Zulma Prieto (GC ’01) started El Puente, the first Spanish-language newspaper in the state of Indiana, in 1992, calling it “a bridge between cultures.”

That phrase truly describes all of Zulma’s work in the Goshen community.

When Zulma moved with her husband, Jimmer, to Goshen in 1990, she saw communities of people that needed help learning to work together.

Along with beginning El Puente, she helped organize community dialogues when there was tension between some Latino and Caucasian groups. She also helped begin the Elkhart County Hispanic Coalition.

Today, she sees a community that has come together to make life better for all.

“It has been a process,” she says. “A lot of people, beautiful people, have participated.”

“It’s not like in other cities where there is not even dialogue,” she says.

Much of that stems from broad community interest in uniting cultures in the city. Goshen is, she says, “simply filled with many good people.”

“There are people everywhere, each church and each organization, always wanting and ready to help,” Zulma explained.

Along with running El Puente, Zulma is also an adjunct professor of Latino studies at Goshen College. Jimmer works at Goshen Middle School and is the head of the English as a New Language department.

They view Goshen Community Schools as doing a fantastic job of helping connect new families to the area and aiding them in finding resources.

Because both have worked extensively with Goshen youth, they know the opportunities kids have here.

“In Goshen, there’s an atmosphere of nonviolence, which is great for raising kids,” Zulma noted.

“I think the best is to come,” she says. “We’re excited to see a new generation of Latino young people be involved in all areas.”