Feltonville: Transcending the Statistics

Although predominantly Hispanic, Feltonville is home to a variety of cultures. “Just walk down Wyoming Avenue, every sign is in a different language,” explains resident John Gonzalez. Gonzalez is a father of five, and has lived in the area his whole life. He says the variety of cultures integrate gracefully.

Nearly one-fifth of current Feltonville residents were born outside the United States. About fifteen percent of total residents can speak little to no English. Feltonville also shares an unfortunate common trait with most high-minority populated areas: poverty.

An estimated 36 percent of Feltonville residents live below the poverty line—that’s 14 percent higher than the city’s average. Poverty among minorities is due in part to poor educational attainment, and Hispanic dropout rates are traditionally the highest. On average, neighborhoods like Feltonville will see about half of high school freshmen graduate.

Various establishments throughout the area have taken action to turn around the educational struggle. The quickly growing Esperanza College offers a GED program as well as a two-year degree program with special aid for Spanish speakers. The Wyoming Library hosts free ESL classes in Spanish and Chinese. And various private owned after-school programs are sprouting up.

In addition to the various educational services, businesses are opening too. Along 5^th Street new Hispanic owned restaurants and hair salons, mostly private and or family owned, are appearing beside established businesses. Feltonville residents have already overcome cultural differences amiably. Now the economic growth as well as focus on education could allow Feltonville to turn around the problems that afflict minority neighborhoods.

By Alex Onkow and Stacey Naughton

Group 5