HAZLETON, LUZERNE COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU) — Workforce development and immigration were the topics of a round table held in Luzerne County on Wednesday.
The Pennsylvania House Democratic Policy Committee and the state's legislative Latino caucus are working together in Hazleton on Wednesday.
Both groups are participating in a roundtable discussion about immigration and workforce development. The groups are also touring the Hazleton One Community Center.
State Representative Johanny Cepeda-Freytiz is chair of the commonwealth's legislative Latino caucus.
"Knowing that the Latino community is the fastest growing community in the commonwealth, it was important for me to come to Hazleton because Hazleton is fifty percent Latino, and I just want to make sure that we're connecting, that we are making folks aware of resources and services," Representative Cepeda-Freytiz explained.
She says centers like these offer opportunities to underserved communities.
National Mullet Champ fundraising for veterans
"This is kind of like a home base where folks who need some guidance, need to learn how to get acclimated to the community, want to understand how to get a job, where to get a job, how to apply, and how to improve their skill set. Maybe how to learn English, right? So they can be contributing residents and citizens," Representative Cepeda-Freytiz added.
Bob Curry is the founding president of the Hazleton Integration Project. He says the project's mission has expanded from primarily educational programs to encompass much more.
"We're looking at all aspects of workforce development and how we can meet the needs of the businesses and the industries using the people that we have and bridging the gap through education," Curry stated.
"This community is growing. Growing every day, and it's growing with new people. People that are coming from different countries," Hazleton Integration Project Executive Director Rossanna Gabriel told 28/22 News.
Gabriel hopes the caucus listens to the needs of the community.
"Maybe they're going to listen about what we need, how we think we can grow better. What our people in need need more and how our organization will continue working better with the help," Gabriel said.
Curry tells 28/22 News the program serves around 2,500 people a year.
The program has served over 550,000 meals and looks forward to serving more in the years to come.
