CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Camino has been seeking solutions, offering a bilingual upward mobility program in Charlotte for three years.
Program director, Nori Maldonado for Arriba, which means "above" in Spanish, told WCNC Charlotte anchor and reporter, Jane Monreal, they've seen a large number of people moving to the Charlotte area from outside the U.S. in the last five years.
"Everybody coming from other countries, including me, we're looking at state economy because our country's corruption or the political problems, or even the lack of opportunities, make travel to this country to get some things together," Maldonado said.
She said they are looking for job opportunities.
"Everybody started coming to our office every day," Maldonado said. "That's why we created this program to help people to make a plan, do jobs, [an] entire plan with them related to employment, education or entrepreneurial courses."
Veronica Ceron and her family are among the many seeking better days outside their native countries. The mother of three said she hopes to transform her life in Charlotte by taking advantage of the Arriba program.
"When I first started here, I started as a cleaning lady for the airport, but then once I was connected to Camino Arriba, they [were] able to put me in a position where I could be a Spanish teacher," Ceron said through a translator.
A professional in her native country of Ecuador and after starting her own business in Italy, Ceron was able to connect to Charlotte's need for a Spanish-speaking workforce.
"I needed a light," Ceron said. "I needed a pathway in order to help me achieve the American dream. And it was through Camino Arriba that they were able to help me understand the system, understand the education system, understand the culture, and really understand putting together the different pieces in order to live this game that we call life."
Having studied optometry in Italy, she said her dream is to run her own business in the United States.
Ceron said, "What I want to do is create a module or create an opportunity for education so that people can learn how they can holistically cure or fix their eyesight."
After taking Arriba's entrepreneurial course, she had the opportunity to pitch her business idea to local investors.
Maldonado said the program had already placed 214 Latinos in Charlotte's workforce.
"Latinos, we are hardworking people, right? And we can send people to different companies to work. We connected them with employers in different fields, restaurants, construction, nonprofits, schools, and health. Everybody is happy," Maldonado said.
If you are interested in partnering with Camino to help unlock employment opportunities for the Latino community around the Charlotte metro, you can learn more about their mission.
WCNC Charlotte is committed to reporting on the many issues facing the communities we serve. We tell the stories of people working to solve persistent social problems. We examine how problems can be solved or addressed to improve the quality of life and make a positive difference. WCNC Charlotte is seeking solutions for you. Send your tips or questions to newstips@wcnc.com.
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