Last updated:
May 19, 2004
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Workshop:
The experience of the AMIGOS Program in St. Charles
A report contributed by 
Theme: Change & Wellbeing
Moderator: Sergio Muñoz, St. Louis Agency on Training and Employment
(SLATE)
Presenters:
- Lyndel Porterfield, former City Attorney, St. Charles
- Robert
Hoeynck, Assistant City Attorney, St. Charles
- Francisco �Paco� Mart�nez,
Vice President of AMIGOS
The City of St. Charles started something unique.� Noticing an increase
in the Hispanic population, city officials decided
to investigate what they could do to support their new neighbors before any
significant conflicts arose.� �Although we in city hall started [AMIGOS], it was
our intent all along to stay out of it,� said Lyndel Porterfield, former
city attorney.� The result: the creation of the non-profit organization
AMIGOS to serve its residents.
One of the difficulties AMIGOS had was how to connect to the people
who see what the problems are in the community.� Francisco "Paco" Mart�nez,
Vice President of AMIGOS, said, �We started by leaving fliers at the
local library, contacting Hispanic grocery stores, word of mouth�the
Catholic church.� As time moved along, we found that the primary method
of communication was word of mouth once they found out that we weren�t
a government agency, and we were there to help out.�
AMIGOS operates as a networking resource, helping to identify needs
and connect those who can provide services with those
who need assistance.� AMIGOS
reduced language barriers in schools and hospitals, helped create Spanish-language
church services, and taught �survival� Spanish to city employees to
improve services.� Another significant success of AMIGOS is that local
banks now allow immigrants to open checking accounts
without a social security number.
The program is now working to improve communications between businesses
and their Spanish-speaking employees.� The intention is to go to the
worksite �for a half hour and teach employees basic language about
the job: plate, fork, spoon, and have classes for management in some
very basic Spanish terms,� said Porterfield.� Martinez says that safety
issues with Spanish-speaking workers are also at the top of their list.� �If
a fire breaks out,� said Martinez, �do they have the proper training
for safety, construction, safety in ladders, electrocution? �
Assistant City Attorney Robert Hoeynck noted that there are advantages
and disadvantages to the city�s involvement. �None of us are interested
in helping INS, but as a government official and attorney working for
the government, I have to be very careful about what I do,� said Hoeynck.� �A
big advantage is that since AMIGOS originated from the city government,
they have a lot of political weight through Mayor Pat King.� She can
suggest things to Jeff City, the State or U.S. Representative or Senator.� It
gives a voice to people that may not have one unless
they are in very large groups.�
AMIGOS has much in store.� It doesn�t just cater to Hispanics but
to many different immigrant groups.� The organization intends to branch
out to St. Peters and other areas in the near future.� Yet they do
it all with little funding except for a very small grant from the SBC.� The
few additional expenses they have are covered by
the City.
Day 1: Wednesday, March 10, 2004
Reporter: Diane Kuschel
(573)875-1395
(573)881-4041
kuscheldg@missouri.edu
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