InterServ makes plans to serve the changing demographics

A non-profit organization dedicated to helping the needy in the community is getting ready to open the doors to Hispanics moving to the area. InterServe has been around for 90-years, is making a move to accomodate the changing population in the Midwest and welcome new neighbors. The changing demographic in the Midwest and in Saint Joseph, has prompted InterServ to find new ways to help the growing Hispanic community. "When you look around at other communities, when there`s an influx of immigrants there needs to be some gathering spot. And if there`s not a gathering spot then how do you create one? And a lot of communities have created a community center," Dave Howery is the Executive Director for the center and has been working closely with religious groups to create such a community center here in Saint Joe. InterServ`s Immigration Service Program will be a three year project to help stabilize immigrants by offering referrals, social supports and other resources. Howery says the program has been in the making for several months and will help some 50 families each year. "With Triumph`s announcement, it became obvious that we needed services in places, housing, support services, health care education," Howery said. He hopes to have the program in full swing by sometime in september. That`s when inter serv will hire two bilingual staff members. He says as more Hispanics move to the area to work at nearby factories, their services will be vital in the region. "When you look at Missouri, the Midwest, and the begining changes of a growing Hispanic population, and there`s not a resource center, except in Kansas City, Kansas. So we began to bring that work into place," he adds. The Center will be located in Southwest St. Joe, only a few blocks away from Triumph Foods. InterServ already offers legal assitance to undocumented workers trying to stabilize their status in the country. The money to sponsor the new program was given to them through a grant by religious organizations.