Latino Leadership Project

Many rural communities have seen dramatic increases in Latino populations, coinciding with the implementation of NAFTA and other regional trade agreements. These newest community members often take low-wage jobs offered by U.S. food processing and service sector industries and despite a strong work ethic, are faced with very real economic and other challenges that can get in the way of full participation in community life.

Through the Latino Leadership Project, Main Street Project focuses on developing emerging leaders of all ages within the rural Latino community - as a means of creating change from the inside out. We simultaneously work to build a broad-based movement for political participation and community involvement. All strategies work towards building more inclusive, engaged, and politically empowered communities.

Action plan

• Hold leadership development trainings in an encuentros style, where families and all ages, including youth and elders, participate; hold youth-specific leadership development sessions.

• Work to increase Latino civic participation and voter turnout.

• Create state- and area-wide coalitions of Latino individuals and non-profit and/or community-based organizations. 
  

• Identify a common slate of issues and build a base of active Latino residents to organize and challenge candidates to take clear positions on legislation and policy that's relevant to the community.