OREGON LATINX LEADERSHIP NETWORK

CALL TO ACTION: PROPOSED RESPONSES TO COVID-19

Cynthia Spencer Artist, Community Member CorvalisAmy Carlson Nonprofit Consultant & Facilitator PortlandSherrie Day Treasurer, NAACP Corvalis/Albany CorvallisAngel Harris Community Member CorvalisMary Zinkin Executive Director, Center for Trauma Portland Support ServicesSusan Goes Executive Director, Cottage Theatre Cottage GroveMarjeanne Cartisser Treasurer, Crown Point Country Historical Bridal Veil Society Jan Elfers President, Ecumenical Ministries of Oregon PortlandBritt Conroy Public Policy Director, Ecumenical Ministries Portland of Oregon Breanna Wilson Program Coordinator, Grant-Harney CASA John DayJason Skipton Executive Director, Growing Gardens PortlandLucinda Taylor Executive Director, Habitat for Humanity Newport Lincoln CountyRenee Yandel Executive Director, HIV Alliance EugeneJim White Executive Director, Nonprofit Association Portland of OregonMegan Kemple Director, Oregon Farm to School and Eugene School Garden NetworkMaureen Hinman Director of Policy and Strategic Initiative, Portland Oregon School-Based Health AllianceAngela Crowley-Koch Executive Director, Oregon Solar Energy Portland Industries AssociationBrian Weaver Artistic Director, Portland Playhouse PortlandAbigail Singer Executive Director, Rogue Farm Corps PortlandAnn Singer Executive Director, Rogue Pack Portland PortlandSarah Kreisman Executive Director, Rogue Valley Mentoring AshlandPatricia Downing Executive Director, Rusk Ranch Nature Cave Junction CenterJan Wilson Executive Director, Tualatin Riverkeepers TualatinSusan Stoltenberg CEO, YMCA of Greater Portland PortlandCelia Nuñez Community Member WoodburnLaura Isiordia Community Member WoodburnDaniel Santos Community Member SalemMelinda Avila Director of Equity Strategy WoodburnAntonio Ramos Director WoodburnBrenda Mendoza Community Member WoodburnDiana Reyes Realtor SalemLuz Macial Villarroel, Ph. D. Dreamers Resource Center Coordinator PortlandBridget Cooke Executive Director, Adelante Mujeres Forest GroveMarin Arreola Principal, Advanced Economic Solutions Inc. Salem /Interface Network Inc.Luisa Zaragoza Artistic Director, Ballet Folklorico Ritmo Alegre MedfordClaudia Torres Executive Director, Casa Latinos Unidos CorvallisJaime Arredondo Executive Director, Capaces Leadership Woodburn InstituteMaria Rubio Executive Director, Centro Cultural CorneliusDavid Saez Executive Director, Centro Latino Americano EugeneAndrea Valderrama Advocacy Director, Coalition of Communities Portland of Color

Marta Guembes Cónsul a.h. De Guatemala PortlandMarcela Alcantar President, Alcantar and Associates PortlandSandra Helena Hernandes Executive & Programs Director, Doulas Gresham Latinas InternationalRafael Arellano-Barrera Executive Director, Educate Ya PortlandEdith Molina Executive Director, El Programa Hispano Gresham Catolico Veronica Vazquez CEO, Elemento Latino tv HillsboroJuanita Estrada Executive Director, FACES of America SalemIzzy Meda Executive Director, Familias en Acción PortlandMaria Guerra Executive Director, Farmworker Housing Woodburn Development Corp & EvolveCarmen G. Castro Executive Director, Hispanic Metropolitan Portland ChamberJuan Mayoral Operations Manager, Immigration Counseling Portland ServiceFrank Garcia Executive Director, Immigration Counseling Wilsonville ServiceAnthony Veliz President, IZO PR & Marketing WoodburnJose Dominguez Board Member, L.A.C. - Latino Action Keizer CommitteeJose Gonzalez Board President, Latino Business Alliance of Salem the Willamette ValleyAshley Espinoza Director, Latino Professionals Connect EugeneCecilia Giron President, LULAC of Washington County HillsboroLevi Herrera-Lopez Executive Director, Mano a Mano Family Salem CenterVivian Ang Executive Director, Mid-Valley Literacy Salem CenterNoemi Legaspi Marriage and Family Therapist, Noemi Woodburn Legaspi CounselingSilvia Muñoz Lozano Program Director, OHDC, National Tigard Farmworker Jobs Program Olivia Quiroz Executive Director,Oregon Health Coalition PortlandReyna Lopez Executive Director, PCUN, Oregon’s Woodburn Farmworker Union Cameron Coval Executive Director, Pueblo Unido PDX PortlandAnnalivia Palazzo-Angulo Executive Director, Salem Keizer Coalition Salem for EquityAnnie Valtierra-Sanchez Equity Coalition Director, SO Health-E AshlandMarcela Alcantar Keikara Wiyakame / President PortlandBrad Porterfield Executive Director, The Latino Community Redmond Association Gil Muñoz Chief Executive Officer, Virginia Garcia Hillsboro Memorial Health CenterMiriam Vargas Corona Executive Director, Unidos Bridging McMinnville Community Miriam Cummins Boar Treasurer, Padres en Acción | Parents Eugene in Action

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La�nx (La�na, La�no, Hispanic, indigenous, and other iden��es that make up this community) community-based organiza�ons and leaders from across Oregon have come together to ensure that La�nx community members are ge�ng the resources they need during and a�er this COVID-19 crisis. This statewide La�nx network is mee-�ng regularly to share informa�on and resources, build resilience, partner with deci-sion-makers, and act collec�vely.

Due to Oregon’s lack of bilingual and bicultural leaders and advocates at all levels of government, La�nx communi�es are not all receiving �mely and accurate informa�on to protect themselves and survive economically. The “first-come, first-serve” processes have created greater inequality for Oregon’s La�nx communi�es.

This crisis demands that we move away from inequitable policies and prac�ces. When we acknowledge that dispari�es s�ll exist for black, indigenous, La�nx, immigrant, and other marginalized communi�es, we can swi�ly adopt new approaches. When we recognize the diversity within communi�es of color, such as afroLa�nx, indigenous, and others who make up the La�nx community, we can be more culturally responsive. These proposed responses will help all Oregonians get the resources they need to survive and thrive into the future.

The La�nx communi�es, including undocumented Oregonians, make up an essen�al part of Oregon’s year-round workforce and run thousands of small businesses across agriculture, health care, food services, manufacturing, retail, lodging services, and more. Yet they are an underserved and vulnerable popula�on due to racial and econo-mic inequi�es. A whole class of people long-neglected are now deemed essen�al during this crisis, yet are being dispropor�onately impacted. Due to exis�ng inequi�es, La�nx people account for at least 26% of all COVID-19 cases while making up more than 13% (560,960) of the state’s popula�on.

This document was developed collabora�vely and outlines proposed policy, prac�ce, and resource alloca�on ac�ons in the sectors below. Immediate implementa�on will provide necessary short-term relief and long-term recovery for La�nx communi�es.

• Community-Based Organiza�ons• Small Businesses• Employment• K-12 Educa�on • Health Care• Housing

CALL TO ACTION: PROPOSED RESPONSES TO COVID-19

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Our statewide La�nx network offers these recommenda�ons for ac�on to Oregon’s congressional representa�ves, state legislators, county and local government decision-makers, and founda�on leaders. We welcome dialogue and will provide updates as we further develop our analysis and recommenda�ons.

HOW TO DELIVER ON OUR PROPOSED RESPONSESGovernment en��es should collaborate with philanthropy to immediately and fully fund a statewide network of “Oregon La�nx Resource Hubs” housed in trusted com-munity-based organiza�ons (CBOs) to:

Serve as central spaces to receive cri�cal real-�me informa�on and disseminate it in mul�ple forms to the La�nx community, both now and into the future.

Provide trusted community navigators (based on the promotores or community health worker model) knowledgeable on mul�ple resources and trusted in the community.

Provide technology help for La�nx community members who do not have access to the internet or computers or tablets. As agencies and school districts move to online service delivery and learning, many families also need culturally-relevant spaces and coaching to access and use those learning resources.

Ensure access to legal services. Access to jus�ce has become more difficult than ever for low-income communi�es and communi�es of color. To help the La�nx community navigate a complex and o�en hos�le legal system, we must provide �mely, rapid, and high-quality legal services, educa�on through Know Your Rights presenta�ons, and tele-lawyering services that meet people where they are.

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Partner with La�nx organiza�ons to provide grassroots level, culturally-rele-vant communica�ons in Spanish and indigenous languages and dialects about COVID-19 and other important community resources. Social-distan-cing and stay-at-home guidelines mean most salons, churches, libraries and community centers are closed. This has le� a large gap in communica�on channels for La�nx communi�es. Outreach strategies should include local Spanish radio and television, plus Facebook and WhatsApp.

Ensure that skilled bilingual staff work across government departments to assist La�nx people, nonprofits, and small businesses to understand resources available, complete applica�ons, and guide them through the en�re process.

Ensure that all resource informa�on is mobile-op�mized. Many La�nx com-munity members rely on a mobile device as their only technology for inter-net access.

Access to rapidly-changing informa�on is crucial to public health and safety. Despite an increase in translated materials and outreach by local and state leaders, it’s s�ll a challenge to provide �mely and accurate updates to immigrants and others with limited English abili�es. Resources must be brought into the community at a grassroots level. Undocumented immigrants are par�cularly at risk for having (cash) wages withheld, and may have ques�ons about evic�ons, immigra�on enforcement, health care, and where to find food distribu�on sites. This is why inves�ng in a network of Oregon La�nx Resource Hubs is cri�cal.

Government en��es must follow through on their commitment to public service, and ensure that our La�nx communi�es have the informa�on and resources they need to survive and thrive. We ask that you make this commitment permanent.

La�nx community-based organiza�ons meet a wide range of community needs (educa-�on, early child development, health, housing, food, social services, arts and culture, legal services, advocacy, and more). La�nx CBOs must lead the response in our own communi�es. We must ensure that CBOs survive and develop greater resilience in the recovery process.

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RECOMMENDED RESPONSESPolicies, Practices, and Resource Allocations

Below are our specific recommenda�ons for ac�on for community-based organiza�ons, small businesses, employment, K-12 educa�on, health, and housing.

LATINX COMMUNITY-BASED ORGANIZATIONS (CBOs)

Recommendations

Provide state grants, bridge loans, and low-interest loans to help nonprofits cover cash flows. Many nonprofits are helping their communi�es mi�gate losses due to this crisis and face tough choices between making payroll and delivering services. Federal resources may not come soon enough or last long enough for some organiza�ons.

Advocate for federal ac�on through CARES legisla�on as supported by the Na�onal Council of Nonprofits, Independent Sector, and the Nonprofit Associa-�on of Oregon:

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2Partner with philanthropic en��es to get more resources to organiza�ons that serve communi�es of color, including La�nx communi�es, who are dispropor-�onately impacted by this crisis. Both short and long-term opera�onal funds are needed for organiza�ons to lead recovery from the crisis and to address the inequi�es that led to their increased vulnerability during this crisis.

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a Expand access to credit. Help nonprofits get immediate financial assistance by expanding nonprofit eligibility for the Paycheck Protec�on Program (PPP) and by crea�ng a dedicated funding stream for PPP loans to nonprofits. Many in Oregon’s nonprofit sector were either unable to get their applica�on processed or banks told them that their applica�on was not processed in �me.

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b Bolster charitable giving incen�ves. Strengthen temporary above-the-line charitable deduc�ons from the CARES Act and allow taxpayers to immedia-tely claim it on their 2019 tax form. Significantly increase the $300 cap and extend it beyond 2020. As nonprofits will rely even more on charitable giving from the public, it is essen�al to create a universal charitable deduc�on.

c Hold harmless self-insured nonprofits and tribal na�ons. Provide funding to cover 100% of unemployment claim costs for these organiza�ons to help ensure that programs or organiza�ons do not end. Without this change, many organiza�ons providing health care, food assistance, affordable hou-sing, childcare, and other cri�cal services will have to end or curtail services.

d Support nonprofit service providers. Increase emergency funding to our state, county and municipal programs that are o�en implemented by nonprofits. These programs provide essen�al services to vulnerable families and frontline responders, needed both during and in the a�ermath of the COVID-19 crisis.

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LATINX SMALL BUSINESSES

We must ensure that La�nx small businesses can tap into all the resources made avai-lable by the federal, state, county and local governments. We must track and ensure the distribu�on of funds is equitable and reflects the percentage of businesses owned and run by people of color.

Recommendations Support a major increase in funding for federal Small Business Administra-�on (SBA) resources for both nonprofits and small businesses, including undocumented businesses. Priori�ze organiza�ons that serve vulnerable popula�ons.

Provide grants for organiza�ons that offer technical assistance for small businesses in underserved communi�es. Many small, and par�cularly disadvantaged, businesses are unsure how to maneuver in this environ-ment and seek advice on how to move forward.

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2Provide state bridge or gap funding to ensure that Oregon’s La�nx small businesses, including those run by undocumented community members, have adequate recovery resources.

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Provide state funding to all Oregon Small Business Development Centers (SBDCs) to hire more Spanish-speaking advisers, including Capital Access Team advisors, to help La�nx business owners access SBA loans and other financial resources.

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EMPLOYMENT La�nx workers who have been laid off or had their work hours reduced are unsure if they qualify for unemployment insurance benefits. We must ensure that all workers impacted by COVID-19 understand their rights and responsibili�es in applying for unemployment benefits, and that those who don’t qualify for federal benefits can find alternate resources.

Recommendations

Ensure that those La�nx community members who are eligible for federal assistance have the appropriate informa�on, language, and naviga�on support to successfully apply and receive unemployment benefits.

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Fully fund the proposed Oregon Worker Relief Fund (OWRF) through state, local, and philanthropic alloca�ons. These funds are cri�cal to the financial security of undocumented workers, and will ensure that assistance actually reaches these marginalized workers.

The OWRF will be implemented by a coali�on of community-based organiza-�ons who will:* Develop and administer the program.* Develop a community-based, user-friendly, universal applica�on system. * Provide naviga�on support for workers seeking to access assistance

* Distribute resources. resources.

Recommendations

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Ensure that all school districts are implemen�ng and accountable to the Oregon Department of Educa�on guiding principles for distance learning. The key is ac�ve, ongoing, and transparent communica�on in mul�ple formats with families, especially historically marginalized communi�es, including La�nx families.

Expand transla�on and interpreta�on services to ensure that all schools and educators can communicate with families in the preferred home language, by phone and in wri�ng. Provide access to a network of interpreters and transla�on services to support smaller districts and languages that are less frequently spoken.

Partner with philanthropy and small businesses to provide electronic devices (e.g. Chromebooks) to all La�nx students who need them. Increase funding and access to broadband, especially in rural areas. In places with broadband, provide grants to families to fund internet service. Expand access through mobile hotspots.

Provide access to non-digital distance learning resources. When internet and/or technology access is limited, ensure that every teacher is providing an alternate system such as a thumb drive or packets that can be mailed between the student and school.

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K-12 EDUCATION

We must ensure that La�nx students are not le� behind, that they have equal access to online learning systems. Schools and teachers must have the resources to respond to the unique needs of La�nx students. Many of these recommenda�ons also have relevance for higher educa�on and early learning, and future communica�ons will address these par�cu-lar needs.

5Ensure that delivery of all products and services (e.g. food sacks, educa-�on materials, etc.) is done in adherence to social distancing guidelines and that personnel have access to appropriate PPE to meet the guidelines.

6U�lize the data collected about family needs, such as food, rent assistance, and physical and mental health needs, to directly connect families to resources. Even be�er, provide state funding for a network of La�nx Resource Hubs, where schools and other en��es could refer families for support.

HEALTH CARE

Oregon’s La�nx communi�es have been dispropor�onately hit by coronavirus cases. Compounding this crisis is the lack of access to cri�cal informa�on and the care that they need. This is another example of the health dispari�es that exist among the La�nx communi�es of Oregon, especially the undocumented and most vulnerable popula�ons.

Recommendations

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Support the proposed federal Coronavirus Immigrant Families Protec�on Act to ensure equitable access to COVID-19 tes�ng and treatment.

Fund culturally specific and responsive outreach, enrollment and system naviga�on services across all healthcare programs. This should include funding for Centers for Disease Control (CDC) outreach in mul�ple languages for hard-to-reach communi�es.

Dedicate a pool of funds to assist La�nx and other mul�-family and mul�-genera�onal households to self-isolate when a member of the household has contracted COVID-19, par�cularly those with no spacein the home to self-isolate.

Declare a statewide moratorium on medical debt collec�on that wouldcompromise an individual or family’s ability to provide for their health and care during and a�er this crisis.

5Adequately resource culturally specific and responsive mental health and community support systems to address the emo�onal and mental health needs of La�nx communi�es.

6Provide 100% state funding for COVID-19 tes�ng and treatment for every person in Oregon. Ensure that tes�ng and treatment cannot be used as a public charge against any person who has applied for a green card or will do so in the future. No one can be safe if our most vulnerable are le� without treatment, whether now or into the future.

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HOUSING

Thousands of La�nx individuals and families cannot afford to pay their rent or mortgage at the beginning of each month. The COVID-19 crisis has exacerbated the situa�on.

Recommendations

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Pass statewide rent and mortgage forgiveness. Where there is an across-the-board moratorium on collec�ng rent, combine it with a morato-rium on mortgage payments for residences (with no penal�es, fees or nega-�ve impact on credit scores). This will provide relief for homeowners and renters. Make sure that interest accrual is frozen along with mortgage payments.

Allocate emergency funding to cover lost rental income to ensure an evic�on moratorium for non-payment of rent and/or u�li�es for low-income housing property owners and nonprofit housing development corpora�ons, par�cu-larly in rural areas.

Offer other small landlords (1-24 units) full tax credit for any missed rental payments during this crisis.

Develop a short-term plan to house people who are homeless in hotels and motels—which are way below capacity—as part of a two-step process to find permanent housing op�ons.

5Ensure that no family has their u�li�es shut off during this pandemic. Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) assistance should be extended to everyone in need, even as we recover.

In addi�on to our recommenda�ons for ac�on, we also strongly support the proposed federal responses for ac�on of the League of United La�n American Ci�zens (LULAC), the largest and oldest La�nx organiza�on in the US.

Our community of La�nx organiza�ons, leaders, and allies are commi�ed to safeguarding the undocumented and most vulnerable popula�ons as they seek cri�cal services, face unforeseen financial crises, and overcome recovery challenges. We ask decision-makers across Oregon to move these policy, prac�ce, and funding recommenda�ons forward to address immediate needs and ongoing dispari�es for the La�nx community. We look forward to hearing from you with any ques�ons, informa�on on how you are taking ac�on, and how we can support next steps. Please contact Anthony Veliz, state educa�on leader and Woodburn La�nx community advocate, at 503.953.2128 or aveliz@izomarke�ng.com. Signed,

Anthony Velizon behalf of the Oregon La�nx Leadership Network

(a growing statewide network of La�nx-led and serving community-based organiza�ons, ins�tu�ons, and leaders)

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Anthony Veliz