Latinas Al Exito in the community

If you passed Clarion’s Gazebo Park on August 10 or 17, you might have seen what looked like a small festival going on. On the two different nights, Clarion’s Latinas Al Exito group—which translates to “Latinas toward success”—held an open market fundraiser with traditional Latin American foods, as well as games and fun for the community.

“We’re trying to come out in the community a little more,” said Itzel Hernandez, one of the adult leaders for Al Exito.

The group helps give young Latinas social opportunities, but is geared even more toward helping them find success by staying in school and continuing with further education. The group goes on a couple of trips a year to Iowa colleges. This month’s market evenings were a way to fundraise to go on those trips, but also provide some community interaction.

Al Exito is also away for the girls to become part of a community.

“They get to know each other,” Miriam Meinke said. “You can tell from the beginning to the end how much the girls become open.”

For the full story, see the August 24 edition of the Monitor.