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the Newsletter of the Spanish American Center
March 2026 Edition
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From the Director's Desk
Dear Friends,
I visited Puerto Rico during the month of February. While there, I was invited to a birthday celebration to honor one of my best friends, Héctor Luis Zapata. I was very surprised when I was called to the front and presented with an award dedicated to Migdalia “Miggie” Velez, our Board President from the Isabel Santiago Cultural Center for her “valiant support and leadership” of this institution, which is based in my hometown of Guánica. Because of her dedication, she was celebrated from far away. Congratulations to Miggie for going beyond frontiers to support this great cause.
Upon my return, there was another great surprise in store: on behalf of the Spanish American Center and its clients, I want to express my profound appreciation at the wonderful news we received from Mr. Steve Adams, President of the Community Foundation of North Central Massachusetts (CFNCM): a landmark grant of $100,000 in support of financial stability services.
As you will see in the newsletter below, we have so many reasons to be grateful for the Community Foundation's long-term partnership with the Spanish American Center. As we embark on our sixtieth year, their investment is transformational and fills us with motivation to persevere in the Center’s essential community work.
With immense gratitude,
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Domestic Violence Prevention
On behalf of the Spanish American Center’s Nashoba Valley clients affected by domestic violence (DV) we are grateful for the support of the Community Foundation of NCM toward Domestic Violence Community-Based Support Services (Nashoba Valley Region).
The Foundation’s FY26 funding will empower Nashoba Valley residents who are experiencing domestic violence, and often substance abuse as well, to take concrete steps toward their own health and safety. Survivors who reclaim their lives in this way will set up their children and family members for success in their lives by modeling healthy relationships and breaking the patterns of abuse.
Food Pantry (El Almacén)
As Central Massachusetts families struggle with rising food costs, many are reaching out to food banks and pantries for a little extra help. The SAC's Pantry is open Monday to Thursday, 9-12 or until the first 25 households have been supplied. We can accommodate household once per month!
Stop by to find out more and pick up some free baked goods and/or children’s books (based on available supplies). Please call 978-534-3145 for more info.
The work of the Food Pantry and Domestic Violence Prevention is made possible in part by a grant from the Community Foundation of North Central Massachusetts.
| | Elders United/Ancianos Unidos (& Friends!) | | Did you know that Leominster has one of the highest rates of speeding in the state? Jeff Larasan Director of Highway Safety Communications gathered community input for the Leominster Speed Campaign, funded by MassDOT, to address this urgent community safety issue. | |  | The Center hosted a special bilingual & intergenerational edition of Bingo for the Elders United program and the Nashoba Regional High School Spanish classes of Sra. Puñales-Santiago y Sra. Díaz: a great way to connect with the community and try out Spanish skills. Thank you to Manor on the Hill for calling! | | |
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Shopping for a Cause
Cutie Patutie's Manager Kim Butkiewicz (pictured here with the Center's Aurea Casiano) presented the proceeds of January's roundup to the Spanish American Center. Thank you Cutie's!
| | | | Volunteer Spotlight: Bhavya Patel | | |
In 2023, Leominster High School senior Bhavya Patel moved in 2023 from Gujarat, India, where stray animals roamed the streets near her home. Initially wary, she soon fell in love with the strays, protecting them after witnessing mistreatment, collecting food and cardboard scraps, and motivating the neighborhood kids to pitch in. When Bhavya found a tiny, badly hurt kitten and assisted the veterinarian in delicately caring for it, she started to imagine a future in the veterinary field.
Bhavya volunteered with and later worked for the Crossroads after-school and Verano Alegre summer youth programs, which she calls “a second home at this point.” She credits the programs and her mentor, Youth Programs Coordinator Donata Martin (“one of the most encouraging people in my life”) with bolstering her confidence and steering her toward the future, such as the Tufts summer introduction to veterinary medicine in June, where she was recently accepted. Bhavya’s community spirit, infectious laugh, wit, and passion for animal rights shines through in conversation. We wish her all the best!
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Emitting A Resilient Spirit (E.A.R.S.)
In February, the Emitting A Resilient Spirit (E.A.R.S.) program launched an 8-week educational workshop series on sexual and domestic violence, open to the community. This in-depth program raises awareness, shifts attitudes, and helps to prevent future incidents of sexual and domestic violence through education.
Sessions are offered in both Spanish and English, and each participant will receive a $50 gift card as an additional incentive to complete the training. If you missed this round, don’t worry! There are other opportunities coming soon. Stay tuned and follow the E.A.R.S. Instagram page here, or contact Rocio Varela-Bravo or Tamara Castro at 978-534-3145, extensions 130 or 125.
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E.A.R.S. First Coalition Round Table
The E.A.R.S. inaugural Coalition Round Table met in early February. The objective is to reunite non-profit professionals, community liaisons, officials, and agencies to address challenges specific to our region.
Organized by the E.A.R.S. Director Rocio Varela-Bravo and Coordinator Tamara Castro, the first installment featured key members of the sexual and domestic violence prevention community. Representatives from Fitchburg, Leominster, Gardner and surrounding towns presented updates from the field to a full house, identifying obstacles to safety and quality of life in Massachusetts communities and exchanging resources.
| | Crossroads After-School Program | | |
Seasonal February break activities also included ice skating (above).
Check out SAC Youth Socials below!
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High Ridge Harmony Farm
Crossroads youth (shown here with Olive the horse) recently toured High Ridge Harmony Farm, which "supports youth through equine-assisted healing and nature-based programming." This was especially of interest to our students considering veterinary or animal-related careers.
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Fresh Films @ Crossroads
Fresh Films’ Shay Washington (below) and Crossroads students premiered their first music video project in February before promptly getting to work brainstorming the next shoot.
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David L. Higgins Cocina
Yosi and Iris preparing meals to be delivered to area shelters. In the 2025 fiscal year, 123,891 meals were prepared in the Center's commercial kitchen.
While the shelters determine their own menus, kitchen staff ensure the elders' shared meals include cultural dishes such as mofongo and pernil.
For all clients of the commercial kitchen "variety is the most important thing" emphasizes Yolanda Rodriguez, who works in the kitchen with her husband Eddy Pedroza (pictured here with kitchen colleague Ana "Juju" Torres).
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ESOL Classes
“I know many more words now thanks to this teacher; I appreciate you” wrote a SAC English student on the January 2026 mid-year survey (students from Isabel Gonzalez's Fitchburg English class are pictured below).
| | | People who have made a meaningful difference in the life and work of the Center throughout its 60-year history. | |
Lionel Reinford
Known for his vivid, joyful style of painting and his deep community involvement, artist and activist Lionel Reinford (photo submitted to the Sentinel & Enterprise) was described as a “giver.” Born in Honduras, Reinford later moved to the United States where he studied at Harvard University before working as a teacher in Leominster and Fitchburg. He was a founding member of the Spanish American Center, served as its Executive Director, and later sat on the Board. After his retirement, Reinford taught art and mentored students of all ages at the Spanish American Center.
Reinford himself drew from folk traditions, his childhood memories of Honduras, and his travels to create his striking acrylic compositions. In “Mr. Reinford’s World,” the name of his 2017 exhibit at the Fitchburg Art Museum, paintings from his forty-year career were on display, as was his dedication to the cultural enrichment of this community.
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A New Look
Introducing the SAC's brand new website, designed by friend and longtime collaborator B. Kimo Lee of Azurelink. Tell us what you think!
| | | We proudly celebrate 60 years of service to the community. Stay tuned for a year of celebration, new initiatives, and vision for our collective future. | | |
Your support matters.
HERE'S TO THE NEXT 60 YEARS!
| The mission of the Spanish American Center is to respond to the social, health, educational and cultural needs of Leominster and the surrounding areas, especially the Hispanic/Latino community limited by language, poverty and access. We foster economic self-sufficiency, equal opportunity, and active participation in community related activities for better quality of life. | | | | |
