Justify Your Existence: La Paz de Dios

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Justify Your Existence is a recurring series where Chattarati interviews local nonprofit organizations. This week, Stacy Johnson, Executive Director of the La Paz de Dios, answered our questions about the mission of La Paz, how they measure success, and how Chattanooga's Latino population to change in the coming years.

Chattarati: What is your mission?

Stacy Johnson: The mission of La Paz is to empower Chattanooga’s Latino population to become engaged community members through advocacy, celebration, education, and inclusion.

Chattarati: Who serves on your board of directors, and who leads the organization on a day to day basis?

Johnson: Board of Directors: David Ortiz, Board Chair; Austin Jett, Vice Chair; Kasey Poole Decosimo, Secretary; Ed Canler, past Board Chair; Liza Blair; Naira Cancel; Rebbeca Cruz; David Elliott; Rachel Jones; Andrae McGary;

Honorary Board: Rev. Lou Garcia (adding a few new members this month!)

Staff: Stacy Johnson, Executive Director; Melody Bonilla, Client Services; Laurie Cook, Development & Communications; Adriana Pasqual, Promotores de Salud; Sylvia Rangel, Promotores de Salud; Anne Shelton, Volunteer Coordinator.

Chattarati: Where do you get your funding and what is your annual budget?

Johnson: We receive funding through grants, special events, corporate support, individuals, and churches. La Paz is funded in part by the Community Foundation of Greater Chattanooga, the Lyndhurst Foundation, and the State of Tennessee Governor's Office of Children's Care Coordination. Our annual budget is approximately $168,000.

Chattarati: How do you measure success?

Johnson: La Paz is a fairly new organization. Until recently, we have operated with a small working board and a one-person office. Last year, the primary goals of the board were to hire a director, create a marketing/development plan, and increase donor participation as well as community partnerships. We did this and more! Last year (fiscal year july-june) was a big success for La Paz.

We set specific goals and objectives each year that directly align with our mission. We enter all client data into a client database and measure the amount of services and referrals given to each. We have number goals for the amount of services given, partners gained, and contacts added. We also use surveys to evaluate knowledge gained and self-efficacy. The La Paz Board evaluates programs, marketing/development plan and financials at board meetings, and/or at an annual retreat and monitors progress throughout the year.

The goal of La Paz is for everyone in Chattanooga to welcome our Latino neighbors as a valued part of our city. The more people that know about La Paz, the Latino community and the culture, the better we serve our clientele.

Chattarati: What were your biggest successes--and failures--in the last year?

Johnson: Last year (July – June) was a great one for La Paz! We received a 3 year grant from the state which kick-started our success. With this grant, we were able to start our promotores de salud program (promoters of health). We managed to find a wonderful group of passionate women to work for our cause and continued to bring in funding to serve our clients. We hosted our first ever Sangria on the Southside and our 5th annual Feria Hispana; both events a tremendous success.

I don’t believe we’ve had failures…frustrations, maybe. Building a strong board and engaging passionate people for our cause is a difficult challenge. The biggest frustration comes from the fact that we have grown tremendously in a very short time. This is, of course, wonderful, but also challenging. Seeing and understanding the changing needs of the Latino community and envisioning La Paz’s role in meeting those needs, we find that we just can’t do it all! So failure no, frustration maybe, but the push we need to continue our mission with focus and passion.

Chattarati: Why should people care about your organization?

Johnson: The Latino population contributes to the city economically, socially, and culturally. La Paz works to engage our Latino neighbors into city life and becoming stakeholders in our community thus affecting every member of Chattanooga.

Chattarati: What would Chattanooga do without you?

Johnson: Without La Paz, the Latino community would be largely left out of the awareness, consideration, and opportunities of the Chattanooga community at-large.  And if further isolated, the effects will continue to be felt by both the Latino and non-Latino communities, creating cultural barriers, misunderstandings, and many other community problems.  La Paz is the voice and advocate on behalf of the Latino community, thus bridging the gap of differences into a more unified Chattanooga.

Chattarati: How do you anticipate the Latino population in Chattanooga will change over the next few years and how might it change Chattanooga?

Johnson: The population will become less transient. We will see more Latino professionals and more Latino-owned businesses, serving both Latinos and the rest of the community.

Chattarati: What are the unique challenges facing the Latino population in Chattanooga and how is La Paz addressing those challenges?

Johnson: The majority of this population lives in poverty. They have limited education, familiarity with city resources, and English language skills. La Paz is helping address those challenges by connecting them to healthcare, educational, financial, professional and other resources. We are identifying leaders within the Latino community and providing opportunities to further develop the skills needed to become influential and engaged members within their own community and at large.

Chattarati: How will the new VIVA Chattanooga program increase engagement between the Latino population and the Chattanooga community at large?

Johnson: “VIVA Chattanooga” encourages Chattanooga's Latinos to become engaged community members by visiting organizations/businesses that typically fall beyond their cultural boundaries and comfort levels. Examples include, but are not limited to local banks (open a bank account), public library (apply for a library card and check out books), parks, restaurants, stores and museums. VIVA is La Paz’s way to lead the Latino community to Chattanooga and it’s abundance of art, culture and experience. Our Latino population is at many times, separated from the community as a whole and this is a way to “give them the push they need” to become engaged community members.

Editor's note: La Paz de Dios was the featured nonprofit in Chattarati's First Friday Five fundraiser in March.