Hispanic Alliance Connects Communities
Updated: Aug 18
Even casual observers are quick to say there is a reason the Hispanic Alliance of the Upstate is the largest group of its kind in the Upstate, and it is also the fastest-growing by a large margin.
Elite leadership cannot be ignored. The depth of its programs is unmatched. Look for yourself.
Debbra Alvarado is the director of Programs. She displays the range of her skills and grasp of details when she conducts public meetings like the one today at South First Bank.
Each guest introduced themselves, mentioning their name and organization. At the end of the meeting, each guest had an opportunity to make announcements.
Inna Vasileva explained the scope of service of the Greenville Free Medical Clinic.
Eligibility requirements: applicants must be a resident of Greenville County, have no health insurance, and prove their income and address; they must also have a Blue ID card, with some exceptions allowed.
Medical and other services include free extractions, free eyeglasses, food service furnished in conjunction with Meals on Wheels, fresh vegetables and fruits, blood pressure monitoring, and weight loss guidance.
The public session was riddled with honest feedback from participants. One lady said poor, sickly seniors should not be robbed of all dignity by very young staffers and volunteers calling patients by their first names. She said this shows no respect. Addressing patients by their last names shows respect.
Vasileva promised to relay this honest feedback to the appropriate authorities.
The clinic also provides transportation on a case-by-case basis for medical care and food.
Under another program, there is a call for bilingual mentors for high school and college students. Sponsors announced job openings and grants for various things, including an AI course at Furman University, and a schedule of festivals and dances.
The Alliance’s primary focus today is fostering collaboration and connectivity, resources, and cultures to advance Hispanic communities and build thriving, inclusive neighborhoods across the Upstate.
The Alliance of the Upstate started 20 years ago. Unlike older migration hubs in Texas and California, the Upstate focuses on first-generation families navigating integration, education, and healthcare hurdles.
The National Hispanic Alliance was founded in Los Angeles in 1973. Initially focusing on mental health, its focus shifted as the needs of the Spanish-speaking community changed.
