‘Queremos ser grandes’: Latine Community Discusses Civic Engagement Ahead of Philly Elections.

Local organizations emphasize year-round participation and building trust in government

By Jensen Toussaint. November 3, 2025.

Julia Rivera, Tanisha Bezue, and Arianne Bracho participate in a panel discussion hosted by Inti Media about civic engagement on Oct. 28. Photo Credit: Burkett Photography.

At a recent community event hosted by Inti Media, leaders from local organizations gathered to discuss how civic engagement can extend beyond Election Day. The Short Film Screening + Conversation: Civic Engagement in the Latine Community event highlighted the work of residents and groups dedicated to making government participation more accessible, especially for Philadelphia’s Latine community.

Organizations such as the Committee of Seventy, Congreso de Latinos Unidos, and Madre Tierra Philly are working to break down barriers to civic participation. Their goal: build trust in government and equip residents with tools to better understand the voting process and the roles of their elected representatives.

Building civic engagement beyond election season

While “civic engagement” often becomes a buzzword during election season, advocates say it should be part of everyday life.

Founded in 1904, the Committee of Seventy has long worked to inform voters and encourage participation in Philadelphia’s political process. For Program Director Tanisha Bezue, the motivation behind her work is deeply personal.

“What pushes me is the hope that people believe their vote counts — and that government should serve them, regardless of citizenship status,” Bezue said.

Bezue joined community leaders as a panelist at Inti Media’s event, which also featured short documentaries produced as part of Every Voice, Every Vote, a Lenfest Institute for Journalism initiative promoting civic participation in local elections.

Alma, co-owner of Marco’s Fish & Crab House, is featured in one of Inti Media’s docs. Photo Credit: Burkett Photography.

Empowering communities through shared stories

Civic engagement is central to the mission of Congreso de Latinos Unidos, which helps families in predominantly Latino neighborhoods achieve self-sufficiency and well-being.

Julia Rivera, Congreso’s chief external affairs officer, said the short documentaries resonated deeply with her because of their common themes.

Julia Rivera, chief external affairs officer at Congreso, is a big proponent of civic engagement advocacy. Photo Credit: Burkett Photography.

“These stories were really impactful,” Rivera said. “They showed how people are facing ongoing challenges that reflect larger systemic issues — but also how they’re organizing, pooling resources, and coming up with real solutions, even when they’re not yet supported or funded.”

One of the featured stories followed Alma Romero and Marcos Tlacopilco, owners of Marco’s Fish & Crab House. Romero shared how the couple’s food truck was stolen overnight a few years ago. Inti Media framed their story with a call for greater safety and support for small business owners in South Philadelphia’s Italian Market.

Thanks to the support of their neighbors and the South Philly community, Alma and Marcos managed to replace it and continue their business. Watching her own story during the event brought tears to Alma’s eyes as she reflected on the challenges she’s endured.

Alma Romero got emotional while speaking about her story. Photo Credit: Burkett Photography.

Through it all, Romero said she finds strength in her community. She emphasized a phrase that captures a shared immigrant aspiration: “Queremos ser grandes.” That desire to “be great” or “be successful,” she explained, represents a yearning to work hard, thrive, and contribute — despite barriers like lack of public safety or limited access to resources.

“When I think about civic engagement,” Rivera added, “I think about how much power people truly have — and the positive impact that comes from acknowledging and using that power.”

Romero’s story, along with several others told by Inti Media, exemplifies that strength.

Community members were invited to the screening and shared their thoughts. Photo Credit: Burkett Photography.

Addressing barriers and building trust

For many Philadelphians, the biggest obstacle to civic participation is a lack of trust in government.

Bezue said that skepticism is understandable, especially for people who don’t know how government works or who feel excluded from it.

“We’re nonpartisan — we’re not going to tell you how to vote,” she said. “But we want you to know how to act. We want you to understand City Council, to show up with the right language, and to know how things function.”

To that end, the Committee of Seventy recently released How Philly Works, a guide explaining local government structures and also an interactive voter guide to help residents make informed decisions ahead of the November 4 municipal elections.

Arianne Bracho, executive director of Madre Tierra, shared a similar commitment to accessibility. A native of Venezuela, Bracho highlighted how complex the U.S. election system can be — especially for immigrants unfamiliar with it.

To address that, Madre Tierra provides bilingual civic education resources in Spanish, helping ensure that language isn’t a barrier to participation.

Just in time for Election Day, Congreso also published a bilingual civic engagement activity book designed for people of all ages. Rivera said making it bilingual was an intentional decision. “We wanted one book that bilingual families could use together,” she said.

The activity book walks readers through identifying their elected representatives — from City Council members and the mayor to state legislators, the governor, and members of Congress.

Arianne Bracho and her team at Madre Tierra share valuable resources for the city’s Spanish-speaking community. Photo Credit: Burkett Photography.

Congreso’s new activity book aims to make civic engagement understandable for all. (Courtesy of Andy Moran/Congreso)

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“All those people have a role to play within the larger system,” Rivera added. “You need to know who you’re holding accountable for what — and that’s key to rebuilding trust.”

Taking civic action — big and small

Bezue said one powerful way to deepen civic understanding is by becoming a poll worker.

“The city needs about 8,500 poll workers every election,” she said. “It’s a paid role — up to $250 for the day — and a great way to see democracy in action.”

Congreso also encourages participation by making Election Day a paid day off for staff — a policy they adopted several years ago.

“Election Day isn’t a national holiday,” Rivera said. “People can’t always take time off to vote or serve as poll workers or interpreters. We wanted to change that.”

Rivera encouraged others to advocate for similar policies at their workplaces — whether to volunteer, vote, or simply engage in civic life.

Held at PhillyCAM, Inti Media’s event underscored the power of collective participation. The discussion — Civic Engagement in the Latine Community — reminded attendees that civic engagement doesn’t end with a ballot. It continues through organizing, storytelling, and showing up for one another.

You can watch Inti Media’s short documentaries and videos on our YouTube channel.

What’s on the ballot this year?

This year’s election could reshape Pennsylvania’s legal landscape for years to come.

Three Democratic Pennsylvania Supreme Court justices — Christine Donohue, Kevin Dougherty, and David Wecht — are seeking retention for new 10-year terms. The results could influence major issues, such as reproductive rights and voting access through the next election cycles.

“We want judges who reflect our values — whatever those values may be,” Bezue said.

The District Attorney race will also appear on the ballot, with incumbent Larry Krasner facing Republican challenger Pat Dugan in a rematch of May’s primary.

The City Controller position is up for election, as well. Incumbent Democrat Christy Brady, who was appointed in 2022 and won a full term the following year, is running for another four-year term against Republican candidate Ari Patrinos.

Other key races include seats on the Court of Common Pleas and the Philadelphia Municipal Court — both of which play vital roles in everyday matters like family court and jury duty.

“We need juries that reflect our communities,” Bezue said. “People who look like us, who understand us — that matters.”

Election Day is Tuesday, November 4, 2025. To learn more about candidates, polling places, and sample ballots, visit vote.phila.gov.

This project is a part of Every Voice, Every Vote, a collaborative project managed by The Lenfest Institute for Journalism. The William Penn Foundation provides lead support for Every Voice, Every Vote in 2024 and 2025 with additional funding from The Lenfest Institute for Journalism, Comcast NBC Universal, The John S. and James L. Knight Foundation, Henry L. Kimelman Family Foundation, Judy and Peter Leone, Arctos Foundation, Wyncote Foundation, 25th Century Foundation, Dolfinger-McMahon Foundation, and Philadelphia Health Partnership. To learn more about the project and view a full list of supporters, visit www.everyvoice-everyvote.org. Editorial content is created independently of the project’s donors.