Started in 2017, True Ridge works with under-served Latinx communities in Henderson and Polk Counties. A wrap-around service organization, True Ridge helps those in the Latinx community that have been affected by domestic violence and other life-altering situations. True Ridge offers both services and connections to other organizations that can provide support and services to put clients on a path to success. True Ridge understands the importance of being included, understood and respected, and they bring that understanding to every interaction with the people they serve.
Executive Director Lori Garcia-McCammon says, “Our mission is not about services, but why we do what we do. We saw a community not getting served in the way they deserved, so we stepped in to create a confidential and trustworthy environment.”
True Ridge serves the Latinx community in culturally appropriate ways and with in-language services, offering translation for other service organizations that might not have bilingual staff.
In addition to language assistance, True Ridge offers holistic case management to Latinx victims of crime, stepping in to fill gaps where needed. These gaps have included helping first-generation college students fill out FAFSA paperwork, providing transportation, facilitating free legal advice for immigration concerns and facilitating educational support programs in area public schools.
Garcia-McCammon reports that post-COVID, True Ridge is busier than ever. “We have done more referrals to supporting organizations in the past six months than ever before. In one month alone, we did over 20 referrals,” she says. And, by the end of May, the organization had added over 60 new clients to its caseload.
True Ridge has partnered with Dogwood several times, including a Census tracking grant, a Racial Equity grant for funding additional case management staff and a grant to fund bilingual academic support serving Latinx disengaged students in Henderson county. Virtual learning has provided challenges to students who need additional help. The grant assists with providing educational assistance in culturally appropriate ways for Latinx students.
