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Committee maps tactics to reach Bellevue's Spanish-speaking residents
Summary
Members proposed targeted outreach tactics—door-knocking, bilingual staff at tables, library partnerships and culturally relevant venues—to boost Spanish-language survey responses and civic participation.
Committee members prioritized in-person and partner-based outreach to improve survey participation among Spanish-speaking residents and to expand civic involvement.
"At any one of the Hispanic...featured or focused businesses and just ask them," a committee member suggested, naming local stores and strip-mall vendors as outreach sites. Carissa noted previous success: "We've had someone posted at the Hunger Coalition before, a bilingual person with the survey and tablet," and recommended recruiting bilingual volunteers to walk people through the form.
Members also proposed connecting with trusted local figures and organizations, including Herbert Romero (who previously did door-knocking), Laura Rico (translation and design services) and Kristen Gearhart at the library. Linnea, who said she works at the Hunger Coalition, introduced herself and said she would be a resource: "I work at the Hunger Coalition...I look forward to joining this and being prepared."
The group discussed barriers to civic participation—lower homeownership among Hispanic residents and distrust of government—and recommended relationship-building activities such as Bloom Truck lunches and library programming to foster trust and increase turnout for surveys and advisory roles.
