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Executive Summary: This document consists of a presentation and analysis of primary and secondary data regarding Latinos in Alamance County. The scope of this data is limited exclusively to the newly “settled” Latino population within Alamance County. This population is defined as Latino community members who reside in Alamance County year round and those that have chosen to make the County their home. The data was compiled by a team of five graduate students from the University of North Carolina (UNC) at Chapel Hill - School of Public Health as part of a community assessment, also known as a community diagnosis. The Alamance County Department of Health, Alamance - Caswell Area Mental Health Program, and the Alamance County Latino Task Force requested that the assessment be done in hopes that it would shed some light on the strengths and challenges of the rapidly growing Latino Population in the County. Another goal of the assessment was to determine the assets of and challenges to service providers in the County as they work to meet the needs of the Latino community. It is hoped that the information presented here will assist community members and providers in planning programs and interventions and mobilizing for positive change in Alamance County. The community diagnosis is a two-part process. The first section of the document reports on secondary data collected from the US Census, other governmental sources and local agencies. This section includes information on the geography, history and economy of Alamance County. Data regarding the health status of Latinos in the county and socioeconomic information are also included. The second phase of the assessment focused on personal interviews with Latino community members and service providers in order to incorporate their knowledge, perceptions and experiences into the community assessment. This qualitative data was synthesized according to common themes that emerged from the interviews. A small, informal survey of the Latino community members was also completed to help better define the demographic characteristics of this poorly understood population. This document highlights where information from the community supports secondary data and also where discrepancies occur. Because the Latino population is new and rapidly growing, secondary data collected within the last ten years does not provide an accurate picture of the community. In some cases, data regarding Latinos was absent or inaccurate due to data collection methods. In many instances, information not included in the secondary data was uncovered in the interview process. However, the need for more accurate secondary data regarding Latinos in the State and County is apparent. Many themes and issues arose during the qualitative interviewing of both Latino community members and service providers. The most far-reaching and polemic issue that faces Latinos is related to their inability to speak English at a functional level and the lack of adequate resources allocated within the county to provide interpreting services. Most Latinos in Alamance County are first generation immigrants who must face both a language and a cultural barrier. Because many Latinos do not speak English, some Latinos enroll in English as a Second Language (ESL) courses. These courses are offered in the Alamance Burlington public schools, at Alamance Community College and at some work sites. But for those who are still learning the language, getting oriented to new surroundings, accessing services and even going about daily life can be very difficult. Some efforts are being made at government and human service agencies to hire bilingual staff and provide interpreting services; however, the demand for Spanish speaking providers and staff continues to sorely outweigh the supply. The most common reason Latinos give for leaving their native countries is to escape depressed economies to secure livable wages. Latinos are respected in Alamance county for their strong work ethic. In addition to factory and construction work, Latinos are employed as carpenters, landscapers and several own their own restaurants and stores. One prevalent theme that emerged from analysis of the data was the recent and rapid growth in the Latino population. Latinos have lived in Alamance county for several decades. Many originally moved to North Carolina seeking seasonal employment as farm workers on tobacco farms. In the last ten years there has been a marked increase in the number of Latinos who choose to reside in Alamance County on a more permanent basis. A large number of Latinos are now employed in more permanent jobs such as factory work and construction. After securing permanent jobs and reliable wages, many Latinos send for their families to join them. The Community Diagnosis team also completed an informal survey of Latinos participating in ESL classes. Although the sample is very small (n=45) and may not be representative, the survey is useful because it provides a demographic profile of Latinos in the County in the absence of other more accurate data. The majority of Latinos in the County are originally from Mexico; there are more males (57%) than females (43%) in the county and almost half of those surveyed (47%) were between the ages of twenty and thirty. The majority of respondents (72%) were not married and 63% of those surveyed had no children. Almost all of those surveyed (95%) were employed. Finally, over 40% of those surveyed have lived in Alamance for one to three years. Because Latino residents of Alamance county come from a different culture and face challenges assimilating to their new environment, issues of prejudice and discrimination have arisen. Some Latinos face issues such as negative stereotyping against Latinos and anti-immigrant bias from other Alamance County residents. Those who face discrimination then become self-conscious and are fearful and reluctant to become involved in the community. Some Latinos experience tensions both with neighbors and at work. Housing discrimination is also an issue. Many Latinos live in substandard housing or in rented housing that is poorly maintained. Poorly maintained housing can cause health hazards. Complaints to landlords are commonly ignored. This is complicated by the fact that some Latinos fear taking legal action against neglectful landlords because of their undocumented status. Often, they are not aware of their legal rights regarding housing. Many Latinos who seek cheap housing end up living in high-crime neighborhoods. In addition to the language barrier, lack of knowledge about federal and state laws makes assimilation a challenge for Latinos. The primary legal concern for Latinos surrounds documentation indicating legal citizenship. Proper documentation impacts many facets of life including one's ability to obtain a driver's license, seek medical care and work. Lack of knowledge about driving laws also presents a legal issue. Another concern is the lack of understanding among Latinos of the legal system. Furthermore, there is a very serious need for Spanish interpreters who can help Latinos navigate through the legal system. The Latino population is relatively young and does not report having major health concerns. Most Latinos do not access health care either because they consider themselves healthy or because language presents a barrier to accessing care. Currently, several government and local agencies are making attempts to hire bilingual staff. There is also a great need to train staff members to provide culturally appropriate care. Those who do access care do so primarily for routine visits and for prenatal care. Latinos in Alamance County are a very diverse group made up of individuals from several different countries. They come from different cultural, political and personal backgrounds. An important revelation documented in this Community Diagnosis is that many Latinos feel isolated not only from the greater community of Alamance County but also from other Latinos.. The diversity of the Latino population and the lack of a central meeting place make it difficult for them to achieve a sense of community or to organize around important issues. Service providers are beginning to reach out to Latinos in an effort to meet the needs of the community. The Hispanic Latino Task Force of Alamance County is currently working to establish a Latino community center. It will continue to be important to promote awareness and understanding of Latino culture so that service providers can offer more culturally appropriate services to the community. By gearing services toward Latinos, Latinos can become more integrated into the community. The Latino community is a powerful resource for Alamance County. Latinos are hardworking and have a deep appreciation for the opportunities available within the county. A recognition of the strengths and assets of the Latino community in Alamance County will be important for addressing the issues identified in the community diagnosis.
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