Latinos Unidos Monmouth (LUM)

1. Latinos Unidos Monmouth (LUM) • Co-founded by: Jaime Godina, 4th Ward Alderman City of Monmouth, Ricardo Montoya, Community Organizer, Illinois Coalition for Community Services, & Carina Olaru, Assistant Professor, Modern Foreign Languages Monmouth College • First inaugural meeting held January 14, 2013 at Warren County Public Library • The group consists of local business entreprenuers, college professors, high school teachers, local residents, and college students

2. Latinos Unidos de Monmouth (LUM) &Illinois Coalition for Community Services

3. MISSION STATEMENT • “Latinos Unidos de Monmouth (LUM) works to empower and unite the Monmouth Latino community by providing educational, recreational, and cultural opportunities. Further, we aim to create a bridge between the diverse populations residing in Monmouth.”

4. Community Outreach Programs • Implemented “Latino/a College Days” Seminar • The group gave presentation the importance of higher education to Latino high school students • Lectured two “Temporary Visitor Drivers License” presentations at Monmouth-Roseville High School

5. Community Outreach Programs • Conducted a research and data analysis at Monmouth-Roseville Jr. High School • Proposed an opportunity for residents and local rural towns to renew their documents assistance by Mexico’s Consulate Agency • Anticipated to conduct a 5K theme run project to raise scholarship funds to be given to a potential Latino/a high school student

6. “Latino Youth College Days”

7. “Latino Youth College Days” • LUM invited Hispanic alumnus from a variety of college institutions to speak their college experiences. • Mr. Gabriel Lara, Casa Latina Director from Western Illinois University spoke to high school students and parents to be involved in student organizations. • Mr. Lara also involved W.I.U. (LASO) Latin American Student Organization students speak their experiences joining student organizations.

8. Seminars/Luncheon

9. Types of Seminars • LUM invited bi-lingual Financial Aid Representative to speak to parents to find funds to paid for their child’s education. • High school students listen to several speakers choose their majors and plan to pursue their employment. • Racies student organization discuss their involvement within their college programs and community involvement. • Last seminar workshop consists of networking with alumnus, professors, or current students.

10. (TVDL) Temporary Visitors Drivers Liscense • LUM invited residents, whom didn’t have proper documentation to apply for drivers license. • State of Illinois Governor Pat Quinn signed a bill into law allowing immigrants to apply for a temporary drivers licenses. • The LUM group aided residents by reviewing six different verification documents prior to setting an appointment to take drivers license exam.

11. Challenges Individual’s history Volunteers • The group gave contact information to talked to traffic attorney/immigration attorney. • Undocumented immigrants had limited documents to apply for drivers license. • We invited a immigration attorney to speak to the residents by via Skype in our workshops.

12. Future 5KTheme Project • The group discussed in creating a 5K Theme Project for Fall 2014. • The purpose in conducting this race is to raise funds for a potential minority scholarship. • Monmouth College communication students are assisting with this project as a learning experience using their communication skills. • We split the groups into 5 small groups.

13. City of Monmouth • 9,444 residents reside in Monmouth, Illinois. • Census 2010 Hispanic/Latino are second largest diversity group with 15%-17% of the population. • Three of the largest in employers are Monmouth College, Farmland, and Wells Pet Foods. • Special Events held in the city: Cruise Night, Blues Festival, and 4th of July Flying Breakfast.