Survey Indicates Increase in Local Hispanic Population  

SALISBURY, MD---The numbers tell the story.  According to the latest census, the Hispanic population in Wicomico County doubled between 1990 and 2000.  The same trend holds true for the rest of the Delmarva Peninsula.  Between 1995 and 2000, the city of Georgetown, DE, saw a 35% increase in its Hispanic population.  Overall, 2000 census figures indicate a total of 14,528 persons of Hispanic origin on the Eastern Shore.   

Confronted with these striking demographic trends, Salisbury University’s Business, Economic, and Community Outreach Network (BEACON, affiliated with the Franklin P. Perdue School of Business) has assembled a team of researchers and community leaders to identify the needs of the growing Hispanic community.  The goal of the project, Bienvenidos a Delmarva, is to bring together local service providers and stakeholders so they can educate each other about available services and the service gaps their clients encounter. Dr. Memo Diriker, director of BEACON, explains, “Bienvenidos doesn’t want to go to the end-user, but to help agencies reach their target.” 

The Bienvenidos team has already accomplished much.  A survey performed by the team revealed such issues as lack of awareness of legal rights and services, cultural isolation, limited local support, and transportation and language barriers.  Meanwhile, the project Steering Committee has grown to over 60 individuals, including representatives of such organizations as the Commission on Hispanic Affairs, the Wicomico County Health Department, the Seton Center, the Social Security Administration, the Commission for Equal Opportunity Employment, and faculty and staff from Salisbury University.  

Possible outcomes for the project include a mobile lab that could travel to Hispanic communities for language and other instruction. 

“Most of the Hispanics who come here only have an elementary education in their country,” said project consultant and BEACON research associate Janitzio Outtara.  “The resources of the community here in terms of learning English are very limited.”  

Another possibility is the creation of a resource center. “We want to eventually provide a one-stop shop that this community will trust,” said Bienvenidos team leader Ron Appin.  “It can provide information on local resources in such areas as education, transportation, and immigration.”

For more information call BEACON at 410-548-5353 or visit the Web site at http://beacon.salisbury.edu.