For the last 15 years the Latino Partnership has been able to serve the needs of students and community service agencies in a variety of different ways. From 1992 to 1995 Dr. Aida Navarez developed the initial framework for the Partnership. Since 1996 I have added to these initial commitments by developing a program that strives to serve as an academic resource to community agencies, government officials and students on the social, cultural and relational factors affecting Latino families in this country.

What follows is summary of some of the things we have been able to accomplish during this time.

The Partnership Under Dr. Aida Nevarez
(1992 - 1995)

• The Latino Partnership is founded on March 10, 1992 "to further the dialogue with the Latino community and oversee the implementation of ideas."
  
• Began by exploring the possibility of "develop[ing] programs with Harrisburg City Schools related to Latino and second language pupils" and "carry[ing] out an inital exploration of ways in which Messiah College may serve the Latino community in Harrisburg, either through curricular or co-curricular programs."
  
• Establishes links with the Allison Hill Community Ministry, La Casa de la Amistad, Gaudenzia, Hispanics United for Education, and the Mount Pleasant Hispanic American Center.
  
• Creates tutoring program with the Allison Hill Community Ministry and La Casa de la Amistad.
  
• Begins initiative with Dr. Kim Yunez to create a Latino reading room to house books, videos, and other resources on Latinos.
  
• Sponsors three Latino Messiah students' attendance of the PA Statewide Latino Coalition Conference.
  
• Provides opportunities for Messiah students to visit and worship in Harrisburg through Emmanuel Methodist Church.
  
• Dialogues with Messiah College and Harrisburg Area Community College to create an Articulation Agreement which would allow major credit transfer between the institutions. Project is aimed at increasing attending and retention rates of students of color.
  
• Member Yolanda Perez holds one-day workshop entitled "Latino Students for Success" which was intended to develop leadership skills among Latinos in college.
  
• Dr. Kim Yunez establishes class whereby Messiah students learn Spanish by teaching high school content area classes to Latino adults. Semester ends with all adults passing their GED exam and earning their high school diploma.
  
• Establishes Co-Curricular After School Program to address the lack of recreational opportunities for Latino children in Harrisburg. Program targets grades one through five and seeks to integrate health, socialization, motor fitness, and emotional maturity.
  
• Creates and implements two Job Search Skills Workshops which addressed issues such as improving job search skills and understanding the parental role in dealing with urban youth.

The Partnership Under Dr. Robert Reyes
(1996 - Present)

• Established in 1992, the Latino Partnership has served a key mediating role in Messiah's efforts to develop meaningful and cooperative relationships with local Latino leaders and community organizations in Harrisburg.
  
• Spearheaded Hispanic Awareness Week on campus.
  
• Linked local Latino organizations with Messiah faculty for the purpose of conducting community-based research and assessment.
  
• Connected students interested in doing internships with social and/or government agencies in Harrisburg that work with Latino populations and programs. For example, one student used her social research skills to collect and analyze data for Danzante (a non-profit Latino arts and dance company) as part of an evaluation project the agency was required to conduct. This project was done in collaboration with the Agape Center, with Dr. John Eby providing academic supervision. Another student interested in political activism and economic development was able to secure an internship with the office of the Governor's Advisory Commission on Latino Affairs.
  
• Provided logistical support for the Danzante Day Camp, a Latino, arts-based summer program for inner-city children.
  
• Provided research assistance to Danzante in program evaluation of their juvenile delinquency arts program.
  
• For the past four years (1998-2002), Dr. Reyes has co-sponsored the annual Middle School Leadership Development weekend on Messiah's campus in association with the Pennsylvania Department of Migrant Education for Dauphin, Adams, and Lebanon Counties. The program exposes middle school migrant children to a college environment, helps decrease anxieties associated with the idea of going to college, as well as encourages them to stay in school and continue their education. The program targets students transitioning from middle school to high school who are from lower SES backgrounds and who may be at risk for dropping out of school.
  
• Presented several workshops and coordinated annual participation of Messiah College students at the annual Pennsylvania Statewide Latino Coalition Conference.
  
• Director Robert Reyes was invited by Senator Rick Santorum to a special briefing on Capitol Hill, Washington, DC for "prominent Latino-American leaders" (1997).
  
• Co-sponsored an academic conference of "Spirituality and Mental Health" with the Hispanic Taskforce for Dauphin County Department of Mental Health. The conference was attended by 50 individuals from area universities and social service agencies, most of whom were involved in research or direct services to Latino families (1999).

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