Central Latino Office Opening
On November 5, 2001, Centro Latino opened its first office inside CBCHC offices in the OMNI Center office complex with a team of volunteers
Vision
Our Vision is to create a vibrant and inclusive community for refugees, immigrants, and migrants; equipping them with the knowledge, resources and support to foster a future of opportunity and prosperity for generations to come.
Mission
Our Mission is to educate, lead and empower Hispanic/Latino individuals and families to live thriving, self-sufficient and healthy lives.
Our Story
2001-2012
The United Methodist Churches (UMC) of Council Bluffs, with special efforts by Broadway UMC and the District Superintendent, established a Task Force with representatives from the UMC and community agencies to work toward organizing a social service office in Council Bluffs to assist the growing Latino community, as there was no other agency providing service to Spanish speakers. In the fall of 2001, these efforts came together with 1) the offer of office space by the Council Bluffs Community Health (CBCHC) in exchange for interpreting service for their Spanish speaking patients; 2) an extended bi-lingual Hispanic family who volunteered to help staff the Centro; and 3) funding from the UMC through a Conference grant and donations from local churches. On November 5, 2001, Centro Latino opened its own office inside CBCHC offices in the OMNI Center office complex with a team of volunteers. Through UMC and CBCHC funding and in-kind support, the Centro Latino was able to hire staff and maintain its office space with the CBCHC from 2001 to 2012.
2013
Centro Latino closed its small office in the Community Health Clinic Council Bluffs (CBCHC) in February 2012 and opened a new office in January 2013 in Council Bluffs UMC Urban Ministry Center at 600 South Main where it shares the building with Care and Share food pantry and clothing. The Center has hired a part-time coordinator, Sofia Sandoval, whose position changed to full-time in April 2014.
2014
In April 2014, Centro Latino rented an office building at 604 South Main Street, with seven offices, reception area, waiting area, small conference room, and two storage rooms. This building is attached to 600 South Main Street, which is now used for meetings, includes a small area of childcare to be used by families when they attend training sessions, seminars and special presentations at the Centro.
2015
In October, 2015, Centro Latino added to its staff by hiring full-time executive director Roger Garcia thanks in large part to the Iowa West Foundation and the Peter Kiewit Foundation. The Centro then started to focus on transitioning the Centro Latino to a professional nonprofit with a strong foundation of policies, best practices, diversified revenue streams, and a diverse and talented professional board that is ready to take the agency to the next level in its nonprofit work and set on creating a positive and strong future for the center and its Hispanic/Latino constituency.
2024
