Fueling potential: LAUP continues to help youth, build careers, and support local small businesses

HOLLAND — Latin American United for Progress, or LAUP, is dedicated to celebrating Latino culture and equipping community members with resources to reach their potential.

Formed by four grassroots organizations in 1975, LAUP worked to improve the community, leading to the formation of Community Action House, TRIO Upward Bound programs, and Children’s After School Achievement. These efforts increased the academic performance of Latino students and advocated for first-generation students in West Michigan.

In 1986, LAUP was officially incorporated as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. In 2003, it opened its first office, offering direct casework for Latinos in need and English as a Second Language classes. The organization appointed its first paid executive director in 2007.

LAUP continues to expand, offering programs and services designed to inspire and equip the Latino community.

Student Programs

• ¡Adelante! Youth Program: Designed for eighth through 11th-graders to improve college and career readiness, this program focuses on life skills, writing development, college exploration, and more.
• ¡Más Adelante! Youth Program: Built for 12th-graders to prepare them for the job market or college, this program teaches financial literacy, job skills, and tutoring support.

Adult programs

• ESL digital literacy: In partnership with Zeeland Adult Education, LAUP teaches basic computer use, email navigation, and online bill management.
• Workforce development program: LAUP offers individualized career training and strategies for Ottawa County residents.
• Citizenship program: This 10-week course prepares participants for the citizenship exam and includes a free consultation with Lighthouse Immigrant Advocates attorneys.
• Salserines (Health Through Salsa): Participants can learn salsa dancing every Thursday from 7 to 9 p.m. at the LAUP office.
• LAUP Spanish classes: Language courses designed for individuals looking to learn or reclaim Spanish-language skills.

Direct services

• Document translation and interpretation (English/Spanish)
• Mexican Mobile Consulate visits
• College advising

Small business support hub grant

Three years ago, the Michigan Economic Development Corp. (MEDC) launched the Small Business Support Hub grant to assist microenterprises and small businesses statewide.

Rather than applying individually, the West Michigan Hispanic Chamber of Commerce (WMHCC) led a regional collaboration focused on supporting small businesses and non-English speaking communities.

“We wanted to help bring economic vitality to local communities and help to demonstrate a partnership between Black and Brown organizations to advance entrepreneurship and business ownership,” said Kaylee Moreno, senior director of programs and strategy at WMHCC.

The collaboration brought together five organizations, including LAUP, El Concilio, the Urban League of West Michigan, and Grand Rapids Area Black Businesses (GRAB). The partnership helped launch three entrepreneurial support hubs, including LAUP’s small business hub.

“The grant has been incredibly successful in creating regional connectivity, providing hub-and-spoke model support to our other organizations, and sharing best practices across organization delivery, helping to refer businesses to one another to receive differentiated support,” Moreno said.

Through the funding, WMHCC has supported roughly 1,400 small businesses across Ottawa, Kalamazoo, and surrounding West Michigan counties, helping them track revenue, add employees, integrate technology, and optimize operations, Moreno told Ottawa News Network.

LAUP’s small business hub

LAUP’s small business hub, known as Prospera, empowers Latino and underserved entrepreneurs through workshops, one-on-one coaching, and bilingual support.

In its three years, LAUP estimates the hub has helped launch 61 businesses and supported more than 600 individuals.

“Our work is really focused on idea-stage individuals, ideation stage up to startup,” said Maximiliano Velasco, business development specialist at LAUP.

Prospera focuses on marketing and financial workshops covering budgeting and profit-and-loss management.

“The second piece of work that we’re doing at the business hub is networking and net worth growth,” Velasco said. “We encourage people to not try to do that part alone. The idea is to surround yourself with not just experts, but a village of people that think like you.”

Prospera also offers memberships, allowing business owners to utilize workspace at the hub and attend hands-on events.

For Susana Vasquez, owner of the West Michigan food truck Tarriko Taco, Prospera provided crucial guidance.

“I knew what I wanted for my business, but I didn’t know how,” Vasquez said. “[Prospera] helped me turn the vision I had for Tarriko into a business that has been growing with so much confidence. It’s opened a lot of doors, like being able to sell at Tulip Time and be in front of thousands and thousands of people.”

Prospera offers a space for entrepreneurs to connect through funding provided by the MEDC and WMHCC, said Maurizio Garreffa, LAUP communications specialist.

The economic impact of Latino businesses

In the past decade, Latino-owned businesses have expanded alongside overall demographic growth. According to a 2024 report from the Michigan Center for Data and Analytics, Michigan’s Latino population grew 28.6% between 2013 and 2023.

According to the 2023 Annual Business Survey, Michigan is home to 3,256 Latino-owned employer businesses that employ more than 36,000 workers and generate over $8.17 billion in annual revenue. Additionally, 32,000 Latino-owned non-employer businesses operate across the state, including 450 in Holland.

“The ability to provide Spanish-language entrepreneurial support was the biggest growth in economic impact, and the fastest-growing demographic of entrepreneurs across the nation is Hispanic Latinos,” Moreno said.

— Mallory Burt is a reporter for Ottawa News Network. Contact her at newsroom@ottawanewsnetwork.org.