Mixtecoindigena Community Organizing Project

Outreach and access to services micop increases access to medical, mental health and social services for the mixteco-speaking population of ventura county. Our promoters work in three local school districts to ensure that mixteco children are healthy and ready to enter kindergarten with their peers. Micop operates outreach to prevent domestic violence, teach about reproductive health and increase knowledge about available services. Our interpreters provide access to services in a variety of locations throughout the county.

Education and literacy - micop provides literacy and adult education to members of the Community who wish to continue their primary and secondary education. Because the majority of mixtecs living in ventura county are young families with small children, micop offers bebe sano (well-baby) and aprendiendo con mam y pap (learning with mom and dad) classes that teach the basics infant care and early childhood learning. The classes are designed to accommodate low-literacy learners, with linguistically accessible and culturally appropriate curriculum. Micop's tequio youth group promotes indigenous pride and encourages academic achievement and continuing on to higher education. Micop provides annual scholarships to tequio students to help further their education.

Community empowerment - micop enhances the capacity of the mixteco-speaking population for self-leadership through intensive trainings provided to the Community. Micop also empowers the Community by training Community members to be djs on micop's Community radio station, currently broadcasting via the internet and fm radio. The djs provide informational and culturally relevant programming in mixteco, zapoteco and spanish. Our Community organizer works with the Community to help them advocate for their own needs. We also hold Community meetings, which are attended by an average of 250 families each month, where speakers talk about relevant information to the Community. Training of internal leaders has provided a staff that is 80% indigenous and a board of directors with 40% indigenous membership.