You can be a proud spic, and get your own special interest group. Try being a proud White…
Thursday, July 5th, 2007
Group offers resources to Hispanic immigrants
July 5, 2007 - 12:00AM
DAILY NEWS STAFF
Its name is pronounced like “hola,” the Spanish word for “hello,” and its members want Onslow County’s Hispanic immigrant and American communities to feel similarly welcome.
Since founding the Onslow Hispanic Latino Association - or OHLA - at least four years ago, members say, they have made it their mission to bridge the gap between the two communities and serve as a resource hub for Hispanic immigrants in the area.
But that doesn’t mean just giving handouts, said Executive Director Joe Luna.
“We’re not handing things out just to hand things out,” Luna said. “We want the Hispanic community to work for what they get.”
The organization, which has a core group of 12 regular members and a year ago achieved nonprofit status, offers varied resources.
The point, members say, is to teach Hispanic immigrants to be self-sufficient and to assimilate to the American way of life.