Social Justice Committee
Committee Chair: Margaret Reyes
The Social Justice Committee was formed in 2004 to tackle a variety of issues of importance to Hispanic Delawareans related to inequality and disparity between Hispanics and other populations. For its work in 2005-2006, the Social Justice Committee based its agenda on the "Cultural Competence" motto from GACHA's annual retreat. In evaluating how it could assist the State of Delaware to achieve cultural competence, the committee examined several aspects of life for members of the Hispanic community in Delaware as well as the upcoming challenges facing the state. Two issues surfaced as a result of this work:
- Limited English Proficiency (LEP) Compliance. This is a Federal mandate written into the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title VI, as well as being substantiated further by Executive Order 13166.
- The ongoing immigration debate at the Federal level and how this will affect the State of Delaware and the social as well as fiscal impact on the infrastructure of state government.
The Social Justice Committee takes many complaints regarding a variety of issues pertaining to equity of treatment and discrimination. Each one is investigated and an outcome eventually reached.
It is the plan of the Social Justice Committee to work with and foster LEP complaisance and to assist agencies and private enterprises with Cultural Competence. We have been actively involved in assisting the Delaware State Police as well as the EMS services in Sussex County in the recruitment of Spanish speaking employees. Legislative affairs are also kept an eye on. Federal, State and municipal proposed legislation are all reviewed, with respect to fairness and equity for all.
