El Centro de las Américas, a 501(c)(3) non-profit agency with a mission to empower and educate Latino families and the community at large, is pleased to announce our new Executive Director, Mr. Roger Garcia.
Mr. Garcia feels a strong connection to the Nebraska Latino community and has actively worked to address issues important to Latinos. He has served on many different boards, including the Nebraska Hispanic Chamber of Commerce and the Metro Young Latino Professional Association. His leadership skills and administrative abilities will serve to enhance El Centro’s already strong presence in the Lincoln community. Serving in the Omaha mayor’s office and working in immigration law, Roger will bring a broad mixture of experiences with him to El Centro. Roger holds a BS in Psychology and Latino/Latin American Studies from the University of Nebraska-Omaha. “Roger brings a new face for El Centro with his experience and ability to work with diverse groups of people. He is well spoken and has a great knowledge and admiration for the Latino population in Nebraska. I look forward to working with Roger and our board to carry El Centro into the next 30 years of service,” said Board President Staci Bell.
“I look forward to taking a lead in fulfilling the mission of El Centro de las Americas alongside a very professional and skilled group of staff, volunteers, board members, and partnering agencies. The need for our services at El Centro is very evident and I most certainly view the opportunity to serve the community in such as capacity as a privilege Moreover, the community of Lincoln and Lancaster County is one I take pride in working in as there is a multitude of agencies, entities, and individuals dedicated and passionate about making the lives of all residents in the area better for themselves and their families.”
El Centro, originally known as the Hispanic Community Center (HCC), was founded in 1982 and became a recognized non-profit in 1983. El Centro’s mission is empowering and educating Latino families and the community at large. El Centro works with families to achieve self-sufficiency and personal growth through the provision of bilingual educational, social, and health services.
For decades El Centro de las Americas has provided Lincoln’s Latino community with a broad range of vital services designed to enhance each individual’s capacity to become an integrated and engaged member of local society. Services were initially designed to help newly-arrived, low-income Latinos to become more aware of opportunities available to them in terms of education, advocacy, and support. El Centro’s programs have grown over the last 30 years and now focus on three core aspects: connecting clients with basic needs (food, housing, employment assistance, etc.); providing clients with the educational tools they need to grow personally and professionally (tutoring assistance for children, ESL, GED, etc.); connecting clients with additional supportive services to assist them in achieving inter- and intra-personal health (referral for mental health services, physical health services, anger management, etc.).
Mr. Garcia commences his appointment on November 5, 2012 and will oversee the operation and promotion on the agency. For additional information regarding this appointment please contact:
Staci Bell, Board President (402) 304-7650
Or
Amy Boren-Alpizar, Board Vice-President (402) 217-0891
