Areas of Study
Research Methods
Data Tables
Contact Us
Site Map
Related
Links
|
2007 Healthy Hall Focus
Group Report -
Latino Voices
There were two focus groups involving
representatives of the Hispanic/Latino community. One was a group of
community leaders—business people who are achieving success in the
community. The second consisted of students learning to speak English in
an adult education class.
The two groups provided interesting contrasts.
One was articulate and fluent with English. The other struggled to make
themselves understood in English. One group was meeting on their lunch
hour, taking a break from busy days at banks, real estate offices and
professional responsibilities. The other was meeting in their classroom
middle of the morning and would go to work later in the day, most to a
retail store or a restaurant.
In a way the two groups provided a picture of
immigration in Hall County over the past 20 years. One group, the
leadership group, represents the product of the first wave of
immigration-settled, established, striving for success. The second
represents the new wave-working to carve out a space for their families
and a new way of life.
Observations About Life In Hall County
When asked what they like best about life in Hall
County, the Latino leadership group describes the county like long-term
residents. They appreciate the people, the lake, the parks, and the
quasi-small town way of life that is modern, but so different than a
metropolitan area like Atlanta.
The leadership group also appreciates the efforts
of those in the county to welcome Latino people, to provide support
services and accommodate multicultural needs and ideas.
Those in the English class appreciate the same
things, but they focus more on the specifics that the conceptual. They
appreciate that someone is willing to teach them English. They
appreciate that their children can go to school. They appreciate that
there is a good hospital nearby. They still marvel at the community
services available to them. As one woman put it in broken English, "When
I woke up this morning the lights were out. In 15 minutes there was a
truck there to fix."
On the negative side, the biggest concern among
Latino leaders is lingering racism and resentment to immigrants from
some in the county. They see the problem manifesting itself in distrust
between many in the Latino community and law enforcement. They chafe at
the notion that police see every Latino as an illegal. As one man put
it, a US citizen, "I get asked for my papers all time."
They also decry problems with poverty and
accompanying issues of gangs, alcoholism and dropping out of school.
These leaders recognize that many problems in the Latino community are
self-inflicted, but they are hopeful that with education and time the
problems will get better.
For those in the ESOL class, problems in the
community are more personal. They are intimidated by narrow streets and
heavy traffic. They do not like the clutter of junked cars and litter
that plague some of their neighborhoods. They struggle to communicate,
to make friends, to build relationships in the community.
Many Latinos also struggle with transportation to
work, shopping and even to English class. A teacher volunteered that one
student who lived seven miles away from the adult education center had
occasionally walked to class. They are aware that there is public
transportation, but it requires advance planning and a reservation,
which is difficult for many, especially those who don’t have phones.
Some rely heavily on taxi services, which can be expensive.
Underestimated & Misunderstood
Latino leaders in the community would like for
others in Hall County to know that their community is being
underestimated and misunderstood. "Immigration is good for the
community," said one who talked about the impact of immigrants on the
local economy.
They would like for others to put themselves in
the shoes of immigrants who are coming to Georgia in pursuit of a better
life for themselves and their families. "There is no doubt in my mind, "
said one, "That Americans would be moving to Mexico if there were no
jobs here, and going there would be better for their families."
Those in the ESOL class also hope for a greater
level of understanding. Said one with a cautious tone, "If you don’t
have documents, everything is limited. If you can stay here, let people
work, even if they don’t have documents."
The Impact Of Immigration Law
Those in the ESOL class observe that changes in
Georgia law that require workers to be documented are driving families
out of Hall County and into other states, like North Carolina. They
believe the law is taking an unexpected bite out of the local economy as
some immigrants leave and others lose their abilities to work. One
woman, whose husband owns a business at an area flea market, says that
business is way down for everyone.
Latino leaders see an unintended consequence as
well. They also see people are leaving the area. They also observe that
there are now more people without health insurance, especially children
who cannot qualify for PeachCare because they and their parents are
undocumented.
Healthcare Issues
Access to insurance and to care has long been a
problem among Latino adults, but is increasingly a problem for children
as well. The short-term solution is to expand services like the Good
News Clinic, MedLink and others,
but the long-term solution lies in better
education and prevention strategies. Latinos appreciate the important
role played by The Good News Clinic and other programs to meet the
health needs of the uninsured.
The leadership group talked about growing
problems in the Latino community with obesity, diabetes, teen pregnancy,
sexually transmitted diseases and substance abuse. Treatment options are
needed, but the best way to combat these problems is by developing
increased awareness of the problems and promoting prevention strategies.
Within the ESOL class, not one participant had a
regular doctor they go to see when they have problems. Only one in the
group was covered by health insurance.
It is clear that there is limited understanding
of the value of insurance. As one man put it, he took his child to the
doctor and, even with insurance the bill was $2000. He was incredulous
and asked, "What is the value of insurance?"
Immigrants new to the county are amazed at the
cost of medical care. Another told a story of a child with a broken
hand. The bill to set the bone and put on a cast was, again, $2,000.
These are unimaginable sums for this group.
Some in the English class told stories of being
turned away by doctors offices. One office told a woman to go the
hospital when she told them she could not pay her bill that day.
Immigrants also have a difficult time
understanding the rules for Medicaid. One woman who has been in Hall
County for several years, and who is a legal resident, said it took over
a year to get her children enrolled in Medicaid.
55% of Latino
adults in Hall County are not covered by health insurance. 66% of
Latinos would be willing to pay up to $100 a month
for family coverage.
Source:
Healthy Hall Community
Mental Health and Family
Services
A lack of mental health services to serve Spanish-speaking residents
is a major issue in the minds of community leaders. They observe that
there is not much available to address the very real problems of
substance abuse. Needs are great, but even if help is available, many
are afraid to use it out of fear of deportation.
Spousal abuse is another problem in the Latino community where mental
health services could help.
One of the members of the ESOL class, a pastor, also sees great needs
within families. The problems that affect families across the
county—alcohol, drugs, violence, and adolescent sex-are at work among
Latino families, and they need help.
Leaders see some effective responses from churches, but are overall
disappointed with the way churches respond to immigrants in need. "There
is lots of potential. There are small pockets of good work within the
churches," said one.
But the feeling is that there could be more, especially if there was
more interaction and appreciation between the cultures. If Anglo and
Latino communities grow to know each other better and appreciate each
other, a desire to connect and help each other will follow.
What Does The Future
Hold?
Those in the leadership group recognize that there has been a lot of
effort put into supporting immigrants and meeting needs within the
community. A lot of money has been appropriated by government or donated
by people to provide essential services. There has been a lot of genuine
effort to bring Latino representatives into leadership positions and
place them on community boards.
These Latino leaders appreciate it all, but also wonder how long it
will last. At what point will resources start to diminish because there
are newer needs or because money is tight? They see this as a challenge
to the Latino community to assimilate more quickly, to address its
problems and grow toward permanence and success. They also see a
challenge to communicate and advocate effectively to make sure that
vital needs are not overlooked or forgotten.
Back at the ESOL class, responses to questions about the future are
more personal. One student wants to get a GED. Another wants to be a
medial assistant. Another wants to go to nursing school. Others want to
learn English well enough to go to college, or earn enough to send their
children to college someday.
In other words, those at the ESOL class are focused on what more
established Latino leaders hope to see—growth, permanence, assimilation
and success.
Key Observations From Latino Focus Groups
Latino residents appreciate life in Hall County. They recognize
there are many opportunities and services here that add value to
their lives.
Racism and resentment are very real to Latino immigrants. While
there are many accepting and welcoming people, there are others who
promote resistance and distrust within the community. Many point to
fearful relationships with police as symptomatic of this problem.
Established Latinos feel they are
underappreciated and misunderstood. They see their growing presence
as good for the local economy, providing essential manpower to
industry, and pumping revenue into the local economy.
They see unintended consequences of new
immigrant employment laws in Georgia. Workers are leaving the area,
many for nearby North Carolina, and are taking their local spending
with them.
Access to health care services has long been
an issue for Latinos, but it is getting worse. Free clinics like the
Good News Clinic, Med-Link and the Health Department provide
essential services, but needs are growing. Changing regulations are
also putting more children out of the PeachCare and Medicaid
programs, worsening the problem.
Many Latino workers do not understand health
insurance or its value. They are shocked by the cost of health care
and see insurance as either meaningless or beyond their ability to
afford.
Access to mental health services is also a
priority need. There are virtually no options for Spanish-speaking
adults who need mental health or substance abuse services.
Families in the Latino community struggle
with the same consequences of youth risky behavior that families in
all communities struggle with. Alcohol abuse, drugs, early sexual
activity and gang violence are common problems that need attention.
Many look at the special programs and
services that have developed to support the Latino community and
wonder how long the community will have the resolve to sustain them.
They see a window of opportunity for the Latino community to move
into the mainstream and become an integral part of community life.
|
Focus Group Table of Contents Purpose
African Americans
Community Service Leaders
Latinos
School Counselors & Nurses
Seniors
South Hall
Youth |
