The Ready to Learn Providence AmeriCorps program serves children, families, and child care providers in Providence, Rhode Island where many families speak Spanish (and other languages) in their homes. In their child care centers and schools, children are learning English, but parents are often uncomfortable or unable to talk with the teacher because of a language barrier. Having AmeriCorps members who can bridge that gap provides much needed support for the children, so that they are not the ones always translating for their parents.

The first step towards recruiting diverse members was to create and distribute bilingual recruitment materials. To do this they:

• Reached out, in person, to the Spanish-language churches, the Spanish radio station and newspaper, and the Latino leadership program in their community
• Created and distributed English and Spanish posters at partner sites, libraries, and grocery stores

In addition, trainings were conducted in Spanish and English during the second year of the program. Use of their native language created a more comfortable atmosphere for Spanish speakers to express their opinions in discussions.

After the first year of the program, word-of-mouth from the members spread the word to the Spanish-speaking community.

Laura Firtel of Notre Dame AmeriCorps in Apopka, FL also recruits bilinugal members. The program tutors and mentors children and youth, offers youth and adult education classes, and works with survivors of domestic violence.

Click the play button to hear her talk about the importance of personalizing bilingual pitches, and not just plastering a community with flyers.

Go back to Recruit for Diversity