Centro Latino Americano

Centro LatinoAmericano was formed in 1972 by a group of Chicano students from Lane Community College and the University of Oregon to meet the needs of new families in Lane County.

Centro LatinoAmericano continues to be the single largest agency in Lane County dedicated to serving the Latino population and is the primary access-point for the Latino community in the county, especially those with limited English proficiency. The Spanish speaking population in Lane county is 45% Females; 55% Males. Toddlers are the fastest growing age group. Those 21-29 are the second fastest-growing age group, followed by the 50 to 64 year olds. The male population in the 10-17 and 30-39 age groups grew at significantly faster rates than the female age groups.

The clients that Centro served in the mid nineties to 2005 were generally between 20-35 years of age; 95% of the clients from Mexico; 98% monolingual Spanish speaking only; the majority coming from rural areas, 98% of this population with a 3rd grade education.

Our programs and special projects were divided into four main areas of service: Children and Families; Access to Services; Adult and Community Services; Crisis Intervention.

Centro successfully implemented contracts and grants from diverse funding sources. Centro provided essential services and forged partnerships with social service agencies, advocating for the Latino community. These were very busy times for Centro, but political and demographic winds began to shift in the early 2000’s. As a result of those shifts, by October of 2005 the agency found itself on the brink of closing its doors after 35 years of serving the Latino community. The Board of Directors was agonizing over difficult financial decisions. Staff was doing it’s best to keep the mission and vision of Centro alive in the face of overwhelming challenges.

Behind the scenes, individuals and groups began talking, gathering, and brainstorming on what the community could do. A broad cross section of this community, supporters and critics alike, Latino and mainstream, inside and outside allies choose to support Centro Latino Americano. It is this passion and faith in the Centro's mission that is fueling the rebirth of this community resource.

Lane County is not the same place it was 35 years ago and consequently Centro has understood the need for it to refocus its energy, re-inspire itself, and the community around it. The hiring of Jorge Navarro as Executive Director in 2006 was an important part of Centro’s restructuring. Strengthening the foundation of the organization with the participation and inclusion of the Latino community, along with the building of the Board of Directors continues to be one of the organizations primary goals.

The Board of Directors has initiated a Strategic Planning process focused on preparing Centro LatinoAmericano to meet its future. Staff, Board, Agency and Community Focus groups are assisting the Board in this process with critical input. The organizational focus of Centro continues to be threefold:

1) Organizational Development: Create the organizational infrastructure necessary to deliver core services; provide appropriate support and training for administrative and program staff; successfully and accountably manage additional funding and revenue.

2) Fund Development: By building a stable fundraising infrastructure increase the agency's capacity to obtain and sustain consistent funding through private, corporate and community resources.

3) Revenue Generation Development: Generate additional revenue by exploring the feasibility of implementing entrepreneurial initiatives designed to utilize available resources, produce revenue for agency operations, and provide employment for Latino individuals.

In meeting these objectives the board of directors envisions an outcome where Centro can operate in an independent manner; maintain support from the business community and community at large; strengthen partnerships with other human services organizations; and provide culturally specific and language accessible services, helping Latino families succeed in Lane County.