Chattanooga reaching out to the Latino community

CHATTANOOGA, TN (WDEF-TV) An inspirational story right here in Chattanooga caught the attentions of Public Safety Director Paul Smith and the City of Chattanooga.

Guilda Xiloj overcome odds and that could possibly become the foundation of how the city reaches out to one specific community.

Xiloj is an 18-year-old who just graduated from the Chattanooga Girls Leadership Academy as the valedictorian, but that accomplishment was more difficult for this young Latino because she had to balance so much.

"[I have to balance] being a good mom being a good student being a good daughter and also getting good grades,” said Xiloj.

Xiloj had her now 3-year-old daughter when she was only in the ninth grade and with that many began to doubt her.

"I had people saying that I couldn’t make it,” Xiloj said emotionally.

Not only because of her being a young mother, but also because of her race.

Xiloj said, "Because being a Latino basically they have low standards, they want to say ‘ok you did wrong you stay there, you don’t have to get up, you have to stay there.’"

La Paz Chattanooga works with the Latinos in the area, attempting to help understand some misconceptions associated with them.

This has caught the attention of the some Chattanooga leaders like Paul Smith.

He said, "Our partnership with La Paz benefits not only just the Latino community but greater Chattanooga. They’re not a part from the community, but a part of the Chattanooga community."

Smith says they’ve conducted focus groups with the Latino community and Latinos feel like they have an unfair advantage in the American society, but Xiloj says just look at her.
"I’m going to make the Latinos rise. I’m going to be the example and show they them that they can.”