Alabama Hispanic Community Featured  In APT Documentary

            Collinsville, Ala., Sept.15, 2003---“Coming to a Crossroads,” a documentary on Alabama Public Television, will examine how people from Mexico and other Central American countries are finding security and opportunities in Collinsville, Ala., an old-fashioned community in the Appalachian foothills.

            The documentary will air at 7 p.m. Sept. 23 and at 10 p.m. Sept. 24.

            The growing Hispanic community has helped revitalize downtown Collinsville, where abandoned buildings have been reclaimed to serve as shops and restaurants for the residents. 

            “There are new challenges facing the community, too,” said Dr. Diego Gimenez, an animal scientist with the Alabama Cooperative Extension System.

“Nearly half of the elementary school students in the community are Hispanic, so new programs and specially trained teachers are being provided to help them succeed.”

            “Coming to a Crossroads” profiles several immigrants living in Collinsville and examines the opportunities they have found, the challenges they face and the friendships they have formed with longtime residents.  Among those featured is a retired Mexican soldier who, after years of work, brought his extended family to live with him.  Others featured include a young woman who upon arriving in Alabama did not speak English but was able to earn a college scholarship in just five years and a soccer-playing El Salvadoran who became the leading high school football tackle in Dekalb County.

 Article in MS Word

 Article in Text