Recent studies have shown that battered immigrant women are more vulnerable and face greater barriers to self-sufficiency than women from other communities.

For Latinas, language barriers, immigration status, isolation from family, the difficulties of acculturating and their own cultural expectations intersect to create multi-dimensional challenges. The obstacles specific to Latinas also present challenges to the organizations working to deliver effective, meaningful services.

The need for a coordinated initiative to assist the Latina population is significant. According to the 2000 census, demographics show nearly 30% of the residents in the north and northwest suburbs of Cook County are foreign-born. A large portion (47%) come from Mexico.

WINGS, in collaboration with other social service providers, and community organizations, is launching a new initiative called Suburban Latina Outreach.

The goal of this initiative is to address the unique needs of this group through utilizing bilingual, bicultural volunteers under the direction of a bilingual, bicultural Latina Outreach Coordinator. This person will help to facilitate access to services and to engage the Latino population in dialogue and community building in an effort to end domestic violence one family at a time.

With the successful implementation of this initiative, a higher percentage of services will be provided to Latinas with those services being delivered in a culturally relevant way.

The initiative has already garnered $25,000 from the Chicago Community Trust. In moving forward, we are seeking bilingual community members and leaders that embrace the Latino culture to help us.

For more information please E-mail Silvia Perez Manetti.