Letter from the Director:
Dear Friends – 2013 was another incredible year for ¡HICA!. In addition to facilitating integration for more than 3,500 families and increasing our staff size to over 20 people, ¡HICA! invested in our future by purchasing a building and now has a permanent home in the community! From our founding in 1999 ¡HICA! relied on the generosity of Southside Baptist Church and then Grace Episcopal Church to host us at a very low cost. Then in 2006 we took a leap and began renting our own space on West Valley Avenue, in an immigrant centric and friendly neighborhood. That move became the catalyst for ¡HICA!’s extraordinary growth, which eventually led to purchasing our own building in 2013. We are delighted to share with you some highlights of our work over the past year. As you will see, we remain firmly dedicated to our mission of changing lives and communities through social, civic, and economic integration. We especially celebrate the reaching of a settlement in the court case against HB 56, Alabama’s harsh anti-immigrant law, as a great victory for immigrant rights. As the demographic composition and political climate of our society change, ¡HICA! continues to connect, educate, and advocate for Alabama’s new Hispanic community in partnership with you, the host community. We dedicate this report to our partnership with you, and look forward to another great year in 2014- when ¡HICA! turns 15! All the best –
Isabel Rubio
¡HICA!’s Mission and Vision ¡HICA! is dedicated to the social, civic and economic integration of Hispanic families in Alabama. ¡HICA! envisions an Alabama in which everyone has full and equal participation in our state’s civic, cultural, social, and economic life. Hispanic and immigrant families are empowered to integrate, engage, and lead their communities to reach their families’ aspirations. page 2
Accomplishments: In 2013, ¡HICA! provided 14,105 services to 11,201 community members belonging to 3,655 families… Asset Building and Economic Development Program • • • •
Supported 21 entrepreneurs in opening small businesses Filed income taxes for 292 constituents Helped 57 people obtain employment through our Community Job Bank Educated 79 community members about Financial Literacy, and 45 community members in Computer Skills
Community Engagement and Education Program
• Conducted workshops around the state with 745 participants. Immigrant community members learned about their rights, responsibilities and how to navigate their new communities. Host community members learned about immigrants’ backgrounds and struggles they face. • Supported 65 women through 7 Comadres women’s support groups around Central Alabama. These groups provide opportunities for education on various topics, access to peer and professional counselling, and leadership development for immigrant Latinas. • Educated 39 parents about their children’s education system through our Parents as Partners program at Glen Iris Elementary in the Birmingham City School District • Worked with 9 schools across two counties to increase the engagement of Hispanic families in the education process, and sent best-practice emails to a list of over 100 educators in Alabama
Immigration and Access to Justice Program
• Helped 19 immigrants apply for U.S. citizenship • Put 8 immigrants on the path to citizenship through special visas and immigration status adjustments for victims of crime • Helped 167 immigrant youth who came to the U.S. as young children (DREAMers) access higher education and employment opportunities through Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA)
Strong Families Program
• Provided information and referral to 826 families relating to basic necessities such as food, clothing, and utilities • Counseled 1,500 individuals about legal matters such as debt, corrections to birth certificates, and legal referrals • Worked with more than 100 victims of domestic violence and sexual assault through crisis counseling, case management and court advocacy page 3
The HB 56 Settlement and What It Means for Hispanic Families in Alabama On November 25, 2013, the parties to the court case ¡HICA! v. Bentley, which included the Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC) and American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), finalized a settlement to end litigation on Alabama HB 56, which was first signed into law in June 2011. HB 56 sparked immediate fear and uncertainty in the immigrant and Hispanic community. Due to the threat of racial profiling, deportation, and family separation, many were afraid to go to work, to send their children to school, and even to leave their homes. The ¡HICA! v. Bentley settlement put an end to provisions of HB 56 that were deemed unconstitutional. The sections of HB 56 which have been permanently blocked are those which made it a state crime: • • • • • •
To fail to register one’s immigration status; For undocumented immigrants to accept or solicit work; For day laborers to solicit work on the street or for drivers to pick up or hire day laborers; To provide shelter or transportation or to rent property to individuals without immigration documents; For unlawfully present individuals to access state courts in order to enforce contracts; and For public elementary and secondary schools not to verify the immigration status of new students.
In addition, under the settlement agreement law enforcement officers in Alabama cannot detain people solely to verify their immigration status. The following provisions of the law remain in effect: • • • • •
Law enforcement will check the immigration status of those who are jailed. Unlawfully present immigrants convicted of crimes may be transferred to immigration custody. The State is required to publish an online list of undocumented immigrants who are detained and who appear in court in Alabama. However, state officials have said that they have no plans to publish the online list at present. Undocumented immigrants are not permitted to enroll in or attend any public colleges and universities in Alabama and are not eligible to receive scholarships, grants, financial aid, or any other post-secondary education benefit in Alabama. Individuals must prove their lawful status in order to apply for and receive driver’s licenses, non-driver ID cards, motor vehicle tags, business licenses, commercial licenses, and professional licenses.
As ¡HICA! informs our community members about these changes to HB 56, we continue to be vigilant against civil rights violations and advocate for our community. ¡HICA! celebrates this settlement as a turning point from what has been a dark chapter in Alabama’s history. We look forward to a brighter future for Alabama- one in which all people receive equal treatment and equal opportunity, and are welcomed to contribute to the development of our communities. ¡HICA! knows that keeping abreast of immigration reform legislation is essential to our communities. And equally important is empowering the Hispanic community to become self-reliant and integrated into the broader community. There are many ways to get involved: • Advocate for Immigrant Rights and Immigration Reform • Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram • Become a donor to ¡HICA! today at www.hispanicinterest.org Thank you for believing in our vision.
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¡HICA!’s New Home
In January 2014, ¡HICA!’s office moved to a new location not far from our previous office. This move came not a moment too soon given the rapid expansion that our organization has experienced during the last few years, and we are delighted to celebrate this milestone in our development. When ¡HICA! was founded in 1999, Alabama’s Hispanic population was approximately 75,000, or 1.7% of the total population. By 2012, Alabama’s Hispanic population was 197,518 or 4.1%. ¡HICA!’s role in the community has increased as more families seek our services. Other 1% Constituent Donations 1% General Contributions 2% Program Service Fees 3%
inist
Adm
Special Events 3% Balance Forward 4%
United Way 12%
2013 Total Revenue: $1,152,236
Foundation Grants 48%
n 8%
ratio
Eco Asse no t Bu mi c D ildin g 23 evelo & % pm e
nt
Immigration & Access to Education 23%
Government Grants 27%
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Community Engagement & Education 29%
Strong Families 25%
2013 Expenditures by Program
A Letter from Our Constituent: Rohie Ceesay To: HICA Birmingham Sir, Madam, Sometimes it takes time to figure out what to say for expressing gratitude. It’s been long overdue to tell you a Big Thank you fro [sic] processing my green card. What a freedom and a positive change in my life. I have already been to my beloved country The Gambia three times. Thanks to HICA for making it easy. Keep up the Good Job. God Bless HICA, Rohie.
¡HICA! Thanks Our 2013 Supporters: CORPORATIONS & FOUNDATIONS Alabama Asset Building Coalition Alabama Law Foundation Alabama Power Foundation AT&T BBVA Compass Bi-Lo Winn-Dixie Foundation Birmingham Bar Foundation Brasfield & Gorrie The Caring Foundation of Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Alabama The Community Foundation of Greater Birmingham The Daniel Foundation of Alabama Dollar General Literacy Foundation Hill Crest Foundation Honda Manufacturing of Alabama Independent Presbyterian Church Foundation
Joseph S. Bruno Foundation Mary Reynolds Babcock Foundation Mayer Electric Supply Company, Inc. McWane Foundation Mike & Gillian Goodrich Foundation National Association of Latino Community Asset Builders Pleiad Foundation Regions Bank Robert R. Meyer Foundation Sam’s Club The Sheryl and Jon Kimmerling Family Fund T-Mobile, USA Thompson Foundation State Farm Insurance UAB Benevolent Fund United Way Central Alabama Vulcan Materials Company Foundation Weingart Foundation Wells Fargo Foundation
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ALMA LATINA AWARD LUNCHEON SUPPORTERS Alabama Power B Metro Magazine Balch & Bingham Birmingham Business Journal Birmingham Coca-Cola Bottling Company Brookwood Medical Center Canterbury, UMC Infinity Auto Insurance Regions Financial Corporation Rubio Law Firm United-Johnson Brothers Vulcan Materials Company Walker Law Firm Edgar & Marilyn Acosta Neal Berte William Blackerby & Anne Thiele Roberto Cabrera Meredith Ray Calhoun
John Colon Christopher Couch Marva Douglas Scott Douglas Matthew Ennis John P. Florio Noel Gallegos Wes Goodenough Jennifer L. Greer Tom Grip Jennifer Kilburn Sarah Kleban Vanessa Letson Jeremy B. Love R. G. Wilson-Lyons John Martin Antonio F. Miranda Vivian Mora Teresa Zúñiga Odom Octavio Olivia Robert & Roseann Rodriguez Deborah A. Smith Joyce T. Spielberger
2013 Supporters
GENEROUS SUPPORTERS Edgar & Marilyn Acosta AIDS Alabama Joshua Bryant Akers Carlos Enrique Aleman Johanna Alvarez Gabriel Alberto Atienza BAMA Insurance BancorpSouth Bank Gerardo Beltran Jay Bender & Dominique Linchet Birmingham Health Care William Blackerby & Anne Thiele Mary Boehm Lee Branson John R. Brandt, Jr. Brennanagency, LLC Britos Randall B. Buff Jorge A. Caceres, MD Carolina Canizales Alfredo A. Caramulti Mary Andrews Carlisle Rohie Ceesay Linda G. Childs Willie Chriesman Oliver Clark Rick Clay & Linda Verin Ross N. Cohen Foster Cook & Rowena Macnab Stephen & Caryn Corenblum Christopher Couch Robert & Beth Craft Susan E. Davenport Charlene De Jesus Scott & Lynn Douglas Ana Draa Karen Duvevani John English Matthew & Amanda Ennis Federation of Childcare of Alabama Dana D. Fleming John & Pam Floyd Kimble Forrister Ladye D. Franklin-Kelly
Samuel H. Frazier Jessica Garcia Maricela Garcia James Gary Paulo E. Gonzalez Gordos Wesley Goodenough Crystal Goodman Nathan Gordon Joyce Greathouse Liliana Salas Grip Growing Up Pediatrics Rosa Guzman Maria Harding Sophia Bracy Harris Heather Harrison Lindsay Heard Sarah Hicks Holly Jaap Hilton John & Evelyn Jaap Wendy L. Jarvis Shonda Johnson Jennifer Kilburn R. Allen Kilgore Ricki Kline Chirag Gupta Lal Kathleen A. Liles The Literacy Council Maria D. Lopez-Hernandez Love Law Firm Seton & Katie Bee Marshall John W. Martin Michael & Suzanne Martin Fernando Martinez Jamal, Andrea, Brandon & Madison McCaskey Lora Vaughn Mcintosh Max & Ellen Michael Rabbi Jonathan Miller Mi Pueblo Vivian R. Mora Scott B. Morgan Lizeidy Nieves-Vera John & Ericka Northrup Eddie & Teresa Odom Bishop Henry N. Parsley, Jr. Elise M. Penfield David Perry & Leigh Davis
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Dick & Dana Pigford Pinches Tacos Juliana Ramirez Steven L. Reider &Terri Denard Jose Emmanuel RodriguezRodriguez Pam Rodriguez Roseann Rodriguez Frank Romanowicz Joel & Bunny Rotenstreich Stewart & Barbara Royal Freddy & Isabel Rubio Silverio & Julie Rubio Sabor Latino Nancy M. Sales Mary F. Samuels Jennifer Sanders Jonathan Sanford Samuel Carder Schiwitz Doug Segrest Bobbie S. Siegal Don H. Smith Edna Blaylock Snyder Joyce T. Spielberger James D. Sokol & Lydia Cheney James & Margaret Stack Bell H. Stoddard Kyle Strange & Ann Klasner Valerie Collins Thomas Teresa K. Thorne Lisa & Marc Tyson Oscar Venegas Angie O. Vilchez Virginia S. Volker Judge and Mrs. Scott Vowell Paul & Joanna Ware Mary Weidler Michele Williams R. G. Wilson-Lyons Rev. Angela H. Wright Anne Regina Yuengert 11TH ANNUAL TAMALE SALE SUPPORTERS Kathy Howard Abercrombie Madeline Adams Lynne Adrian
Andrew Allen Emily Allison Charles Amsler David Anderson Jennifer Anderson Laura C. Anderson Milena Arantes Margaret Arndt Alan Arnold Valeria W. Atchison Brian Atkins Bill P. Bach Emily Baillio Ross Baker Kelli I. Ball Ann Barber David Barnhart Susan A. Barrow Karen Beard Betsy Belser Frank W. Bemis Misty J. Bennett Dani Berryhill Tay Berryhill Andrew Birdwell Elizabeth Bishop Kaitlin M. Bitz Alice Blair James Blanton Larry Bleiberg Kristin Robinson Boggs Caroline Bolvig Jeff Bonner Caroline H. Boone Robert Boylan Georgia W. Brennan Natalie C. Brooks Angelique S. Brown Denyse Thornley Brown Michelle Horn Brown Alice E. Bryant Pam Buck Steven Bunker Elizabeth D. Burgess Carmen Burkhalter Allan Burton Karen H. Buttler Matt Buttler
2013 Tamale Sale Supporters
Rebecca Buttler Meredith Calhoun Sylvia Calvano Cindy Canaday Carmen Capo Lugo Virginia W. Caris Leslie Carlisle Mary Andrews Carlisle James Carnes Amy S. Carr Mike Carson Gary Carswell Roberto Jose Cases Molly Cashion Charles H. Catlett Mark V. Ceraso Mark Chambers Susan Chandler Sharon Chappell Linda G Childs Willie Chriesman Yae S. Chung Jennifer Cloe Judith M. Cloe Jera A. Cochran Barbara A. Cole Peggy Collins Kristie Colvin John Cone Linda Dukes Connor David W. Coombs Gary Cooper Jesanna Cooper Cheryl L. Cottrill Kelly Creel Nelda Creel Kris Cross Carla C. Crowder Christina Crowe Rus Curtis Robert L. Daniel Jon Davies Chris Davis Karen G. Davis Amy E. Dayton Mary K. Dean Leslie Denham Guy B. Dewees, IV
Norma Dodd Marva Douglas Brooke Dover Patsy Dreher Elizabeth Drennen George Dumas Alida Dwyer Laura J. East Andrew Edwards William Edwards Millie Ehrett Jesse S. Ellis Willie Ellis Fran Emerson Matthew Ennis Cary Estes Shirley Fagan Larry Fagen Zachary L. Farmer Jani Farr Wayne A. Farris Louis B. Feld Myers Fletcher Sharaf Floyd Daniel J. Foster Philip Foster Sandra Foster Kathy Fournier Lori A. Frank Kristen M. Fuller Lina Galvis Lucy Gaona Kerri Garner Wendy M. Garner David Gary Matt Geller Sonta Gentry Kate Gibbs Michael Gibbs Julie T. Gilliom Brooke Glover Shari Goggans Lisa Golden Leslie Gollotte Kay K. Golson Sally H. Gombita Bill Goodwin Lauren Goodwin
Peggy Gordon Marie Y. Gordon Kerry L. Gossett Andrew B. Grace Ellyn Grady Nick Graffeo Patricia C. Grey Lisa A. Grupe Dyer Guess Carol Gundlach Juan Fra. Gutierrez-Mazorra Mary Gwin Charm W. Hain Katie Hamrick Julie Harbin Marcia M. Hart Kathleen D. Hartman Susan Haskell Viktoria Havasi Mary Hawke Susan A Haynes Paulette Haywood Nancy Heflin Jane Henderson Dan C. Henry Yvonne F. Herron Harold E. Higginbotham Jessica Hightower Jill Hightower Jane Hiles Tammy L. Hill Lee Hilliard Holly & Reed Hilton Andrew W. Ho Kathryn A. Hollifield William W. Horton Kelly Horwitz Barbara Howard Elton Howard Dave & Valerie Howell Kathy Hubbert Darryl Hunt Myra Hunter Beverly Hurley Hill Brian J. Hurst Dianna Hyde Robyn Hyden Michael Innis- Jimenez
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Ashley Inscoe Melody Izard Chris R. Jackson Jeanne & Lester Jackson Brad Jeffcoat Debra L. Joe Jacqueline Johnson Kimberly Johnson Renee Johnson Martha Johnston John C. Jones Lisa M. Jones Mendi Jones Virginia J. Jones Ashley S. Joseph Allison Kahl Camille H. Kahlert Janis A. Kashuba Pamela Kaye Leigh A. Kaylor Stephen L. Kelley Donald S. Kelly Laree P. Kennedy Linda L. Kennedy Jennifer Kilburn Elizabeth W. King Kaira King Leann Kinnunen Brian W. Kittrell Sibylle Kristensen Lisa Krzysik Claire A. Kuhn Alex Kunzman Eileen Kunzman Pamela K. Lacey Drew Langloh Laura Leatherwood Grace S. Lee Daniel Levine Julie K. Levinson-Gabis Elizabeth M. Lindsey Diane Litsey Deborah Lockridge Cheryl Loeffler John A. Long Pamela Lopez Annie Love Thomas Lower
2013 Tamale Sale Supporters
David S. Luker R. G. Wilson-Lyons Lucy Mallery Michael E. Malone Paul A. Mancill Tania Mariani Victor W. Mark Madoline Markham Betsy R. Marks Danny & Eileen Markstein John W. Martin Suzanne Martin Nancy B. Masucci Pamela A. May Ellise Mayor Betsy U. McAtee Joseph H. McClure James & Rebecca McCrary Nora McCray Stephen M. McGee Philip M. McGrath Joseph McKinney Katrina McKinney Merritt McKinney Kaye McWane Laura Menconi Marisela Maria G. Mendez Michelle E. Michael Don Miley Thomas Miller Jon M. Mindingall Stacy W. Miner Anne W. Mitchell Christa Moore Vivian R. Mora Martha Maria Morales H. P. Moreland Stacy Morgan Pamela L. Moser Alison Moyer Beverly Mulvihill Guendalina Munoz Emily Nelson Timothy Nelson Samuetta P. Nesbitt Mary B. Newbill Shana Nicholson Kate Nielsen
Steve Northcutt Charles S. Northen John & Ericka Northrup Jon W. O’Barr Gerry O’Toole Denise Obregon Eddie & Teresa Odom Octavio M. Oliva Kristina Oliver Stacy Oliver Tony Oliver Vern Oloane Eric Olsen Mandy Olson Courtney Orazine Janet Ort Mary K. Osburne Gina M. Palmer Dale Pangman Sammy J. Parker Andy Parrish Elizabeth Parrish Laura E. Partain Laura M. Pate Melissa S. Patrick Maureen Pezzementi Kelly Phillips Kevin W. Poindexter Sam Pointer Lynette Pope Rashel Post Brett Pouncey Teresa Priola Reva Ramey Paul Rand Sammy Raviv Joel Reid Susan Reid Susan Remy Gale Renta Jaime M. Reyes Paul Reynolds Stephanie Rhodes Shelby Riddle Silvia Rider John R. Rinker Renee Ritchey David Robbins
Jo C. Romeo Sheldon Rosenzweig Jennifer L. Rowland Freddy & Isabel Rubio Laura Russell James D. Russerll Andy Saag Pattty A. Saffles Nancy M. Sales Brooke Salter Caitlin Sandley Beth Sanfratel Alessia Sartorio Mariann Schmitz Julie Schram Kristina Scott Diane Selman Jena Seward Katie Shaddix Nancy K. Shannon David Shaw George L. Sherling Randy Short Tee Showers Nichalaus Sims Lindsay L. Sinor Tiffany Sirles Leonette W. Slay Cindy Smart Angela Smith Brenda Smith Christian N. Smith Chuck Smith Jacob L. Smith Jan Smith Lisa C. Smith Randy Smith Stephen B. Smith Susan Smith Lindsey Smitherman Andy Sparks Joyce T. Spielberger Lyn C. Stafford Beth Stewart Scott Stone James D. Stout Marian L. St.Petery J. Kyle Strange
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Cathy Strawn Stephanie Strode Phillip Sutton Susan Swagler Kelley Swatzell Kathleen S. Tajeu Pam Thompson Dean Thornton Cynthia L. Timmerman James Tobey Jane G. Treshsel Tonie M. Troncalli-Eisa Amy Tucker John Turner Scott Turner Ginny Tyree Eric T. Velasco Cindi Vice Frederic H. Wagner Gene Wahnefried Benjamin Wall Alison Wallace Kay L. Wallace Jill W. Walton Thomas W. Ward Leila Watson Leticia Weaster Deb Welsh Kenneth Wheeler Jennifer G. Whisenant Janey A. White Stephanie C. White Karla Wiles Terri Williams-Glass Amanda Willig Dale Wisely James Witcher Felicia A. Witherspoon Elaine Witt Gale B. Wood Catherine Word Laura Wren Tim Wright Nancy B. Yarbrough Stephen A. Yoder Michael C. Zoebelein
¡HICA!’s 2014 Board Members
Tony Smoke, Chair* Alabama Power Company
Edgar Acosta Wells Fargo Advisors, LLC
Yolanda Jackson BBVA Compass
Carlos Torres-Sanchez, Vice-Chair* Jefferson County Department of Health
Simmy Barrocas Navigate Affordable Housing Partners
Nancy Kane Protective Life Insurance
R. G. Wilson-Lyons, Treasurer* Church Without Walls, UMC
Mary Andrews Carlisle Vulcan Materials Company
Satina Richardson BIG Communications
Teresa Zúñiga Odom, Past Chair* Community Volunteer
Linda Childs Regions Financial Corp.
Maria Esperanza Vargas Community Volunteer
Willie Chriesman* Chriesman & Associates
Maricela Garcia Comadre, Community Volunteer
Vivian Mora* State Farm Insurance Company
Sheriff Mike Hale Jefferson County Sheriff ’s Department
¡HICA! would like to thank Jennifer Kilburn, Scott Douglas, and Joyce Spielberger, whose terms ended in 2013, for their years of service on ¡HICA!’s Board of Directors.
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*Executive Committee Member
¡HICA!’s Staff
Isabel Rubio Executive Director Silvia Hoyos Director of Operations and Programs Holly Jaap Hilton Director of Development Gerry O’Toole Director of Finance and Administration Matt Buttler Communications Associate Janet Licea Asset Building Associate Johanna Álvarez Asset Building Associate
Vanessa Stevens Community Engagement Coordinator Miriam Villanueva Comadres Peer Counselor Cindy García Comadres Peer Counselor Arturo Burciaga Community Organizer Inocencio Chávez AmeriCorps VISTA Charlotte Álvarez Legal Director Juliana Ramirez Immigration Paralegal
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Lucía Gaona VAWA Specialist Claudia Hendley Strong Families Coordinator Stacey Burke Victims Advocate María Gooch Court Advocate Rosalinda Guzmán Family Advocate Ana González Office Associate
NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION U.S. POSTAGE PAID BIRMINGHAM, AL PERMIT NO. 462
117 South Crest Drive Birmingham, Alabama 35209 Address Service Requested
w w w. h i s p a n i c i n t e r e s t . o r g
•
205.942.5505
•
866.502.HICA (4422)
Meet the Estrada-Perez Family Juan and Hermelinda, who are originally from Mexico, arrived in Alabama in 1996. They first came to ¡HICA! in 2009, because they had heard that ¡HICA! provided information and referral services, and originally came to ask general questions about immigration and finances. Over the last five years, the couple and their five children have utilized many of ¡HICA!’s services. ¡HICA!’s Immigration and Access to Justice Program helped them obtain permission for their children to visit relatives in Mexico, and our Asset Building and Economic Development Program helped them file income taxes and increase their financial knowledge and skills. When asked about life as an immigrant in Alabama and how ¡HICA! has helped his family, Juan said “It’s hard being here because many people aren’t able to get the information and services they need because of documentation. But ¡HICA! is always there to help with whatever we need, or to refer us to someone who can help.”
Sponsored by
¡HICA! is a proud partner of United Way of Central Alabama
¡HICA! would like to thank Infinity Insurance for printing this report.