El Amanecer

The Official Newsletter of

The Spanish American Center, Inc.

Sending Spring Updates

May 2023

News and notes from Neddy

Greetings all:

The summer is upon us and, as I reflect, many bittersweet memories come to mind. To mention one: the PANDEMIC. As we approach the upcoming Memorial Day weekend, I urge everyone to remember not only our brave servicemen and women that have been lost, but also the incredibly dedicated health care workers and first responders who worked so diligently throughout the pandemic to keep us all safe and healthy despite great personal risk involved. In our effort at the Spanish American Center to continue to keep our community healthy, we are again co-sponsoring another community vaccine clinic. Details are included below.

At this time, I am grateful for the many accomplishments we have had: the purchase of a house, the gift of a refrigerated van and the ribbon cutting ceremony of our food truck, made possible by the support of Congressman James McGovern, Massachusetts Representative Natalie Higgins, and the Community Foundation of North Central Massachusetts.

Also, I want to thank our mayor, Dean Mazzarella, for granting us funding that helped us expand the Crossroads Program. We are blessed to have so many good friends in the twin cities. Kudos to the North Central Chamber of Commerce for their strong support for our agency.

Community participation in all programs that the Center offers is consistent, and we are supported by the knowledge of the many lives that we have impacted so far. Feedback from our clients is always encouraging.

I want to thank our staff, Board of Directors, and volunteers for their commitment to our agency. Because of everyone’s support we have managed to continue to carry on the mission that SAC has had for the last 57 years. Thanks to all our donors for their strong support, and thanks to all who gave generously to our recent Amelia Peabody Foundation matching grant campaign.

I want to wish everyone a prosperous, healthy and happy summer.

Looking forward to our Verano Alegre with the children!!!

With gratitude,

Neddy

SAC will be CLOSED in honor of Memorial Day observances on Monday, May 29, 2023.

Visit our Facebook Page

Video by John John of Dedication, Mayor Dean Mazzarella and Congressman Jim McGovern.

We celebrate the arrival of our

long-awaited food truck - bringing nutrition to our neighborhoods!

Visit our Website

Recognizing Our Latino Leaders

Randy Beltre, Regional Director for

US Senator Elizabeth Warren

The Spanish American Center and its Board of Directors would like to spotlight one of our upcoming Latino leaders.

Randy Beltre is a 2017 Graduate from Fitchburg High School and went on to get his Bachelors in political science from the University of Massachusetts Amherst. After graduating in 2021 he started working for Senator Elizabeth Warren as a Staff Assistant in her Boston office where they served the Boston, Greater Boston, Metro West, and North Shore-Merrimack Valley region of the Commonwealth.

In his current role as the Senator's Boston Regional Director, he builds and maintains strong relationships with local elected officials and community members, facilitates requests made of the Senator, and plans, advances, and executes events for the Senator in the region.

Randy stated “This has been a once in a lifetime opportunity to serve the people of Massachusetts while continuing to learn, grow and connect in and around my community. I'm grateful for my family, friends and mentors who have supported me thus far and I'm excited to continue my journey in public service.”

The Spanish American Center and its Board of Directors are proud of Randy’s accomplishments. He serves as a positive role model to Youth, especially Youth of Color! - Migdalia Velez, President, SAC Board of Directors, May, 2023

Spanish American Center awarded $5G by Rollstone Bank & Trust

Rollstone Bank & Trust has pledged $5,000 over a two-year period to the Spanish American Center, a private, nonprofit organization which responds to the needs of the Hispanic community by providing food, shelter, clothing and other necessities, as well as academic enrichment, STEM & STEAM, and youth workforce readiness programs.

“The Spanish American Center provides an invaluable service to our community, giving those in need the tools to get back on their feet,” said Oscar Moreno, senior vice president of Rollstone Bank & Trust. “We are thrilled to support them in continuing their goal of giving for children’s after school and summer programs.” Moreno oversees Rollstone’s Commercial Loan Division.

“The Spanish American Center has been helping children, families, elders, displaced people, and domestic violence victims for 56 years,” said Neddy Latimer, executive director of the Spanish American Center. “We are so grateful for Rollstone’s support of our work and this partnership that celebrates our culture and history.”

We express our gratitude to Rollstone Bank for their consistent generosity to the Center throughout the years.

HELP US MATCH THE AMELIA PEABODY FOUNDATION’S

CHALLENGE BY JUNE 30, 2023

This year has been an exceptional and busy year at the Spanish American Center. Recently, the Center submitted a grant request to the Amelia Peabody Foundation for $40,000.00 and received a grant of $30,000.00. The Foundation "challenged” the Center to raise the remaining $10,000.00. We are asking if you can help us meet this generous challenge by June 30,2023.

For 57 years, the Spanish American Center has been serving and supporting the needy in our community through helping children and their families, elders, the food-insecure, and displaced and domestic violence victims.

We work diligently to support our community through:

• After School & Summer Programs for kids

• Our Food Pantry

• Services for Survivors of Intimate Partner Violence

• ESL Classes

• Homeless Emergency Help/Meals brought to homeless shelters

Thank You for your gift!

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