The website https://latinos-pittsburgh.com, created by Ignacio Arana Araya, a professor at Carnegie Mellon University, was born as a contribution to the Latin American community in this city. «It’s like lending a hand» to those in need, emphasizes the Chilean-Bolivian academic.
This bilingual site offers information on businesses, services, and Latino communities in the Greater Pittsburgh region. You’ll also find tips for facing challenges, as well as useful content on immigration, annual holidays, and tourism. «Pittsburgh offers many opportunities to learn, work, and live a full life, and I hope this site helps you make the most of them,» Professor Arana emphasizes in his welcome message on the website.
“I arrived in Pittsburgh in 2008. I’ve had a very good quality of life in this city, and I’d like to help others achieve it as well. I think the website can be useful because it allows us to gather in one place information that is relevant to the entire Latin American community, but also to anyone who wants to take advantage of the opportunities Pittsburgh offers or connect with the Latin American community regardless of their origin,” Arana said.
This website, according to its creator, has 156 listed businesses, 25 services, and 33 local groups. Arana said that a research assistant working with him found 35 more businesses that were added to the existing ones. “I updated the English version; I need to update the Spanish version,” he added.
Project collaborators
He stated that he has received assistance from two students from Carnegie Mellón University: Xitai Wang, of Chinese origin, and Natalia Hernández, from Bolivia. Ignacia Barthou Gatica is also collaborating on this project, and the website was designed by engineer Jesús Vera.
«I did not receive funding to create this site, and I do not receive financial compensation through advertising,» clarifies the creator of the website for Latinos in Pittsburgh.
Arana indicated that he has received emails from several people expressing their desire to have their businesses listed on the website https://latinos-pittsburgh.com. «That has allowed me to grow, and I’m looking to seek out promotion so I can receive more emails and continue to expand the page,» he emphasized.
How to update or correct data?
Regarding updates or corrections to data about the businesses, services, and latino communities listed on this website, he said that all you need to do is send him an email to [email protected] to add them.
Arana doesn’t specify the financial investment in this project, but he doesn’t believe it will be very high either. What is valuable to him and his collaborators is the time dedicated to making the project a reality. «I want it to be a reference site for all those who have urgent needs. Life has ups and downs, and when you’re down, a helping hand can make a huge difference. It can give that initial boost that will later allow you to move forward,» he reflected.
The 45-year-old academic earned a doctorate in Political Science and has been teaching at the prestigious Carnegie Mellon University for nine years.
