ALAS works to build community and confidence through Spanish-language programs in Iredell County
A cooking class, financial literacy lesson or wellness workshop can offer more than new knowledge. For Alliance for Latino Advocacy & Success (ALAS), these programs are opportunities to build connections, strengthen confidence and help Spanish-speaking residents feel more connected to their community.
Nancy Guerrero and Xochitl Koppelmeyer, two co-directors of ALAS, explain how ALAS began with a focus on wellness but has expanded to address a broader range of community needs. After forming as a nonprofit, the organization surveyed residents to identify the resources and programs they wanted most.
“We are trying to cover a lot of the needs of that community, even though the community knows that there is a need for it,” Koppelmeyer said.
ALAS offers programming in Spanish, creating opportunities for residents to share their skills and knowledge without language barriers preventing them from participating. Topics include cooking, financial literacy, substance use awareness and wellness, with plans to expand resources and build leadership.
Cooking classes, in particular, bring people from different countries together to share recipes and experiences. The programs also help residents recognize the skills they already possess and feel comfortable teaching others.
“A lot of people came here for the goal of survival,” Koppelmeyer said, explaining that language barriers can prevent individuals from showcasing skills they developed through years of work, study and practice.
Guerrero said the organization hopes to connect families and individuals who are new to the United States or feel isolated from the community.
“We have more in common with each other than we do differences,” Guerrero said. “We are trying to close that gap to close the gap of feeling isolated and disconnected within the community.”
The organization also hopes to support students considering college, connect families with disability-related resources and offer financial education that extends beyond paying bills.
As ALAS grows throughout Iredell County, its leaders hope to create more opportunities for Latino residents to share their voices, develop leadership skills and participate in local government.
For Koppelmeyer and Guerrero, the goal is to create a lasting cycle of learning and teaching that strengthens the entire community.
For more information about ALAS, visit their website and Facebook page today.
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