Running head: CULTURAL IMMERSION

Cultural Immersion
Edith L. Clayton
Wilmington University

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2
History

This country has a long rich history when it comes to Hispanic Americans. That history
dates back more than 500 years. As early as 1565 there were Spanish speaking immigrants in
North America. In fact, in 1610 Santa Fe, New Mexico was established by conquistadors.
Moreover Spanish missions were also used to establish 21 cities in California. During this
missions, the Catholic Church migrated north from Mexico to spread Catholicism. The focus
was to convert the Native American Indians. In addition to converting these natives, many were
taken for forced labor much like slavery.
Mexicans account for a large number of the Hispanic population in America. While
some Mexicans have entered the country legally, there are many who have not. There are many
people in this group of immigrants who suffer from fear of being deported. Many of them are in
hiding and live secret lives within our communities.
This is a sad reality for many, however hundreds of years ago, this would not have been
consider the case. Before the American conquest, Texas was occupied and governed by
Mexicans. As the Pilgrims who landed in Northeast America made their way southwest, this
changed. The aforementioned expansion changed the way things were done. Now these people,
once considered citizens, are considered immigrants and often exploited because they are unable
to find legal forms of employment. The jobs they are forced to work are often unstable and offer
low wages. As a result, many families share living quarters and vehicles in order to make ends
meet.
Mexican families, as with other Hispanic groups, are known for being tight knit. Family
bonds are very important and held in high esteem. Individuals in Mexican families are taught to
work together and cherish one another. This value, is a sign of strength.

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The Interview
Eduardo is a Mexican immigrant. He currently resides in New Jersey with his wife and
children. Eduardo has lived in the United States for 12 years. When interviewed, Eduardo had
much to say about the importance of family.
Eduardo came to the United States looking for work with hope of being able to support
his family back in Mexico. His travels brought him to Browns Mills, New Jersey a long way
from home. When asked why hed chosen this location to settle down, Eduardo replied I had
family here.
Eduardo found work in the form of hard labor as a masons assistant. That hard work
paid off as he now owns his own business performing masonry and carpentry. Eduardo also fell
in love and married his wife Tina, an American citizen. As a result, Eduardo became an
American citizen as well.
Eduardo and his wife now have three beautiful children. They have two daughters and
one son. The two youngest children, Victor and Victoria, are twins. Eduard is raising his
children to honor their mother, just as families do in Mexico. During our interview he stressed
how the mother is the center of the Mexican family. She is the thread that holds everything
together he said. Therefore children are taught to honor and celebrate her as they should.
When asked what he remembered most about Mexico, Eduardos answer was a bit
unexpected. He said What I remember most is being hungry. Such a statement is enough to
break anyones heart. He spoke about how he didnt know when and where his next meal would
come from. Eduardo talked about being unsure of finding work meant going without food
indefinitely.

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When asked about what he missed most about his home country, Eduardo said I miss
my family. Again he reiterated the importance of family. He shared how he has not travelled
home in quite some time. He also expressed that while he has been gone, some of his family
members have passed away. He expressed the sadness that accompanies not being able to see
them again.
The Film
Bella is an excellent movie that effectively depicts familial ties in Hispanic families.
The 2006 movie, directed by, Alejandro Gomez Monteverde, tells the story of how a tragic event
changed the lives of the members of one family in a Hispanic Community. The movies main
character Jose was a soccer player with a promising career. One day while driving to sign a
contract to play professional soccer, he accidentally killed a young girl who ran out into the
street and in front of his car. As a result, Jose could not forgive himself and never played soccer
again. Jose found himself working as the head chef in his brothers restaurant. A peoples
person, Jose was well liked and knew each of his co-workers personally.
One day Nina, one of the waitresses, was late for work and Manny (Joses brother), fired
her. Feeling sorry for her, Jose walks out of work to comfort Nina and doesnt return. Joses
leaving put Manny, who is hosting an important dinner on this particular day, in a bind.
Later that day, Nina confides in Jose and tells him shes pregnant and considering having
an abortion. Immediately, Jose begins reflecting on the accident. That day he took Nina to meet
his family and he shared the story of what happened that dreaded day. The remainder of the
movie, Jose tries to convince Nina to allow him to adopt her unborn child. Throughout the
movie, Nina who is not Hispanic, is impressed by the bond Jose and his family shares. She is
later taken by surprise when the family shares a reveals some its intimate details.

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Agency Overview
Delaware Financial Literacy Institute (DFLI) is an established nonprofit 501(c) (3)
organization with a mission to equip low to moderate income individuals with tools to get their
financial lives in order so that they can become self-sufficient and enjoy financial well-being
over time. In the past, DFLI has collaborated with organizations to provide outcome-based asset
building for economic development and financial education in many communities within the
state of Delaware. As a result, DFLI has become an accessible and effective resource for
economic development and asset building statewide.
DFLI serves many groups. Annually, the organization offers more than 600 statewide.
These classes cover a myriad of topics from basic money management and budgeting to saving
for retirement and business startup. In addition, more than 100 classes are presented upon for
special groups around the state to populations in need. For example, DFLI provides outreach
services to prisoners at Baylor and Young prior to their release. In addition, DFLI provides
financial education to students in schools with high at risk populations and residents living in
local shelters. Of populations that may benefit from DFLIs services, the Hispanic community
comes to mind.
Delaware Financial Literacy Institute is located at 3301 Green Street in Claymont,
Delaware on the second floor in the Claymont Community Center.

There are about 8200

people who live in the city of Claymont. Of that population, 584 are of Hispanic descent. The
community that surrounds the Delaware Financial Literacy Institute is culturally diverse. In the
morning its common to see children from different nationalities lining up to enter the
neighboring school house. On the Philadelphia Pike, the main street located one block away
from the agency is bustling with cars and buses filled with people from different ethnicities.

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Although public transportation is widely available, one doesnt necessarily need a ride to
navigate through this community. Many amenities are within walking distance. There is a
grocery store less than a half a mile away. The fire house is at the end of the block. There are a
couple of gas stations around the corner. Along with a number of places to bank and eat. At first
glance it seems that the neighborhoods population is middle class. However, having gotten lost
one day after dark, there are some sub-cultures hidden within plain view.
Member of the Hispanic community can get to DFLI using mass transit or privately
owned vehicles. The nature of the services provide require individual are present. Information
about services and classes offered is available online, however this is for informational purposes
only. Classes require live attendance and participation for any personal benefit.
Delaware Financial Literacy Institute is located on the 2nd floor of the Claymont
Community Center. The community center is located in an old school house. When entering the
agencys office, the history of the building is evident. The space is small, cramped and
uninviting. There is no waiting room. Visitors who arrive must stand in the hall until their hosts
invites them inside. The environment is both unwelcoming and uncomfortable for any guest or
population. While the literature and brochures seem to represent diversity, Hispanic males are
not clearly depicted. Nor are the brochures written in Spanish.
The staff at the Delaware Financial Literacy Institute doesnt have any Hispanic
representatives. DFLIs staff consists of all women who are either Caucasian or AfricanAmerican. The agency currently doesnt offer or participate in diversity training. The initial
focus of the agency was women. However, men have recently shown an interest in the agencys
services and have begun to attend its functions. As male attendance and participation increases,
the agency is looking to address cultural diversity issues and expand its reach.

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This agency has had the same staff with few additions since inception. Funding may
allow for cultural variations in the program. However, it doesnt appear to be a strong demand to
enforce diversity. Perhaps if the agency were to publicize its services in Spanish, participation
and demand would increase.
When it comes to staff, not all of the employees of DFLI are sensitive to the needs of
clients. There are some who are clearly judgmental and lack respect towards individuals without
regard to culture or ethnicity. For some there is no level of sensitivity in how clients are
addressed be it formal or informal.
It is unclear as to whether or not DFLI has made an effort to reach out to the Hispanic
community. There is also no evidence showing that there are any members of Spanish descent
serving on any of the agencys committees. That being said, it is unlikely that input from this
group is considered when making decisions to develop culturally sensitive services.
When it comes to assessing the quality of the services offered by the Delaware Financial
Literacy Institute members of the Hispanic male my not be represented. However, this group
may not be intentionally excluded. At DFLI, there is no clear eligibility criteria for services.
The agency may enhance its services by offering literature and classes in Spanish so that the
Hispanic community is not intimidated by what may be considered a language barrier.
Again, the mission of DFLI is to help individuals achieve financial sufficiency over time.
It can be assumed that there are unmet needs in the Hispanic community. For one to benefit
from a service they must first understand it. It seems that by reflecting on the agencys catchment
area that the Hispanic population is not proportionally represented in number of clients receiving
services from DFLI.

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Currently, DFLI doesnt operate referral services. Therefore, it does not provide linkages
or alternative service delivery options for Hispanic any other group in the community.
Engagement, trust, and relationship building are important to any type of social work. It
is no different for DFLI. From personal experience, it is evident that in order to gain trust and
respect in relationships within the Hispanic Community, the understanding of family is of utmost
importance. In addition to understand familial ties, one must comprehend and almost always
speak the Spanish language in order to penetrate the boundaries of distrust. Once these two
things are accomplished, it will be easier to discuss and set goals with families. Using the
concept of the importance of family is a culturally congruent concept that can be used to foster
relationships and establish trust with Hispanic clients.
It is difficult to access the standards of DFLI as they are not clearly outlined by the
agency. Generally speaking, 4 of the 5 employees have or are pursuing a bachelors level
degree. Thus, it appears that professional education is a cultural competence standard that is at
work in Delaware Financial Literacy Institute.
When considering the programs offered by DFLI, there are a couple of the National
Association of Social Workers standards that come to mind. They are service delivery and
empowerment and advocacy. Though the agency does not have referral services, the programs
they offer encourage individual responsibility and empowerment. In addition, the services are
designed so that individuals who understand the English language can benefit from them.
There are some of the standards that are used in personal application. Self-awareness
ranks high on the list. When one is conscious of their own history, it is likely that they are able
to appreciate and celebrate others. Professional education is also very important. One should

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always be a student as no one person knows everything. Applied knowledge is power. Power
equals influence. Influence results in change.