Census data confirms the anecdotal evidence – Central Virginia is experiencing a dramatic increase in the number of Latino/Hispanic households, and this has challenged service providers in the areas of education, health, housing, and public safety, among many others. At the same time, area businesses, consumers, and residents have seen the positive benefits from the presence of new Latino/Hispano workers, customers, businesses, and neighbors. Many individuals and organizations in the region want to ensure that the immigrant and non-immigrant communities continue to integrate, grow together, and celebrate the diversity of talents, experiences, and histories that all residents bring to the entire community.

In May 2005, the Piedmont Housing Alliance (PHA), a regional non-profit based in Charlottesville, Virginia, organized a meeting to explore ongoing efforts to better understand the needs and interests of the growing Latino/Hispanic community. Members of the Latino/Hispanic community and representatives from area governmental, non-profit, and faith-based organizations attended.

The result of this first meeting was the formation of the task force “Creciendo Juntos - Growing Together” (CJGT). CJGT’s mission statement reads: “We are a network of organizations and people working to support and strengthen the Charlottesville regional community through the integration and development of its Latino/Hispanic members.” Or, in Spanish “Somos una red de organizaciones y personas que trabajamos para apoyar y fortalecer la comunidad de la región de Charlottesville a través de la integración y desarrollo de sus miembros Latinos/Hispanos.”

Almost 100 different agencies and other institutions have become regularly involved with CJGT, as represented by the 200+ agency staff members and individuals that have participated in CJGT meetings and activities. Many members are bilingual (English/Spanish) and are directly involved with members of the Latino/Hispanic community because of their nationality and/or work. Participating organizations represent various sectors of society, including: health, housing, communications media, business, legal, the University of Virginia, local and regional planning, public safety, education, public transportation, social services, churches, chambers of commerce, and real estate, among others.

In addition to attending plenary sessions on a monthly basis, CJGT members attend monthly working groups focusing on social, health, legal, housing, and other issues; organize forums, health events, help fairs, and other activities for Latinos; and network with service providers working with Latinos in Richmond, Harrisonburg, and elsewhere. CJGT also has an Executive Committee that meets monthly to move the network forward.

CJGT exists as a network dedicated to building knowledge, sharing information, and seeking ways to collaborate and integrate across cultural divides. We hope that you find this website informative and useful, and that you will seek a way to participate in this effort. If you would like to be on our emailing list, please contact Peter Loach at peterl@piedmonthousing.org.

POWER POINT PRESENTATION

During the April 26, 2007 plenary, Peter Loach provided an overview of CJ’s mission and activities. Click here to view the 19 slide power point presentation.

SPONSOR

Creciendo Juntos – Growing Together was founded by the Piedmont Housing Alliance. PHA is a private, 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization established in 1983 to address affordable housing and other community development needs on a regional basis within the Thomas Jefferson Planning District.

PHA receives support from a variety of funding sources, including donors who wish to help our organization do the important work we do, from housing projects to Creciendo Juntos. PHA receives donor gifts ranging in size from $25, up to several thousand dollars. Donations are tax deductible to the extent allowed by law, and checks may be sent to:

Piedmont Housing Alliance
Donations
111 Monticello Avenue, Suite 104
Charlottesville, VA 22902

Virginia State employees can help PHA through the Commonwealth of Virginia campaign: http://www.cvc.vipnet.org For more information on PHA’s tax exempt status, contact Peter Loach at peterl@piedmonthousing.org.

PARTICIPANTS

In addition to the ever-growing number of organizations participating in Creciendo Juntos – Growing Together, the network also includes many individuals who have lived in Latin America, are Latino/Hispanic, or for another reason are interested in our activities.

For a list of participating organizations, click here.

Some of CJ’s Latino members have been featured in the CJ Community Profile of the Month whose archive is located at http://www.cj-network.org/cjlatarea/profile_arc.html

CJ WEEKLY ALERTS

Distributed on Tuesdays, the CJ Weekly Alert is an email notifying recipients of upcoming meetings, resources or answers related to Plenary presentations and discussions, CJ website updates, community announcements, and other information related to learning about or improving services to our local Spanish-language community.

To use the Alert, send your information, no later than noon on the Monday before the Alert is circulated, to peterl@piedmonthousing.org

To subscribe to the Alert, send your email address to peterl@piedmonthousing.org

Click here to review the Alert archive.