Memo
To: Sara Pena
From: Lucinda Borque
CC: Iveth Mosquera Peggy Anastos, and Andrea Martinez
Argument and Thesis
This organization, LUPE funds has enabled and empowered Latinas in New Jersey. The
projected goal is to understand what the organization can progressively do to increase Hispanic
participation in politics. The results of this research can influence what direction LUPE funds
should embark on when it pertains to alternative messaging, targeting, and program strategy.
LUPE’s primary goal is to increase participation and civic engagement in New Jersey, amongst
Latinas.
My research presents accurate data on residents of the state of New Jersey. With this data
we have the advantage of increasing Hispanic participation within the field of politics. The
statistics acquired addresses three major obstacles that your consumers face as Latinos in their
communities. These three major obstacles pertain to the generational gap, the lack of
communication, and the historical missteps amongst the Hispanic community. The findings draw
attention to method of communication that is pivotal to increase civic engagement. We are in a
crucial time of mobilization where with your mission and vision, we can hit our goal of
increasing civic engagement while increasing brand awareness. We can influence more Latinas
and truly make an impact in the Garden State.
Situational Description/ Context
Due to the current political climate and upraising of millennials across the country,
asking what the needs of Hispanics are, comes at a perfect time. With adequate information,
LUPE can create a movement and obtain potential key stakeholders. These potential stakeholders
are the Hispanic Heritage Foundation, Voto Latino, and NALEO educational funds. Alliance
with Hispanic Heritage foundation will provide the opportunities needed for LUPE to engage the
Hispanic community by providing tools that will assist Latinos’ need to participate in politics.
These tools consist of focus and support group such as Latinas on fast track and Loft charlas.
Both these group serve as a supportive system in local communities. Alliance with Voto Latino
will enable the outreach portion of LUPE’s initiatives. Voto Latino will do this by capturing the
eye of utilizing efficient media communication to engage the community. Voto Latino does this
by hosting young leaders in their VL Summit that provides training in areas of need like media
and public relations. Alliance with NALEO educational funds, will provide the tools and funds
of optimizing the potential for the community to expand. This is done by annual grants that are
provided to those students and high school that apply. By building alliances with these three
organizations, we will maximize LUPE’s tools and access.
Aside from building alliances, LUPE needs to identify internal and external antagonist.
An internal challenge would be the lack of education and lack of the level of willingness to share
knowledge. The misinterpretation amongst that population stands as a major difficulty to the
Hispanic community. An external adversary for LUPE would be the National Organization of
Women in New Jersey (NOW–NJ). The purpose of NOW-NJ is “to take action and to bring
women into full participation in the mainstream of American society, exercising all privileges
and responsibilities thereof in truly equal partnership with men.” This opponent would arise per
the sole purpose of LUPE’s criteria of training. Currently as LUPE stands, there is no partnership
with organizations that promote equal partnership with men. According to Pew Research Center,
New Jersey’s population is composed of 19% of Hispanics, which is the eighth largest Hispanic
statewide population. Even with this high percentage of Hispanics in New Jersey, the state still
remains with a low percentage of women representation. NOW-NJ can argue that the reason for
Latinas remaining in low participation rates is based on exclusion of the key partnership’s that
will help Latinas move towards running for office.
Organizations like NOW-NJ focuses on the necessities of the Hispanic community in
New Jersey, by partnering up with adversaries, it will serve as an asset. The source of obtaining
appropriate answers throughout this research will help portray a storyline. A narrative that will
be categorical to the needs and want of those in the Latino community. The needs and wants are
important and will help LUPE understand the knots and bolts of the key issue affecting low rates
of civic engagement. Hispanics are historically an under researched group. Due to this fact, the
need of conducting up-to-date research is a necessity. Some of the researched conducted is based
on the last two elections from 2012 and 2016 that provide some literatures that references similar
key issues that still remain today.
