Latino Immigrant Families Local Community Centers as Sites for Comprehensive Targeted Sociocultural Inventions

Latino Immigrant Families Local Community Centers as Sites for Comprehensive Targeted Sociocultural Inventions IntroductionThe focus of the research was to understand the socio-economic and health related issues faced by Latino immigrants in the United States. The goal of the presentation and paper was to develop a comprehensive community center intervention model as a means to address the varied needs of Latino immigrants. What follows is a brief overview of the socio-economic and cultural conditions surrounding Latin immigration, followed by an investigation of two current community center-based intervention models operating in the Bay Area, and our proposed comprehensive community center intervention model.In order to develop successful intervention programs via community centers, it is first necessary to briefly outline the myriad factors that drive Latino immigration, as well as develop a working portrait of the demographics of Latino immigration.According to research developed by the Mexican Secretaria de Relaciones US Immigration Naturalization Service (1998) the majority of Latino im migrants fit the following profile: men 94%, married 85%, age range 28 - 32 yrs.;American Education is in the Dumpster6-8 yrs education; work in agriculture 53%; income $185 - 240 week; and 30% income sent back to Mexico.Hayes-Bautista (2002) further defined Latino immigrants in the United States as having generally low education, low access to health care, low income, little low birth weight, and low infant mortality (Latino rate of deaths: 4.8 deaths per 1,000 live births).Salagado de Snyder (2002) noted that there are number of push/pull factors that drive Latinos of varied economic, geographic, and cultural difference to immigrate to the U.S. The push factors include: unemployment, underemployment, low wages, and search for a better life. The pull factors not surprisingly include: more jobs, better pay, and social networks in the receiving country.Zenteno Massey (1999) developed a set of predictors of immigration that included: age ranges of 15 - 44 yrs.; male;...