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CoMoGives.com Campaign Raised about $5000 for Centro Latino during the month of December 2018

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CoMoGives.com Campaign Raised about $5000 for Centro Latino during the month of December 2018

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CoMoGives.com Online Fundraising Campaign Raised more than $7000 for Centro Latino in the month of December 2022

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CoMoGives.com Online Fundraising Campaign Raised more than $7000 for Centro Latino in the month of December 2022

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Sparky's Profit-Share Fundraiser for Centro Latino

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Sparky's Profit-Share Fundraiser for Centro Latino

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August 29, 2023

By Fletcher Mantooth

Photos By Sam Cox

Sparky's Homemade Ice Cream is donating half of all sales on Wednesday, Aug. 30 to Centro Latino as part of a monthly fundraising initiative.

Half of Sparky's Homemade Ice Cream's sales on Wednesday, Aug. 30, will go towards empowering Latinx and Hispanic communities through Columbia's Centro Latino.

Sparky's announced the 50/50 benefit via Instagram, stating that Centro Latino, "provides assistance to immigrants as they become acclimated to their new environment with its different laws, customs, and language."

In addition to donating half of sales, Sparky's will be providing a donation bucket, from which all of the collections will go to Centro Latino. This event is a part of a recurring 50/50 day program, which has previously included fundraisers for scholarships for local high schools, and a fundraiser for The Center Project, a Columbia-based LGBTQ+ community center.

Tony Layson, the general manager of Sparky's, organized the 50/50 day program in order to draw attention to these other organizations and encourage people to check them out and donate. He believes that as a central member of downtown Columbia's community, and as an organization with a significant social media presence, Sparky's is obligated to help give back to the community.

Notable services of Centro Latino include legal assistance for naturalization "El Comedor Popular" - meaning The People's Diner - which is a kitchen providing meals to the community. The organization also provides healthcare literacy, translation services and after school programs for community members.

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Sparky's to donate half of Wednesday's sales to Centro Latino - The Maneater

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Sparky's Homemade Ice Cream is donating half of all sales on Wednesday, Aug. 30 to Centro Latino as part of a monthly fundraising initiative.

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Centro Latinos: understanding the community-based organizations that serve Missouri immigrant populations

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Centro Latinos: understanding the community-based organizations that serve Missouri immigrant populations

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Adelante

Alex Rampy

Although Missouri has four Centro Latinos, or community centers for Latinos, many areas in the state still need one, said Eduardo Crespi, director of Columbia's center.

Centro Latinos provide information, services and assistance in the areas of education, law, health and more. Milan, Marshall, Lake of the Ozarks and Columbia all have centers.

Valentina Mensa, who is originally from Argentina, started the Milan program 10 years ago, but the community center began in 2001. The Milan center receives some volunteers from students at Truman state University but is always looking for more volunteers. They help translate and interpret, assist in ESL classes and provide programs for prenatal care. Other programs include teaching about the law, after-school programs and summer programs for boys and girls.

Carrie Tyler is the director of the Marshall center. It became incorporated in 2002 but opened Fe. 2, 2003. Latinos there face language barriers, transportation conflicts and trouble with immigration status. They have received the NAACP award for community service. They participate in community events such as Miss Independencia and the homecoming parade. OSHA in the U.S. Department of Labor has a partnership with the Marshall center because the ConAgra plan, the Cargill plant and new ethanol plants employ many Latinos. OSHA can [do] inspections and listen to employee complaints.

Enrique Muruato is the director of the Lake of the Ozarks center, which covers Eldon, California, Camdenton, and Jefferson City to Lebanon. its goal is to locate and rent a place for the actual center. Until then, Latinos are invited to participate in various activities such as a cultural fair and a Cinco de Mayo celebration.

Eduardo Crespi, the director of the Columbia location, wrapped up the presentation by making a call for everyone to support their centers by volunteering and organizing. He made an argument for the centers to receive funding and asked that anyone conducting research to contact the directors. In Nebraska, a researcher partnered with a center to develop a grant through which the center grained funding, he said.

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Director Eduardo Crespi presents How to Create a Partnership that Works for Your Community: The After School Program at Cambio de Colores 2005

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Director Eduardo Crespi presents How to Create a Partnership that Works for Your Community: The After School Program at Cambio de Colores 2005

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Cambio de Colores 2005

How to Create a Partnership that Works for your Community: The After-School Program

Eduardo Crespi, Centro Latino de Salud, Education y Cultura

La Escuela Latina program is the result of three years of hard work and determination. It comprises all the education programs at the Centro Latino:

The after-school program

Teen tutoring program

English as a Second Language classes

Computer labs

University of Missouri Office of Service-Learning partnership

Latino Parents as Teachers conference

Summer program

The goal is to educate the Latino community, enabling self-sufficiency and empowerment.

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Centro Latino hosts Veterans United Volunteers for Tamale Making Day Celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month 2023

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Centro Latino hosts Veterans United Volunteers for Tamale Making Day Celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month 2023

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COLUMBIA - A Columbia community center served up a taste of Latin-American culture as a part of Hispanic Heritage Month, which started Sept. 15 and ended Sunday.

While celebrations happened across the nation to honor Hispanic culture, Guadalupe Ortiz, a Columbia mother, went to Centro Latino de Salud for a tamale-making workshop.

"I think when we have other backgrounds and other cultures involved, it just opens up a bigger door for [them] to get to know more about us," Ortiz said. "Especially right now, during Hispanic Heritage Month, and being proud of where we came from."

Centro Latino's mission of a balanced plate

Gina Overshiner, the kitchen manager at Centro Latino, led the workshop, which coupled as a fundraiser with Veterans United Home Loans.

"We got a lot of tamales made in a really quick amount of time, when you have that many people making them," Overshiner said.

Part of Centro Latino's mission is to empower Latinos and their families and the general public through service and guidance in navigating health, according to the center's website. So, the kitchen at Centro Latino is vegan and vegetarian.

Overshiner said people can still learn about their culture while having a balanced plate.

"It's nice to be able to share plant-based foods to help carry on that focus in the kitchen that you can make healthy, delicious, familiar foods," Overshiner said.

Ortiz and her family lived on the North Side of Chicago, near Humboldt Park, before moving to Columbia in 2011.

Both Ortiz and her husband's parents are Mexican immigrants.

"Tamales, that's something that you resonate with the Mexican culture," Ortiz said.

But she said the doughy and savory dish, often wrapped in corn husks or banana leaves, comes from several other cultures, like the Dominican Republic and Puerto Rico, among others. Tamales are made with masa, which is a maize dough that comes from ground nixtamalized corn. Overshiner also had beans and rice to stuff the tamales, along with spicy salsa verde and pico de gallo.

Eating or making tamales with family is known to be a special holiday tradition in the Latin culture, Ortiz said.

"It's something that's a tradition. It might be the ugliest, sloppiest tamales, but they're the tastiest ones that you'll probably have that season because you know your 8-year-old made it," Ortiz said.

Centro Latino's after school program

Ortiz has brought her children to Centro Latino's after-school program for nearly 12 years. The center's volunteers pick up students from their schools and bring them to the center, Edwardo Crespi, the executive director of the center, said.

The kids have 30 minutes to play and hangout, and then for the next 30 minutes, they get what the center calls "tutor time." That's when volunteers help answer questions the students may have on their homework, Karan Kommu, a volunteer for the after school program, said.

"We have students from all sorts of cultures and all different backgrounds," Kommu said. "I think it's really cool that they all get to mingle and learn from one another."

The last 30 minutes of the after school program is dedicated to play time or any activities the kids were doing at the beginning of the program.

CPS Hispanic enrollment, City of Columbia Hispanic and Latino population grow

Crespi said all of the students in the after school program go to schools in the Columbia Public Schools district. Enrollment records from CPS show more Hispanic kids are going to school in Columbia.

1,409 Hispanic students went to the district's schools during the 2022-23 school year, making up 7.5% of the student population. That was a 0.4% increase from when the district had 1,315 Hispanic students in the 2021-2022 school year.

CPS's enrollment data that included the racial composition of student populationwent back to the 2013-2014 school year. The historic enrollment, tallying the student headcounts from 1956-present, did not include a racial composition.

Looking at a larger scale, the City of Columbia's Hispanic population has also seen a steady increase. There were 3,729 Hispanic or Latino people living in Columbia when the 2010 decennial census was collected, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.

However, in 2020, that number jumped to 6,195 Hispanics or Latinos calling Columbia home. The population estimates, which were released on July 1, 2022, shows Columbia's overall population increased to 128,555 residents. But there was not a full racial demographic breakdown.

'It was a long time coming:' Ortiz describes feeling out of place after experiencing culture shock

When she first moved to Columbia from Chicago, Ortiz noticed she would feel unfamiliar stares and presumed judgement when she spoke Spanish to her children in public. At first, it discouraged her that she didn't feel accepted. But over the years, she realized how important it was to help her kids be bilingual and share their Hispanic culture.

Ortiz said she felt frustration about not feeling welcomed in her community.

"I kind of felt out of place," Ortiz said. "It was a long time coming, definitely. ...[But] I wanted to teach my kids Spanish, teach them their culture, take them back home, and let them know where our family comes from."

On top of the frustration, she described feeling some shame before she decided to teach her children about their history.

"Why am I not teaching them where they come from, what our family's about, what our culture's about? Now, it's more of pride now and showing it off," Ortiz said.

She said she wants to take after her mom's footsteps and become a dual citizen in Mexico, then pass it on to her children.

The tamales made at the workshop will go back to the center. Overshiner said they will be used as snacks for the after school programs and for other fundraisers the center has.

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Columbia community center celebrates Hispanic Heritage Month

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Centro Latino de Salud, located in central Columbia, hosted a tamale-making workshop to share part of the Hispanic culture.

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COLUMBIA - Three people in their mid-20s stopped at the Centro Latino de Salud Thursday afternoon to educate children about their mission to get the Dream Act passed. The Dream Act, if passed, would give permanent residency to illegal immigrants who graduate from U.S. high schools after arriving in the United States as minors.

Rayumi Gutierrez, Veronica Gomez, and Alex Aldana, started walking acrros the country from San Fransisco March 10. They hope to reach Washington D.C. by November 2. There are seven walkers total, though only three were present Thursday. Gomez and Aldana are undocumented immigrants. Gutierrez said she grew up with several siblings who were undocumented and saw them denied privileges she had because she was the first legal citizen born in her family.

The three travel with an RV. One drops off the walkers, drives 15 miles, parks the RV for the others to pick up and starts walking. The cycle continues until they all meet up again in the RV to sleep and eat. Due to the high temperatures this summer, they've walked more at night, and carry lots of water and Gatorade with them to stay hydrated.

Kids at the Centro Latino de Salud asked questions like, "Do your feet hurt?" "Do you ever get lost?" and "What does undocumented mean?"

Gutierrez said, especially in the beginning, her feet were often swollen, but that was the point: to make a statement and get people talking.

To follow their progress click here.

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Group Walking Across America for Dream Act Stop in Columbia

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COLUMBIA - Three people in their mid-20s stopped at the Centro Latino de Salud Thursday afternoon to educate children about their mission to get the Dream Act passed. The Dream

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Centro Latino hosts Day of the Dead November 2022

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Centro Latino hosts Day of the Dead November 2022

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Prevention through education: Centro Latino's after-school program teaches kids about domestic violence

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Centro Latino Tamale Pop-Up at Earth Day April 2018

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Centro Latino Tamale Pop-Up at Earth Day April 2018

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YAAL Rock Volunteer After Party August 2018

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YAAL Rock Volunteer After Party August 2018

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Hosted at Centro Latino and catered as a fundraiser for community programs. Karaoke included!

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Hot, fresh tamales available for pick up at Clovers Natural Market on Chapel Hill 2017

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Hot, fresh tamales available for pick up at Clovers Natural Market on Chapel Hill 2017

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Thank you Nellie Boyt & Patty!

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Fundraiser Dinners Featuring Dessert by Ella of Just Cheesecakes! 2017

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Fundraiser Dinners Featuring Dessert by Ella of Just Cheesecakes! 2017

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Selling Cookies for Change & Veggie Wraps as a fundraiser for Centro Latino's After School Program.

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Tara Vincenc, Health Sciences Intern, VIP Volunteer
Implementing Kids in the Kitchen & FitTastic

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"Gracias, Katelin! Bye-bye" After School Program May 2016

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"Gracias, Katelin! Bye-bye" After School Program May 2016

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One of our long-time ASP volunteers, Katelin Coonce, saying good-bye to all of the children.

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Madeline Brozka, Kitchen VIP Volunteer

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Stove/Oven Donation from Woodcrest Chapel September 2015

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Stove/Oven Donation from Woodcrest Chapel September 2015

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Upgrade to double ovens, 6 top gas burners, plus griddle

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https://www.columbiamissourian.com/news/local/record-numbers-apply-for-grants/article_1ca4904f-c397-5d68-a631-66fba9cd0242.html

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Amanda Coggeshall, a volunteer at El Centro Latino, says she knows the challenges Latino students face adjusting to life in Columbia.

"These kids have trouble: they move here and are not used to a Midwest town," Coggeshall said. "We want to create a safe place where students can discuss what happens to them because they are Latino in a mostly white school."

El Centro Latino de Salud, Educacion y Cultura is one of 12 groups requesting money from the Human Rights Enhancement Program this year. The money would fund ABC, Teaching Human Rights, a program designed by the United Nations to help teachers foster awareness and knowledge of human rights. The program would be added to after-school and team-tutoring programs already held at the center.

"We heard about the grant, and we knew it was right up our alley because we work with Hispanics new to this culture," said Mary Knauer, education coordinator at the center.

The Columbia Human Rights Commission received requests totaling $10,560, the highest amount since the program began in 1995. The requested amount is more than twice the $5,100 available for grants this year. The commission will decide which groups to fund on Nov. 5.

"There's certainly an increased interest in the funding," said Phil Steinhaus, manager of the Office of Community Services. "It shows the growth in the program."

Steinhaus attributes the growth to additional organizations in town and more people learning about the program. The Office of Community Services distributed fliers, ran advertisements and sent newsletters to spread the word about the program.

The quality of proposals and programs has increased over the years, said Steinhaus, who tries to attend most of the funded programs.

To choose which programs to fund, the Human Rights Commission will review the proposals and hold hearings with representatives from different groups. The commission can choose to grant all or part of an organization's request, or give it no money at all. Groups can appeal on Nov. 19, the date funding decisions are finalized.

Steinhaus said a program receives funding based on how closely it addresses human rights education and outreach. The commission also looks at the overall cost, how many people a program will reach and the organization of the sponsoring group.

Many of the proposed programs this year address the Latino community, and Steinhaus said this is a growing trend.

"The commission will take a very interested look in programs that address our growing Hispanic population," Steinhaus said.

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Amanda Coggeshall, a volunteer at El Centro Latino, says she knows the challenges Latino students face adjusting to life in Columbia. "These kids have trouble: they move here and are not used to a Midwest town," Coggeshall said. "We want to create a safe place where students can discuss what happens to them because they are Latino in a mostly white school."

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Columbia City Council Approves extension of grant agreement with Centro Latino & The Missouri Foundation for Health January 2014

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Columbia City Council Approves extension of grant agreement with Centro Latino & The Missouri Foundation for Health January 2014

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"Authorizing an amendment to the service agreement with Centro Latino de Salud for implementation of the Health Literacy Project Expansion and Replication grant funded by The Missouri Foundation for Health"

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City of Columbia joins "Welcoming Cities" May 2014

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City of Columbia joins "Welcoming Cities" May 2014

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City of Columbia lists commitment to ongoing "social services funding for after school programming to ELL students at Centro Latino."

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Missouri Foundation for Health funds Promotoras de Salud program November 2008

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Missouri Foundation for Health funds Promotoras de Salud program November 2008

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Funded by Missouri Foundation for Health Health Literacy Program; nominated by MU Center for Health Policy

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Roxanna Meneses wins Columbia College Community Service Award as Latino Link Social Worker 2007

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Roxanna Meneses wins Columbia College Community Service Award as Latino Link Social Worker 2007

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Community Service Award

For demonstrating outstanding leadership and service to the citizens of one's community
https://my.ccis.edu/events/2007-alumni-awards-

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""We need to let the population know that it is an individual decision to fight the disease," Crespi said. "My commitment to fight the disease is to act locally and help the Latinos of our community receive the right information.
Crespi is taking a proactive approach to prevention and education at Centro Latino de Salud. Crespi provides a wealth of health information on HIV/AIDS and sexually transmitted diseases and offers free HIV testing in cooperation with the Columbia/Boone County Health Department.
"Abstinence and prayers help," Crespi said, "but prevention, education and condoms save lives.""
https://www.columbiamissourian.com/news/local/hiv-aids-education-focuses-on-hispanics/article_98a70e87-c2e0-54dc-a80d-90f807f292de.html

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Centros Latinos: Understanding the Community-based Organizations that Serve Missouri Immigrant Populations Spring 2005

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Centros Latinos: Understanding the Community-based Organizations that Serve Missouri Immigrant Populations Spring 2005

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Cambio de Colores 2005
Theme: Youth, Families and Communities

Moderator: Stephen Jeanetta, State Specialist, Community Development, University of Missouri Extension

Presenters:

Valentina Mensa, Executive Director, Centro Latino of Milan, Missouri

Carrie Tyler, Executive Director, Centro Latino de Apoyo, Recursos, y Oportunidades (CLARO) of Marshall, Missouri

Enrique Muruato, Centro Latino of the Lake of the Ozarks

Eduardo Crespi, Director & Health Coordinator, Centro Latino de Salud, Educación y Cultura, Columbia, Missouri

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Latinos in Missouri:
Connecting Research to Policy and Practice
Hoy y Mañana

Reynolds Alumni Center, University of Missouri-Columbia,
March 30, 31 & April 1 st, 2005

Presenters:

Valentina Mensa, Executive Director, Centro Latino of Milan, Missouri

Carrie Tyler, Executive Director, Centro Latino de Apoyo, Recursos, y Oportunidades (CLARO) of Marshall, Missouri

Enrique Muruato, Centro Latino of the Lake of the Ozarks

Eduardo Crespi, Director & Health Coordinator, Centro Latino de Salud, Educación y Cultura, Columbia, Missouri

Centros Latinos are Latino community centers that provide information, services and assistance in the areas of education, law, health and more. There are four Centro Latinos in Missouri, located in Milan, Marshall, Lake of the Ozarks, and Columbia. The directors presented at the Cambio de Colores Conference on Thursday, March 31.

Valentina Mensa, who is originally from Argentina, started the Milan program 10 years ago, but the center began in 2001. The Milan center receives some volunteering from students at Truman State University but is always looking for more volunteers. They help with translating and interpreting, with ESL classes and provide programs for prenatal care. Other programs include teaching about the law, after-school programs and summer programs for boys and girls.

Carrie Tyler is the director of the Marshall center. It became incorporated in 2002, but opened Feb. 2, 2003. Latinos there face language barriers, transportation conflicts and trouble with people's immigration status. They have received the NAACP award for community service. They participate in community events such as Miss Independencia and the homecoming parade. OSHA in the U.S Department of Labor has a partnership with the Marshall center because there is the ConAgra plant, the Cargill plant, and the new ethanol plants, where many Latinos are employed. OSHA can be called to do inspections and listen to employee complaints.

Enrique Muruato is the director of the Lake of the Ozarks center, which covers places from Eldon, California, Camdenton and Jefferson City to Lebanon. Their goal is to locate and rent a place for the actual center. Until then, Latinos are being invited to participate in various activities such as a cultural fair or a Cinco de Mayo celebration.

Eduardo Crespi, the director of the Columbia location, wrapped up the presentation by making a call for everyone to support their centers by volunteering and organizing. He made an argument for the centers to receive funding and asked that anyone who is performing any research to contact the directors. He gave an example from Nebraska, where a researcher partnered with a center to develop a grant, through which the center gained funding.

Anyone can start a Centro Latino and there are many areas in Missouri where Centros are still needed according to Crespi. Those interested can contact any of the directors for direction.

By Alex Rampy

By Alex Rampy
This conference report contributed by Mid-Missouri bilingual newspaper.

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Cambio de Colores 2005 - Latinos in Missouri:

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Latinos in Missouri: Connecting Research to Policy and Practice Hoy y Mañana Reynolds Alumni Center, University of Missouri-Columbia, March 30, 31 & April 1 st, 2005 Presenters: Valentina Mensa, Executive Director, Centro Latino of Milan, Missouri Carrie Tyler, Executive Director, Centro Latino de Apoyo, Recursos, y Oportunidades (CLARO) of Marshall, Missouri Enrique Muruato, Centro Latino of the Lake of the Ozarks Eduardo Crespi, Director & Health Coordinator, Centro Latino de Salud, Educación y Cultura, Columbia, Missouri Centros Latinos are Latino community centers that provide information, services and assistance in the areas of education, law, health and more.

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Marshall Centro Latino opens February 2003

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Marshall Centro Latino opens February 2003

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Carrie Tyler, Directora de CLARO
(Centro Latino de Apoyo, Recursos y Oportunidades) in Marshall, Missouri
https://www.marshallnews.com/story/1178495.html

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Milan Centro Latino opens community center 2001

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Milan Centro Latino opens community center 2001

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Valentina Mensa, Directora, Milan Centro Latino in Milan, Missouri
"Centro Latino, began in 2001, and is a multi-service referral program.  They help people obtain resources in language, GED, filing citizenship papers, and health services.  They provide direct services to Hispanics.  For example they accompany people to the Doctor’s office to provide translation so that they don’t have to use a family member.  Centro Latino hosts events and activities that bring people together.  In December of 2001, they hosted a pre-Christmas multicultural event.  They are planning to host a series of mini-conferences on diabetes awareness, domestic violence, alcoholism, and other topics.  Centro Latino is launching a new “Parents as Teachers” program.  They also have a couple of projects with Truman State University.  On Tuesday evenings students from the campus ministries come to work with the youth. The Spanish honor society will be performing a play with scripts in both English and Spanish.   In the spring, a legal aid group from St. Joseph will be at Centro Latino to provide some legal assistance with immigration papers.  There are lots of things going on at Centro Latino."

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Centro Latino Relocated to 609 N. Garth Ave., Expanding Mission June 2011

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Centro Latino Relocated to 609 N. Garth Ave., Expanding Mission June 2011

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Tomato, lavender, dill, oregano, thyme and pepper plants fill the scruffy space in front of a building that will soon be the new location for Centro Latino and its latest venture - a produce market, educational kitchen and café called Comedor Popular, or the People's Diner.

This lawn-garden at 609 N. Garth Ave., across from the looming Oak Towers, looks slightly out of place in the low-income neighborhood. Inside, the building, which used to be the home of a barbeque restaurant, is gleaming with white paint, new floors and slightly used stainless steel appliances, which volunteers will use to cook vegetarian meals using some of the produce picked from the garden. The concept is modeled after Latin American "comedores," which cook one meal a day and sell it to the poor for a minimal price.
Eduardo Crespi started Centro Latino 11 years ago to provide a one-stop resource for Latino immigrants in central Missouri who need help acclimating to the community. Its role has grown to providing health, legal, education and social services to anyone needing help in Columbia. The move from Austin Street near the corner of Providence and Business Loop 70 to Garth and Sexton is a demonstration of the nonprofit organization's latest mission expansion: helping all low-income residents prevent diabetes and other health problems related to obesity.
"There's nothing traditional about obesity," said Crespi when asked if Hispanics and others will support his expanded outreach.
In addition to providing low-cost meals, Comedor Popular will sell fruits and vegetables grown in the center's community garden and on Crespi's farm, along with produce from local farmers. There also will be a kitchen, where participants will learn how to prepare the same kinds of healthy meals provided at the café. The cooking lessons will be videotaped, so people can learn the techniques online.
Crespi's interest in health care goes back to his early years in Columbia.
Crespi moved here from Argentina, in 1991, became a citizen in 1996, a licensed practical nurse in 1997 and a registered nurse in 1999. In February, he was honored by the MU Sinclair School of Nursing, where he earned a nursing degree, with an Alumni Achievement Award for his commitment and service to the Latino community and his efforts to open the Comedor Popular.
The project's focus on obesity stems from Crespi's hospital experiences.
Crespi said he was deeply affected by witnessing the terrible health problems associated with obesity, particularly amputations suffered by people with diabetes, and the haunting knowledge that the tragedies can be prevented. His descriptions of people losing toes, feet and legs are vivid.
"Well for me, I saw that... I was like: 'Whoa! What can I do to help these people not to have to go through that?''' Crespi said. "Well, now I'm doing it."
In addition to teaching adults how to prepare healthy meals, Comedor Popular plans to teach children, while they are still forming their lifestyle habits, the importance of healthy eating.
"Our work is not focused on treatment," Crespi said. "It is focused on prevention. That is what we do: prevention. That is the most challenging part of any health practice: to prevent."
Nearly 30 percent of Boone County's adult population is obese, with a body-mass index greater than 30, according to a recent County Health Rankings study. About 10 percent of the area's children are overweight or obese, and almost twice as many have a risk of becoming overweight or obese, according to Maureen Coy, a health educator with the Columbia/Boone County Department of Public Health and Human Services.
Stacia Reilly, health promotion coordinator for the department, said obesity problems can be prevented if kids develop healthy habits and have access to fruits and vegetables.
Crespi hopes that what he teaches the children will influence the way the entire family eats.
"They will learn how to demand from their parents to take care of them because the parents are the ones who need to take care of the kids," he said. "And feeding the kids fast food every day is not taking care of them; it is convenience."
As Crespi described the center's prevention programs while standing in the room that will soon be the neighborhood wellness center, a small group of neighborhood kids began to pass the front window. Crespi greeted them with a smile and a wave, as he did with neighborhood adults who walked by.
Crespi, who said he hopes to see many of the neighbors inside this summer, operates with amazing optimism.
For example, the renovation of the building, estimated to cost $100,000, has been under way for two years, but the purchase of the building won't be final until July 31. Part of the $140,000 purchase will be funded by a Community Development Grant, which is still awaiting approval by Columbia City Council. The amount Crespi hopes for is $88,000, but as Tom Lata, community development coordinator for the city's Department of Planning and Development noted, that amount could be cut.
Lata said the most surprising thing about the project is that despite the uncertainty, Crespi went ahead on improvements to the building, something he said he's never seen before.
"For the city, it's a good deal" because the building had been an eyesore, Lata said. "It's worth a whole lot more now than it was before."
Crespi said he isn't worried. The center has a lease with building owner Dudley Roth, and Crespi had his heart set on that particular property at a key crossroads.
Opening date uncertain
Crespi said he hopes Comedor Popular is open when the organization takes ownership of the building in July but said he doesn't know for sure.
Part of the uncertainty stems from the shoestring budget of an operation dependent mainly on volunteers. The building project is also dependent on volunteer labor people and on donations, including the roughly $25,000 the Centro has received in in-kind donations from 20 sources during the two-year course of renovating the building.
The in-kind donations have ranged from architectural help from Adrienne Stolwyk of Peckham & Wright Architects and mechanical work by Projects Solutions Engineering to an impromptu discount on sheets of drywall from the vendor once he heard that the drywall was being purchased with $500 from a carwash held by the Hickman High School Spanish class. Centro Latino plans to hold a Comedor Popular fundraiser this summer.
Crespi's connections to a wide variety of people throughout Columbia have helped him keep the center going with volunteers and grants, but mainly through his own grit and determination.
Crespi didn't receive a salary from Centro Latino for three years and then got paid through a grant the center received from the local health department for the Latino Link Program. Now Crespi's salary as director is paid through yet another grant, this one from the Missouri Foundation for Health.
Although Centro Latino's finances are healthy today, it has been Crespi's connections within the community and a willingness to expand the mission and services that have allowed the nonprofit to stay open and effective even when funding dipped from $53,098 in 2003 to a low of $28,212 in 2005 and then to a high of $175,924 in 2010. The center is on track to bring in about $100,000 in 2011, Crespi said.
How Crespi manages to keep Centro Latino afloat is a mystery, even to longtime associates.
"I have no idea how they (nonprofits such as Centro Latino) support themselves," said Steve Jeanetta, a state specialist in community development process at the University of Missouri who has been working with Crespi and Centro Latino for more than six years.
It's not that the financial documents are not available - they are. Anyone can check out guidestar.com and see all of Centro Latino's IRS documents any time, including an auditor's report giving the 501(c)3 nonprofit organization a clean bill of health as well as advice to tighten its financial controls. It's just that even when funding dries up, as it nearly has several times, volunteers continue to do the work, said Jeanetta, who has experience with several similar nonprofits.
Christiane Quinn, who joined the Centro Latino board last August to keep a closer eye on the books in response to the auditor's suggestion, put it this way: "He (Crespi) comes up with a problem, he jumps over it and continues."
Sometimes it is even difficult to figure out who is working there and who isn't. As Quinn pointed out, because the funding is mainly through grants, people may be working on the projects at other locations and not at the organization's office. Then there's the problem of figuring out who is a volunteer and who is on the payroll because people often continue to work on a project even after the funding ends.
Although Jeanetta isn't sure how Centro Latino stays open, he is certain that its Promotoras de Salud (Educators of Health) project, funded by a Missouri Foundation for Health grant, works.
His research showed of the 351 participants who used the promotoras to access health care resources, 89 percent followed through with the prescribed treatments. This is important, he said, because without such help, they typically don't know what to do or how to follow through with health care recommendations. He noted the majority of those who did not follow through did not have the resources to acquire the necessary medication.
One-man band
A review of YouTube video reveals the breadth and depth of Crespi's efforts: Crespi on a tractor in the countryside, plowing land to raise vegetables; Crespi videotaping a kid's field trip; Crespi turning the soil at the community garden plot; Crespi making a Health Promotoras presentation on diabetes prevention.
Much of what happens depends on Crespi and his ability to keeping the center and his volunteers going. During a tour of the new building, Crespi looked up, admiring the bright white expanse of ceiling, pockmarked with holes for future lighting fixtures. "Not bad," he said, adding that one hole was covered by mistake when they were finishing the job at 3 a.m.
But Crespi is eager to point out it is not just his efforts that keep the organization going. "Three board members teach the ESL (English as a Second Language) classes, and we have a Spanish teacher who has been teaching at Centro for three years. There are lots of people involved and working hard at Centro Latino," Crespi wrote in an email.
Jeanetta also noted that Centro Latino attracts many small projects, "such as a student doing a research project for a class, someone looking for a job or an organization that wants to get feedback from Latinos on an issue. ..." These projects, the MU researcher said, "are often as important as some of the larger projects because they build the relationships in the community that make the other things possible."
Both Centro Latino's community partnerships and program offerings are expansive: Missouri Foundation of Health, the Columbia/Boone County Health Department, Columbia Public Schools and 4-H; and the MU-affiliated Center for Health Policy, Extension, Cambio Center and MedZou student clinic. Along with the health programs, there are English classes on Monday nights and after-school and summer programs for children, Kids in the Kitchen and some services offered for fees such as interpreting, translation, Spanish classes and immigration services.
But with so much going on, isn't it difficult to keep track of what everyone is doing and how everything is funded? Not for Crespi, according to Marvin Rogers, an MU professor emeritus of political science and president of the Centro Latino's board. "It's all in Eduardo's head," Rogers said. "Eduardo is a remarkable person, and the Centro is flourishing."
With a wry smile, Crespi said this about his independence: "I create my own stress, I might as well enjoy it."
"He's stubborn," Jeanetta said, "but he gets a lot done."
More stable resources
Crespi acknowledges that he'd like to move away from such dependency on grants. The amount the center takes in for interpreting, translation, immigration services and Spanish classes has increased from $1,280 in 2007 to $9,839 in 2010. But this is still a minuscule amount compared to the roughly $30,000 it takes to run the center, according to Crespi.
The Comedor Popular will sell meals at a low cost, income that will help to offset the program's costs. The fruit and vegetable market contributed roughly $500 to the center's income last year, an amount Crespi expects to see increase this year.
"I'm looking for a product to create cash flow," he said, "while I look for the pennies."
Yet, the question remains: Will people change their diet through his efforts? Crespi is convinced they will and that Jeanetta's research will prove he's right.
Jeanetta, too, thinks the program will work; participants will learn more about food they eat through the programs offered by the Comedor Popular.
"Many do not know that the foods they eat here, that are similar to what they eat from the countries they come from, contain much more sugar," Jeanetta said.
Yet, he knows there are people who will decide that Crespi's ideas are crazy and few will become vegetarian like Crespi. But, he added, "They'll change something because they trust him."

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Centro Latino: Relocating, Expanding Mission | COMO Magazine

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This lawn-garden at 609 N. Garth Ave., across from the looming Oak Towers, looks slightly out of place in the low-income neighborhood. Inside, the building, which used to be the home of a barbeque restaurant, is gleaming with white paint, new floors and slightly used stainless steel appliances, which volunteers will use to cook vegetarian meals using some of the produce picked from the garden.

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CoMoGives.com Online Campaign Raised more than $8,500 for Centro Latino in the month of December 2021

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CoMoGives.com Online Campaign Raised more than $8,500 for Centro Latino in the month of December 2021

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First 20 Kids Meals ready for pick up October 2020

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First 20 Kids Meals ready for pick up October 2020

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"COVID-19.

Supporting our Latino and non-Latino children.

First 20 Kids Meals ready for pick up. More to come.

Quesadillas with beans, rice and pico de gallo. Thank you Board members and volunteers for your dedication to Centro Latino. Juntos Se Puede! Together We Can!"

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Celebrating April 2021, the Anniversary of Centro Latino, with a Special collaboration with Main Squeeze Natural Foods Cafe.

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After School Program Coordinator Meeting April 2021

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After School Program Coordinator Meeting April 2021

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"Thank you for your dedication to our kids."
Meeting hosted virtually as a precaution against COVID-19 transmission.

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Centro Latino Welcomes VU Immersion Interns Summer 2021

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Centro Latino Welcomes VU Immersion Interns Summer 2021

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Centro Latino in Times of COVID-19 December 2020

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Centro Latino in Times of COVID-19 December 2020

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"The public and friends who have donated would like to know what we're doing these days:"
Kids Meals with curbside pick-up.
Zoom Classrooms (English & Spanish Classes).
Zoom Board Meetings :)
https://www.facebook.com/eduardo.crespi.9/posts/10157860475731446

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Updating the community center at 609 N. Garth Ave. "Before and after...March 2011 and June 2021"

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Updating the community center at 609 N. Garth Ave. "Before and after...March 2011 and June 2021"

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Thank you Friends of Centro Latino!!!

Juntos Se Puede! Together We Can!

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Established "La Escuela Latina" staffed by AmeriCorps VISTA & MU student volunteers 2003

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Established "La Escuela Latina" staffed by AmeriCorps VISTA & MU student volunteers 2003

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Mary Knauer, ASP Coordinator

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Expansion of "La Escuela Latina" Thanks to $10,000 donation from Tom Sager Foundation  2003

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Expansion of "La Escuela Latina" Thanks to $10,000 donation from Tom Sager Foundation  2003

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Mary Knauer, After School Program Coordinator, VIP Volunteer

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After three years of hard work, La Escuela Latina, a consolidation of Centro Latino's eight education programs, is coming to fruition.

Currently, the programs are run in a room flanked on one side by a row of computers and on the other side by two folding tables. The free space in the room is not much wider than an average hallway.

"Right now, we don't have enough room for all the kids," Mary Knauer, education coordinator at Centro Latino, said. "Some have to sit on the floor or even under tables."

However, thanks to a promised $10,000 grant from the Rolla-based Tom Sager Foundation, Centro Latino will be able to afford to pay rent on a bigger place for La Escuela Latina. The new space will be twice the size of the current one and is located below the Centro Latino office in Parkade Plaza.

With the new space, there will be enough room for all of the current students and those who are on the waiting list, Knauer said.

The motivation for the expansion is the burgeoning Latino population in the Columbia area. According to the Office of Social and Economic Data Analysis, the Latino population of Boone County almost doubled from 1990 to 2000, rising from 1,226 to 2,413.

"Due to the increase in population, Centro Latino decided to expand its educational programs and open up La Escuela Latina," said Eduardo Crespi, director of Centro Latino.

La Escuela Latina will be the hub for the after-school program, teen tutoring program, English as a second language classes, Spanish language classes, computer labs, MU Service Learning Partnership, Latino Parents as Teachers Conference and the summer program.

The goal of La Escuela Latina is to provide a better service to the community as a whole.

"It's going to be a place where the community comes together and educates itself," Alejandra Gudiño, a Centro Latino board member, said.

Aside from educating the community, La Escuela Latina is meant to empower the Latino community and help its members live without having to rely on intermediaries.

The area being vacated by the educational programs will be used for social services and health-related work - meeting a need for space solely dedicated to those programs, Gudiño said.

Although the changes are steps forward for Centro Latino, the grant will cover only rent on the new space. It is projected that the yearly cost of the after-school program will be about $67,537, with about $13,940 already committed from grants.

"The big crisis used to be not having enough space," Knauer said. "After getting that space, the big crisis will be not having enough money to do what we want."

Supplemental funding will come from seeking out more grants and the weekly Spanish and yoga classes Centro Latino offers.

"We are also going to be writing more grant proposals and asking the community for help," Crespi said. "Donations of computers in good condition would be appreciated."

The lease for the new space will be signed Sunday, and it is scheduled to open later in February.

"Everything begins with a dream, and Eduardo puts it on paper and makes it happen," Gudiño said.

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After three years of hard work, La Escuela Latina, a consolidation of Centro Latino's eight education programs, is coming to fruition. Currently, the programs are run in a room flanked on one side by a row of computers and on the other side by two folding tables.

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Sponsored 1st Cycle-Recycle event with Columbia's PedNet Coalition 2003

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Sponsored 1st Cycle-Recycle event with Columbia's PedNet Coalition 2003

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"Cycle Recycle started in 2001 by Eduardo Crespi, director and founder of Centro Latino. He conjured up this idea to find ways to get affordable bikes for low income people." -Manas Vedula, Missourian

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COLUMBIA - PedNet has some bikes on its hands. As part of Bike, Walk & Wheel Week, the Cycle Recycle program is giving away bikes Sunday for the ninth year.

Cycle Recycle started in 2001 by Eduardo Crespi, director and founder of Centro Latino. He conjured up this idea to find ways to get affordable bikes for low income people.

These bikes are donated by whoever feels like giving them up. Windmoeller said that bike donations have been down recently. The last Cycle Recycle was held in October.

"We started collecting the day after the last one ended," Windmoeller said.

The program will take just about any bike, but program assistant Larry Simonson and Windmoeller both said there have been a couple of bikes that came in on their death beds.

"Sometimes it is that this bike is too far gone," Simonson said.

If a bike comes in beyond repair, it is usually stripped for parts to fix other bikes.

"They are recycled in a different kind of way," Windmoeller said.

Simonson helped coordinate volunteers to help fix the bikes to make them fit for riding. Volunteers have been steadily working Thursday nights since January and will be meeting again Sunday morning for last minute tune-ups.

Bikes are given away on a first-come, first-served basis, one bike per person. Windmoeller said the goal is to give bikes to those who can't afford to have cars and need other forms of transportation, but there is no official screening process.

"People need transportation options," Windmoeller said. "Some people can't afford to drive a car. We want to get people where they need to go."

It isn't just an adult affair either, children can get pedaling on a new bike Sunday, too.

"It's a really fun thing when kids come to get a bike," Windmoeller said, "The smiles on their faces are just so fun."

This is the last Cycle Recycle that will operate in this manner. A new program, "Create a Commuter," will be a long-term bike program to educate people how to be a good commuter. The program will seek to get those interested on higher quality bikes and give them bike safety and mechanics training.

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Cycle Recycle giving away bikes, get residents pedaling through Columbia

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COLUMBIA - PedNet has some bikes on its hands. As part of Bike, Walk & Wheel Week, the Cycle Recycle program is giving away bikes Sunday for the ninth year. Cycle Recycle started in 2001 by Eduardo Crespi, director and founder of Centro Latino.

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Centro Latino serves as community partner for "Improving Family Planning among Hispanics" 2003-2006

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Centro Latino serves as community partner for "Improving Family Planning among Hispanics" 2003-2006

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Collaboration with the University of Missouri School of Social Work and MU Department of Family & Community Medicine.
Funded by Missouri Foundation for Health.

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Established "Latino Link" services for pregnant Latinas October 2001

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Established "Latino Link" services for pregnant Latinas October 2001

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Collaboration with Columbia/Boone County Health Department, Family Health Center, Doors to Health. Began officer WIC services at Centro Latino offices (federal pass-thru funding via Missouri Office of Minority Health).

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Centro Latino Office Expansion with Los Tres Hermanos Mexican Grocery Store at Parkade Plaza 2002

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Centro Latino Office Expansion with Los Tres Hermanos Mexican Grocery Store at Parkade Plaza 2002

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Larger office space upstairs in Parkade Plaza includes: Public Health Office (monthly WIC services schedule), computer lab

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Opening of Centro Latino at Parkade Plaza April 2000

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Opening of Centro Latino at Parkade Plaza April 2000

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Health community outreach center serving Latino families (health education, cultural/legal services). Offices on the lower floor of Parkade Plaza (conference room, social work office, public health/director's office)

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1999 Dr. Anne Marie Foley invites Eduardo Crespi to the Civic Leaders Internship Program serving at the Missouri Office of Minority Health

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1999 Dr. Anne Marie Foley invites Eduardo Crespi to the Civic Leaders Internship Program serving at the Missouri Office of Minority Health

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Crespi's internship experience provided the genesis of the concept for "Centro Latino."

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Today's issue of Parade magazine, the annual survey of "What People Earn" includes a face familiar to anyone who knows anything about the Latino community in Columbia - that of Eduardo Crespi, director of the Centro Latino.

Parade says "What People Earn" is one of its most popular articles among readers. But when the phone rang in Crespi's office, he didn't know what they were talking about.

"They said 'Parade', I said 'What is that?'" Crespi said. He said a photographer arrived later and took photos.

Although he doesn't get a cover position (the cartoon character SpongeBob SquarePants does), his smiling face is among those inside.

His job title and salary? "Public Health Administrator, $25,000."

Crespi compared his salary to others' as he skimmed the magazine last week. "Look," he said, pointing to a community organizer from Rhode Island who makes $49,000 per year. "I bet he is not even bilingual."

In Parade's annual survey, Wayne Burton, a NASA scientist, can be found next to Lola Paterson, a flower shop owner. Professions listed include everything from actress to tow-boat captain.

For more than five years, Crespi, 47, has been the director of the Centro Latino, which offers health services, translation and language courses, among other things, to Columbia's Hispanic population. And it's all free, except the language courses.

Crespi estimated that he works 65 hours per week for the Centro, making an equivalent of less than $8 per hour.

Lisa Brininstool, a Centro volunteer, said she thinks Crespi is underpaid. He sometimes works 12-hour night shifts as a nurse in area hospitals to support his wife, Barbara Brockman, and daughter, Nicole.

He said that with the combined income from the Centro and hospitals - about $50,000 last year, he "doesn't worry about money." But for Crespi, the Centro is more than making a living.

Crespi came up with the idea for the Centro as a project for MU's Civic Leaders Internship Program. He started recognizing the need for an institution that would help Missouri's growing Hispanic community adjust to American life. After accepting a volunteer position with the Office of Minority Health, he said he was given a cubicle and a desk.

But Crespi isn't fond of staying in one spot for long. "I said, 'I cannot sit here. I need to go out and do the work,'" he said.

After leaving the Office of Minority Health, Crespi drew up plans to create the Centro in Columbia. On April 1, 2000, Crespi opened Columbia's first and only Hispanic resource center in Parkade Center.

Today, the Centro continues as part of Crespi's desire to have a "physical presence" in serving the community. The organization recently moved its offices from the Parkade Center to 206 Austin Ave.

"I am committed to myself, mainly, and I want to see this succeed," he said.

He likes the nature of the work. "It is stressless," he said. "When you do good, what kind of stress is there? Nothing."

Crespi wrote the book on how to start a resource center - kind of. The evidence is in a tattered, bright yellow and purple notebook containing scribbled doodles and notes that document how the Centro got its start.

"It's a model for other communities to follow. It's a whole new movement for health, education and social justice," he said. So far, Crespi has used his Columbia model to help start similar centers in Milan, Marshall and Lake of the Ozarks.

Funding has always been a problem. Crespi said there was a time when he ran the Centro and received no salary. Two years ago, he invested $15,000 from his own pocket to keep it running. No matter what, he said, he will always find a way to provide free health services to the Hispanic population in Columbia.

"That will always happen, as long as I am alive," he said.

As busy as he is, Crespi doesn't own a cell phone or a personal organizer. "I tried that once," he said. "It didn't work out."

He prefers meditation to help him prioritize throughout the day. "I meditate two and a half hours a day," he said. "It's the first thing I do (in the morning) and then the last thing I do."

As for the attention in Parade, Crespi doesn't mind telling people how much money he makes. "I don't care," he said. "People can know that. I wish I could say that I make more."

As he looked through the magazine, Crespi joked about changing professions. "Angelina Jolie, $27 million," he said. "I should become an actor."

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Today's issue of Parade magazine, the annual survey of "What People Earn" includes a face familiar to anyone who knows anything about the Latino community in Columbia - that of Eduardo Crespi, director of the Centro Latino. Parade says "What People Earn" is one of its most popular articles among readers.

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Vegan Soul Food Benefit at Cafe Berlin June 2010

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Vegan Soul Food Benefit at Cafe Berlin June 2010

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"Comedor Popular, or the "peoples' diner," is aimed at fighting obesity. The community diner will include hot vegan meals, cooking classes, wellness and obesity prevention programs and a retail shop selling seasonal produce."

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COLUMBIA - Centro Latino plans to host a vegan soul food and movie night at 5:30 p.m. Sunday* at Cafe Berlin to benefit Comedor Popular.

Comedor Popular, or the "peoples' diner," is aimed at fighting obesity. The community diner will include hot vegan meals, cooking classes, wellness and obesity prevention programs and a retail shop selling seasonal produce.

Centro Latino recently obtained building permits to start construction on the building at 609 N. Garth St. Landlord Dudley Roth said he respects Centro Latino's mission.

"No doubt it will dramatically improve the neighborhood," Dudley said.

Eduardo Crespi, the director and founder of Centro Latino, will be at the event.

Crespi said he is looking for building contractors to participate in the construction process.

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Centro Latino to host vegan soul food benefit at Cafe Berlin

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COLUMBIA - Centro Latino plans to host a vegan soul food and movie night at 5:30 p.m. Sunday* at Cafe Berlin to benefit Comedor Popular. Comedor Popular, or the "peoples' diner," is aimed at fighting obesity. The community diner will include hot vegan meals, cooking classes, wellness and obesity prevention programs and a retail shop selling seasonal produce.

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Daily Farmers Market at Centro Latino Summer 2013

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Daily Farmers Market at Centro Latino Summer 2013

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"We've stocked the cooler with fresh produce from Greg and Tammy Sellmeyer, of Sellmeyer Farms in Fulton, Missouri. Stop by Monday-Friday, 9-4pm to pick up fresh berries, greens, herbs and more!"

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Coordinators
Amanda Moreland
Natalie Smedegard

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Promotoras de Salud Presentations June 2013

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Promotoras de Salud Presentations June 2013

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Conversacion y Comida - Sandra Zapata
Denta Care Presentation - Nick Rodriguez
"Thank you to Kilgore's Medical Pharmacy for the donation of dental hygiene supplies for the children."

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Community Garden Cruise Fundraiser Dinner June 2013

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Community Garden Cruise Fundraiser Dinner June 2013

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Community Garden Tour & Celebration of The Community Garden Coalition 30th Anniversary.

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Centro Latino Community Gardening Program 2010

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Centro Latino Community Gardening Program 2010

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Centro Latino Garden Crew and Friends
Fall 2010 Planting by Leonardo Gonzalez, Noah, Sean Coder.
2012 Volunteers: Grace Ert, Laurel, Elly, Jeff Fry,
2013 Volunteers: Jordan Hoffman

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Our Community Raised more than $5000 for Centro Latino through CoMoGives.com during the month of December 2020

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Our Community Raised more than $5000 for Centro Latino through CoMoGives.com during the month of December 2020

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Jazz & Friends Gender-Inclusive Community Reading February 2020

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Jazz & Friends Gender-Inclusive Community Reading February 2020

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Centro Latino Spanish Teacher, Blanca Kelty, reads Julian is a Mermaid by Jessica Love.

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Tacos for Good Fundraiser Dinner December 2019

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Tacos for Good Fundraiser Dinner December 2019

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Sponsored by Coco's Taco Bar with Guest Chef Colin Enslin.
Benefitting Centro Latino

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Guest Charity Fundraiser Dinner November 2019

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Guest Charity Fundraiser Dinner November 2019

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Benefitting Mizzou Global Medical Training and Centro Latino

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Mortgage for community center building at 609 N. Garth Ave. paid back to the bank! April 2019

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Mortgage for community center building at 609 N. Garth Ave. paid back to the bank! April 2019

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"Hello! My name is Byumungo. The one in the middle. You can call me Oliver.
Jessica and Daniel are my sister and brother. There are 10 of us at home. We are organizing a fundraiser dinner with Centro Latino to support our family of 12!
We come to the tutoring program at Centro Latino after school.
The Director, Eduardo, will cook African food. It will be good food. I have tried his tamales and they are very good too :)"

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Guest Charity Fundraiser Dinner March 2019

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Guest Charity Fundraiser Dinner March 2019

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Benefitting City of Refuge and Centro Latino

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Raised $5,240 CoMoGives Fundraiser December 2017

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Raised $5,240 CoMoGives Fundraiser December 2017

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Vicki's Birthday Happy Hour Celebration!

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Vicki's Birthday Happy Hour Celebration!

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Celebrating the President of Centro Latino's Board of Directors, Vicki Boyd-Kennedy. VIP Volunteer

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Sponsored by Mizzou Association of Latin@ American Students (ALAS)

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Free Soup Friday at Centro Latino.
Fundraiser tamales and quesadillas for sale.

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1st Global Public Health Initiative: La Cena - A Fundraiser Dinner for Puerto Rico November 2017

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1st Global Public Health Initiative: La Cena - A Fundraiser Dinner for Puerto Rico November 2017

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Centro Latino's first Global Public health Initiative is to collaborate with Global First Responder, a local non-profit organization by supporting their upcoming travel to Ponce, Puerto Rico on December 3! "While in Puerto Rico be will be working to assist in hurricane relief efforts with both health care and construction crews. Potential construction projects while in the country include solar panel installation at clinics, provision of medical services at a shelter, and demolition at a clinic or housing."
To learn more about Global First Responder and to sign up for a trip, contact Donna at info@globalfirstresponder.com. Visit the website: https://globalfirstresponder.com

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Un Baile - A Dance Fundraiser for Puerto Rico and Mexico Relief November 2017

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Un Baile - A Dance Fundraiser for Puerto Rico and Mexico Relief November 2017

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Sponsored by Latin@ American Students, Cambio Center, Voz Latina, Latino/a Graduate and Professional Network, Tiger Hotel, Centro Latino, Blue Diamond Events, Lambda Theta Alpha Latin Sorority, Inc., Lambda Theta Phi Latin Fraternity, Inc.

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Fundraiser Dinner FRIDAY: Meet the Board of Directors 2017

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Fundraiser Dinner FRIDAY: Meet the Board of Directors 2017

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We're flipping the script and you're invited! Come to Centro Latino's Comedor Popular for an All American Dinner served by our Board of Directors.

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Celebrating Summer Fundraiser Dinner & Birthday Party! July 2017

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Celebrating Summer Fundraiser Dinner & Birthday Party! July 2017

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Happy birthday to our Programs Coordinator, Nicole!

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Celebrating Diversity Fundraiser Dinner June 2017

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Celebrating Diversity Fundraiser Dinner June 2017

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Centro Latino is Celebrating Diversity with a delicious dinner made by our latest kitchen interns, Megha Verma, Li and Ella Boyt!
https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=10154778563646446&set=a.314568526445

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Art as Refuge Fundraiser Dinner April 2017

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Art as Refuge Fundraiser Dinner April 2017

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Sponsored by Artists for Social Justice
"We will be exhibiting works by the community, for the community, in our community. Proceeds will benefit a different non-profit each time. We will do art and also schedule workshops for children and adults most affected by social injustices.
For our spring benefit efforts we have chosen to focus on immigration, by supporting an important organization in our community who work hard supporting so many families of immigrants right here in our own community. We want you to discover them, know about them, and continue to support them long after our introduction.

We are hosting a benefit dinner, an art show and sale. There will be tamales for sale, and live music by The Miller Brothers."

Benefitting Centro Latino

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Centro Latino hosts the Missouri High Steppers.
Concert by The Miller Brothers band.
Benefitting Missouri High Steppers and Centro Latino.

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Guest Charity Dinner & A Show Fundraiser November 2016

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Guest Charity Dinner & A Show Fundraiser November 2016

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Benefitting Mobility Worldwide

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Eduardo's Birthday Celebration and Latin@ Heritage Month Fundraiser Dinner October 2016

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Eduardo's Birthday Celebration and Latin@ Heritage Month Fundraiser Dinner October 2016

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Guest Charity Fundraiser Dinner September 2016

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Guest Charity Fundraiser Dinner September 2016

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Centro Latino hosts the Amazon Youth Cello Choir for dinner!
Benefitting Amazon Youth Cello Choir and Centro Latino.