Hispanic Interest Coalition of Alabama
Birmingham, AL
The Hispanic Interest Coalition of Alabama (HICA) is a 501 (c) 3 nonprofit organization dedicated to the social, civic and economic integration of Hispanic families and individuals in Alabama. HICA engages and empowers Alabama's Hispanic community and its numerous cultures as an economic and civic integrator, social-resource connector, and statewide educator.
¡HICA!'S first official service endeavor was a 40-hour interpreter training course, the first such training offered in Alabama. In 2002 alone, ¡HICA! Trained over 50 qualified bilingual individuals on the ethics and techniques of professional interpreting. May 2002 marked the first publication of 10,000 copies of Bienvenidos a Birmingham, the first comprehensive Spanish-language resource guide for Birmingham.
In 2003, HICA became the first Alabama affiliate of the National Council of La Raza, the nation's largest Latino civil rights organization. In the same year ¡HICA! Provided training for 15 judicial court interpreters and relocated its office to a shared space in the heart of a local Hispanic community on the east side of Birmingham.
HICA's main program, the Resource and Referral Program, served more than 8500 Latino Immigrants in 2007. Calls ranged in scope from simple things like finding a locksmith to access a locked car to more serious issues such as assisting women in domestic violence situations. Referrals were made to various community agencies for service and, many times, HICA staff assisted when language difficulties arose.
To learn more about HICA, visit www.hispanicinterest.org.
