The City of Bloomington’s Community and Family Resources Department will have a new liaison to the local Hispanic community.
The department has named Ximena Martinez Ruiz the Latino outreach coordinator, the role previously held by Hamilton’s Chief of Staff Josefa Madrigal.
As outreach coordinator, Martinez will provide support and information to residents and work with local organizations to make sure they can access services. She’ll also translate for Spanish-only-speaking residents.
“I think that it’s very important to assist them with different kinds of projects and programs, but also making them integrated in their community; that they are part of the city,” she said.
Read more: Council supports pathway for undocumented immigrants to legally drive
Before being hired as Latino outreach coordinator, Martinez worked as a communications operator for the city’s utilities department. She also has worked with the Mexican Institute of Social Security in Mexico City, Mexico, and the Ministry of Economy and Maritime Affairs in Lisbon, Portugal.
Martinez received her master’s degree in international affairs from Indiana University and her Bachelor of Arts in international relations from Tecnológico de Monterrey. She served as an international student coordinator and teaching assistant while at IU.
She is a native of Mexico City and has lived in Bloomington for several years. During her time here, she said she has seen the Latino community grow exponentially.
Read more: Group to discuss budget needs for new jail holds first meeting
“The Latino community is increasing every year,” she said. “Some years ago, it was probably a small group. Now, we have representation of many counties from Latin America — and that community is increasing; it’s growing.”
She will also produce the weekly WFHB Spanish language radio program “Hola Bloomington,” which covers public affairs, and serve as the liaison to the city’s Commission on Hispanic and Latino Affairs.
Martinez she’s still connecting with members of the community and getting familiar with different leaders and organizations, and she’s eager to learn more.
“I’m very happy and excited to be in this position so I can assist the Latino community — because I’m part of this community,” she said.
