Services, information offered at second annual event
The Arnold School of Public Health sponsored the second annual Hispanic/Latino Community Forum at the Richland County Public Library Thursday evening.
The event was opened to the public as part of National Hispanic Heritage Month to ensure that the Hispanic community understands current immigration legislation and knows about resources that are available to them.
Gwen Preston, assistant director of the Institute for Partnerships to Eliminate Health Disparities said she was encouraged by the turnout at this year’s event, about 25 percent higher than last year.
“From that, we know the community wants to be informed,” Preston said. “Having a space to ask questions is helpful to the community leaders of the Latino community.”
The Consortium for Latino Immigration Studies partnered with the institute and the School of Public Health’s PASOs to organize the event. The forum was targeted at community leaders, so that they can tell parents and families about developments in state and federal legislation and community resources.
The forum featured a panel of representatives from Lexington School District 2, Richland School District 1 and the S.C. Appleseed Legal Justice Center.
Tammy Besherse, staff attorney for the Appleseed center, gave an update on the status of Senate Bill 20 and the Comprehensive Immigration Reform bill.
SB20 is the state’s anti-immigration bill, she said; Appleseed and other firms sued to stop the law from taking effect, and appeals are pending.
Besherse also discussed the Comprehensive Immigration Reform bill, a federal measure dealing with border security, economic opportunity and immigration reform. This bill has not passed in the House of Representatives, and Besherse said she did not know if it will.
The bill includes a surge of more than 38,000 officers to monitor the U.S. border and an E-Verify law for employers to check citizenship status.
To prepare for the bill’s possible changes, Besherse advised Latinos to try to obtain citizenship; save money; collect marriage and divorce records; and collect bills, leases and other proof of U.S. residence.
Jill Lawson, a social worker for Richland School District 2, spoke about the resources within the school district that help Latino students assimilate and stay ahead.
There are many resources for Latino parents as well, including a GED program, English as a second language courses and basic computer courses, all offered in the mornings and evenings to work around busy work schedules.
Lawson spoke about other programs available to the Hispanic community, including guidance counseling, free and reduced lunches, class attendance and resources concerning health care, clothing, housing, job opportunities and scholarships.