DIRECTORIO 2020
BUILDING BRIDGES and CLOSING DIVIDES HCCLF and community partners empower Hispanic professionals with translation services and technological education
magine sitting down at a computer to apply for a job. Now imagine that everything from job descriptions to applications and interviews — even the programs required to perform the job duties — are in a language you’ve never learned, on systems you’ve never been trained to use. Louisiana’s Hispanic population has nearly doubled in size since 2000, and with that growth comes an increased presence of Hispanic-owned workers and businesses in the area. However, many members of this expanding community still encounter roadblocks on the way to employment. One in three Louisianans lack a home internet connection, and those who haven’t learned the ins-and-outs of basic technology risk losing out on key educational and professional opportunities. Those without computers or Internet access must often turn to public resources like libraries, where language barriers further prevent many members of the Hispanic population from asking for or receiving assistance. To pave the way for professional success, The Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of Louisiana Foundation (HCCLF) and its parent
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organization, The Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of Louisiana (HCCL), have rolled out several educational and business development initiatives to bridge the gap between the skilled Hispanic workforce and opportunities available in the region.
The Translation Taskforce The onset of COVID-19 made the need for minority-targeted resources even greater, as businesses, organizations and families worldwide adjusted to a changing business climate. First and foremost, HCCL and HCCLF formed a collaborative ad-hoc translation committee to assist with applications and legal paperwork. This was added to an existing docket of Foundation initiatives including English as a Second Language (ESL) classes, career counseling, resume and cover letter writing assistance, and interview preparation courses. “Along with the Hispanic Chamber, we have provided translations on important governmental directives and daily information about the COVID-19 testing sites and food banks,” says www.hccl.biz
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