Twelve residents (the majority of whom are parents of children at María Sanchez School) identified access to economic opportunities as a major issue affecting them and their neighbors in Hartford's Frog Hollow neighborhood. The resident-researchers are part of the Institute for Community Research's (ICR) ¡Involúcrate! project, which was conducted in collaboration with the school. They will present their findings to the public on Tuesday, April 8, 2003, 6:30pm-8:00pm at María Sanchez School, 176 Babcock Street, Hartford as part of the program's graduation celebration. "These twelve residents have spent the past 15 weeks learning about and conducting research on an issue that is of prime concern to them, and to the city as a whole," states Nelba Marquez-Greene, a Community Researcher at the Institute. "With a struggling state economy, the parents' research shows that individuals from this neighborhood are concerned with their economic future, and are looking for neighborhood-based programs that support job training and skill building."

The community researchers, recruited by the Center City Church's Family Resource Center at María Sanchez School, identified four factors that they believe contribute to poor economic outcomes for individuals and families in the neighborhood: quality and quantity of bilingual job training and support services, discrimination, education, and their inability to speak two languages. They focused their research on understanding residents' views of training needs, access and barriers through a survey of 149 parents. The overwhelming response was a desire for training in the areas of
computers, mechanics, crafts and home economics, and that the trainings offered should lead to gainful employment. "Aun que somos de diferentes países confrontamos los mismos problemas. No conseguimos buenos trabajo por el idioma y la educación. A mi me gustaría aprender ingles y computadoras para defenderme mi misma y conseguir empleo [trans. Even though we are from different countries we face the same problems. We can't find good jobs because of language and education. I would like to learn English and computers so that I could defend myself and get a job]," explains project participant Rosalina Rojano. Resident researchers also interviewed a sample of school personnel, employers, merchants and agencies that provide job training to understand their perspectives. As part of their action strategy, the residents are working with María Sanchez School to see if it could be a place where such trainings can be offered.

¡Involúcrate! is part of ICR's five-year Resident Engagement for Family and Community Strengthening program, funded by the Annie E. Casey Foundation. The 15-week program trains volunteer residents in participatory action research, and helps them to conduct research on a topic that is of primary concern to them and their neighborhood. This group of residents is the third that has been trained since last year; the other two trainings were from Hartford's South and North Ends. The program seeks to demonstrate how Participatory Action Research can promote resident engagement in strengthening families, building community social support and participating in community economic development efforts.

For more information about ¡Involúcrate! or the April 8th event, contact Nelba Marquez-Greene at 860-278-2044 ext. 298 or email: nelba.marquez-greene@icrweb.org

Celebration Photos