Enlace Latino NC is a nonprofit, Spanish-language digital news outlet serving the Latino community of North Carolina. During the eligibility period, our team produced a series of free, digital, interactive guides to fill urgent information gaps—resources that no other local outlet was offering in Spanish.
These community-centered guides addressed essential topics including elections, immigration, and natural disasters. Each one was shaped by direct input from our audience, gathered through WhatsApp and SMS campaigns, newsletters, in-person forums, and listening sessions.
Election Guides
Our 2024 election guides were built in response to community questions shared during workshops and one-on-one conversations. Many Latino residents wanted to vote but lacked trustworthy, accessible information in Spanish. We created comprehensive guides explaining when, where, and how to vote, with verified details from the North Carolina State Board of Elections. Each guide included text and audio formats to meet different literacy levels and preferences.
In collaboration with Guides.Vote, we also published nonpartisan candidate comparisons on issues that matter most to our readers. These resources—never before available in Spanish in North Carolina—helped residents cast informed votes in races from president to the state legislature. The impact was direct: first-time voters told us the guides empowered them to participate. We distributed 7,000 printed copies of our general election guide at community events, and engagement metrics showed high online usage leading up to the elections.
Hurricane Helene Recovery Guide
After Hurricane Helene, Spanish-speaking families were left without clear information. Many recovery services were only in English, and undocumented residents feared applying for aid. We quickly produced a guide listing federal, state, and local resources—with clear explanations about eligibility, especially for mixed-status families. It also included warnings about scams and step-by-step help in Spanish. The guide was widely shared by immigrant advocacy groups, churches, and local partners. More than 15,000 people accessed our hurricane recovery content, and our preparedness guides achieved a 93% engagement rate.
Immigration Guide
Amid heightened fear over immigration enforcement, we developed a practical guide to help undocumented families prepare. Created with input from immigration attorneys and affected community members, the guide offered actionable steps: how to create a safety plan, protect children, and understand legal rights. It also connected readers with legal aid and mental health resources. The Guardian cited the guide in a national story, and local organizations distributed printed copies during clinics and workshops. Readers told us the guide gave them a sense of control during a time of fear.
These guides exemplify Enlace Latino NC’s mission: journalism that not only informs, but empowers. We didn’t assume what our audience needed—we asked. Then we responded with accurate, accessible, culturally relevant resources that helped thousands of people take action in their lives.
