Increasing Latino Participation in Local Government Processes
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Date
2011-06
Authors
Vissar, Vanessa
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Department of Planning, Public Policy & Management, University of Oregon
Abstract
The City of Eugene acknowledges the benefits that neighborhood organizations bring to the community
(City of Eugene, 1981). Although the City of Eugene’s Neighborhood Organization Policy states that
neighborhood organizations are open to the diversified interests of the neighborhood residents, cultural
and language barriers often prevent Latino residents from participating. Eugene’s Trainsong
neighborhood has the highest percentage (17.2%) of Latino residents, in comparison to the total number
of its residents, among Eugene’s 21 recognized neighborhoods (City of Eugene, 2003). Due to the high
Latino resident population in Trainsong and the lack of Latino resident involvement with the Trainsong
Neighborhood Association, an examination of the cultural and language barriers that impact Latino
residents’ participation with the Trainsong Neighborhood Association is the focus of this research. Using
a snowball sampling approach, eleven semi-structured interviews were conducted with people believed to
be familiar with Latino and/or Trainsong neighborhood residents and effective outreach strategies.
Interviews were used to gather information on effective outreach strategies to increase Latino
participation in neighborhood associations and the Eugene Municipal government. Results of interviews
with knowledgeable citizens indicate that specific strategies can be implemented by the Trainsong
Neighborhood Association and by Eugene Neighborhood Associations to effectively engage Latino
residents, and by City of Eugene Neighborhood Services to support Latino participation in Neighborhood Associations in general.
Description
Examining committee: Jean Stockard, chair, Anthony Hicks
Keywords
Trainsong Neighborhood (Eugene, Or.), Hispanic Americans -- Oregon -- Eugene -- Politics and government, Eugene (Or.) -- Politics and government