Meet a Grantee Partner
Amigas Latinas
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Empowering Latina LBTQ Women in Chicago
Amigas Latinas (Chicago, Illinois) is the only organization in Chicago focused exclusively on the Latina LBTQ community. Their comprehensive needs assessment, Proyecto Latina Survey, revealed a population enduring oppression, violence and discrimination in staggering and disproportionate numbers. Amigas is intent on creating change using this newfound data. They are engaging service providers and government officials with hopes of procuring new and vital services. They are empowering Latina LBTQ women to learn and practice healthy behaviors; and they have partnered with the Lesbian Community Cancer Project on breast and cervical cancer workshops. Through youth and senior groups, children’s picnics and bowling nights, Amigas is helping to heal families fractured by pervasive and deep-rooted homo- and trans-phobia. This year, the group marked its thirteenth anniversary by shoring up its infrastructure: it increased the hours of its first staff member; secured its first office space; and hired its first web designer. To be sure, Amigas is in it for the long haul.