Hernan Sedda, executive director of El Vínculo Hispano, does not believe in the problems but the opportunities for Latinos in Siler City.
Sedda has only been at El Vínculo Hispano for one and a half years, but since coming to the nonprofit that provides programs, services and workshops for Latinos in the community, he’s been given hope.
El Vínculo Hispano provides five major programs – basic needs, Victim of Crime Assistance (VOCA), gang prevention, For a Stronger Tomorrow (FAST), and an income development center.
The basic needs program includes food pantries, medical clinics and legal assistance. According to Sedda, about 5000 Latinos use this program each year.
Sedda said the goal of the VOCA program is to ensure that any Hispanic victim gets the opportunity to be a beneficiary of the judicial system.
Although each program is equally important, Sedda emphasized the impact the youth programs (gang prevention and FAST) have had.
“Out of gangs, into school” is a phrase El Vínculo Hispano tries to engrain in the youth.
“We ask them where do you see yourself in five years and they have no answer,” Sedda said. “The gang prevention program exists to provide youth with a vision of life.”
One of the events that the nonprofit has held for young people is “lunch with a cop.”
“We understand why people are resistant and afraid of cops,” Sedda said. “But part of our job is to build bridges between Hispanics and the rest of the community.”