Community Outreach Projects

1. Micro-Enterprise Development

   COPC further developed its micro-entrepreneurial development project by helping FEMAP (Mexican Federation of Private Health Association and Community Development) in establishing peer lending groups, also known as community banks, in the Rio Grande Valley. FEMAP's community banks consist of groups of 8 to 10 entrepreneurs who want to start or expand a business. The members co-sign for each other micro-loans, starting at $200 during the first cycle and increasing to $1,200 in the last cycle - each cycle lasting 3 months. The entire loan must be paid back in full before the group receives the next loan. This structure encourages the members to support each other in their business while creating a very strong and cohesive network of entrepreneurs.
   The COPC's participation consisted in providing entrepreneurial training to the community bank members. The training covered the 10 bilingual entrepreneurial modules developed in the initial phase of the COPC. Training was provided to 40 community bank members.
   For more information on this program, go to Useful Links for how to contact FEMAP.

    

2. Access to Housing Resources

   During this phase, COPC collaborated with the Texas Water Development Board , USDA Rural Development, and the City of Edinburg to address infrastructure needs in the colonias of Hidalgo County. This initiative, called Project ACCESS (Agency Collaboration for Colonia Essential Services), provided the technical assistance necessary for colonia residents to access standard water and waste disposal systems through the USDA's 306-C grant program. The project was based out of Hidalgo County with an emphasis on five colonias located outside the city limits of Edinburg, Texas. More than $300,000 in grant money were facilitated for colonia residents during this project.
   For more information on this program, go to Useful Links for how to contact USDA-Rural Development.

A "Survey of Demand and Affordability Factors Impacting Water and Wastewater Services in Selected Colonias of the Lower Rio Grande Valley" was commissioned by the North American Development Bank. Some of the highlights of the survey may be obtained from the National Colonia Clearinghouse.

A fieldwork research project was conducted in collaboration with the Smithsonian Institution' Center for Folklife Programs and Cultural Studies. The research project focused on community-based cultural traditions, change in traditions, and tradition bearers. Ten local interns who participated in this research project were exposed to the living condition of colonia residents.