Program Trains Latinos in Advocacy, Leadership

Times, they are a-changing.

Only a decade ago, whites made up 83 percent of Novato’s population. In 2010, that number had been reduced to 75 percent, according to the U.S. Census.

The reason?

More Hispanic and Asian families moving to the area.

Latino, especially, are responsible for the biggest shift in demographics, making up 21 percent of Novato’s population. The changes are especially being felt in Novato’s classrooms, where 33 percent of students are now Latino.

To meet the needs of this growing community, the Novato Youth Center has launched a program that trains Latinos in leadership and advocacy skills. It’s called Promotores, or Promoters, and it works by recruiting and training educators on issues such as nutrition, financial literacy and underage drinking.

The promoters, mostly Latina women, decide what topics to focus on, then fan out into the community and educate their own circle of friends, acquaintances and neighbors.

“Many parents don’t have a clue about what their children are doing,” said Berta Campos Anicetti, who runs the program at the Novato Youth Center. This year, the Promotores are tackling substance abuse issues and working with Novato’s Blue Ribbon Coalition to reduce local teen’s access to alcohol and drugs.

“We talk about the data, how they can reduce access for their children,” Campos said. “Parents are very surprised, especially when they hear that 30 percent of fifth graders have tried alcohol.”

The group also educates Latino parents that it’s illegal to buy alcohol for minors and that social hosts can be fined or even arrested for offering alcohol at quinceneras, the traditional coming of age party for Latinas.

The discussions are done in an informal fashion, at local homes over cups of coffee. But the information they impart has been nothing less than lifesaving, say members.

“Many Latinos don’t seek out the services that are available to them, either because they don’t know about them or they’re afraid,” said Ariadna Lopez, 47, one of the promotoras, or promoters, in the program. “They don’t look for information on scholarships, housing or better nutrition, even though it’s there.”

Lopez, who is originally from Mexico and whose children attend local schools, says participating in the program has transformed her family’s life.

“We’re eating better, I’ve lost weight, we are learning about what’s happening in our community,” she said.

Another recent milestone is meetings with the Novato Police Department, who she says have pledged to not contact federal immigration authorities when dealing with minor traffic stops unless someone is on probation.  

“We are very happy with this because it’s never happened before,” Lopez said. “It will help encourage people to report crimes.”

Another unexpected role of the promotoras is stress reduction, as volunteers become de facto counselors for recent immigrants struggling to navigate their way through a new society.

“The promotoras are immigrants themselves, so it’s easy for them to be trusted,” said Campos, the program leader. “So people really can just unload. It’s a way for many to feel less isolated.”