center would serve as a centralized location to offer both pastoral and outreach services for Hispanics in Evansville.

 Goals:

 1)        To open the Juan Diego Latino Center by HOLA & Nativity partnering together

2)        To achieve integration and assimilation by developing the cultural competency project

3)        To facilitate outreach efforts from the community to improve health, education and housing by hiring a coordinator 

Primary Objectives: 

1)        Create the Juan Diego Latino Center Advisory Board

2)        Create the Juan Diego Latino Center and hire a coordinator

3)        Develop cultural competency project facilitated by the coordinator

4)        Hire two English and two Spanish teachers  

The Juan Diego Latino Center will function as collaboration among HOLA, Nativity Church, The Guadalupe Center, The City of Evansville and Mayor Weinzapfel, the Health Department, Ivy Tech Community College, EVSC, University of Evansville, Evansville Police Department, Rotary Club, Evansville Bar Association, among many others.

The long-term plan for HOLA is to learn from this project and translate it to the greater Evansville population with the ultimate goal of making Evansville a model of successful integration for the rest of the nation. Failure to act now would result in further segregation of the Latino community, which includes children that are American citizens.  This can bring higher crime rates (gangs and vandalism as an example), higher cost of healthcare, lower education and income and a divided and degraded society with a lower economic strength