CT Latino News produces and amplifies stories focused on the responses to the social determinants of health. A key social determinant, work directly impacts people’s physical and mental health, along with their economic stability. Inadequate work conditions and protections greatly impact marginalized communities, contributing to a cycle of poor health and limited access to essential resources. Southern Connecticut State University Junior Andreina Barajas Novoa grew up in Fairfield county seeing her mother work a variety of jobs across the state, since immigrating in 1997. One of those careers was in domestic work as a house cleaner – dusting, sweeping, moping, washing sheets. She had been a teacher in Mexico but gave up her profession to move to the U.S. with Barajas Novoa’s father. “She worked before a bill of rights for domestic workers had been passed in CT…so she wasn't protected by any specific law,” Barajas Novoa explained. “She [...]

With this election riding off the wave of Roe v. Wade being overturned just a few months before, it’s safe to say that reproductive justice is one of the biggest issues impending in this election. Voter turnout tends to be lower during midterms, although over 5.5 million Americans have already cast their vote in this election. Still, evidence supports the existence of voter suppression in communities of color, making voter access another important topic in this election.     “For people of color, historically, elections have not benefited them. Promises are broken, racism exists to where they say ‘why bother, my vote doesn't count’,” said Maureen Keane, co-founder of She Votes IL. “And so we all need to take a hard look at what that means. And how do we make those corrections to make marginalized communities be able to use their power and vote.”  There’s power in these numbers. Latinos [...]

Hispanic and Latino Americans are the fastest growing racial and ethnic group in the U.S. electorate since the last midterm elections, with about 34.5 million Hispanics and Latinos eligible to vote in 2022. While the turnout for Hispanic and Latino voters nationwide has increased over the past decade, they still fall behind other groups. Hispanic and Latino voters face a variety of barriers, but efforts to limit voter access are increasing across the country. Democracy doesn’t properly work when people and communities are prevented from participating within local, state, or national elections.  Expanding voting access across the country ensures that communities are accurately and justly represented by its elected officials.  Advocating for and increasing voting access includes expanding early voting, online voter registration, and same-day voter registration.  In Connecticut, there is currently no form of early voting and fairly restrictive absentee voting laws, according to Staff Attorney Aida Carini [...]

Latino News Network (LNN) and Be The Ones are proud to announce their partnership to help constituents be well informed and prepared to participate in down-ballot races (local & state races) this November. The multi-layered communication and education campaign equips voters with accessible, clear, factual information to better understand which positions are on the ballot and how these officials impact issues like reproductive justice and voting access.  While 32 million Latinos are eligible to vote in the U.S., only 53.7% cast a ballot in 2020. Research shows lack of easy to understand and accessible information is a barrier to participation. Local civic & voter education is essential if we want to increase participation.  State and local officials shape our lives. They make decisions impacting everything from kids’ education, immigration policies, expanding healthcare, and voter access. With 99% of elections this year being state & local positions, we have an opportunity to meet people where they [...]

Latino News Network (LNN) and Be The Ones are proud to announce their partnership to help constituents be well informed and prepared to participate in down-ballot races (local & state races) this November. The multi-layered communication and education campaign equips voters with accessible, clear, factual information to better understand which positions are on the ballot and how these officials impact issues like reproductive justice and voting access.  While 32 million Latinos are eligible to vote in the U.S., only 53.7% cast a ballot in 2020. Research shows lack of easy to understand and accessible information is a barrier to participation. Local civic & voter education is essential if we want to increase participation.  State and local officials shape our lives. They make decisions impacting everything from kids’ education, immigration policies, expanding healthcare, and voter access. With 99% of elections this year being state & local positions, we have an opportunity to meet people where they [...]