A DETROIT LATINO AGENDA NETWORK

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3-YEAR STRATEGIC PLAN 2013-2016

ADELANTE:

ADELANTE CORE VALUES

We believe that equal access to quality of life that promotes success, human and environmental health, economic sustainability, and a critically educated community is paramount to advancing an engaged collective community.

We embrace the diversity of Latino identity, history, culture and thought. We also act on the strong belief that the movement to ensure equity and racial healing will succeed only if it is respectful of the multiple layers of diversity of all communities, including the richness and diversity of the Latino community.

We advocate for a free, quality public education for every child, regardless of nation or language of origin or immigration status. We act with high standards, urgency, and a long-term view as we plan strategically, and establish policies to improve the educational conditions for our children and youth in our community.

We maximize our collective impact by inspiring, challenging and supporting each other in embracing the complex linkages of culture, language, history, race, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity and multiculturalism.

We commit ourselves to confronting the numerous issues which endanger our youth and families and threaten the whole social fabric of the community, with courage and determination.

We believe that young people can and should benefit from participation in and support from intergenerational and cross-cultural interaction.

We believe that Latino cultural values that are central to our people loyalty, attachment to family, collectivism, respect, and warmth in interpersonal relationships - have strengths that can be of great value for the resilience of our people, and should be retained, reinforced and celebrated.

We believe that in order to increase opportunities for people of color, particularly Latino youth, to be successful, active, self-determined and productive members of society, racism needs to be addressed as a primary force affecting and limiting their life chances.

We advocate for the creation of a welcoming environment that is sensitive and embracing to all immigrants, and provides a comprehensive support system for all families, with reliable resources. We believe that in order to advance the financial stability of our families and improve the economic vitality of our community, our people must have access to quality training, career pathways and family-sustaining jobs.
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ADELANTE TODAY
In September of 2011, the Consortium of Hispanic Agencies, a coalition of 6 Latino-led, community-based service organizations, brought together Latino and Latina leaders from the Detroit-Metro area to commit to a long-term vision of health and prosperity for Latino/as in Michigan. ADELANTE was the result of a 20-year vision for political empowerment and social change. It consists of nine committees run entirely by volunteer leaders, committed to implementing the 2012 Latino Agenda. Together theyve developed strategies, goals and objectives for a forwardthinking, equitable a diverse plan to overcome obstacles. DETROIT LATINO AGENDA COMMITTEES ARE:

In 2013, CHA made mini-grants of $2500 available in 2013 to help support the political engagement process, support cross-issue collaboration and make certain that the work of the committees is sustained: Community and Economic Development and Labor and Employment P a r t n e r s h i p : This project will seek to build a robust database of Latino-owned businesses to provide information about the economic contributions of these entities in the tri-county area, and will identify opportunity for business development, expansion and job creation. Businesses will be connected to resources that will help address their human resources and capacitybuilding needs. This will be done through a survey conducted by a university partner. The project is also supported by DTE Energy and the MI Hispanic Chamber of Commerce. Environmental Justice/Health and Arts and Media Partnership: This project will host youth to speak and explore environmental justice issues through guest talks, critical connections, and through a photo voice project. The youth will also be able to participate in the Great Lakes Bioneers Conference at Marygrove in October. Young leaders will talk tar sands, energy production, recycling and waste, food and water as it relates to racial inequity.

ARTS, CULTURE, AND MEDIA CIVIC ENGAGEMENT ECONOMIC & COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT EDUCATION ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE AND HEALTH IMMIGRATION

Immigration and Civic Engagement Partnership: This project will start off with an organizing/advocacy training directed LABOR AND EMPLOYMENT towards undocumented immigrants in SW Detroit. After identifying 3 potential leaders, a learnership will be offered on workers co -ops and SEXUAL ORIENTATION AND GENDER EQUITY collectives so that a committee can be created that will help start train YOUTH ings by the committee and help launch a worker owned/operated busiThe Consortium of Hispanic Agencies works to support the initiatives of ness in SW Detroit. This project will be successful when workers are ADELANTE through technical support, human resources, and network- able to work together regardless of their immigration status to fight for building for long-term capacity. CHA has leveraged resources and rela- worker justice for Latinos in SW Detroit and create job security for those workers that are retaliated against by their employers. tionships to bolster the committee initiatives.

Our Voice, Our Destiny: The History of the Latino Agenda

Our vision and purpose in 1990 is valid and applicable to the strategic plan today. We sought to empower ourselves as Latin@s because we wanted to determine our own future without asking somebody else to do it. We cannot shape our destiny if we see ourselves as victims of oppression. Confident in our worth as human beings and in the value of our many cultures, we welcome collaborations with other groups and institutions to build a better society for all peoples without exception. Dr. Jose Cuello, Wayne State University and founder of the 1990 Latino Agenda

WHY ADELANTE? WHY NOW?

The Detroit Latino Agenda is in response to the growing need for a political voice in southeast Michigan, and especially southwest Detroit. We know the Latino/a population is growing, despite local and statewide trends of population decrease. From 2000 to 2010 the city of Detroit saw a near 25% decrease in their total population. While Detroit is popularly known as a shrinking city, the Latino population has grown. This follows statewide a trend. In Michigan, the population in that same time period has fallen marginally, yet the number of Latino/as has grown nearly 35% overall.

As Michigan and Detroit lose population overall, the Latino population continues to grow
American Community Survey, 2000 and 2010

SW Detroit has the lowest voter turn-out rates in Detroit and statewide. This diminishes our political power for social change.
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Latino Population Density in SW Detroit 25 people Source: Data Driven Detroit

From the years 2000 to 2010, all people in Michigan experienced an increase in total poverty rates. In 2010, the statewide average of poverty rose to a startling rate of 17% overall. Yet Hispanics and African Americans have a different story to tell. The economic recession hit African Americans and Hispanics much harder than their White counterparts.

Rates of Hispanics in Poverty versus Other Racial and Ethnic Groups in Michigan 20002010
2000 7.5% Hispanic 19.2% African American 25.2% 33.9% 29.4% White 2010 12.8%

hen considering the rate of population growth and poverty, for every two Hispanics that were added to the Michigan population, one came into poverty.
Educational Status for Hispanics in Michigan vs. Statewide Educational Standards 2010
30% 32.8% 25.9% 15% 11.3% 5%

Those above poverty

People in poverty

US Census Bureau, American Community Survey, 2000-2010.

The poverty rate for the population 25 year and over for whom poverty status is determined by educational attainment is almost 30% for those with no high school diploma. Shortly, with no high school diploma, your chances of living in poverty are up.
Hispanic Educational Attainment in Michigan Overall Michigan Educational Attainment Ages 25 and over

30.9% 25.9% 14.8%

For Michigan Hispanics the challenges are not small. Compared to statewide high school graduation rates, Latino/as are lagging 3:1.

Less than High School

High School Diploma*

Bachelors Degree or higher

*Includes equivalency

US Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2010

Despite these challenges the Latino/a community contributes an astounding $14 billion to the Michigan economy every year.
Southeast Michigan Latino Economic Impact, Wayne State University [2008]

A robust and strong Michigan and Detroit depends on a healthy and thriving growing Latino/a community. Yet the statistics on poverty, education and others give us a snapshot of where our energy is going keeping jobs and staying in school immediate needs that demand structural change.
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GOAL 1: DEVELOP A LEADERSHIP PIPELINE

Develop a strong leadership plan Work with existing leaders to develop succession plans Address the resource gap for leadership development Demonstrate successful leadership models Create a base for community-based, grassroots leadership Identify and foster current and future youth leaders

MISSION
BUILD POWER WITHIN THE LATINO/A COMMUNITY THROUGH DEMOCRACY , LEADERSHIP , RESEARCH FOR EQUITY ACROSS COMMUNITIES IN DETROIT AND BEYOND
Bomba Rica at the 2012 Latino Agenda Conference

GOAL III: ENGAGE WITH ELECTORAL POLITICS

Develop legislative champions to reduce social inequities Support candidates who are in support of key policy issues that impact the Latino/a community Evaluate the performance of legislative activities Connect the leadership pipeline to build power within the grassroots community Inform the community and inform our elections through Congreso Populares Create a network of content experts, community leaders, media makers and strategists to make new policies to improve the quality of life for Latino/as
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GOAL II: CREATE POLICY ENGINE ON SOCIAL INEQUITIES

Come into alignment with current research efforts on Latino/as in the Detroit Metropolitan Area Develop staff resources to launch policy campaigns for best in class national research on Michigan Latino/as Establish a research and distribution process that involves community ownership at all levels Utilize solid research to develop advocacy tools for policy change Create internal principles for ethical community-based research Support the ADELANTE priority campaigns determined by the community
Children at 2012 Cinco de Mayo Parade

Congressman Gary Peters at the Immigration Townhall

Contact person: Mary Date: 00/00/00 Time: 00:00 Youth organize to Get Out the Vote in SW Detroit

GOAL IV: STRIVE FOR BILINGUAL EQUITY IN ALL ARENAS

Idenify violations of equal access to quality bilingual, and culturally appropriate education and resources Create a coalition of diverse supporters to build strategy around strong bilingualism and multi-culturalism Demonstrate importance of bilingualism in the global market-place Bring institutions into compliance with bilingual service provision for adults and children Research impacts of bilingual access, educate allies, and advocate with key decision-makers Advocate for the resources to make bilingual service provision
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THE PATH FORWARD: 2013-2016 1. DEVELOP AN INDEPENDENT MEMBERSHIP-DRIVEN 501 C3 AND 501 C4 2. BUILD AND MAINTAIN DIVERSE SOURCES OF FINANCING AND RESOURCES 3. SUPPORT A STRONG AND INVOLVED MEMBERSHIP AND GOVERNANCE BODY 4. NETWORK AND ALIGN WITH DIVERSE ALLIES LOCALLY AND NATIONALLY 5. SUSTAIN A MOVEMENT OF SELF-DETERMINATION AND DIRECT DEMOCRACY

ENGAGE WITH ADELANTE: How can I get involved? 1. Sign up to be a member 2. Volunteer on one of the committees 3. Commit at least to community service in SW Detroit 4. Be an advocate for Latino power 5. Donate
Would you like to provide feedback or get more information? See https://sites.google.com/site/adelante3yearplan/
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