Cultivando Sabiduría (Cultivating Wisdom): Latinx Immigrant Elders and Civic Engagement

Authors

Marisol Clark-Ibáñez, California State University, San MarcosFollow
Arcela Nuñez Alvarez, California State University, San Marcos
Alicia Gonzales, California State University, San MarcosFollow
Michelle F. Ramos Pellicia, CHABSS/California State University, San MarcosFollow
Ann Ardon, California State University, San Marcos
Noemi Jara, California State University, San Marcos
Valentina Martinez-Rodriguez, California State University, San Marcos

Abstract

This article describes a program, Cultivando Sabiduría (Cultivating Wisdom), that was created to honor and further ignite civic engagement in low-income, Spanish-speaking Latinx elders. Cultivando Sabiduría utilized a popular education pedagogical approach and culturally validating curriculum. Methodological and theoretical innovations aided in recognizing program participants’ strengths. Discussion is provided on the social and health benefits of volunteering and civic engagement for Latinx elders. The 177 Latinx program participants were ages 55+ years old and primarily low income with low (formal) educational levels. Program impacts included identification of the strengths of the elders in terms of civic engagement and community leadership, feelings of belonging, and the culturally and linguistically relevant literacy activities offered by the program.

Recommended Citation

Clark-Ibáñez, Marisol, Arcela Alvarez, Alicia Gonzales, Michelle Ramos Pellicia, Ann Ardon, Noemi Jara, and Valentina Martinez-Rodriguez. 2021. "Cultivando Sabiduría (Cultivating Wisdom): Latinx Immigrant Elders and Civic Engagement." Humboldt Journal of Social Relations 1 (43): DOI: https://doi.org/10.55671/0160-4341.1151