How local groups address needs of fast-growing Hispanic population

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) — Local organizations and businesses are working to support West Michigan’s fast-growing Hispanic population.

Citing data from the U.S. Census, the state says that the Hispanic and Latino population grew from 4.4% in 2010 to 5.6% in 2020. About 6% of the state’s population is now Hispanic or Latino, according to the most recent estimates from the U.S. Census.

In West Michigan, there are an estimated 202,200 people who are Hispanic or Latino, making up about 8.6% of the total population. In cities like Holland or Wyoming, that percentage is much higher, with Hispanic or Latino people making up 23.90% of Holland’s population and 24.10% of Wyoming’s population.

Between 2022 and 2023, the Hispanic population drove Michigan’s overall population growth. Michigan was one of 43 states that saw total population growth in that year.

While the state’s Hispanic population grew, the non-Hispanic population actually shrank, according to the U.S. Census . A dozen other states in the United States also saw overall growth in their population numbers with a growing Hispanic population and a declining non-Hispanic population.

WHAT’S DRIVING THE GROWTH IN WEST MICHIGAN?

That growth matches with what local organizations are seeing.

Gaby Cordova, the director of engagement at the Hispanic Center of Western Michigan, said her organization is seeing more people on a weekly basis.

“In general, the Hispanic population is growing,” she said. “Here at the Hispanic Center, we’re here to provide the assistance that they may need and the support they may need just to help them grow and succeed in their new environment.”

She said part of what’s driving that growth is the opportunities in Michigan and the fact that West Michigan already has an established Hispanic population.

The Right Place , a regional economic development agency, expects that growth to continue. Talent Program Manager Victor Joaquin noted that West Michigan’s low cost of living, while offering a comfortable place to live, is a big draw.

“I was born in the Dominican Republic. My parents moved to West Michigan (when) I was around 5 years old,” he said. “The opportunities that are afforded to … Americans is something that I think I do not take for granted.”

He said his parents appreciated West Michigan’s attractive lifestyle, close-knit communities and supportive neighbors.

“When I see the Hispanic population continue to grow in West Michigan, I think it’s mainly due to that attractive piece that not all locations, not all regions, can truly offer,” he said.

HISPANIC CENTER OFFERS HELP FOR LANGUAGE BARRIER

Joaquin noted that the close-knit community can be a ‘double-edged sword,’ as it can be difficult to break into the community unless inroads have already been made.

He said one of the biggest hurdles many in West Michigan’s Hispanic population face is the Spanish-to-English language barrier.

“That may not have been an easy transition for my parents originally, especially my mother who didn’t speak too much English. She speaks it very well now,” he said.

The Hispanic Center — which is expanding to meet the growing needs of the community — offers several resources and programs, including help for those who are navigating that language barrier.

“We really do try to take a holistic approach,” Cordova explained. “We assess the whole family’s needs. So they may come in, for example, (for) food stamps. And then we start learning that, ‘Oh, Mom lost her job,’ so we refer them to our workforce department. So then she is able to get that support she needs to find another job and as well build her skill set.”

The center helps people navigate filling out forms for things like food and disability benefits, and a human and civil rights coordinator and advocate offers assistance with things like getting passports renewed. The Workforce Development Program helps people find jobs through resume building and trainings. The center runs a bilingual preschool at Covenant House , helps families arrange school transportation and helps students apply for college and financial aid.

“Here at the center, we definitely try to be provide them as much as resources that they may need and provide that support that they need to get accustomed to the new environment and as well see them thrive,” Cordova said.

The Hispanic Center also offers interpretation and translation services for Spanish and other languages. Cordova said it’s crucial that important information is translated into Spanish and other languages found within the community. For example, she said that during the pandemic, the Hispanic Center translated COVID-19 information into multiple languages to make sure that people were informed.

WHAT ARE LOCAL BUSINESSES DOING?

That program also helps local companies navigate the language barrier. Some have used the service to translate training documents, employee handbooks and other items. Still, Cordova said there’s room for improvement when it comes to local businesses supporting Spanish-speaking employees.

Joaquin and his colleague, TaRita Johnson, The Right Place’s senior vice president of talent and diversity, help businesses get connected with programs like the Hispanic Center.

“As we continue to bring more Hispanics into the businesses that serve our communities, we want to make sure that we address their needs to meet them where they’re at, and also continue to make sure that this region, Grand Rapids, not only stays inclusive (and) diverse, but affords everyone the opportunities to be a successful component to all businesses,” Joaquin said.

He said businesses should look at what they can do to create a welcoming environment for Spanish-speaking applicants and candidates and then see if there’s a way to offer English training. Joaquin said some recruiters and business owners may not see a potential employee as a valuable asset because of a language barrier, even though they are capable. Taking advantage of resources like what the Hispanic Center offers could help local businesses address talent shortages.

“When you silo your talent or you start to compartmentalize sections of the talent to being strictly these roles or these wages, you really limit the ability for a company to grow,” he said.

He said he’s happy to see some local businesses putting in the work to be welcoming to Spanish-speaking employees, but noted that there’s still room for improvement.

Joaquin and Johnson pointed to People First Economy , the West Michigan Hispanic Chamber of Commerce , LAUP and Grow as other resources to support businesses. Johnson said it’s important to make sure that those organizations are properly funded.

“There are organizations in the community that — if they’re strengthened — they know the talent, they know the people and they just need the resources to continue to build and make sure that everything is equitable and accessible,” Johnson said.

‘WE’RE STRONGER TOGETHER’

Johnson encouraged the community to invest in those organizations and to support diverse businesses .

“We are a … growing community here in greater Grand Rapids and we want to be inclusive for everybody,” she said. “We’re stronger together. So if everybody can see that, that helps take us to the next level, and we know that there are many leaders that are invested in that growth and ensuring inclusivity for everybody.”

Joaquin said when there’s a language barrier, something as simple as a smile can help someone feel like they belong.

“You’d be surprised how much can be communicated through almost nonverbal, universal type language,” he said.

He said that there’s still work to be done to make sure the growing Hispanic population feels supported.

“As a person of color, as a Hispanic living in West Michigan, I’ve championed for West Michigan since moving here. I don’t see myself moving out of it. It’s a perfect fit for my family. But just because it’s perfect for me doesn’t mean it’s perfect for everyone that looks like me,” he said. “I truly love this place. … But I would be naïve in saying that it’s the right place for everyone that looks like me. I think there’s still some work that needs to be done, but we are making progress, and that that’s all I can ask for.”

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