Emporia Spanish Speakers was founded to encourage English-speaking residents to interact with and welcome their Spanish-speaking neighbors by making an effort to learn the language. The initiative has since grown to offer instruction for elementary-aged children, as well as a program for business owners who want to better serve Spanish-speaking customers, and members of the local Latino community say the programs have helped create a more inclusive environment in Emporia.

The Affirming Spaces Project (ASP) helps local businesses create more affirming spaces for transgender and nonbinary employees and customers by providing training on topics like gender identity, pronoun use and how to use affirming language. Businesses that complete training get added to ASP’s database of affirming businesses and receive a decal to place in their storefront window. The database currently has more than 60 local businesses and organizations listed.

The Manhattan Afghan Resettlement Team (MART) helps Afghan refugees escape Taliban oppression and build new lives in the U.S. MART helps to connect refugees with the local Islamic Center for meetings about adjusting to life in the U.S. and language courses, as well as help getting a Social Security card, a job and enrolling their children in school. To date, over 100 refugees have been successfully resettled.