the Newsletter of the Spanish American Center

January 2026 Edition

From the Director's Desk

As Director, I feel humbled and very honored to be on board since 1986, celebrating my 40th year here, while the Spanish American Center celebrates its 60th year! There have been many barriers, challenges, and successes, and as a Latina woman of color, under my leadership I have been able to achieve and deliver what our mission is all about, improving the lives of those we serve, with respect and dignity.

To our Board of Directors, thank you very much for your guidance and support through the years, and to our staff: I can't thank you enough for all you do for our community.

As we enter this new year, we are wholeheartedly grateful for our community, partners, and all who have made the Center what it is today: a place of care, pride in our culture, and connection.

'Twas the Season at SAC!

Holiday Joy

This winter's Coat Drive helped warm up our community. Thank you to Sheriff Lew Evangelidis for keeping our community warm and toasty.

And thanks to our donors--the Rotary Club of Leominster, the Telegram & Gazette and individuals, Santa's SAC elves (like Aurea Casiano, pictured here) distributed over 400 presents for newborns to 13-year-olds!

Info & Referrals (I&R)

A client family recently shared their gratitude after receiving a furniture referral—beds and mattresses for their children made their holidays brighter and cosier. Stories like these remind us why this work matters.

Featured Partnerships

The Central Massachusetts Tobacco-Free Community Partnership (CMTFCP) at UMass Chan Medical School is working on the Massachusetts Tobacco Cessation and Prevention Program (MTCP) project in collaboration with the Center and outreach specialist Marie-Danielle Bardet (pictured).

Resources for quitting tobacco in all its forms are available in Spanish and English: start with the Quitline below to find out more!

1-800-QUIT-NOW

Mount Wachusett Community College (MWCC) is offering free workforce training for eligible North Central MA residents starting this spring in certain medical and IT fields. The Center is working with the North Central Chamber of Commerce and the Mount on this exciting opportunity. Click below or contact info@spanishamericancenter.org today to find out more!

Training Info

Program Highlights

Learn English!

English as a Second Language

Our Leominster ESOL class takes place every Saturday from 9:00-11:00 AM, at the Spanish American Center (144 Spruce St.) taught by Camilo Neves.

Our new Fitchburg ESOL class takes place every Wednesday from 4:30–6:30 PM, at the MOC Fitchburg Family Resource Center (76 Summer St., Suite 230), taught by our newest teacher, Isabel Gonzalez.

Thank you to our funders at the Community Foundation!

Crossroads After-School Youth

Engineers from AMD (Boxboro) visited Crossroads to lead a hands-on Arduino STEM workshop on circuit-building (pictured left). Other programs included the mental health curriculum Movimiento led by therapist Kim Robles (below), cooking classes with Growing Places, astronomy night with the Aldrich Astronomical Society, and an indigenous heritage presentation by Guaribono Nakan.

Follow SAC's Youth socials below!

Food Pantry

Following the October 2025 interruption in SNAP benefits, many new families reached out to the Center for food. Ramon (Monchy) Feliciano is pictured below (next to new food bins donated by our friends at Sterilite).

Thanks to support from the United Way Response Fund and a generous corporate donation, we were able to replenish our shelves and continue serving families until benefits were restored in November.

Call us at 978-534-3145 for more info.

Friends of the Center

People who have made a meaningful difference in the life and work of the Center throughout its 60-year history.

David L. Higgins, Jr.

David L. Higgins, Jr. (pictured here with his wife Janice) was a lifelong public servant whose leadership shaped the public health landscape in Central Massachusetts.

A former Director of Public Health for the City of Leominster, Executive Director of the Montachusett Opportunity Council (known today as Making Opportunity Count), and Director of the Worcester Area Drug Coalition (now known as Community Healthlink) David invested in and strengthened communities during his long career.

He was an incredible champion and beloved volunteer at the Center. The David L. Higgins Jr. Cocina and Activity Center was dedicated in his honor in 2015, a place where David’s dream of ending hunger in the community becomes a little closer to reality with each meal that is shared.

Stronger Together

Starting in February 2026, the Center's Emitting A Resilient Spirit (E.A.R.S.) program, a culturally specific initiative to address Sexual and Domestic Violence (DV, SDV) Prevention & Education, will host a nonprofit community roundtable for invitees working in DV/SDV prevention. Project Director Rocio Varela-Bravo and Liaison Coordinator Tamara Castro will lead the discussion of insights and challenges across the sector.

Volunteer with Us!

We proudly celebrate 60 years of service to the community and extend heartfelt thanks to our supporters. 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!

Donate Now

The mission of the Spanish American Center is to respond to the social, health, educational and cultural needs of the Leominster community and surrounding areas, especially the Hispanic/Latino community limited by language, poverty and access.