By Destiny Washington
Support for diversity in Northwest Arkansas increases. Several local organizations were chosen for a program to train, report and engage Benton and Washington counties.
TRUE is an initiative that grants ten underrepresented organizations $1 million. They want this community to welcome people of all backgrounds.
The Hispanic Women’s Organization is one of the groups that’s a part of this program. Margarita Solorzano, executive director of HWOA and advisory member of TRUE, said this program will allow them to continue working in the community at a greater capacity.
“For us it’s important to have well educated people represented, so it’s not just a check mark on diversity,” said Soloranzo. “I’m glad TRUE is recognizing the work we do here at the Hispanic Women’s Organization.”
Rafael Garcia, Associative Director for Admissions at the U of A, is a recipient of the scholarship HWOA gives to students. Garcia came to America undocumented, expecting to work at a poultry plant.
“The scholarship I received meant that there were people out there who wanted to provide support,” Garcia said. “They didn’t care that I was undocumented.”
TRUE will take organizations like this to the next level.
In total all the organizations that are apart of this initiative represent 44,000 Northwest Arkansas resident.
Supporting and funding these programs gives the underrepresented a voice, and a seat at the table.