The Marguerite Casey Foundation has awarded a $250,000 grant to Latino USA, the premier English-language public radio newsmagazine covering Latino news and culture, to enable the program to expand its coverage of the experiences of immigrant families in America.
Through sound-rich reporter pieces, family focused audio diaries and interviews conducted by Latino USA host Maria Hinojosa, the program will document the experience of newcomers as they encounter and negotiate the American experience.
“Immigration in America is a two-way street: We are as interested in telling the story of how neighborhoods change with the influx of new immigrants as we are in telling the stories of how those new residents adapt as they begin to adopt American customs,” said Hinojosa. “Each changes the other, and that’s fascinating.
“The grant gives me tremendous hope for the future of our country. We need forward-thinking philanthropy that understands and funds independent media that are paying attention to our changing America.”
The Marguerite Casey Foundation grant will allow for expanded coverage of these issues on the air, as well as on the Web. Latino USA plans to archive its reporting online, making it available to communities and individuals in the months and years to come.
“This generous support allows us to deepen our commitment to telling the stories of immigrant families in America: stories of great human resolve and courage, stories of communities in change, stories of hope and entrepreneurial spirit, and new beginnings,” said Sean Collins, executive producer of Latino USA. “We are deeply grateful to the Marguerite Casey Foundation for investing in the work of the talented group of journalists at Latino USA.”
This is the second grant Latino USA has received to expand coverage of immigration issues. Last year, the William and Salomé Scanlan Foundation of Austin and San Antonio gave a $300,000 grant to the program to expand its coverage of immigration issues in America through the 2008 presidential election.
The Marguerite Casey Foundation, based in Seattle, is a private, independent grant-making foundation dedicated to helping low-wealth families strengthen their voice and mobilize their communities in order to achieve a more just and equitable society for all. More information on the Marguerite Casey Foundation is available online.
Latino USA is produced by a partnership between KUT Radio and the Center for Mexican American Studies at The University of Texas at Austin. It is heard by more than 350,000 people on 130 National Public Radio member stations and 40 community radio stations across the country. For more information, visit Latino USA online.
