Marlon Ferrey: Creating Bridges

25th Anniversary

Mi Voz
Zulma Malpica
Pablo Lopez
Rocío Ronquillo
Pastor Juan Aguayo and
Father Tom
Merrill
Marlon Ferrey

Crisis Line: 651.772.1611

Mi Voz

Marlon Ferrey: Creating Bridges

Marlon Ferrey, host of KFAI's Centro Informa, is welcomed into thousands of homes in the Minneapolis/St. Paul area every Wednesday, 7:30-8:00 pm. Offering music, interviews, and news from Latin America, the weekly Spanish radio program highlights topics that affect the Twin Cities' Latino communities. Marlon has invited Casa de Esperanza's Education Manager to speak on the show two or three times each year, offering her a vehicle to reach Latinos on the subject of domestic violence.

Marlon's vision for Centro Informa is "to bring the community to the people and the people to the community"-a bridge both ways. The broadcast often includes information about community services, events, or issues. Marlon makes time available to any agency that may want to present itself to the Latino community.

Marlon is always happy to host Casa de Esperanza staff on the show. The broadcast--usually an informal interview--promotes awareness and has resulted in responses from Marlon's listeners. After hearing the broadcast, people have phoned in to request information about how to contact Casa de Esperanza or our crisis line, as well as to volunteer their time.

One of Marlon's memorable experiences with Centro Informa occurred with a group of Latinas who were trained by Casa de Esperanza to present talleres (workshops) to women in the community. The women talked about domestic violence issues and promoted their first taller, which took place two days later. They were so enthusiastic about what they had learned that Marlon allowed them to be on the air for an extended time. Their contagious excitement brought a tone to the show that he describes as "happy chaos."

As Director of Community Programs at Centro-a social service agency providing services and programs to Latinos-Marlon has hosted Centro Informa for more than nine years. Believing that Centro and Casa de Esperanza "need each other," Marlon is committed to partnering on the show.

Recently KFAI--90.3 in Minneapolis and 106.7 in St. Paul-began to offer its programs on the web (www.kfai.org). So Centro Informa and Marlon Ferrey are now available nationally and internationally.