Carol Johnson, Southern Indiana Business Report
HUNTINGBURG – From a grassroots organization to a staffed center that is bridging a cultural divide and connecting Latino residents to services, the ALASI Resource Center in Huntingburg is setting an example for how communities can welcome and support immigrant populations.
Dubois County’s Latino community has been steadily growing for the past 30 years. More than 9% of Dubois County residents identify as Latino, and in the Southwest Dubois County School Corp. in Huntingburg, 34% of students are Latino.
Rossina Sandoval has served on the ALASI board for the past three years.
“The initial concept was to bridge the gap between the Hispanic community and the community that was established in Dubois County,” Sandoval said. “It was to help Latinos integrate into Dubois County and help the larger community get to know our culture our roots, our similarities and to identify the differences as assets that can strengthen our community.”
The language barrier and cultural differences can make it difficult to access services, obtain housing, healthcare and apply for jobs. As the Latino population grew, the ALASI board recognized a need for a resource center and contacted the Indiana University Center for Rural Engagement to develop a plan for a center. ALASI worked with the IU’s O’Neill School of Public and Environmental Affairs’ Online Master of Public Affairs program.
In addition to ALASI, a second Dubois County organization, the Latino Collaboration Table, a group of corporate and government leaders, had formed to better understand the needs of the growing immigrant population.
On the recommendations of students in the O’Neill Online Master of Public Affairs program, the two organizations united under ALASI to combine their strengths and better serve the community.
Denny Spinner, former mayor of Huntingburg and current interim executive director of the IU Center for Rural Engagement, was a member of the Latino Collaboration Table.
He described ALASI as “a hidden gem” and credited the county’s large employers for recognizing the need to step up and get involved with efforts to serve Latinos.
ALASI is supported by employers, including OFS, Meyer Distributing, Farbest Foods, Jasper Engines & Transmissions, Kimball Electronics, Kimball International and Jasper Memorial Hospital.
“When I was mayor of Huntingburg, one of the first groups I worked with was ALASI,” Spinner said. “It was apparent that if Huntingburg was going to thrive, we had to embrace this opportunity. If you look at the Census figures, areas in rural Indiana that continue to grow have done something to embrace the immigrant population. Huntingburg’s population would not have seen a population growth if not for the immigrant population making Huntingburg home.”
One example of that growth is Southwest Dubois School Corp.’s recent reclassification from a 2A to a 3A school in basketball by the Indiana High School Athletic Association. The Dual Language Immersion Program at Huntingburg Elementary is the first program of its kind in the region and for the past 10 years, Huntingburg has hosted the Latino Culture Fest, an event the entire community participates in.
A change in a community’s ethnic diversity can present challenges. Over time, attitudes in Dubois County changed, Spinner said.
“Many people in the community came to realize this was the right path. They recognized these new residents had the same values that made Dubois County such a strong community. They have a strong work ethic and a commitment to faith and family … and that’s Dubois County,” Spinner said.
ALASI hires a director
In 2023, ALASI Resource Center celebrated the opening of the office in Huntingburg. Earlier this year, ALASI hired its first executive director, Joanna Howard, marking a significant step forward for the county.
ALASI, 511 E. Fourth St., is open Monday-Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Howard will lead ALASI in its four organizational pillars:
- Advancing access
- Expanding education
- Celebrating culture
- Securing sustainability
“There is no doubt in my mind that without the support of our Dubois County residents, we would not be here at this point. This is not a grassroots organization anymore,” Sandoval said. “It is because of the merging of all cultures and backgrounds that we can do this.”
ALASI Resource Center is located in Dubois County, but Sandoval said it will assist Latino residents in neighboring counties as well.
Many volunteer hours were spent bringing the ALASI Resource Center to fruition. The IU partnership was a crucial piece.
“I’m proud to say now the IU Center for Rural Engagement gave us a path for creating the ALASI Resource Center,” Spinner said.