Indianapolis Recorder, Indianapolis, Marion County, 12 March 2004 — Page 3
FRIDAY, MARCH 12, 2004
THE INDIANAPOLIS RECORDER
PAGE A3
LATINO ► Continued from Page 1 who present 13.1 percent, want to end the requirement of visitors speak the language. from Mexico to be fingerprinted “Language is the most impor- and have their photographs taken tant barrier that they face, but it’s upon entering the United States, not true that they don’t want to This is believed to be a tactic to learn the language. Often when obtain more Latino votes for Bush, they go to enroll into a language “We welcome the news that was course it is closed because it is too confirmed with regard to visitors full and the funding is just not there to the U.S. from Mexico,” Fox said to teach them all. It takes time to during a joint appearance with learn,” he said. Bush. “We recognize the value to Esther Barber, founder of the those who come to the United Mexican Civic Alliance believes States to work, to study, to contribthat Latinos should learn English, ute.” “Everybody should learn English The decision is not final, as Conbecause it is the language of gress will have to pass the bill into America. There are chances for law. people to learn English for free. According to a recent study by The opportu nit)- is there, vve choose the U.S. Department of Labor State come to this country, so we tistics, the Latino unemployment should learn the language.” rate dropped from 8.2 percent in A struggle with the English lan- June of 2003 to 6.6 percent by guage does not hamper any citizen December, from the right to vote. Approxi- “Latinos want to work to promately7.4million Latinoscasttheir vide for their families,” said votes in the 2000 presidential elec- Gambetta. tion. That was a 50 percent in- Because of the struggle that crease of votes from 1996. Latinos face in America, they are Which party does the majority often compared to the Africanof Latino votes go to? According to American community, a recent study conducted by the “I believe both communities U.S. Hispanic Leadership Institute, have many things in common and George W. Bush received 35 per- it’s time for both communities to cent of the Latino vote with Al work together. We have the same Gore getting the majority' 62 per- issues like public safety, transporcent. tation and others,” Gambetta said. In Indianapolis, Latinos repre- “We must take a proactive apsent 3.6 percent of the electorate, proach. Being a new community in TheLatinocommunityrecently Indianapolis we have a chance to receivedgoodnewsfromtheWhite start from scratch vs. New York House. After President Bush and and Los Angeles where many runMexican President Vincente Fox ins with the two communities ocmet, they agreed that Bush would cur.”
WALK
► Continued from Page 1 part in Coburn’s Homeward Bound walk, Senator Bayh will continue fighting domestic violence here in Washington.” Organizers have listed several reasons as to why the Homeward Bound Walk to Fight Homelessness is so important to the Indianapolis community’. Some of the realities they cite include the fact that children and youth make up 30 percent of the local homeless population, which goes contrary to the common held belief that homelessness
is an issue that mainly affects single men. In addition, according to state records nearly 300,300 Hoosiers have been (or will be) at risk for homelessness at some time in their lives. Some of these same individuals are already living at the poverty level and the only thing standing between them and being on the streets is one bill or paycheck. According to the Indiana Coalition on Housing and Homelessness, the state has estimated a need for 3,717 beds/hous-
During the first Homeward Bound 5K Walk to Fight Homelessness, 12-year-old Chyna Warren of the Caldwell Chapel team, anxiously crossed the finish line. Several hundred participants showed up for last year’s race. (Photo/ J. Hurst)
ing units for individuals and 4.180 beds/housing units for families with children. Currently, shelters across the state .are able to provide only 1.934 beds/units for individuals and 2,397 beds/units for families. In joint statements, organizers have also indicated that the walk should raise consciousness and mitigate the effects of homelessness while giving citizens another chaiice to show their commitment to making a difference in the lives of men, women and children who are homeless or may become homeless. At least $150,000 is expected to be raised during the walk for homeless advocacy initiatives and affordable housing programs. The walk in Indianapolis will occur during the same weekend as others held across Indiana that are projected to generate a combined total of $500,000 for homeless causes. The. other host cities in Indiana include South Bend, Fort Wayne, Bloomington, Jeffersonville and Ev ansville. Last year $87,000 was raised during the w’alk in Indianapolis, w’hile those elsewhere brought in $306,000. Those who are interested in the Homeward Bound Walk to Fight Homelessness are welcome to participate by walking, setting individual fund raising of at least $100, and recruiting sponsors who can offer donations. Everyone is welcome to log onto www.homelesswalks.org to get
registered as an individual, team or corporate sponsor. “No one has to pay anything to participate in the walk,” Glaspy added. “But each- organization must find their own donors, or people who are pledging to walk and volunteer.” The walk is receiving technical assistance from the Indiana Coalition on Housing and Homeless Issues, with program underwriting by Irwin Mortgage Corp., Irwin Union Bank, Ice Miller and Baker & Daniels. Organizers for this year include Coburn Place Safe Haven, Community Alliance of the Far Eastside Inc., John P. Craine House, the Damien Center, Dayspring Center, Gennesaret Free Clinic, Habitat for Humanity of Greater Indianapolis, Holy Family Shelter, Homeless Initiative Program, Horizon House, Indiana Youth Group, Interfaith Hospitality Network, IRL Development Corp., Irvington Congregation as Partners, the Julian Center, Mary Rigg Neighborhood Center, Mental Health Association in Marion County', Midtown Community Mental Health Center, the St. Christopher Center, Salvation Army, School on Wheels, Stopover Inc., and Trusted Partner Mentoring. For more information about the Second Annual Homeward Bound Walk to Fight Homelessness, logon to the above Web site or call (317) 684-0684.
O.A.H., lllC. Together we will do great things!
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