La Alianza Latina Workgroup Forms In Howard County

HOWARD COUNTY, MD — The newly formed La Alianza Latina Workgroup (Latin Alliance) will be comprised of 16 Howard County residents representing backgrounds from across Central and South America. The work group will be tasked with addressing the concerns and struggles of the Latino and immigrant community, such as how to access community resources, find support for starting a business or buying a home, health disparities and outcomes, and ensuring there is adequate support for young Latinos in Howard County schools.

“Diversity is a hallmark of Howard County, and our Latino community serves a vital role in contributing to the cultural vibrancy that makes our county one of the most attractive locations to live, work and play in the country,” said Howard County Executive Calvin Ball. “But for many of our new residents – and those who have lived in Howard County for years – certain services and programs seem out of reach. La Alianza Latina Workgroup will not only provide a seat at the table, but access to government to implement long-lasting change."

Megan Williams, executive liaison to La Alianza Latina, said the workgroup will strive to "empower and fully embrace our Latino community through tangible change and actionable steps."

"Our mission is not a slogan; it is a promise to our Latino neighbors that we are here to ensure they are represented in government decision making and the future of the County. Through this collaboration, we will continue building a better community together,” she said.

Cris Oviedo, La Alianza Latina representative, said the work group will help immigrants like Oviedo to find people and sources who can help.

“Like most immigrants, when I first arrived to this country my English was not very good, even though I had studied it from pre-k to high school, and I was completely clueless to the way things worked in this country from simple things like following the bus schedule when taking the bus,” Oviedo said.