Fostering community, inclusion and equity in La Crosse: Dina Zavala
March 18, 2024
| By La Crosse Community Foundation |
Social capital the ‘glue’ for fostering community
La Crosse resident Dina Zavala, an immigrant woman from Honduras, brings unique perspectives to social capital discussions. As the vice president for inclusion, equity and community at Carleton College, and formerly the interim vice chancellor for diversity and inclusion at the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse, Zavala’s expertise is rooted in her personal and professional experiences.
Zavala moved to an unfamiliar area in the United States, where she had no family, no established social network, and didn’t know the language. Starting from scratch in a new country has given her firsthand understanding of the necessity and challenges of building social capital in a community setting.
Zavala has focused on fostering community, inclusion, and equity in her leadership roles. She emphasizes the importance of social capital as the ‘community glue,’ acknowledging it’s a privileged resource that isn’t accessible to everyone. Her work has been dedicated to ensuring that social capital is more inclusive and serves as a tool for advancing social justice.
How do you define social capital?
Social capital, as I see it, is the exchange and flow of information, knowledge, cultural norms, and support within a community. It’s an invisible yet vital force enabling communities and individuals to flourish.
At its core, social capital involves a reciprocal relationship of giving and taking that’s essential for a community’s growth. In diverse communities like the Latino community, social capital can be complex. Often, it remains confined within specific racial or cultural groups, making it challenging to build bridges across different communities.
This lack of common ground necessitates intermediaries who can translate and connect these groups, facilitating access to resources. As someone who often plays this role, I recognize that historically privileged groups typically have more resources. So, creating social capital involves not just connecting people within a group but also extending these connections to historically marginalized communities, enabling them to access wider resources and opportunities.
What does social capital look like in communities?
Social capital in communities manifests in improved education and health, evidenced by higher GPAs and reduced food deserts. It fosters spaces for social interaction, enhancing community bonds. Government responsiveness often correlates with a community’s social capital, reflecting its overall vitality.
For immigrant communities like the Latine population, social capital creates unique support systems. An example is the informal banking system among those without access to formal banks, facilitating interest-free loans within the community. Similarly, initiatives like ‘taxi amigo’ predate services like Uber, offering transportation solutions for those without driver’s licenses.
During the pandemic, communities rich in social capital efficiently organized food delivery for vulnerable groups, showcasing adaptability and resourcefulness. This highlights that social capital extends beyond financial aspects, encompassing volunteerism and cultural solidarity, which are crucial for thriving, inclusive community life.
How does community involvement benefit those who aren’t actively engaged in it?
Engagement in community social capital is crucial, even for those not actively involved. Drawing from my experience with the La Crosse Community Foundation’s grants committee, I recall discussions on trail improvements. These trails, used by many, including myself, were enhanced by people I had never met, illustrating how community efforts benefit everyone, regardless of their knowledge or direct involvement.
Social capital ensures access and opportunities for all, transcending socio-economic backgrounds. It becomes especially vital during emergencies or crises, like the pandemic, offering a support network for those lacking traditional family structures. This sense of belonging and support is not limited to emergencies; it extends to providing spaces for difficult conversations and grief.
Such spaces could be churches, clubs, or other places one socializes. They facilitate dialogue on challenging topics, fostering understanding and coexistence despite differing views. Social capital improves physical amenities, like trails, while nurturing a supportive, communicative environment essential for a cohesive community.
Reprinted with permission from the La Crosse Tribune.