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the Newsletter of the Spanish American Center
April/May 2026 Edition
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From the Director's Desk
Greetings! Welcome to the month of April and the season of spring—a time that represents renewal, growth, and new opportunities to continue strengthening our mission at the SAC.
As we move forward, we remain deeply committed to empowering individuals and families by providing culturally responsive services that promote stability, self-sufficiency, and overall well-being within our community.
This month we extend a warm welcome to four new Board members! We are delighted to introduce Kathleen Daigneault, Register of Deeds for Northern Worcester District; Monalisa Dupiton, Owner of Epic Wellness HomeCare and Consulting; Tara Lappas, Co-Owner, Ascension Appraisal; and Rosa Rivera, Intensive Foster Care Case Manager, LUK, Inc. So excited to share with and learn from you.
Lastly, April marks an exciting time of transformation for our organization. We are proud to share we have a new plan for renovating the Food Pantry and office space, designed to better accommodate new and expanding programs! These improvements, which will be visible soon, will allow us to serve more community members, enhance the quality of our services, and create a more welcoming and functional environment for both clients and staff.
Hope to see you soon in these new spaces!
With gratitude,
| | | Program Highlights: E.A.R.S. | | Congratulations to the recent graduates, pictured here, of the Emitting a Resilient Spirit (E.A.R.S) program, an eight-week workshop series designed to raise awareness, promote healthy relationships, and address sexual and domestic violence. | | Find out more at the link below, follow the E.A.R.S. Instagram, or email Program Director Rocio Varela-Bravo or Program Coordinator Tamara Castro Camacho to join the next session. Together we can change community attitudes around sexual and domestic violence for present and future generations. | | 🚀 SAC Youth Take on STEM! 🚀 | | |
On April 3rd, our SAC Youth Program took an exciting trip to the Christa Corrigan McAuliffe Center, at Framingham State University, where they stepped into the world of space exploration!
Through interactive simulations and hands-on STEM activities, youth worked together, problem-solved, and experienced what it’s like to be part of a real mission team—building skills in teamwork, communication, and critical thinking. Just like the Artemis Astronauts!
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And we’re just getting started! April is packed with engaging programming for our youth—from Financial Literacy Month to Earth Day activities to movement-based programs and more opportunities to learn, grow, and connect.
Stay tuned and get involved—big things are happening at SAC! 💫
Follow our Youth socials below!
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Although the warm weather is making a very timid return, summer will be here before long. And summer means FREE meals for kids and teens, thanks to funding from Project Bread's Summer Eats, and the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.

Registration is also open for Verano Alegre/Summer Fun, the Spanish American Center's FREE program for kids 5-13 years old from June 27 through August 7 2026. Sign your kids up now for an active, fun-filled summer that includes cycling, science, crafts, hiking, and more below!
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Naurie del Valle
The SAC's newest full-time staff member, who joined the team in February, begins her day by volunteering in the kitchen before the workday even starts. Her stamina may be due to her love of healthy food or could be the result of running a beloved Fitchburg home day care for many years. A business background is a plus in her new role as Assistant Finance Manager. Welcome, Naurie!
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Lourdes Larrama Silvera
If you stop at the Reception Desk on a Wednesday you may meet Lourdes, originally from Montevideo, Uruguay. A member of the Holy Trinity Chapel in Leominster and mother of 2 daughters, Lourdes is interning with the SAC as part of her associate's degree in Human Services, and will later pursue a bachelor's degree in Social Work. Thank you, Lourdes!
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Noche Bohemia is Back
Save the date! There’s a new FREE addition to the Twin Cities summer calendar. Reviving a tradition first presented in the early 2000s by the Spanish American Center and Georgie RodrÃguez of WPKZ Radio, the return of Bohemian Night, led by friend of the SAC Domenic Ciccone, will once again transform Carter Park into a vibrant and interactive space on July 18, 2026, from 6:00 to 9:00 PM.
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Elders United /
Ancianos Unidos
Our intrepid Elders team Camilo Neves and Odalis Richard are pictured here with MassHire intern Dulcemaria Rosario Ramirez, who plans to pursue a major in Early Childhood Education and Anna Hemm, a Maynard High School senior who is collecting stories of the immigrant experience among our seniors and English students.
Thank you to Dulce and Anna for sharing their time with us, and stay tuned for more info on Anna's story project!
Pictured here: a spring- and summer-inspired craft made by the elders and displayed on the wall of the Higgins Community Room.
| | | Elders United programming is made possible in part by a grant from the Community Foundation of North Central Massachusetts. | | |
60 Years Young
Maybe you've heard the rumors...the Center is turning 60 and we need YOU to celebrate with us. There will be live music and dance, awards, raffle baskets and a DJ that will get you out on the dance floor! Best of all, your ticket contributions will support the community work of the Center. For the discounted Promo Code and more info, click the link below!
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Angelita Santiago
Angelita Santiago left Puerto Rico at age 17 and settled in North Central Massachusetts after studying nursing in New York. After taking human services courses at Fitchburg State University, she discovered a passion and affinity for teaching children.
Angelita used her gifts and language abilities to reach...
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| | | 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!
| 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. | | | | |
