Month: March 2019

Write a letter in support El Centro de la Raza’s expansion

The Washington State Legislature is now considering which capital requests they should fund. 53% of the Latinx community lives in South King County due to our city’s lack of housing affordability.  El Centro de la Raza requested capital funding to respond to our community’s needs by purchasing an office building located in Federal Way. It is clear why there is a need to expand our programs and services:

  • 12.9% of Latinx students are proficient in math (the state’s average is 31%).
  • 28.4% of Latinx students are ELA proficient (the state’s average is 45.5%).
  • 38% of Latinx ninth graders are failing at least one core class (compared to 18% for white students state-wide).
  • For ELL students, outcomes are even lower with 5% of students meeting targets.

We ask you to join us in urging each of the key decision-makers of the Capital Budget committee to approve our community’s request for funding the necessary purchase of an office building based in Federal Way. Each letter you help send makes a stronger case for why our expansion to South King County is key. Please help us spread the word by asking another friend of El Centro de la Raza to send their letter of support ASAP.

Here is the template and you will find all the key legislators’ contact information below:

Estimad@ Senator / Representative <<their last name here>>,

I am <<your first name here>>, a friend of El Centro de la Raza. I am writing today to ask you for your support in funding one of El Centro de la Raza’s capital budget request to purchase an office building in Federal Way for their program expansion ($1.78 million; legislative district 30).

It is important to stress the need for their culturally appropriate services to be available in South King County. Services will include academic, after-school, and leadership development and support services because of the staggering student demographics and outcome information in the Federal Way School District. Here are some examples:

  • 60% of the children qualify for a free or reduced lunch;
  • Only 12.9% of Latinx students are proficient in math (the state average is 31%); and,
  • Just 28.4% of Latinx students are ELA proficient (the state average is 45.5%).

Compared to white students statewide, 38% of Latinx ninth graders are failing at least one core class. For ELL students, the outcomes are even lower with 5% of students meeting targets. This kind of data is seemingly daunting to address, but El Centro de la Raza is prepared to do the work by purchasing an office building in Federal Way and establishing a presence.

I believe trusted community-based organizations like El Centro de la Raza can help move the needle. Please fund El Centro de la Raza’s capital request to purchase an office building. Thank you for your time and consideration.

 

Respectfully,

 

<<Your full name here>>
District <<number>>
<<Your full address to verify your legislative district>>
<<Phone number>>

Contact information for Capital Budget committee members:

View our new Sensitive Location Toolkit here

Please click the link below to view our Sensitive Location Toolkit in PDF form:

/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/Sensitive-Locations-Toolkit-Printed-V.pdf

What is a Sensitive Location?

On October 2011, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) issued an administrative memorandum entitled “Enforcement Actions at or Focused on Sensitive Locations,” which set forth the agency’s policy regarding enforcement actions in places that are recognized as sensitive locations. The policy, which remains in full force and effect, restricts enforcement actions, such as arrests, interviews and surveillance for purposes of immigration enforcement in places recognized as sensitive locations. The sensitive locations covered by the policy include, but are not limited to: schools, hospitals, places of worship, and public demonstrations such as marches, rallies or parades.

In effort to protect our visitors and the population we serve, in February 2017 as a school, El Centro de la Raza declared itself a sensitive location and adopted and implemented internal procedures that allow us to react promptly and effectively in the event of a visit by immigration agents to our premises. In addition, in recognition of the potential and capability of sensitive locations to protect and ensure the rights of immigrant populations, El Centro de la Raza has been encouraging other entities and organizations to recognize and designate themselves as sensitive locations and adopt measures that will contribute to protecting the immigrant population they serve.

Teaching Preschool Children about Bias, Diversity, and Social Justice

The teachers at José Martí Child Development Center are explaining what social justice to young children is. While this is a complex subject to navigate for people of all ages, our teachers have prepared diligently to engage in these critical discussions. Some of the strategies they used included talking about differences, deciphering what is fair and not fair, using children’s literature and songs, teaching anti-bias lessons, providing familiar and relatable real-life examples, and encouraging critical thinking to explore solutions. 

Four-year-old Issac responded positively to these activities. He drew a picture of himself holding a sign that said, “Boo Trump, no killing people.” When the teacher asked Issac to share his picture, he said, “I drew this because Trump has soldiers that kill people and he makes bad choices. I know because I hear on the radio and I saw it. I know that.” Our teachers hope these discussions can lead to tolerance and creating a better society. Martha Diaz said, “If I can make a difference in one child, maybe that child can make a difference in our world.” Please support our teachers so that they can continue doing this important work.