A significant number of Hispanic immigrants in Gainesville are not proficient in English, which limits their freedom, agency, and mobility within the United States. To promote integration, Spanish-speaking students can use their language skills to reach their community and make an impact.

 

Impacto is a new student organization commencing in the Spring of 2024 that seeks to recruit and train Spanish-speaking UF students to teach basic English to the non-English-speaking Hispanic community in Gainesville. In doing so, the University of Florida can directly aid the Hispanic immigrant community in integrating to the United States. As the University of Florida has a substantial Hispanic-American student population, we can help bridge the gap in language-learning in Gainesville and Alachua and break barriers that impede the Hispanic immigrant community's agency.

​

Impacto is full of hardworking UF students who are passionate about doing their part in helping a community they feel personal connections to, being first and second-generation students with parents from Latin America and extended family still residing there. As students who realize the privilege and opportunities that come with being a United States citizen, we are additionally much more aware of the struggle to become a resident or citizen here and earn the same opportunities and privileges. Language is one of the largest barriers. Many basic tasks such as getting a job, asking for services, traveling, shopping, renting or finding housing, and researching the resources here available to you require the use of English. Simply knowing basic English opens up an entire world of accessibility, which we seek to help the community here access.