2008 Woodie Awards
On South Grand, organizations boost a diverse community
Kelly McCann
Issue date: 3/23/06 Section: Features
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The United States is often referred to as a melting pot, due to its long history of immigration and rich blend of cultures. Today, however, it has become more comparable to a salad bowl, because each ethnic group is maintaining its unique characteristics instead of mixing into the American culture. This phenomenon is evident in the South Grand area, where multiculturalism is booming. Among the various pockets of cultural groups is the growing Latino/Hispanic population. According to the census of 2000, conducted by the United States Census Bureau, the Latino/Hispanic community makes up 2 percent of the St. Louis City population.
Just three miles from the Saint Louis University campus, two organizations carry out extensive operations in order to help these immigrants and refugees transition to life in the United States. Located on South Grand, La Clínica and Accíon Social Comunitaria (ASC) provide a variety of services and resources for St. Louis' Spanish-speaking community. Although La Clínica and the ASC remain separate on a day-to-day basis, they both embrace the same goal: to empower the Hispanic population. While La Clínica carries out its mission through health services, the ASC achieves its goals through education. SLU students are responding to the needs of the Latino/Hispanic community by volunteering their time with these two nonprofit agencies.
Founded in 1996, La Clínica serves uninsured, under-served migrant workers, immigrants, refugees and persons of Hispanic/Latino descent by ensuring access to healthcare services such as prenatal care, a dental clinic and internal medicine. Each week, SLU medical students use their academic knowledge and training to offer assistance to the patients of La Clínica.
Through patients treated at La Clínica and other community outlets, ASC encounters families trying to navigate through the American culture. ASC works with these families to overcome educational, social service and language barriers that often cause isolation of the Hispanic community. Hispanic immigrants frequently suffer from low-income status, making it difficult to afford higher education.
Just three miles from the Saint Louis University campus, two organizations carry out extensive operations in order to help these immigrants and refugees transition to life in the United States. Located on South Grand, La Clínica and Accíon Social Comunitaria (ASC) provide a variety of services and resources for St. Louis' Spanish-speaking community. Although La Clínica and the ASC remain separate on a day-to-day basis, they both embrace the same goal: to empower the Hispanic population. While La Clínica carries out its mission through health services, the ASC achieves its goals through education. SLU students are responding to the needs of the Latino/Hispanic community by volunteering their time with these two nonprofit agencies.
Founded in 1996, La Clínica serves uninsured, under-served migrant workers, immigrants, refugees and persons of Hispanic/Latino descent by ensuring access to healthcare services such as prenatal care, a dental clinic and internal medicine. Each week, SLU medical students use their academic knowledge and training to offer assistance to the patients of La Clínica.
Through patients treated at La Clínica and other community outlets, ASC encounters families trying to navigate through the American culture. ASC works with these families to overcome educational, social service and language barriers that often cause isolation of the Hispanic community. Hispanic immigrants frequently suffer from low-income status, making it difficult to afford higher education.