The White House is recognizing Springfield City School District’s Hispanic Outreach Program. It’s been named one of the “150 National Commitments to Action.”
Lordes Narvaez Soto coordinates the program, which serves more than 400 Latino children in the school district. It does more than just help kids get through school, it also connects parents and their children with housing, clothing, medical care and legal aid.
In a previous conversation with WYSO, Soto said the program has been successful and other organizations have taken notice.
“We’ve been recognized by the Hispanic-Latino Coalition of Ohio for three years in a row as one of the best practices in the state of Ohio," Soto said. "We have met with Cincinnati schools to help them with this type of demographic in Cincinnati. I mean, it’s been growing so much that I think it’s pretty solid and it’s needed.”
The program began in November of 2010. In a news release, Superintendent Dr. Robert Hill said in that time the district has made strides in “understanding and addressing the particular needs of this underrepresented population.”
Hispanic students represent about 4 percent of the student body in the Springfield City School District.
