The Hispanic/Latino Population

The State of South Carolina has not been very well prepared for the influx of Spanish/Latino speaking people it has received.  We are now recognizing the need to become prepared to provide services to these who have come to our state to make it their home. 
The South Carolina Conference of the United Methodist can respond to the needs of our Hispanic brothers and sisters on a social level as well as on a spiritual level.

 Just as our Hispanic brothers and sisters are here to stay, so is our commitment to work alongside and worship with them. Ours churches can provide a place that they feel grounded, and feel spiritual connection.

The spiritual, health, economic and social problems facing this group are great and can only be summarized here:

  1. Living conditions which frequently are not adequate
  2. Language barriers
  3. The children have low academic performance due to the language and parents inability to read or speak English
  4. Access to and payment for primary medical care
  5. Working conditions which can pose a hazard to one’s health
  6. Residency status /relationship with U.S. Immigration Service
  7. Health/mental health issues/ including but not limited to diabetes, hypertension, eye conditions, sexually transmitted disease, and alcoholism.
  8. Children at risk for abuse, disciplinary problems, and health problems due to diet
  9. Transportation
  10. Cultural isolation/ culture shock
  11. Need for spiritual guidance
  12. Spiritual development and discipleship
  13. Leadership training

 

The 2000 Census shows that the total population of South Carolina is 4,012,012, and the Hispanic/Latino population is 95,076.
The rate of increase in Latino populations in South Carolina from 1990-2000 was 211.2%. This increase far exceeded the rate for the nation as a whole, which was 57.9%. From 2000 to 2002 Latino population in South Carolina has increase by a rate of 14.9%. As of 2002, South Carolina had the fourth fastest rate of increase in Latino population in the United States, after Georgia, Nevada, and North Carolina. Especially since two of the states with the highest rates of increase in Latino population are adjacent to South Carolina.