13th Latin Family Expo Brings Whole Families Together

For members of the local Latin community, the Latin Family Expo is an event for the whole family that they hope will give immigrants a safe space and rehabilitate the narrow and often unfair depictions of Latinos in the news media, organizers said.

Multiple stations were set up at South Division High School on Oct. 26 to help parents with finding work, meet local leaders, and, for the kids, Halloween candy.

“The concept behind the event is to expand people’s opportunities,” President of Latin Family Expo Victor Huyke said. “It helps to get out information such as resources, jobs, health, and housing.”

“It is to help people figure out what is happening,” Huyke added

Another aspect is to show Latin community a positive atmosphere, he said.

“Often Latinos are shown as the bad guys,” Huyke said. “You watch shows like ‘Law and Order’ and other shows, and, they show Latinos in a negative light. We want to show that there are people like doctors, lawyers, small business owners and journalists who are coming up.”

“There is more than what is shown on TV,” Huyke continued.

Milwaukee County Supervisor Juan Martinez also enjoyed the event

“I like that it is a thing people like to come to,” Martinez said.

“Immigrant families don’t feel safe in their own communities,” Martinez added. “This event gives a safe space to come and trick or treat without the cops being called on.”

The expo had a kids’ component to it as well.

There was an indoor trick or treating event, Huyke said.

The organizers try to accommodate for food allergies or special needs as well

“If a kid has a light blue bucket the person has autism,” Huyke says.

One stood out to Supervisor Martinez.

“People from the community,” he said. “It’s people who actually live around here.”

“The event crates a safe haven for immigrant families,” he continued.

An estimated 10,000 people may show up throughout the event, Huyke said.