Other Resources at the Spanish Center
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Executive Summary
Centro Hispano is a bilingual multi-service and advocacy center with approximately 140 employees. It is a nonprofit organization that serves over 15,000 individuals annually, and which has served poor, working class and immigrant Latinos (and others) in the Milwaukee area for the past 48 years. The majority of program participants are from zip codes 53204 (40%) and 53215 (39%). In general, approximately 90% of clients are Latinos, and 80% live are under the poverty level.
Our services are provided bilingually, in Spanish and English. Centro Hispano dates back to 1964, and it is the first and longest serving Latino organization in the state of Wisconsin. Its funding comes from federal and state programs, United Way, foundations and various corporations, as well as public donations. Its board of directors is constituted by volunteers from the Milwaukee community and meets bi-monthly to govern the organization, support its activities, and oversee its fiduciary standing. Centro Hispano operates out of 15 locations. Its administrative offices are located in Milwaukee’s near south side (614 W. National Ave, Milwaukee). Another three nonprofits also offer Head Start services funded through this organization. In the area of education, it offers the largest dual language and bilingual Head Start (from birth to 5) in Wisconsin, related training and professional development for parents and Head Start staff, and a large Resource Center. It has a small alternative bilingual high school for at-risk students and a healthy youth program; and, it offers an adult education and workforce development program. In the area of housing, it has six buildings dedicated to elderly and disabled housing and a bilingual housing program that provides some wrap around services to tenants. Centro Hispano offers a social services program that provides bilingual interventions with the health industry, educational institutions, law enforcement, and other public and private agencies. The program also offers bilingual assistance with housing foreclosures and related fiscal issues; an immigration program that assist in all areas of immigration, including assistance in processes that may lead to US citizenship. Centro Hispano is currently leading a major mobilization of Latinos for civic engagement and voting. Its programs and services all strive to enhance Latino self-sufficiency. AdvocacyIn addition, Centro Hispano engages in extensive and substantial advocacy in:
Administrative Team
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