Minnesota legislators look at new educational programs for Latinos

Latino families in Minnesota could soon see job and education programs expanded in the state as part of a new proposal at the Legislature.

"[Latinos] need help to be better-educated to create better job skills so that they aren't working sometimes two and three jobs to make things work in their families," said Rep. Dave Baker, R-Willmar, the bill's sponsor and a small-business owner who employs a number of Latinos. "The best way for individuals to advance … is to give them the better training."

The proposal, which has strong bipartisan support, would give $1.5 million to the state's largest and oldest nonprofit geared toward the Latino community, Latino Communities United in Service. The organization provides culturally tailored training and resources mostly to Latinos to help them obtain employment, skills and job training and other educational opportunities.

Half the money would be dedicated for a pilot program to work with underserved communities in greater Minnesota to support their Latino populations.

Sponsors say they are trying to reduce generational poverty through higher wages for low-income workers and increasing youth programs in areas of the state that the group is unable to serve due to a lack of money.

The one-time allocation would come out of the state's general fund.

Ruby Azurdia-Lee, president of Latino Communities United in Service, said her organization lacks the resources to effectively assist many in greater Minnesota, where the 10 counties with highest Latino poverty rates are located. Many Latinos are drawn to jobs at food-processing plants around the state, bringing their families and relatives to these smaller communities.

Azurdia-Lee said her organization serves more than 30,000 people a year through direct and indirect services.

Henry Jimenez, executive director of the Minnesota Council on Latino Affairs, said the median income of a Latino head of household is about $18,000 less a year than the state average, despite often working more than one job.

In Minnesota, the median income was $59,953 in 2011, the most recent numbers available.

"Our families don't need more jobs, what they need is better training so that they can get higher wages," Azurdia-Lee said. "We want to help people be successful and give the tools to families to become self-sufficient."

Some lawmakers said that addressing other issues — like employees working without pay and the lack of driver's licenses — would also help pull Latino workers out of poverty.

The proposal would also require the organization to submit a report to the Legislature about the outcomes of the award by March of 2018.

"One of the benefits of a one-time grant is that we can put these resources in a program, we can see the results of it and we can measure those results," said state Rep. Pat Garofalo, R-Farmington.