{"id":11070,"date":"2025-03-26T15:33:09","date_gmt":"2025-03-26T15:33:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/laprensanewspaper.com\/?p=11070"},"modified":"2025-03-26T15:36:22","modified_gmt":"2025-03-26T15:36:22","slug":"nuestra-gente-community-projects-inc","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/laprensanewspaper.com\/index.php\/2025\/03\/26\/nuestra-gente-community-projects-inc\/","title":{"rendered":"Nuestra Gente Community Projects, Inc."},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"<\/a>By Linda Alvarado-Arce & Colette Cordova<\/strong><\/p>\n

It seems some, and the same, organizations are in the right \u201ccliques\u201d to receive all the funds and publicity while having all the cultural and social capital to be a success in the Latinx community. While there are others, no matter what they do for our community, still can\u2019t get their foot in the door, receive consistent public funding, nor any support from those who claim they are about helping the less fortunate.<\/p>\n

This article is one of many where I will shine a light on those working in our Latinx community who DO, yet DON\u2019T get compensated or acknowledged for their sacrifices.\u00a0 <\/strong><\/p>\n

Nuestra Gente Community Projects, Inc. was founded in 2008 in Toledo, Ohio, by Linda Parra. Nuestra Gente is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization that focuses on serving Lucas County\u2019s Hispanic\/Latino community and truly is helping those with their basic needs. According to their website, https:\/\/nuestragentecommunityprojects.org\/about\/, they provide \u201ceducation, health and safety awareness, multiculturalism and diversity awareness, and the promotion of artistic expression.\u201d<\/p>\n

Annually, they provide two (2) health screening events during Minority Health Month<\/em> in April and two (2) in May to celebrate Lupus Awareness Month<\/em>. They provide testing for HIV, blood pressure, blood sugar, and cholesterol during their annual, local festivals as well as informational sessions around breast cancer, diabetes, and lupus. They have \u201cscreened 1,380 people for HIV and 1,520 people for blood pressure, blood sugar and cholesterol to date.\u201d<\/p>\n

What\u2019s more, Nuestra Gente houses the first 24\/7 nonprofit, Spanish language, public broadcasting radio station in Toledo, Ohio, WVZC-LP 96.5 FM; the station was started in 2018 to feature \u201clocal, national, and international news, sports, entertainment, and other headlines of interest to Toledo\u2019s Latino population.\u201d They have a 419-Food Pantry Program<\/em>, which is a community-based program that specializes in having Latinx produce, clothing, and housing needs for FREE to individuals and families in need and that is completely staffed by volunteers. They annually provide and deliver food baskets during Thanksgiving to families in the Old South End, Veterans, and the homeless. They have an annual Feliz Navidad Initiative<\/em> that provides holiday assistance, such as \u201cfree clothes, shoes, food, bikes, and toys,\u201d to individuals, underprivileged children, and families in need in Lucas County.<\/p>\n

With the support of her board, the director, Linda Parra, works every day, rarely taking a vacation or holiday break. You can text her at 8 a.m., any day of the week, and she is already preparing to serve the community, or at 10 p.m., and she is writing a grant or on the radio station. If you are trying to find Linda, she will be in the pantry sorting clothes or stocking food. Or, she may be collaborating with any agency to get bunk beds and other furniture to assist with housing for new families. In the summer, you will see her driving her agency van, transporting elementary youth to a field to play soccer, followed by a pizza party. \u00a0Additionally, you will find her at her summer Barrio Latino Art Celebration.<\/em> \u201cThis is a great event full of music, dancing, food, artwork on display, giant mural painting, face painting, recognition award to an artist, crafts, car show, grito contest, jalapeno contest, art kid\u2019s activities, and many other special performances and forms of entertainment.\u201d Her abilities to organize, collaborate, and motivate volunteers are exceptional. Linda does all she can to help our community, even with insufficient support from funders, grants, and zero staff.<\/p>\n

In celebrating C\u00e9sar Ch\u00e1vez, this article is about shining a light on this unsung heroine, Linda Parra, founder and director of<\/strong> Nuestre Gente Community Projects, Inc.<\/strong><\/p>\n

If you would like to donate or volunteer, go to https:\/\/nuestragentecommunityprojects.org<\/a>.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Nuestra Gente<\/strong> Community Projects, Inc.<\/strong><\/h4>\n

Por Linda Alvarado-Arce y Colette Cordova<\/strong><\/p>\n

Parece que algunas, y las mismas, organizaciones pertenecen a los \u201cc\u00edrculos\u201d adecuados para recibir todos los fondos y la publicidad, a la vez tienen el capital cultural y social necesario para tener \u00e9xito en la comunidad latina. Mientras otras, sin importar lo que hagan por nuestra comunidad, no logran recibir fondos p\u00fablicos constantes, ni apoyo de quienes afirman ayudar a los menos afortunados.<\/p>\n

Este art\u00edculo es uno de los muchos donde yo voy a brillar una luz sobre los que trabajan en nuestra comunidad latina y HACEN algo, pero NO reciben compensaci\u00f3n ni reconocimiento por sus sacrificios.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Nuestra Gente Community Projects, Inc. fue fundada en 2008 en Toledo, Ohio, por Linda Parra. Nuestra Gente es un 501(c)3 organizaci\u00f3n que se centra en servir a la comunidad hispana\/latina del condado de Lucas y realmente ayuda a quienes la necesitan con sus necesidades b\u00e1sicas. Seg\u00fan su sitio web, https:\/\/nuestragentecommunityprojects.org\/about\/, ofrecen \u201ceducaci\u00f3n, concientizaci\u00f3n sobre salud y seguridad, concientizaci\u00f3n multiculturalismo y diversidad, y la promoci\u00f3n de la expresi\u00f3n art\u00edstica.\u201d<\/p>\n

Anualmente, ofrecen dos (2) eventos de detecci\u00f3n de enfermedades durante el Mes de la Salud de las Minor\u00edas<\/em> en abril y dos (2) en mayo para celebrar el Mes de Concientizaci\u00f3n sobre el Lupus.<\/em> Ofrecen pruebas de VIH, presi\u00f3n arterial, az\u00facar en la sangre, y colesterol durante sus festivales locales anuales, y sesiones informativas sobre c\u00e1ncer de mama, diabetes y lupus. Hasta la fecha, \u201chan realizado 1,380 personas con pruebas de VIH, y 1,520 de presi\u00f3n arterial, az\u00facar en la sangre, y colesterol.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adem\u00e1s, Nuestra Gente tiene la primera estaci\u00f3n de radio p\u00fablica en espa\u00f1ol con transmisi\u00f3n 24\/7 en Toledo, Ohio, WVZC-LP 96.5 FM. La estaci\u00f3n comenz\u00f3 en 2018 para ofrecer \u201cnoticias locales, nacionales e internacionales, deportes, entretenimiento y otros titulares de inter\u00e9s para la poblaci\u00f3n latina de Toledo.\u201d Tienen un Programa de Despensa de Alimentos-419,<\/em> una programa especializando en productos Latinos, ropa y art\u00edculos para la casa, y todo GRATIS para personas y familias que lo necesitan, y hacen todo eso con no m\u00e1s voluntarios. Anualmente, proporcionan y entregan canastas de alimentos durante el D\u00eda de Acci\u00f3n de Gracias a familias del Old South End, veteranos, y personas sin hogar. Tienen una Feliz Navidad<\/em> Iniciativa <\/em>anual que brinda asistencia navide\u00f1a, con ropa, zapatos, comida, bicicletas y juguetes, a personas, ni\u00f1os y familias del Condado de Lucas.<\/p>\n

Con el apoyo de su junta directiva, la directora, Linda Parra, trabaja todos los d\u00edas, y es raro que toma vacaciones o descansos. Puedes enviarle un mensaje de texto a las 8 a.m., cualquier d\u00eda de la semana, y ella ya est\u00e1 preparando para servir a la comunidad, o a las 10 p.m., y ella est\u00e1 escribiendo una solicitud de subvenci\u00f3n o en la estaci\u00f3n de radio. Si intentas encontrar a Linda, ella estar\u00e1 en la despensa clasificando ropa o almacenando comida. O puede que est\u00e9 colaborando con alguna agencia para conseguir muebles que ayuden con la vivienda de las nuevas familias. En verano, la ver\u00e1n conduciendo la camioneta de su agencia, transportando a ni\u00f1os de primaria a un campo para jugar f\u00fatbol, \u200b\u200bseguido con una fiesta de pizza. Adem\u00e1s, la encontrar\u00e1n en su Celebraci\u00f3n de Arte Latino del Barrio<\/em> de verano. “Este es un gran evento lleno de m\u00fasica, baile, comida, obras de arte en exhibici\u00f3n, pintura mural gigante, reconocimiento a un artista, artesan\u00edas, exhibici\u00f3n de autos, concurso de gritos, concurso de jalape\u00f1os, actividades art\u00edsticas para ni\u00f1os y muchas otras presentaciones especiales y formas de entretenimiento.” Su capacidad para organizar, colaborar y motivar a los voluntarios es excepcional. Linda hace todo lo posible por ayudar a nuestra comunidad, incluso sin apoyo o trabajadores.<\/p>\n

Al celebrar a C\u00e9sar Ch\u00e1vez, este art\u00edculo se trata de hacer brillar una luz a esta hero\u00edna: Linda Parra, fundadora y directora de Nuestre Gente Community Projects, Inc.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Si desea donar o ser voluntario, visite https:\/\/nuestragentecommunityprojects.org<\/a>.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

By Linda Alvarado-Arce & Colette Cordova It seems some, and the same, organizations are in the right \u201ccliques\u201d to receive all the funds and publicity while having all the cultural and social capital to be a success in the Latinx community. While there are others, no matter what they do for our community, still can\u2019t<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":11071,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"_rtcl_gb_attr":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[6],"tags":[],"wf_post_folders":[248],"class_list":["post-11070","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-articles"],"aioseo_notices":[],"rttpg_featured_image_url":{"full":["https:\/\/laprensanewspaper.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/linda-parra.jpg",700,403,false],"landscape":["https:\/\/laprensanewspaper.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/linda-parra.jpg",700,403,false],"portraits":["https:\/\/laprensanewspaper.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/linda-parra.jpg",700,403,false],"thumbnail":["https:\/\/laprensanewspaper.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/linda-parra-150x150.jpg",150,150,true],"medium":["https:\/\/laprensanewspaper.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/linda-parra-300x173.jpg",300,173,true],"large":["https:\/\/laprensanewspaper.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/linda-parra.jpg",640,368,false],"1536x1536":["https:\/\/laprensanewspaper.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/linda-parra.jpg",700,403,false],"2048x2048":["https:\/\/laprensanewspaper.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/linda-parra.jpg",700,403,false],"rtcl-gallery":["https:\/\/laprensanewspaper.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/linda-parra.jpg",700,403,false],"rtcl-thumbnail":["https:\/\/laprensanewspaper.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/linda-parra-320x240.jpg",320,240,true],"rtcl-gallery-thumbnail":["https:\/\/laprensanewspaper.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/linda-parra-150x105.jpg",150,105,true],"psacp-medium":["https:\/\/laprensanewspaper.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/linda-parra.jpg",500,288,false],"rpwe-thumbnail":["https:\/\/laprensanewspaper.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/linda-parra-45x45.jpg",45,45,true]},"rttpg_author":{"display_name":"LaPrensa Newspaper","author_link":"https:\/\/laprensanewspaper.com\/index.php\/author\/laprensa\/"},"rttpg_comment":0,"rttpg_category":"Articles<\/a>","rttpg_excerpt":"By Linda Alvarado-Arce & Colette Cordova It seems some, and the same, organizations are in the right \u201ccliques\u201d to receive all the funds and publicity while having all the cultural and social capital to be a success in the Latinx community. While there are others, no matter what they do for our community, still can\u2019t","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/laprensanewspaper.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/11070","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/laprensanewspaper.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/laprensanewspaper.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/laprensanewspaper.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/laprensanewspaper.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=11070"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"https:\/\/laprensanewspaper.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/11070\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":11075,"href":"https:\/\/laprensanewspaper.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/11070\/revisions\/11075"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/laprensanewspaper.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/11071"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/laprensanewspaper.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=11070"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/laprensanewspaper.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=11070"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/laprensanewspaper.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=11070"},{"taxonomy":"wf_post_folders","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/laprensanewspaper.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/wf_post_folders?post=11070"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}