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Celebrate
Black History
Month
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El Amanecer
The Official Newsletter of
The Spanish American Center, Inc.
January/February, 2021
| Join us in this celebratory month as we recognize people of color for their achievements throughout history and their important role in shaping the United States. | |
News and Notes from Neddy
Dear friends,
I wanted to start by wishing everyone a happy and a healthy New Year. Every year we wait for December with happiness and enthusiasm. It is about making plans to bring joy to the many families and children we serve during the Christmas Season, with the help of St. Bernard's High School Students and the St. Anna's Church in Leominster every year. The month started very smoothly, but everything drastically changed. On December 24th, we learned that four members of our staff tested positive to the Coronavirus. With guidance from our board and staff, we made the difficult decision to shut our physical offices fully and we shifted to all remote work.
The Center was closed from the 24th till January 19th and remains closed to the public. Our staff is rotating weekly to keep safe and social distancing here while at work due to lack of space. We continue providing the necessary services to our community. Our staff is back doing well, with strength and high energy, We thank God every single day that no-one ended up in the hospital. What a relieved after living a nightmare.
Several updates in this issue:
- acknowledgement of funding from Attorney General Maura Healey for gas heat support
- generous donation from Digital Credit Union and from a special anonymous donor
- welcoming a new staff person to our Domestic Violence Intervention team
- resumption of grab -n - go meal program, food pantry and emergency assistance
- acknowledgement of Hannaford Bag Donations from their Clinton market
- Resource Management, Inc. employee winter food drive for SAC's food pantry
- mourning the loss of a dear colleague in our mutual quest for civil rights and racial equality, Mr. Adrian Ford.
- receipt of supplemental appropriation from Worcester County Food Bank
- observing Black History Month with special recognition of American Black patriots, educators and citizens who have positively impacted our daily life
- Finally we thank our dedicated employees who bravely continue to work in very difficult circumstances - Thank You All!
Warmly,
Neddy
Neddy Latimer, Executive Director
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Remembering Adrian Lamont Ford
Social Justice Leader, Advocate for Civil Rights in Central Massachusetts
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We are saddened to acknowledge the passing of a pioneer civil rights and social justice advocate - our dear friend, Adrian Ford. Founder of Fitchburg's Three Pyramids, Inc. and leader of the North Central Massachusetts Minority Coalition, Adrian was devoted to his work to improve the quality of life for people of color --- and everyone -- here in Northern Worcester County. Through his leadership important issues related to race, economic disparities and the need for equity for minority access to important resources were brought to the awareness of the public through his writing, radio broadcasts and outreach. His loss leaves a void in the landscape of civil rights work here. We at the Spanish American Center learned and benefited from his dedication to our mutual goals. We extend our most sincere sympathy to his family and our colleagues at Three Pyramids, Inc.
Read more about Adrian's life here
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For the month of February 2021, the Spanish American Center will receive a $1 donation from each purchase of the $2.50 reusable Fight Hunger Bag at the Hannaford store located at 333 Brook Street, Clinton MA.
Thank You Hannaford!
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On February 23rd, join the Community Engagement Division of the Office of Attorney General Maura Healey to learn about preventing senior fraud and scams.
This is a virtual presentation from 10:30am-12:00pm.
Click here to register.
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Stephanie Dondero Joins SAC Staff | |
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Please join us in welcoming the newest member of our team, Stephanie Dondero, who will be working in our busy domestic violence intervention program. Ms. Dondero brings an impressive history of work with trauma/domestic violence clients. She is a former employee of the Fitchburg Police Dept., Court Advocate program, and legal assistant. We look forward to integrating her expertise into one of our busiest, most important programs -- domestic violence intervention.
Read more
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Thanking RMI - Employee Winter Food Drive | |
THE SPANISH AMERICAN CENTER, Inc. sends its most sincere thanks to the good folks at RMI for remembering our clients in need this winter through these generous food donations . | |
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"We rallied up our team to donate 2 boxes of non-perishable foods for The Spanish American Center, Inc.'s annual Winter Food Drive! Since the pandemic hit, more than 50 million people including 17 million children may have experienced food insecurity because of the COVID-19 crisis (Source: Feeding America). We are proud to contribute to this wonderful cause and make a difference, one person & family at a time!" -Resource Management, Inc.
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Digital Federal Credit Union Donates $10,000 to SAC
The Board and Staff of The Spanish American Center, Inc. gratefully acknowledge this generous donation which will support our various important programs and services.
Thank you, DCU for this and many past donations supporting SAC!
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Worcester County Food Bank Appropriates $3,500 to SAC for Emerging Needs, Food Security Programs | |
Our Community Food Pantry recently received a welcome infusion from the Worcester County Food Bank in the amount of $3,500! Targeting emerging and urgent needs, this funding will assist us with stocking our busy pantry/ anti-hunger initiatives.
Thank you WCFB! Muchas Gracias!
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The Spanish American Center is a partner agency of the Worcester County Food Bank. | |
SAC's Neddy Latimer on WPKZ Radio With host and radio personality Georgie Rodriguez Locutor | |
Save the date -- Tuesday, February 9th at noon time live the lunch Box with Georgie Rodriguez Locutor, State Representative Michael Paul Kushmerek & Leominster Spanish American Center Director Neddy Latimer plus local news & Updates from Diamond Hearts art studio Sean Bray Nancy Wilcox Bray .
— at WPKZ Radio, FM 105.3 AM 1280
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Thank you to our anonymous donor! Your gifts bear repeating here. We want you to know how much we value your support -- now and many times in the past. We submitted this letter (Published in the Leominster Champion) to let our whole community know that you care as our wonderful anonymous benefactor!
"Latimer: Spanish American Center thankful for anonymous donation
Leominster Champion
To the Editor:
We are pleased to acknowledge that the Spanish American Center received an award for $12,000. This grant has been made possible by the Community Foundation of North Central Massachusetts in partnership with an anonymous donor.
This grant money is intended to serve in part the nutrition needs of affected population in our communities due to the COVID-19 pandemic, especially people who have being highly impacted because they lost their jobs, are immigrant, homeless, and displaced people.
The Spanish American Center wishes to express our deepest gratitude to the Community Foundation and the anonymous funder."
Neddy Latimer
Executive Director
Spanish American Center
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"You must never be fearful about what you are doing when it is right." - Rosa Parks | | | | |
