Tag Archives: harrisburg

The Week that Was: News and features around Harrisburg

Broad Street Market Alliance Board meeting on Wednesday

Our February issue of the magazine came out this week, specifically highlighting stories celebrating Black history and culture. We hope you learn something new and are inspired by our stories this month. Grab your copy at one of our distribution locations, but before you do so, catch up on our weekly reporting, below.

Bike share in Harrisburg may be on pause for the winter, but Tri-County Regional Planning Commission, the program operator, has shared its plans for the 2024 season. Starting this spring, Susquecycle will introduce new station locations and upgrades.

The Broad Street Market Alliance board approved a 25% rent raise for vendors in order to raise additional funds for the market, which is currently operating at a deficit, our story reported. The market also weighed a proposal from Midtown Property Management for free services.

The Broad Street Market received two proposals for plumbing work on its temporary market structure, our online story reported. A few weeks before, the city secured a bid for electrical work, as well.

Candidates for the 10th congressional district reported their fundraising totals, our online story reported. One candidate, Blake Lynch, has also received an endorsement from Harrisburg Mayor Wanda Williams.

Dauphin County Treasurer Nick DiFrancesco announced that he would pursue the Republican nomination for the 15th senatorial district, our online story reported. He said that he would focus on such issues as schools, safety and the economy.

February events will celebrate the season of love and Black History Month through art, music and food. Check out our Community Corner for special featured events, as well as our long list of Happenings.

Harrisburg University shared that Dr. Steven Jasinski, a professor at the school, had identified and described a new species of large, predatory dinosaur, Tyrannosaurus mcraeensis, our online story reported. Jasinski has been describing and naming dinosaur finds for years.

Harrisburg’s walkability, urban neighborhoods, nature and proximity to larger cities are its greatest strengths. According to our publisher, the city should embrace that destiny to attract residents.

Leon Laing, a local photographer, will display a collection of his work at Harrisburg’s city hall through March, our online story reported. Laing’s photography is focused on celebrities and hip-hop musicians.

Sara Bozich has a list of exciting events for your weekend in Harrisburg. Find them all, here.

Theatre Harrisburg’s show “Next to Normal” is showing now and our reviewer has shared her take on the play, here. The “tense drama” portrays the impact that mental illness has on a family and community, she says.

 

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Broad Street Market secures plumbing proposals for temporary structure

Broad Street Market temporary structure

Harrisburg is moving a little closer to completing a temporary structure for Broad Street Market vendors.

The city shared on Friday that it received two proposals for plumbing work on the structure, following months of project delays due to a lack of contracting bids.

This morning, the city learned that two proposals had come in through PennBid. City officials will now review their offers and their qualifications.

According to the city, they also received interest from additional companies that did not put together a formal bid yet, but are interested in supplying a quote for consideration.

Last month, Harrisburg issued a request for bids on PennBid, to complete both electrical and plumbing work on the tent-like temporary building, which will house vendors displaced by the July fire in the market’s brick building.

Earlier this month, the city received a bid for electrical work from Manheim-based KCS Electric submitted a bid of $84,491.

Visit the city’s Broad Street Market page for building updates.

 

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Harrisburg objects to proposed Governor’s Square sale, court decision postponed

Photo by Dani Fresh

While the owners of a blighted, bankrupt affordable housing development in Harrisburg zero in on a buyer, the potential sale is facing friction and delays.

On Wednesday, the city filed an objection in court against Uptown Partners’ proposed sale of the Residences at Governor’s Square, totaling more than 200 affordable rental units, to a New Jersey-based real estate company.

Additionally, the final court hearing on the sale, which was due to take place in a matter of days, has been continued to Feb. 29.

Uptown Partners filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in May and has since sought a buyer for its properties, which have received hundreds of city code citations and condemnations.

Earlier this week, Uptown Partners filed a motion to sell their properties to Mount Holly, N.J.-based ANCDI, which made an offer of $9.6 million at a Jan. 10 auction. The company also identified 2087 Market Street LLC, which offered $9.5 million, as a backup buyer.

However, the city and the Harrisburg Redevelopment Authority, in a joint filing, have objected, questioning whether ANCDI would be able to take on the purchase and needed rehabilitation.

The city and HRA’s document states that the purchase of Governor’s Square will require significant renovations and relocation of residents during renovations. And because Governor’s Square has a multi-million-dollar U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) loan tied to it—awarded to fund past renovations—and relies on federally funded Section 8 housing vouchers, a buyer must operate under HUD guidelines and comply with federal procurement practices when issuing contracts.

According to a statement in the city’s objection, “Neither the ‘Winning Bidder’ or the ‘Backup Bidder’ demonstrated any ability to successfully operate in the mandatory federal framework at play here.”

On Tuesday, community members Monique Bryant, Anita Hall and Deborah Taylor also filed an objection to the sale motion through their attorney, a lawyer with the Community Justice Project, a nonprofit legal assistance firm for low-income residents. Two of those objectors hold tenant leases at Governor’s Square.

Similar to the city, their filing stated that ANCDI “has no HUD property subsidized housing experience whatsoever.”

Additionally, they objected to the language in the motion stating that Governor’s Square should be sold “free and clear of all liens, claims, encumbrances and other interests.” The objectors stated that the wording may allow the property to be sold free of and violate restrictive covenants that currently require the units to remain affordable and may allow Governor’s Square to be sold free of current tenant leases.

According to the sale motion filed by Uptown Partners, ANCDI provided proof of funds to close and renovate the properties.

Also, in a narrative by ANCDI owner Charles Howard, which was attached to the objection documents, the company has “decades of experience” working with tenants with housing choice vouchers.

Prior to the auction, city and HRA staff and officials interviewed both ANCDI and Woda Cooper Companies, an Ohio-based affordable housing provider that also bid on Governor’s Square, according to court documents. Both companies had made offers before the auction.

In December, the city and HRA told Uptown Partners that they would approve of Woda Cooper as the buyer, according to the filing. Woda Cooper made an offer of $9.1 million but was not selected by the owner.

The city is now asking that the court “conduct a rigorous examination of the buyer’s finances, operational experience, and future intention to comply with the myriad of laws that affect low income housing,” according to its filing.

Harrisburg also requested to see a proposed deed showing HUD approval, a commitment that the buyer will maintain Governor’s Square as affordable housing and a proposed agreement of sale, among other documents.

A final bankruptcy court hearing to approve a buyer is now slated for Feb. 29 in the in U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Middle District of Pennsylvania.

 

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Harrisburg creates webpage to share Broad Street Market updates

Broad Street Market

Harrisburg has a new way to keep the community updated on the Broad Street Market, an action taken after questions and concerns by city residents.

A new webpage was created to provide status updates on both the market rebuild and the construction of a temporary market structure.

“This is an opportunity for us and the market to be more transparent with what is going on,” said Matt Maisel, communications director for the city. “We know people have questions.”

The webpage, hosted on the city’s website, includes background information on the market and the July fire, which heavily damaged the market’s brick building. There is also information about the temporary market tent, which will house vendors displaced by the fire.

The city had hoped to have the temporary market up and running this fall. However, the opening has been delayed several times due to various challenges, including, most recently, an inability to secure bids from contractors, Maisel said.

On the website, community members can also submit questions through a form and view a list of frequently asked questions about the market progress.

According to Maisel, any status updates will be added to the site, and he expects that there will be positive updates soon.

While the city doesn’t oversee the day-to-day operations of the market, which is handled by the nonprofit Broad Street Market Alliance, Harrisburg does own the buildings and is responsible for the rebuild process.

Creating the website for market updates was a joint decision by the market and city.

“Everyone deserves to have their questions and concerns addressed,” Maisel said.

Click here to visit the city’s Broad Street Market info page.

 

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Harrisburg tops list of “Best Places to Retire” in the U.S., says report

The Harrisburg skyline, from City Island

The Harrisburg metro is the top place for retirement in the nation, according to a report issued today.

On Tuesday, U.S. News & World Report issued its annual “Best Places to Retire” in the United States in 2024, ranking the Harrisburg area first among the country’s 150 most populous metropolitan areas.

“It’s great to see a national publication recognizing what we already know, living and working here everyday, that Harrisburg is one of the best places to live and retire in the country,” responded Ryan Unger, president and CEO of the Harrisburg Regional Chamber & CREDC.

According to U.S. News, Harrisburg took the top spot based on metrics such as affordability and health care.

“While Harrisburg isn’t necessarily regarded as affluent, it has a more affordable housing market and a lower cost of living than many of the East Coast’s larger metro areas,” according to the report.

In all, U.S. News based its ranking on six factors: affordability, health care quality, happiness, desirability, job market ratings and retiree taxes. Affordability was weighted most heavily and, for 2024, was expanded to include the comparative cost of general goods, as opposed to just housing.

A screenshot from U.S. News & World Report, “Best Places to Retire”

Harrisburg moved up one spot from last year, when U.S. News ranked it No. 2 in the nation for retirement. The metro displaced Lancaster, which fell from No. 1 to No. 3 in the 2024 list. In all, Pennsylvania cities took seven of the top 10 positions.

The top 10 “Best Places to Retire” for 2024 are as follows:

  • #1: Harrisburg
  • #2: Reading
  • #3: Lancaster
  • #4: Scranton
  • #5: Allentown
  • #6: New York City
  • #7: York, Pa.
  • #8: Daytona Beach, Fla.
  • #9: Youngstown, Ohio
  • #10: Pittsburgh

“As retirees consider where to spend their golden years, they want areas that not only give them the best bang for their buck, but places where they can live a happy, healthy life,” said Beverly Harzog, a consumer finance analyst for U.S. News. “This is why Pennsylvania dominated the Best Places to Retire ranking’s top positions, taking seven of the top 10 spots on the list.”

Of the 150 largest metro areas, the lowest-ranked were Denver, San Juan, P.R., Albuquerque, N.M., Stockton, Calif., and San Jose, Calif. (lowest), respectively, according to U.S. News.

To determine these rankings, U.S. News stated that it employed its own proprietary surveys, in addition to data from governmental and non-governmental sources, such as the U.S. Census Bureau, the FEMA National Risk Index and the ShareCare Community Well-Being Index.

Earlier this year, U.S. News also ranked the Harrisburg area as the 38th “Best Place to Live” in the country, as well as the No. 1 place in Pennsylvania.

To read the complete story from U.S. News & World Report, visit their website.

Click here to read our January feature story that focused on Harrisburg as a retirement destination.

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Harrisburg shares mid-year financial update, “largely on track” 2023 with budget

Harrisburg City Council on Tuesday

Harrisburg appears to be mostly on track with its budget for the year.

At a City Council meeting on Tuesday, city administration presented a mid-year financial report, in which they stated that Harrisburg is in solid fiscal shape.

For 2023, Harrisburg’s overall spending plan totals $109.4 million, including the $82.3 million amended general fund budget and the $20 million neighborhood services fund budget, among other items.

According to the report, the city is “largely on track” with meeting that budget.

The city’s mid-year review states that, by the end of June, about 47%, $38.8 million, of the general fund budget was spent. Harrisburg has spent about $10 million more at the mid-year point than it did in 2022, due largely to an $8 million debt payoff to bond insurer Ambac Assurance in March, as well as additional capital expenditures, according to the report.

At the end of June, the city had also received 55% of its budgeted $69.6 million in revenue. According to city Budget Manager Timothy Brooks, Harrisburg has seen significantly increased rental revenue due to payments from PennDOT for land used for its I-83 widening project. Earned Income Tax and Mercantile/Business Privilege Tax revenue are higher than expected, as well. Officials forecast that those taxes will exceed budgetary expectations by year end.

The report projects that by the end of the year, Harrisburg’s expenditures will reach $84 million, nearly $2 million over the general fund budget, due to the Ambac debt payoff, using federal American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding and increased personnel medical claims, among other expenses.

However, the budget is still expected to remain balanced, with additional federal funds yet to come in and with additional fund balance appropriations.

At mid-year, the city’s cash reserves equaled $22.9 million. Currently, they total about $23.8 million.

 

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Smile! Harrisburg ranks among happiest cities to live in U.S., says national magazine

Riverfront Park and the Market Street Bridge in Harrisburg

Are you feeling happy?

According to a national magazine, you should be, as Harrisburg is among the 15 “happiest places to live” in the United States.

Outside Magazine ranked Harrisburg as the ninth happiest in the nation, based on criteria like walkability, biking accessibility and proximity to parkland.

“What constitutes a happy town? It comes down to things like ample outdoor access for all, affordability, a safe environment, diversity, and freedom for residents to be who they are,” writes the magazine, which focuses on outdoors activities, health, travel and culture.

The “happiest” ranking is included among the magazine’s recently published “best towns” package of stories.

Harrisburg ranked especially high for affordability, with a median home price of $176,000, the lowest, by far, among the top-15 cities. Its median rental price of $1,425 a month was fourth lowest among the group.

The magazine cites other factors that contribute to Harrisburg’s “happiness,” including City Island, the Walnut Street Bridge, the Broad Street Market, the PA Farm Show Complex and a highly diverse population. Including the metro area, it lists proximity to rivers and streams, mountains and the Appalachian Trail.

In the section called “Room for Improvement,” the magazine only lists the recent Commonwealth Court case ruling that Pennsylvania’s school funding is unfair and unconstitutional and adds that lawmakers are attempting to remedy it.

In the “happiness” ranking, Reno, Nev., came in first, followed by Wilmington, Del., and New Orleans.

Why did Outside Magazine choose to focus on happiness? According to the editor, “Because the world is still rethinking how to work and live post-pandemic, and many people are searching for that perfect place to move to where they just feel better.”

Click here to read the full story,”The 15 Happiest Places to Live in the U.S.”

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Report: Harrisburg metro places first as “best place to live” in PA

A spring day on the Harrisburg riverfront

The Harrisburg area ranks as the number-one place to live in Pennsylvania, according to a much-followed annual list.

In its recently released 2023-24 list of “Best Places to Live,” U.S. News & World Report placed Harrisburg ahead of all other metro areas in the commonwealth.

In its report, U.S. News lauded Harrisburg for such attributes as affordability, a strong arts scene, easy access to the “great outdoors” and proximity to larger cities.

“While Harrisburg isn’t necessarily regarded as affluent, it has a more affordable housing market and a lower cost of living than many of the East Coast’s larger metro areas,” the report states.

Every year, U.S News ranks the largest 150 metro areas in the United States, using such criteria as “desirability,” “value,” “job market,” “quality of life” and “net migration.”

In its new list, released last week, U.S. News ranked the top three “best places to live” in the United States as Green Bay, Wisc., Huntsville, Ala., and Raleigh/Durham, N.C. The bottom three spots were Stockton, Calif., Bakersfield, Calif., and San Juan, P.R., respectively.

Overall, the news organization ranked Harrisburg as the 38th “best place to live” in the country, a small decline from No. 35 last year, when it also ranked first in PA.

Harrisburg received its highest marks for “value” and “quality of life” and its lowest mark for “desirability.”

According to U.S. News, “quality of life” consists of a multitude of factors, including crime rates, quality of education and access to health care. Housing affordability and relative affordability compared to other metro areas constitutes “value.”

“Desirability” is largely based on a “desirability survey” that U.S. News conducts with respondents from across the country to find out where they would most like to live.

Elsewhere in PA, Pittsburgh ranked as No. 47 in the nation, Lancaster as No. 55, York as No. 78, Scranton as No. 85, Reading as No. 88, Allentown as No. 109 and Philadelphia as No. 119.

Last year, U.S. News also ranked Harrisburg as the No. 2 “best place to retire” in the entire country. In that report, Lancaster ranked as the No. 1 “best place to retire” in the country.

Click here to read more for “U.S. News Best Places,” 2023-24.

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Speaking My Language: Melissa Mesones-Ortiz helps Harrisburg connect with Spanish-speaking residents, supports Latino community

Melissa Mesones-Ortiz

For one of her first work assignments, Melissa Mesones-Ortiz was asked to interpret a Harrisburg city meeting from English to Spanish.

Interpretation takes mental focus and sharp, quick thinking, but she had done it many times before. However, she wasn’t expecting how long the meeting would take—over three hours.

“Interpretation is live, so you cannot make a mistake,” she said. “They were talking so fast, but I was trying to process and take my time. Some people don’t understand—it’s a very difficult world, translation and interpretation.”

But that was just the beginning of the countless hours that Mesones-Ortiz would dedicate to making the city more accessible to Spanish-speaking residents. As Harrisburg’s deputy director of communications, she almost single-handedly oversees communications with Latino residents who often face language and cultural barriers in engaging with and accessing local government.

Mesones-Ortiz admits that she’s a perfectionist, especially when it comes to grammar and spelling. Her family has joked about it too—her intense attention to detail. But in her line of work, one mistake could mean anything from getting measurements wrong in a zoning document to confusing the sport pickleball with a ball that doubles as a savory snack.

Her services are vital to the 20.5% of Harrisburg residents who speak a language other than English at home, according to the most recent U.S. Census data.

However, her work goes beyond just helping Spanish-speaking residents understand what they’re reading or hearing; she’s building relationships. Her efforts ultimately show them that local government is there to serve them too—that they’re not outsiders, but valuable community members.

“Little by little, every time I help them with services, they get more involved with issues in the city that they know are important,” she said.

 

Miss Understanding

Mesones-Ortiz can relate to many of the residents she helps because she knows what it’s like to be in a new country without English as your first language.

She first came to Harrisburg from her native country, Peru, as a study abroad student, staying at the International House, a former student exchange program downtown. She remembers some of her first weeks in the city, getting lost in the train station and being amazed by Strawberry Square. She loved that there was a “mall” within walking distance.

But it also was a difficult adjustment.

“It was my first introduction to American life,” she said. “I was in shock. I was really afraid to speak English. It was difficult at the beginning because people were not familiar with my accent, so I had to repeat things multiple times.”

After college, Mesones-Ortiz decided to live in Harrisburg, working at Penn State as a research supervisor and at the Latino Hispanic American Community Center in Allison Hill. She started her position with the city in 2021 with a goal of community service and a specific passion for helping Harrisburg’s Latino senior citizens.

“I really wanted to provide information to them,” she said. “It’s a community that sometimes they are forgotten.”

When Mesones-Ortiz started, the city was lacking in formal translation and interpretation services, which is crucial for non-English speakers, she said. Processes like getting a building permit, paying a parking ticket, or even just calling into the city with a question can be challenging for someone with language or cultural barriers.

These barriers can cause misunderstandings and fear and can even get residents into trouble if they unknowingly violate a city code or statute.

“I was one of them when I was learning English, so I know the difficulty that is not knowing a language,” Mesones-Ortiz said.

 

Opportunity for Community

Mesones-Ortiz’s fourth-floor office is decorated with artwork, mostly crayon drawings by her 9-year-old daughter. It’s small, but has become a welcoming place for the many Harrisburg residents she’s built relationships with over the past two years.

She believes that, if she can be an understanding, friendly face to one Spanish-speaking resident, that person will pass on word to a neighbor, and the community’s view of the city will slowly change for the better. City officials aren’t out to stick you with fines, but are trying to assist and keep you safe, she explains.

She also spends a lot of time informing residents about which services the city does and doesn’t provide, as their cultural background may be different. Outside of translating documents, she has put together informational resources for Spanish-speaking residents and hopes to eventually host topical workshops.

Mesones-Ortiz sees her work paying off as residents are more confident in engaging with the city and understanding its role better.

“They really believe that they can trust in the municipality and the city and that they’re going to find help,” she said. “It’s no more that, ‘I got a ticket, I’m in trouble.’ It’s more like, ‘they’re going to help me out.’ I don’t see any more of that fear.”

The inclusivity isn’t just beneficial for non-English speakers, Mesones-Ortiz explained, but for the entire Harrisburg community. When Latinos receive assistance tailored to their needs, they’ll be more engaged in city happenings. And isn’t a more diverse, vibrant, united city better for everyone?

“We just want opportunities to show what we can bring to the country,” Mesones-Ortiz said. “If people can get more opportunities, we can be a more connected community.” 

Harrisburg’s MLK City Government Center is located at 10 N. 2nd St., Harrisburg. To contact Melissa Mesones-Ortiz, email her at mkmesones-ortiz@harrisburgpa.gov.

 

This article is available in Spanish on our website. Certified translation by Latino Connection.

 

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Hablando mi Idioma: Melissa Mesones-Ortiz ayuda a Harrisburg a conectarse con residentes de habla hispana, apoya a la comunidad latina

Melissa Mesones-Ortiz

Para una de sus primeras asignaciones de trabajo, se le pidió a Melissa Mesones-Ortiz que interpretara una reunión de la ciudad de Harrisburg de inglés a español.

La interpretación requiere concentración mental y un pensamiento agudo y rápido, pero ella lo había hecho muchas veces antes. Sin embargo, no esperaba cuánto tomaría la reunión —más de tres horas.

“La interpretación es en vivo, así que no puedes cometer un error”, dijo. “Estaban hablando muy rápido, pero estaba tratando de procesar y tomarme mi tiempo. Algunas personas no entienden, —es un mundo muy difícil, traducción e interpretación”.

Pero eso fue solo el comienzo de las innumerables horas que Mesones-Ortiz dedicaría a hacer que la ciudad fuera más accesible para los residentes de habla hispana. Como subdirectora de comunicaciones de Harrisburg, supervisa casi sin ayuda las comunicaciones con los residentes latinos que a menudo enfrentan barreras idiomáticas y culturales para interactuar con el gobierno local y acceder a él.

Mesones-Ortiz admite que es perfeccionista, especialmente cuando se trata de gramática y ortografía. Su familia también ha bromeado al respecto —su intensa atención al detalle. Pero en su línea de trabajo, un error podría significar cualquier cosa, desde equivocarse en las mediciones en un documento de zonificación hasta confundir el pickleball deportivo con una pelota que sirve como un refrigerio sabroso.

Sus servicios son vitales para el 20.5% de los residentes de Harrisburg que hablan un idioma distinto al inglés en casa, según datos del Censo de los Estados Unidos.

Sin embargo, su trabajo va más allá de ayudar a los residentes de habla hispana a entender lo que están leyendo o escuchando; ella está construyendo relaciones. En última instancia, sus esfuerzos les muestran que el gobierno local también está allí para servirles, —que no son extraños, sino miembros valiosos de la comunidad.

“Poco a poco, cada vez que los ayudo con los servicios, se involucran más con los asuntos de la ciudad que saben que son importantes”, dijo.

Señorita Comprensión

Mesones-Ortiz puede relacionarse con muchos de los residentes a los que ayuda porque sabe lo que es estar en un nuevo país sin el inglés como primer idioma.

Primero vino a Harrisburg desde su país natal, Perú, como estudiante de estudios en el extranjero y se hospedó en International House, un antiguo programa de intercambio de estudiantes en el centro. Recuerda algunas de sus primeras semanas en la ciudad, perdiéndose en la estación de tren y asombrándose con Strawberry Square. Le encantaba que hubiera un “centro comercial” a poca distancia.

Pero también fue un ajuste difícil.

“Fue mi primera introducción a la vida estadounidense”, dijo. “Yo estaba en shock. Tenía mucho miedo de hablar inglés. Fue difícil al principio porque la gente no estaba familiarizada con mi acento, así que tuve que repetir las cosas varias veces”.

Después de la universidad, Mesones-Ortiz decidió vivir en Harrisburg, trabajando en Penn State como supervisora de investigación y en el Centro Comunitario Latino Hispanoamericano en Allison Hill. Comenzó su puesto en la ciudad en 2021 con el objetivo de servir a la comunidad y una pasión específica por ayudar a los adultos mayores latinos de Harrisburg.

“Tenía muchas ganas de proporcionarles información”, dijo. “Es una comunidad que a veces se olvidan”.

Cuando comenzó Mesones-Ortiz, la ciudad carecía de servicios formales de traducción e interpretación, lo cual es crucial para los que no hablan inglés. Procesos como obtener un permiso de construcción, pagar una multa de estacionamiento o simplemente llamar a la ciudad para hacer una pregunta pueden ser un desafío para alguien con barreras culturales o de idioma.

Estas barreras pueden causar malentendidos y miedo e incluso pueden causar problemas a los residentes si, sin saberlo, violan un código o estatuto de la ciudad.

“Yo fui una de ellas cuando estaba aprendiendo inglés, así que sé la dificultad que es no saber un idioma”, dijo Mesones-Ortiz.

Oportunidad para la Comunidad

La oficina del cuarto piso de Mesones-Ortiz está decorada con obras de arte, en su mayoría dibujos de crayones de su hija de 9 años. Es pequeño, pero se ha convertido en un lugar

acogedor para los muchos residentes de Harrisburg con los que ha establecido relaciones en los últimos dos años.

Ella cree que, si puede ser una cara amable y comprensiva con un residente de habla hispana, esa persona le transmitirá la palabra a un vecino, y la opinión de la comunidad sobre la ciudad cambiará lentamente para mejor. Los funcionarios de la ciudad no quieren imponer multas, pero están tratando de ayudarte y mantenerte a salvo, explica.

También pasa mucho tiempo informando a los residentes sobre los servicios que la ciudad ofrece y los que no, ya que sus antecedentes culturales pueden ser diferentes. Además de traducir documentos, ha recopilado recursos informativos para los residentes de habla hispana y espera eventualmente organizar talleres temáticos.

Mesones-Ortiz ve que su trabajo está dando sus frutos ya que los residentes tienen más confianza para relacionarse con la ciudad y comprender mejor su papel.

“Realmente creen que pueden confiar en el municipio y la ciudad y que van a encontrar ayuda”, dijo. “Ya no es eso, ‘Tengo un boleto, estoy en problemas’. Es más como, ‘me van a ayudar’. Ya no veo ese miedo”.

La inclusión no solo es beneficiosa para quienes no hablan inglés, explicó Mesones-Ortiz, sino para toda la comunidad de Harrisburg. Cuando los latinos reciben asistencia adaptada a sus necesidades, estarán más involucrados en los acontecimientos de la ciudad. ¿Y una ciudad más diversa, vibrante y unida no es mejor para todos?

“Solo queremos oportunidades para mostrar lo que podemos aportar al país”, dijo Mesones-Ortiz. “Si las personas pueden obtener más oportunidades, podemos ser una comunidad más conectada”.

El Centro de Gobierno de la Ciudad MLK de Harrisburg está ubicado en 10 N. 2nd St., Harrisburg. Para contactar a Melissa Mesones-Ortiz, envíele un correo electrónico a mkmesones-ortiz@harrisburgpa.gov.

Traducción Certificada por Latino Connection.

Este artículo está disponible en inglés nuestro sitio web.

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