the Newsletter of the Spanish American Center

July 2026 Edition

From the Director's Desk

Summer is here, with warm days, long nights, and the sound of happy kids under the big tent, enjoying meals and activities. The Center's summer programs on Spruce Street and at St Cecilia's nearby create a space where children and youth can be outside, off their devices, socializing, eating healthy meals, and making friends.

Summer is a busy time for everyone, but it is a good idea to look at the smiling faces of those around you, and take a moment to relax and enjoy the company of family and friends. When we do so, we make memories that can carry us through the cold New England winters!

Enjoy the season!

Summer Food Rocks Kickoff

As part of the Summer Food Rocks program, Congressman Jim McGovern (shown here with Donata Martin of SAC Youth Programs) stopped by for breakfast at the Spanish American Center’s summer youth program Verano Alegre, a Summer Eats meals site, on July 6.

He emphasized the necessary of programs like Summer Eats, sponsored by Project Bread and the MA Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, which enable access to healthy meals for kids and teens when school is out:

“These summer feeding programs and these activities for our young people are so important. Young people are 100% of our future, and we ought to start acting like it. That means ensuring that nobody in this community goes hungry, that nobody is food insecure.”

Watch the Video

Thank You, Gala Sponsors!

Reproductive Health Services,

Making Opportunity Count

Affordable, confidential health care in a supportive environment. From annual exams and birth control to STI testing, treatment, and preventive care, our Health Services team makes it easier to access the care you need.

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Medical Associates Pediatrics

SInce 1973, providing quality pediatric care to North Central Massachusetts and southern New Hampshire. Check out their English and Spanish videos on child medical care from our friend Dr Fernando Catalina. Open 7 days a week!

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60th Anniversary Gala tickets

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Program Highlights

Learn English!

Make a Plan to Learn

It's never too early to start planning for fall learning. The Center's English as a Second Language classes take place at at two convenient times and locations: Saturday mornings in Leominster and Wednesday evenings in Fitchburg.

To avoid losing English skills over the summer, ESOL instructor Camilo Neves recommends the Voice of America's website as a resource. Their "English In a Minute" page introduces English expressions such as "a clean slate" and "hold your horses." You can also find short grammar videos and recurring words found in the media.

See you in September!

Ancianos Unidos

In July, the Elders participated in a ceramics workshop creating clay coils to form baskets which were painted (Wanda); some chose to go freestyle, like Domenic's colorful dog below gazing at the World Cup trophy.

Archive Deep Dive, 90s Edition

Our team of youth volunteers (Xander, Shirley, Liv, and Vladimir with help from Tonia of Hull Bay Productions & Fresh Films) is producing a short bilingual documentary on the history of the Spanish American Center which will be screened at the Fundraising Gala in October.

Volunteers are currently digitizing the photo boxes (see these amazing pics from the 90s...and let us know who you recognize here!) If YOU have any images, stories, or documents that tell the stories of the Center through the years, we'd love to hear from you here or at the links below.

In English

En Español

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!

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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. We foster economic self-sufficiency, equal opportunity, and active participation in community related activities for better quality of life.