1. La Oportunidad
Susan Marchand Higgins
Published on April 12, 2016 |
Susan Marchand Higgins is a Youthprise volunteer. She grew up in
Massachusetts and lived mostly on the coasts before moving to Minneapolis
three years ago. As a long-time volunteer for educational and civic
organizations, the activism of the Twin Cities encourages her. With her
children grown, she plans to focus on writing (in between walking her dogs)
and share inspiring stories.
La Oportunidad
Serving the Twin Cities since 1987, La Oportunidadʼs mission is to champion
the development of Latino individuals and families to create a strong,
peaceful community. Our ultimate goal is to close the achievement gap and
to break the cycle of poverty and violence.
“Sometimes you want to go Where
everybody knows your name, and theyʼre
always glad you came.”
The theme song from the thirty-year-old television comedy Cheers holds a
truth for everyone everywhere. We crave familiar welcoming places. Leaving
home, even for a better opportunity, can make you lonely and homesick.
America, for all its promise and potential, intimidates. It was true for my
great-grandfather who left Canada at sixteen, for my great-grandmother
when she sailed from Ireland and for all who venture to America no matter
where they hail from. A language barrier exacerbates this.

2. La Oportunidad, which started half way through Cheersʼ run on television,
knows the importance of belonging to a community. The mission of La
Oportunidad – Opportunity—to strengthen the development of individuals
and families to create a strong peaceful community recognizes that
individuals and families are the building blocks of community. Its programs
focus on children, parents and young professionals so they can become life-
long assets to the community. This continuous support allows these Latino
immigrants and their families to make the most of their opportunities in their
new home.
One of the program participants, Reyna, spoke of feeling welcomed every
time she arrives. This fifty-something recent transplant to the Twin Cities
can relate. It also made me think of the Cheers theme and how nice it is to
go when people know who you are. As one who has spent much of her life
moving and adapting to new communities, it takes time and effort to feel like
you belong in a new community.
Reynaʼs story shows how early, sustained involvement pays dividends. She
started in the fifth grade in the Latino Youth Program, then joined the Líderes
del Mañana (Leaders of Tomorrow) Mentor Program and participated in it for
five years. She continued in high school by becoming involved in the Youth
Planning Committee for the Annual Latino Youth Peace and Leadership
Conference. Since graduation she has given back as a volunteer, intern and
mentor helping with the Leadership Conference as well as working as an
assistant with numerous school groups with the El Camino and Latino Youth
Programs.
Her involvement with La Oportunidad educated Reyna in many ways. She
learned about her culture and developed communication skills. As a member
of the planning committee, she organized a large event. The computer and
office skills she acquired in her internship proved helpful in college and at
work.
Reyna remains involved because she likes the youth programming and giving

3. back to her community. She wants to graduate from college and work in a
job where she can help others, perhaps in law enforcement. She wants to
empower others and improve her community, especially the immigrant and
cultural communities whose voices often go unheard.
La Oportunidad builds a strong community through its programs so people
can strive and succeed as individuals, resulting in a stronger Latino
community. This recognizes that empowered individuals build effective
communities. It all starts when you can “go where everybody knows your
name and theyʼre always glad you came.”
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