Hispanic Liaison Office, Richmond, Virginia

This initiative has been identified as a good immigrant integration practice by the NLC. Click here to find all about the other programs!

Richmond is the capital of Virginia with a population of 200,158. Six percent of this population is composed of foreign-born individuals. Since 2000, the city’s Hispanic population has increased by 95%.

In 2004, the City of Richmond created the Hispanic Liaison Office in response to this demographic growth. The Hispanic Liaison Office improves access to city and community services; promotes community information, education and citizen participation; and supports city agencies in developing the capacity to interact, communicate and serve the city’s diverse community.

The Hispanic Liaison Office also promotes diversity within the city by sponsoring the Imagine Festival, which highlights Richmond’s diverse community and public safety, as well as by supporting the outdoor ¿Qué Pasa? Festival of Virginia, one of the largest Latino festivals in the state and in the southern United States. Two local Spanish radio shows provide additional outreach and focus on educating the Latino community about important topics such as public safety or naturalization.

The Hispanic Liaison Office provides immigrants and city departments with numerous essential services, including:

• Oral interpretation assistance for city departments and services
• Translations of written documents and forms
• A network system of contacts and referrals for everything from medical clinics to legal assistance to cultural groups to English and Spanish language classes
• Citizen’s Guide to City Services: a directory to all city services and programs
• Free tax assistance programs
• Support for new Americans in obtaining passports and identification

For more information about the Hispanic Liaison Office, please contact Tanya Gonzalez, manager, at (804) 646-0145 or Tanya.Gonzalez@RichmondGov.com.