The Hispanic Urban Minority Alcoholism and Drug Abuse Outreach Program, which provides addiction, violence prevention and HIV/AIDS services, recently joined with the Hispanic Cultural Center and the groups El Barrio and Esperanza Inc. to form a coalition called Hispanic Community Services. With a planning grant from the Cleveland Foundation, the coalition has been working to create a community-based after-school program for youths ages 13 to 18.

Miguel Prieto, head of the Alcoholism and Drug Abuse Outreach Program and executive director of Hispanic Community Services, tells Join Together that the coalition arose from an understanding that at-risk Hispanic youths need a wide range of services. "In trying to reach this population, it's important to address the cultural aspect as well as the educational," said Prieto. The coalition joins the cultural enrichment activities provided by the Cleveland Cultural Center -- including theater productions, arts and crafts and holiday celebrations -- with addiction treatment and prevention services, violence prevention, job placement, educational counseling and other social services provided by the coalition partners.

The coalition members wanted to provide these activities and services in one location, preferably somewhere that would be highly accessible to local youths. Canvassing Cleveland's Hispanic neighborhoods, Prieto came across an unlikely partner: Emmanuel Lutheran Church, which had been founded to serve an earlier generation of immigrants -- Cleveland's German population. Not only did the church own a large hall within walking distance of one of the schools served by the coalition members, the pastor had been looking for a way to put the underutilized property to good use. "It was a blessing for them," said Prieto.

The hall is big enough to host sports events organized by the coalition, as well as dances, movie nights, teen nights and other planned activities. Prieto said that while the coalition members have already put money up to staff the center, the group is applying to the Cleveland Foundation, the United Way and the George Gund Foundation for a three-year demonstration grant. Among the major goals for the project: reducing substance abuse and the school dropout rate.

In the short term, the coalition would like to expand its services to 6- to 12-year-olds. Long-term, Prieto said members would like to co-locate their offices to improve collaboration and further avoid duplication of services. The group also is in discussions about possibly using school facilities for programs.

By June of 1999, Prieto said the group wants to be serving 1,200 local kids. "There's a growing need for services in Cuyahoga County, and we [at the Alcoholism and Drug Abuse Outreach Program] realized it would be hard to provide the services that the other groups do," said Prieto. "The coalition allows high-risk Hispanic youth to access comprehensive and holistic services under one roof."

Miguel Prieto: 216-459-1222.

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