NOVEMBER 2025

Concluding a Year of LEI Celebrations!

On September 30th, we celebrated the Grand Finale of LEI’s 25th Anniversary! From the flag raising at Worcester City Hall to the panel discussion, and our vibrant Fin de Fiesta—thank you to our community, partners, and funders for making it unforgettable.

Left to right: Worcester State University President Barry Maloney, Mayor Joseph Petty, LEI Executive Director Maria Juncos-Gautier, Worcester City Council Vice Chairman Khrystian King, City Manager Eric Batista

The Latino Education Institute flag raising at Worcester City Hall on September 30th celebrated 25 years of uplifting Latino students and families in our community. Special thanks to Sofia and Zacarias Garcia from the Jacob Hiatt Magnet School for helping to raise the flag. Supporting Latino school students has always been the mission of the LEI and essential to building equity, opportunity, and a stronger future for all. 

Worcester Mayor Joseph Petty proclaimed September 30 as Latino Education Institute Day in the city. “For 25 years, the LEI has been dedicated to helping underserved youth in Worcester excel in school and pursue higher education, especially English language learners.” Worcester State University President Barry Maloney added “The values and mission of the Latino Education Institute are more important than ever. We, along with the Worcester Public Schools, will continue to closely partner with LEI to address challenges and ensure our students, especially Latino youth, have the support and opportunities they need to succeed in school and beyond.”

Panelists in bottom left photo Left to right: Dr. Lorna Rivera Director, Mauricio Gastón Institute for Latino Community Development and Public Policy at UMass Boston, Dr. Aldo Garcia-Guevara Professor, Department of History and Political Science, WSU, Tim Murray President and CEO, Worcester Regional Chamber of Commerce, and Dr. Matilde Castiel Commissioner for Health and Human Services, City of Worcester

Following the flag-raising ceremony, an engaging panel discussion with Dr. Lorna Rivera Director, Mauricio Gaston Institute for Latino Community Development and Public Policy at UMass Boston, Tim Murray President and CEO, Worcester Regional Chamber of Commerce, Dr. Aldo Garcia-Guevara Professor, Department of History and Political Science, WSU, and Dr. Matilde Castiel Commissioner for Health and Human Services, City of Worcester highlighted their interesting views on the topic Understanding the Times Then & Now: Latinos in Worcester. LEI also recognized, with gratitude, Dr. Castiel on her retirement as the Commissioner for Health and Human Services, City of Worcester. Finally, much appreciation and gratitude to the hardworking and talented staff that helps LEI to serve the Worcester community.

The evening finished with a vibrant and delicious Caribbean buffet and Latin music hits at the Vejigantes restaurant.

LEI thanks its community, partners, and funders for making it an unforgettable ending to its 25th anniversary. Here’s to many more years of empowering education for Worcester’s Latino community.

For more information on the year in review for LEI, click on this link to view our Annual Report FY 2025.

LEI Kicks Off an Exciting 2025–2026 Year!

Report from our Program Manager Kathleen Orengo

Student recruitment is off to a strong start at the Latino Education Institute, with 140 students registered across all four K–12 programs. Our team is thrilled to begin programs and work hand-in-hand with youth, inspiring them to build cultural awareness, strengthen their identity, and grow their skills. Through engaging learning experiences, personalized mentorship, college and career readiness support, civic engagement projects, and leadership development opportunities, LEI students are empowered to embrace who they are, reach their full potential, and make a meaningful impact in their communities. We look forward to sharing updates and highlights from our programs throughout the year, so stay tuned for more news!

For more information, contact Kathy Orengo, Program Manager, at 508-929-8352 or korengo@worcester.edu

LEI’s Promotores de Salud in Action

On September 18th, the LEI Health Promoters received training from New Hope, Inc, on Domestic Violence 101. The session, led by Lily Bufalino, a Community Education Specialist, and Gisabel, provided an overview of domestic violence dynamics, warning signs, available resources, and strategies to support community members experiencing abuse.

ESL Classes for CLUB E - Up and Running!

Club E is now in its second month of classes for adult English language learners. Participants continue to attend classes each week and are making great strides in their language skills. Weekly lessons involve speaking, presentations, analyzing reading and most of all FUN! Our students come to the program eager to work and excited to share in the opportunity for language development and progress. Club E's staff is dedicated to developing meaningful lessons. This year the program is pleased to welcome six volunteers from The College of the Holy Cross and another four students from Saint John's High School who volunteer in the classrooms and support nightly lessons by providing one to one work and reinforcement to participants that need it. Club E is making a huge difference in our community and we are humbled to be able to do this work!

The WPS LEI Club E kicked off on October 14 with many students ready to learn and improve their English. We are delighted to welcome two new certified ESL Teachers to the team to help LEI deliver high quality ESL instruction. They bring a wealth of knowledge and experience to help students feel confident and supported. The WPS LEI Club E is a unique partnership between the Latino Education Institute and the Worcester Public Schools with the goal of providing excellent ESL instruction to the parents and caregivers of Worcester Public School students. We had an unprecedented number of applicants this year and this expansion of the program is a testament to the fruitful partnership between LEI and WPS. We are looking forward to not only seeing the progress of the students' English acquisition, but also to witnessing the smiles on their faces as they gain confidence in speaking English and reach their personal language improvement goals. 

Kudos to our LEI Staff

Promotores de Salud

Gabriel Johnson

Gabriel Johnson, one of LEI’s Health Promotores, is participating in the Community Health Worker Core Competency Training Course offered by the Center for Health Impact. This course runs from September 17-December 10th, on ZOOM, with weekly eight-hour sessions each Wednesday. His goal is to “learn useful skills in order to promote health in the Latino community.” LEI is proud of you Gabriel; keep up the excellent work and best of luck with this training.

Felicidades to Maria

Maria Juncos-Gautier, LEI’s Executive director was honored by the YWCA of Central Massachusetts during Hispanic Heritage Month for her commitment to eliminate racism and empower women. Way to go, Maria! LEI is proud to have you as its Executive Director.

Left to right: Top 50 Over 50 Latinas Award, The award for Innovative Services for Latino Achievers After School Program, signed by the City of Worcester School Committee, Community Leader Award presented to Carmen by Centro Inc.  

Hats Off to Carmen Rosado

Carmen Rosado received the Community Leader Award from Centro Inc. for her more than four decades, serving the Latino Community. Carmen has been a “steadfast leader in education and community advocacy in Worcester, having “devoted 30 years to Worcester Public Schools as a School Adjustment Counselor helping generations of students and families.” Carmen “continues her service as Family and Community Engagement Liaison at the LEI where she developed the School Navigation Program to help families understand and navigate school systems. Through her mentorship, leadership, and advocacy, Carmen Rosado continues to inspire and strengthen her community.” 

In addition, the Worcester School Committee recently recognized Carmen Rosado with the Innovative Services for Latino Achievers After School Program award.

LEI is thrilled to continue celebrating Carmen Rosado as one of this year’s Top 50 Over 50 Latinas! Her leadership, legacy, and impact continue to inspire generations. Felicidades Carmen. Congratulations! You make LEI so proud!

Save the dates!

• Apoyando a Nuestros Hijos en el Regreso a Clases
  Thursday November 13 at 7:00 pm

• Three Kings Celebration | Dia de Los Reyes Magos
  Saturday January 3rd, 2026

For more information and to register, contact

Carmen Rosado at crosado@worcester.edu or 508-798-6507, extension 4.



We appreciate the commitment of our donors, whose generous support at the start of the new fiscal year makes it possible for us to carry out our mission!

City of Worcester * Balfour Foundation * Barr Foundation * Greater Worcester Community Foundation * Hanover Insurance Group Foundation * Ruth H. & Warren A. Ellsworth Foundation * UMASS Memorial Health * UniBank * United Way of Central Massachusetts * Women’s Initiative of the United Way of Central Massachusetts * Worcester Public Schools (WPS)

Let's rise together in support of the students we serve!

We are committed to continually enhancing our services for the Worcester community. To achieve this, we rely on your ongoing sponsorship, collaboration, and dedication to help us thrive.

The LEI Team

Make a $25 gift to the LEI for our 25 years of service!