Norton Launches Latino Outreach to Meet Needs of
Growing Population and their Growing Immigration Fears
May 7, 2007
Norton lleva servicios de su oficina a sitios de la comunidad

Norton inició un nuevo esfuerzo de asistir a la comunidad latina del districto con un viaje donde caminó por los negocios latino y la abertura de una "oficina de satélite" en el supermercado Giant de Tivoli (véase aquí), seguida por una recepción para los líderes de la comunidad Latina. Las oficinas de satélite y al aire libre  estan planificadas durante el verano en áreas disponible por donde el transporte público no alcanza a las tres oficinas de Norton, y donde han estado lo más  residentes, como Latinos, quien han sido menos probable obtener servicios. 

Washington, DC-The Office of Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) today announced that Norton will kick off a new outreach effort to assist the District's Latino community with a reception for Latino leaders on Tuesday, May 8th at 6 PM at Rumberos Latin American Restaurant (3345 14th Street, NW near Monroe Street).  Norton also will give details of the first of several roving, community "satellite offices" she is setting up.  The first is already operating at the Giant Food Store at Tivoli Square (1345 Park Road, NW) on Monday evenings to encourage Latino residents to use constituent and casework services that many may need but sometimes do not use because of language difficulty or recent immigration to the city.

"An extra effort is necessary," Norton said, "particularly now when many Latinos have growing fears about harsh immigration proposals, and doubts about approaching an office of the U.S. government may have increased.  An ‘open door in the community' will let Latino residents know that they can get user-friendly help in navigating through government red tape, whether they have a concern about immigration or any other issue related to federal agencies or congressional matters."  The Congresswoman has always had at least one bilingual staff member. 

The satellite offices are under the direction of Latino Outreach Coordinator and caseworker, Enrique Fernandez Roberts.  At the Tivoli Giant satellite office, Norton staff set up a table each Monday evening from 6 to 8 PM to take questions, make referrals, hand out information and give instructions for how a resident can get the help and follow-up they may need.  Norton will visit the satellite office to greet constituents on Monday, May 14th.    

More than 40 leaders and representatives of Latino organizations and agencies have been invited to Tuesday's Rumberos reception.  They include: the Latin American Youth Center, D.C. Ibero American Chamber of Commerce, La Clinica Del Pueblo, Higher Achievement Program, Bell Multicultural Center, Gala Hispanic Theater, Rosemount Center, and the D.C. Office of Latino Affairs.

Latinos are the fastest growing ethnic minority in the District, and by 2010, the city will have an estimated 70,000 Latino residents or almost 15 percent of the population.  To help address their needs, Norton is taking her satellite offices in the Latino community where some of those most in need of federal services are least inclined to come forward reside.