Centering Culture, Language, and Community: A New Latino Responsive Program at St. David’s

When Lulu Garcia arrived in Minnesota after living abroad for years, she didn’t know where to turn for her toddler son’s care. Originally from Mexico and recently relocated to the Twin Cities from Singapore—where her son was born—she was adjusting to life in a new country, far from extended family or community. It was in Minnesota that her son received an autism diagnosis. Then, the family found St. David’s. 

That phone call marked the beginning of a long and transformative relationship, one that has grown over time. Over the next decade, Lulu’s son received a host of services, the kind of integrative, multidisciplinary care that sets St. David’s apart. He received Speech Therapy, Occupational Therapy, Autism Day Treatment, Feeding Therapy, and Early Childhood Education. Though as a young child Lulu’s son had considerable delays in communication, today, he is verbal, expressive, and thriving. And Lulu—who knows what it feels like to know a child needs help but is isolated and unsure of where to begin—now plays a key role spearheading the new Latino Responsive Autism Day Treatment Program. As Family Support and Outreach Coordinator, and deeply embedded in her community, she is forging a path for other Latino families navigating situations similar to her own  

Inspired in part by one family’s journey, The Latino Responsive Program has grown into a community-rooted program now serving families across the metro area at our new Nicollet Mall Center. 

Currently, the program includes two classrooms that support children with autism, some with traumatic early childhood experiences as well, in both Spanish and English. Each classroom adapts to the language needs and strengths of the children, many of whom speak only Spanish or come from multilingual households and have stronger communication skills in English. But the heart of the program lies beyond the classroom—through culturally sensitive community outreach and care coordination led by Lulu herself. Lulu truly listens to families’ experiences, concerns, and needs, and uses this intimate information to build trust and to ensure that care is tailored to each child’s unique situation.  

“Seeing the impact of treatment on my child’s development has given me a deep appreciation for the work professionals do in this field,” Lulu shared. “Now, being on the other side, I understand the effort, dedication, and coordination required to offer the best of ourselves and make a difference in the life of a child and their family.”  

Families who participate in the program often come from complex backgrounds. Some have immigrated from rural areas in Central or South America, where even Spanish may be a second language. Some have endured or witnessed trauma that many of us will never see. Others arrive without familiarity with the U.S. healthcare or education systems and know very little about its complexities and how to treat it.  

In this context, language isn’t just a convenience—it’s a lifeline. 

With strong relationships across the Latino community, Lulu helps families understand their options, access services, and feel confident that their children are in good hands. 

Between 2000 and 2020, Minnesota’s Latino population has grown dramatically, with an increase of 141%. More recently, growth has slowed but continues, with a 7% growth between 2020 and 2023. What’s more, this is a young community with 37% of Latino Minnesotans under age 18. making it essential to provide effective support to children in the Latino community. This program is St. David’s response to these demographic realities: meeting an urgent and growing need, grounded in community input, defined by culturally representative staff, and designed with the clinical excellence to change trajectories. 

As the Latino Responsive Program continues to grow, Lulu is quick to recognize the team behind it.

“I appreciate their willingness to share knowledge, the opportunity to learn from them, the openness in dialogue, the mutual support, and the sense of collaboration that exists among us,” she said. “There is one thing we all have in common—the passion for what we do to help children and their families. I feel proud and fortunate to be part of St. David’s.”

Families are already seeing results. Within weeks of enrolling, many parents notice meaningful progress in their children. And for families who have often felt unseen in more traditional care settings, the Latino Responsive Program offers something deeper: a sense of belonging. 

Your support makes programs like this possible. Make a gift to St. David’s today and help ensure every child and family can access the care they deserve.