Centro Las Americas

Centro Las Americas is a multi-service, non-profit Latino organization whose primary purpose is to serve, empower, and advocate in the Greater Worcester community.

Description:
During its existence, Centro Las Americas has represented hope and opportunity to thousands of individuals and families that have found themselves in difficult times. Centro continues to offer a helping hand to the many that still come to our city looking for a new beginning. Through our programs,we provide support ranging from community service and family development, to supportive and stabilization services through contracts with the State Department of Children and Families and the Department of Mental Retardation, to assist families in becoming stabilized and self-sufficient. Centro is also the leader in Worcester keeping the Latino/Hispanic cultural wealth alive through our Institute of Latino Arts and Culture. This program has successfully organized a Latin American Festival since 1991, a two day event held on the Worcester common. The festival brings tens of thousands of people to the city each year, and creates numerous partnerships with different organizations that promote the arts and culture created by Latino artists.

History:
Brief Agency Biography- Centro Las Americas

1976 - A petition signed by 300 Hispanic families was presented to Father Bafaro. At the time Father Bafaro had just returned from Peru and had been appointed to be part of the Spanish Apostate in Worcester.

Latino families were seeking their own space in the city, a center where they could embrace their own cultural identity and which would serve as a haven for all new incoming families. There were many questions regarding work, food, housing, and health in the Hispanic community. The goal of their petition was to establish a Latino center whose primary purpose would be to serve, empower, and advocate for the community as a whole.

Father Bafaro and his supporters were asked to raise $5,000 for the down payment for such a center. In 28 days the community raised $4,000. A friend learned of the shortfall, and asked Father Bafaro how he could help: Anthony 'Spag' Borgatti then donated $1,000 in order to secure the down payment for the building.

In 1977 Centro Las Americas was incorporated. The rest is history. Centro Las Americas has accomplished much in the intervening years. This past June, we celebrated our 25-year anniversary with a gala dinner. At the dinner we honored many of our esteemed supporters who played a vital role in making Centro Las Americas what it is today.

Centro recognizes its rich history and the importance of our existence in the community. Today we have a goal of continuity: Centro Las Americas wants to position itself to serve and positively impact the community for at least another 25 years.

Contact person: Billy Ayala, Program Director, (508) 798-1900 ext.243, (email)

Office fax number: (508) 798-1908

Address:

11 Sycamore Street Worcester, MA 01608 (See a map)

Web Site: http://www.centrolasamericas.org

Miscellaneous Information

Are any opportunities appropriate for youth ages 18 or under? If yes, what age range?
	18+

Last updated on August 3, 2009