South Fork Latinos Face Affordable Housing Crisis: New OLA Executive Director

SOUTHAMPTON, NY- Latinos on the South Fork are facing tremendous challenges in terms of housing and economic opportunity.

That’s what Minerva Perez, the new executive director of Organización Latino-Americana of Eastern Long Island, told Patch this week.

As new executive director of OLA, Perez shared her excitement to be taking on the position and shared her goals: “The board of OLA and I agree on maintaining the core focus of OLA’s mission to support Latino communities in developing economic, educational, cultural and social strengths — while bridging gaps within and from the Latino communities to the greater East End community.”

Challenges exist on both the North and South Forks for members of the Latino community, she said.

“The affordable housing challenges are equally bad for Latinos, and non-Latinos, on the South Fork. However, there are more jobs and more opportunities for Latino business owners on the South Fork based on the resort economy.”

North Fork Latinos, she added, faces unique difficulties in terms of advancement.

“The North Fork’s challenge is that with all the great services for those Latinos in crisis, there is less organization or energy around those next steps — financial solvency, educational advancement, business ownership, leadership etc. Even leaders involved in North Fork Latino support have told me the North Fork is way behind the South Fork in terms of this next step. OLA will seek to work in concert with existing groups so that no redundancy occurs.”

The North and South Forks also see different strengths and challenges based on economics, she said.

Fostering economic opportunity

One critical goal, Perez said, is to foster economic development for Latino business owners. Her aim, she said, is “to continue to raise the level of discourse so that Latino business are supported and encouraged. We have many.”

Addressing the issue of tensions that have existed on the East End over the immigrant population for years, Perez said collaborative efforts are key.

“Tensions grow in times of crisis. But good leadership at the town and county level can help tremendously. I will not overstate the power or influence any one organization, ours or others, have with regard to this important issue. It is time to work together, within all Latino communities and with all local governments. We have seen past leadership sit idly by as Latinos were scapegoated and this always gives way to violence and discord. We cannot allow that to happen.”

Working together to address tensions

Perez said that she’s very “hopeful” that the positive response she’s experienced from local town and even legislative levels “will translate into open and transparent dialogues to not only address tensions but seek to thrive as a community of cultural riches.”

Before assuming her new post, Perez was the director of residential and transitional services for the Retreat, an organization to help victims of domestic violence in East Hampton.

“Essentially, I ran a 24-hour crisis shelter for women and children from all over fleeing domestic violence. Many, but not a majority, were Latinas. Much of the great effort now being continued at the shelter level has to do with accessing services and support after a woman leaves the shelter. Many connections were made to help create the best networking possible for these families looking to transition out of the shelter into an independent life free from abuse.”

In that position, Perez “partnered up with wonderful organizations such as SEPA Mujer to assist with Violence Against Women Act applications in cases where immigrant women were married to abusers and could show evidence of this verbal, emotional or physical abuse.”

To that end, Perez developed supportive relationships with town, Suffolk County, city and state elected officials, ties that she can utilize in her new position.

In addition, Perez has acted, produced, and directed for both film and theater.

From a personal perspective, Perez plans to bring her whole self to the table, with an eye toward helping Latinos to become a strong, powerful group, more engaged in local politics and school activities.

“My heart is in this 100 percent,” she said. “I have been lucky over the last 10 years of living out here to develop and foster some tremendous relationships. These applicable relationships are based on honesty and respect and a rigorous pursuit of what is fair and just. And I am drinking more coffee.”