Imagine arriving in America without any friends, unable to speak English and unaware of the cultural differences between Mexico and the United States.
For many Hispanic immigrants, this scenario is far from a dream.
CASA (Community Affairs Spanish Assistance) de Portland, founded by Ball State student and executive director Adolfo Solis, was organized to help Hispanic immigrants caught in these situations.
CASA de Portland held its Second Annual Hispanic Forum on Thursday to inform and get support from the community.
There are three main areas that CASA de Portland concentrates on in its quest to help the Hispanic members of the community thrive: social services, health care and education.
Despite the short amount of time the group as been active, group members said it has been able to reach the local Hispanic community in many ways since its start in March.
"One of our goals is to help the Hispanic community to understand the cultural differences between America and wherever they come from," CASA de Portland General Secretary Fran Austin said. "Sometimes things that are obvious to us, like not driving without a license, are tough situations for them. After all, they have to get to work somehow."
Spanish major Abel Ernestberger said he will soon act as a translator for non-English speakers to get medical assistance, and local doctor Frank Vormhor has offered to see patients for an hour each week free of charge.
"It's great to be involved in a community project where I am dealing directly with the people that we want to help: people that don't speak English and aren't aware of the opportunities for help out there," Ernestberger said. "I'm working with actual problems in the community, like health care assistance, where I can take a leadership role. When I need to translate, I act like the bridge between doctor and patient. It's a great experience."
CASA de Portland also offers English Second Language classes to members of the community that Solis said are "short but aggressive." These classes, taught by president Sam Racster, move quickly from the basics of English to holding a conversation so that Spanish-speaking families can understand the news and take a more active role in their community.
"Education is the key to all this," Solis said. "If you have an education and can understand English, members of the community can learn to stand on their own and eventually improve the community as a whole. Without learning English, none of that is possible."
CASA de Portland has found faithful sponsors in Portland City Mayor Bruce Hosier, the Portland Chamber of Commerce and Tyson Foods.
"We just needed to find the right people for the right issues, and I think we have," Solis said. "People who can provide the services are out there, we just need to connect them. Mayor Hosier helped us out so much because he helped to make the calls to get started."
Solis said Hosier talked to Tyson Foods who will pay the first year's rent, starting in January, for the group's new offices.
"And once we have the office space, the Chamber of Commerce will give us the furniture," Solis said. "You name it, we're getting it: desks, chairs, copying machines, computers, a coat rack, everything. All our sponsors have been great. They've helped us move a heavy load."
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