La Luz reaches out to Springs business community

‘I had noticed in the last two weeks the lack of social distancing protocols in place in some Springs businesses,’ said Angie Sanchez of La Luz.|

Angie Sanchez, community engagement program manager of Latino-advocacy nonprofit La Luz, spent the past week reaching out to the Spanish language business community in Sonoma Valley to help market owners and other storefronts adjust to and comply with new social distancing regulations.

“As someone who lives in the Springs I had noticed in the last two weeks the lack of social distancing protocols in place in some Springs businesses, which is why we decided to make it a priority to create an outreach plan and toolkit,” said Sanchez.

La Luz produced and distributed social distancing plans, a protocol checklist, Spanish language infographics for business owners and Spanish language social distancing signs to display for customers.

“La Luz distributed the posters and distancing materials in person as we know how important the one-on-one support is in helping businesses remain open and understanding the new order for essential businesses,” said Sanchez.

Sanchez and La Luz Economic Development Manager Amanda Hernández visited El Brinquito, La Favorita, Tienda Iniguiez, Food Center, El Gran Taco and La Morenita Market over the course of this week and answered questions from owners and managers about safety guidelines and installed tape guidelines at 6-foot intervals.

Sanchez said she was supported by the Rebuild Northbay Foundation, which provided printed translated SoCo Emergency flyers, and Marcos Suarez from Sonoma County’s Economic Development Board, who accompanied her on some of the visits.

She also noted that the City of Sonoma provided flyers about the free Sonoma Family Meals which enabled her to have conversations with community members inviting them to participate.

“We plan to continue the Springs outreach next week,” she said.

She encouraged any local business that still has questions to call the La Luz Spanish language hotline for businesses at 387-1945.

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