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Celebrating Hispanic life in Truckee

Amanda Butler, Sierra Sun

The latest census figures indicate that about one in seven, or 12.8 percent of Truckee residents, are Hispanic.

Timothy Conn of the Truckee Human Resources Department thinks that number is off by about half.

“I think the Hispanic population in Truckee is closer to about 3,500,” said Conn.



“(Collecting information from) Hispanics can be difficult, they are usually pretty reluctant to talk to (government officials) because oftentimes they fear the INS.”

Whichever numbers you choose to believe, there is no question that the Hispanic population in Truckee is growing.



To help reach out to this growing segment of the population, the Nevada County Human Services Agency will hold a Hispanic Festival on Sunday, June 10 at Sierra Mountain Middle School.

The festival will kick off at 3:30 p.m. and food from local restaurants will be provided.

The festival’s focus will be on providing information to Hispanic residents on services that can help promote happy and healthy families.

“Representatives from many human service providers will be on hand to share information about the services they have to offer,” said Conn. “We want (the Hispanic community) to know what medical, health and social services are available for them.”

The Children’s Collaborative of Tahoe Truckee will be one of several Truckee agencies to staff a booth at the event.

Phebe Bell, director of the collaborative, said they chose to participate to help inform Hispanic parents about child care options and parenting support groups in the area.

“It is so important to make sure that all the support services are known and accessible to our Spanish speaking residents,” said Bell.

Tahoe Forest Hospital will also participate and staff a booth to help expecting Hispanic mothers.

Colleen Williams, a TFH registered nurse, teaches a class called “Special Delivery,” which is targeted towards low income mothers. She hopes to let Hispanic mothers know about her program during the festival.

“Special Delivery is a comprehensive prenatal program, created to reduce the health problems of babies and pregnant moms for low income moms,” said Williams. “We provide basic prenatal services like specific information on nutrition during pregnancy and up to six weeks afterwards.”

Event organizer Monina Vazquez hopes that families will use the afternoon to have fun and relax in a rich cultural environment.

“This will be a fun day … families can come out and have an afternoon with good music and Mexican food,” said Vazquez.

Food from six local restaurants, including Taco Station and Los Altos, will be provided and a Mariachi band will supply the sounds.

For questions regarding the festival contact Nevada County Human Services at (530) 582-7803.


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