| Cochise College is located in the City of Douglas and serves Cochise County, which is located in the southeastern corner of Arizona. A border community, Douglas and other cities and towns in Cochise County are major crossing points for undocumented individuals entering the United States. According to the 2000 U.S. Census, people of Hispanic or Latin heritage make up more than 86 percent of Douglas' population. The per capita personal income for citizens of Douglas and Cochise County are among the lowest in the State of Arizona at $11,181, with 55.1 percent of the families reporting incomes below the state poverty level. Even though the unemployment rate in Douglas has dropped significantly in the past 7 years from 20.6 to 10 percent, the city continues to rank highest among communities in Cochise County and in the state. The health of Douglas residents also presents a great concern, with Douglas residents being at high risk of contracting diabetes or suffering from hypertension. According to the National Diabetes Information Clearinghouse, diabetes is particularly common among middle-aged and older Hispanic Americans. Studies completed by the University of Arizona show that diabetes afflicts approximately 18 percent of Douglas' population.
Cochise College will use funding obtained through their Hispanic-Serving Institutions Assisting Communities (HSIAC) grant to help complete renovations to the Douglas Food Bank and the Douglas Entrepreneurial Development Center. Upon completion of renovations, the Douglas Food Bank will undertake the development and operation of a series of supportive service programs designed to assist low-income people residing in the community. Its programs will provide participants with education and medical prevention services that will reduce the onset of Type-2 diabetes among minority members of the population. Following completion of renovations at the Douglas Entrepreneurial Center, AriSEWna, an employee-owned cooperative sewing company, will expand its base of operation and will take on eight new owners. New owner/employees of AriSEWna will undergo an extensive education and training program provided by the Arizona Council for Economic Conversion. Additional space at the Center will also allow AriSEWna to expand its product line and the amount of business it conducts. It is a goal of both programs to provide low-income individuals and families of Douglas with opportunities to become self-sufficient.
The projects proposed by Cochise College represent a community collaboration between the college, the city of Douglas, the Douglas Food Bank, the Douglas Entrepreneurial Development Center, and the South Arizona Medical Center.
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