Home Depot Courts Hispanics (Partners With La Raza To Hire 20,000 "Spanish-Speaking" Workers)

Atlanta Journal-Constitution ^ | 02/15/05 | Renee Degross

[MisterRepublican]

Home Depot wants to put more Hispanics in orange aprons through a hiring partnership it will unveil today.

The Atlanta-based chain plans to work with several Hispanic groups to boost both hiring and its appeal to a market segment whose buying power reached $750 billion last year.

Hispanic purchasing power will reach an estimated $1 trillion by 2008, the Hispanic Association of Corporate Responsibility says.

Hispanics are poised to be the next generation of home buyers, said Jeffrey Humphreys, a University of Georgia economist.

"Home Depot's efforts will pay big dividends in the future" as the retailer fights with Lowe's and smaller rivals to capture that business, Humphreys said.

The National Council of La Reza, the ASPIRA Association, the Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities, and SER-Jobs for Progress will help Home Depot attract and recruit full- and part-time workers across the country. Daniel Borges, an eight-year Home Depot employee from Venezuela, said the program is a great idea since about 30 percent of shoppers are Hispanic at the Doraville store where he works.

"Customers shop where they feel welcome and comfortable and get the products and information they need," said Borges, who sported a badge saying "Yo hablo Espanol" — I speak Spanish.

"I have many regular customers who have told me they are comfortable coming to this store because they know we have bilingual associates."

[ridesthemiles]

At the one I've been to in LA, there are about 15 day-laborers - assumed to be illegal - who wait at the exit sitting on the curb. So when you go to Home Depot, you can not only buy your building supplies, but you can also pick up people to do the work.""

Every single person who "picks up one to do the work" increases the problem by encouraging more illegal invaders to come across the border. Do the work yourself or hire an American.

You cannot hire these illegals for a day here and a day there and then rail against the lack of border security and invading bodies from Mexico.

[kellynla]

And the next time I need hardware,
I'll drive right past Home Depot and continue on to Ace!

[devolve]

[Aznar5]

Sounds like a good spot to get license plates and "out" them.

[television is just wrong]

This is a wonderful opportunity for those who disagree with the racist hiring of one racial type over another to REFUSE to do business with Home Depot.

I will take my business to Lowe's, Orchard Hardware supply, Do it Center, and all other hardware stores other than Home Depot.

[Aznar5]

"No one's fooled."

You are right, you are not fooling anyone. We know you would undermine your countrymen to line your own pockets. Traitor filth.

[SealSeven]

Glad to have you back, Rod. Your the only one on this board that gives me a great cardio workout without my having to lift a finger.

[Libloather]

Some more jobs that Americans could do normally, but can't because they don't speak a foreign language.

Ten Home Depot stores were wiped out in New Orleans - alone. Who else you gonna hire?

[Serenissima Venezia]

The fact of the matter is that it takes time.

The fact of the matter is that many do not even try to learn English. Many children are born here that don't learn English until they enter school. They're not even attempting to assimilate.

And years ago, it did take a few years for European immigrants to learn the language - but they did learn it. My mother learned English when she moved here from Italy, took her citizenship test in English and refused to let us speak Italian because she wanted us to get a good education. I don't see very many these days concerned at all about that aspect of it!

[TheSpottedOwl]

Ten Home Depot stores were wiped out in New Orleans - alone. Who else you gonna hire?

They weren't wiped out in February, when I posted to this thread. Since you asked, you hire legal immigrants/American citizens. If they happen to be bilingual, it's all good.

[SealSeven]

Your thoughts?

[RTINSC]

I have no problem with anyone hiring Spanish speaking people as long as they are US citizens.

What are your thoughts?

[SealSeven]

For once we are in agreement. However, I believe English should be the language of the land. Your thoughts?

[antiunion person]

Looks like I will take my business to Lowe's or Orchard Supply. I like going somewhere I can actually speak to someone in English and not worry about the gang problems.

[antiunion person]

Mr. TexasNative2000, you have lived in Texas way too long to be giving into the Mexican way of life.

[RTINSC]

English should be used exclusively in all areas of our society where tax dollars are spent. All government functions should require English only. Private business and other non governmental areas, speak whatever language you want.

[Minus_The_Bear]

Yep. This is beyond ridiculous. All other immigrant groups at least made an effort to learn English.

[antiunion person]

Yeah right. You go to a department of motor vehicles anywhere in California and there are lots of languages the manuals and tests are printed in. I saw a Mexican taking a driving test (written) one day and the translator was giving him all the answers. I wish someone could translate the crap the dmv has in their books. Most the answers are either wrong or have a trick question leading it.

[SealSeven]

" Private business and other non governmental areas, speak whatever language you want."

Does that include businesses that start with a small buisiness loan?

[montag813]

I will not shop at a Home Depot in which I hear employees conversing in Spanish.