ANNUAL REPORT 2014
FROM THE DIRECTOR
BOARD OF DIRECTORS FRANCO SILVA PRESIDENT Amway
CESAR GONZALEZ VICE PRESIDENT Chemical Bank
PATRICK LONERGAN TREASURER Fifth Third Bank
MILINDA YSASI-CASTAÑON SECRETARY Spectrum Health
LANCE ZOERHOF
Warner Norcross & Judd LLP
CARLOS MARTINEZ Grand Valley State University
ALEXIS RANGEL Grand Valley State University
For almost four decades, the Hispanic Center of Western Michigan has defined its vision based on the changing needs of Latinos, particularly those who are economically disadvantaged. Meeting the needs of these Latinos is the central theme of what the Center does on a daily basis. The work of the Center is founded on the premise that Latinos live complex lives and their issues must be addressed with an intensive and integrated approach that is culturally-specific in design. Some of the most significant measures of our success are found not only in the graduation rate of our youth or the successful outreach to victims of domestic violence, but in the stories our participants share about how they are more confident and hopeful because of their experience with the Center. 2014 was a year of renaissance for the Center as we successfully presented the 37th Annual Hispanic Festival with a spirit of renewal and cultural celebration. The Festival returned to a 2-day celebration that attracted 16 performers, provided 6 international cuisines, and featured the area’s first ever 3-on-3 outdoor futsal tournament. 2014 was also a year of transition. The Center’s Board engaged in an exhaustive search for a new Executive Director. This search culminated in the hiring of Roberto Torres. Roberto joins us after 15 years of working as a director in the cities of Toledo and Canton, Ohio. Roberto has extensive experience working in education, youth, community and economic development. We are excited to have him join us and pilot our Center’s upcoming initiatives. I, in turn, look forward to serving as President of the Center’s Board in 2015. These are exciting times and I look forward supporting the Center and its mission to serve the Latinos of Western Michigan. The Center continually strives to improve our services and our impact. In 2014, the Center was selected by the Department of Justice to participate in their Sexual Assault Program and we were awarded a three-year grant. In addition, we are proud that our Youth Program was recognized by Excelencia in Education, a national, independent, not-for-profit organization with the mission of accelerating Latino student success in higher education. And we were thrilled to secure continued funding from the W.K. Kellogg Foundation that will allow us to dive into some intensive strategic planning in 2015 in order to build the capacity and sustainability of the Center. On behalf of the Center’s board, staff, and participants, I offer my sincere appreciation to all who have invested in the Latino Community with your support. You helped create and sustain a place where Latinos can turn for support and encouragement.
Carlos Sanchez
Interim Executive Director 2015 Center Board Chairperson
TO SERVE. TO EDUCATE. TO ADVOCATE.
We are... 77%
Latino
50%
Immigrants or refugees
97%
bilingual
11
different Latino cultures
37
years of service in West Michigan
YOUTH
Our goal is to prepare Latino youth and their families for life-long success through college preparation community service, workplace experience, & leadership development.
95%
HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATION RATE
427
Compared to 59.2% of school districs served
Students served
8,283
Hours of work experience provided
78%
COLLEGE ENROLLED
Compared to 47% enrollment within KISD
ALEX
emigrated from El Salvador when he was 12, hoping to escape the violence. He didn’t speak English, and was forced to leave his mother behind. The transition was difficult. Here, he was threatened by gangs, his brother died, and his parents divorced. Hopeless and alone, his struggles began to show in his school performance. As a freshman, Alex joined the Center’s SOL Youth Program where he learned how to cope with his grief, become a leader, and give back to his community. His participation in leadership activities, community service, work experiences and college preparation gave him the tools he needed to be successful. His first gave back to the community by leading a Community Integration forum, attended by more than 100 people and the media, which increased awareness of immigration policies and the power of voting. He then organized the Center’s first “Stand Against Racism” that reached out to elementary children to promote unity. Alex graduated top of his high school class (the first to do so in his family), received $35,000 worth of scholarships, and now attends Grand Valley State University.
FAMILY SUPPORT
Our goal is to provide our community with the foundation for success by giving access to education, security, and basic needs.
SPANISH GED ONLY
Spanish-language GED class in West Michigan
198 students enrolled
TANIA was shy and
unsure of herself when she first stepped into the Hispanic Center’s Spanish GED classroom. However, as time progressed, so did her confidence. She realized she was learning more and more with each passing GED exam, and her motivation to continue pursuing her GED certificate transformed from simply fulfilling the requirements to a true desire to learn. After completing her GED exams, she felt confident and happier than she had ever been before. Tania earned her GED Certificate, and has moved into better housing, started a higher-paying job, and attends all parent engagement activities at her daughter’s preschool. Tania is an advocate for others to earn their GED certificate and now she is seriously considering pursuing higher education.
LA ESCUELITA
“La Escuelita preschool brings vibrancy to the community, provides high quality early learning opportunities and has created a dynamic learning community that encourages its students to reach for excellence.”
-David A. Faber
Superintendent of Catholic Schools
EDUCATIONAL ATTAINMENT LITERACY 41%
Test in Test out
85%
LANGUAGE Test in Test out
20%
96%
GREAT START READINESS CERTIFIED
BASIC NEEDS SUPPORT
55,000 POUNDS OF FOOD DISTRIBUTED
1,067 PROVIDED HEALTHY EATING RESOURCES
$49,203 TOTAL CASH BENEFITS PROVIDED
WOMEN IN CRISIS 82 355
MY HUSBAND WASN’T THE MAN I THOUGHT HE WAS. VICTIMS HELPED PROFESSIONALS TRAINED
with my children...how to behave, “howI share to help others, and how to protect
themselves from being victims of domestic violence. This group gives us the necessary tools to rebuild our lives and succeed without having to depend on an abusive person.
”
Adriana
Group member
IMMIGRATION SERVICES 487
provided document preparation & transportation to Mexican Consulate
270
active cases
6 3
year partnership with the Mexican Consulate years of Board of Immigration Appeals (BIA) accreditation
PATERNIDAD CON CARIÑO “
The Nurturing Father’s Program...has changed me into a better person.
Nurturing Fathers
”
I’ve found that the “ anger I had in me has gone. This program...will help you change...for the better...for both you and your children.
”
Jaime
Program participant
Before taking this “ program, I would hear myself yelling at my children. Now I talk to them with love...and they listen.
”
Martín
Program participant
Alberto
Program participant
MEDICAL SUPPORT
LANGUAGE SERVICES Our goal is to remove language barriers and promote cultural awareness by providing translation, interpretation, and training for the professional community.
1,684
CUSTOMERS SERVED
2,472
PAGES TRANSLATED
5,093
HOURS OF INTERPRETATION
After a car accident left him unable to provide for his family, Mr. Garcia sought relief through the courts. To do so, he needed to have a neuro evaluation. Unfortunately, the tests to certify his condition were only in English, and Mr. Garcia only spoke Spanish. In concert with a medical evaluator, the Center staff was able to help determine the extent of Mr. Garcia’s injury, allowing him to seek compensation.
LEGAL ENTANGLEMENTS When Mr. and Mrs. Thompson learned about Clarita, an orphan of the Mexican drug wars, they felt they needed to adopt her. The legal documents were daunting and required Spanish-to-English and English-to-Spanish translation. Working with the Center’s staff, Mr. and Mrs. Thompson have successfully provided Clarita a home.
COMMUNITY ASSISTANCE Mrs. Jiménez needed help supporting her two children. She was referred to two community agencies that offered financial skills and job training. These services where only in English. Our interpreters help her access not only in-home case management services but made it possible for her to attend group trainings using simultaneous interpretation. Mrs. Jiménez now successfully runs her own business, and is able to provide for her family.
We are... 18 staff 12
culturally competent & trauma-informed interpreters Certification
for 9 Commission Healthcare
Interpreters certified
Court 3 Michigan registered interpreters
1
Michigan Courts Language Access Certified interpreter
AMERICAN TRANSLATION ASSOCIATION Member
MICHIGAN TRANSLATORS/ INTERPRETERS NETWORK Member
OUR SPECIALTIES
Community
Medical
Legal
37th ANNUAL HISPANIC FESTIVAL 2 DAYS 6 INTERNATIONAL CUISINES 16 PERFORMANCES LATINO ARTISTS 3 LOCAL AREA’S FIRST FUTSAL 1 OUTDOOR TOURNAMENT 100+ PLAYERS The Hispanic Festival is the Center’s most vibrant celebration of Latino cultures in West Michigan. Let’s see you at Festival!
WE THANK OUR FUNDERS & SUPPORTERS Alliance Beverage Distributing Amway ASCET Blue Cross Blue Shield Central Michigan University Don Hinman Downtown Grand Rapids, Inc. Early Learning Neighborhood Collaborative Ferris State University Fifth Third Bank Grand Rapids Community Foundation Heart of West Michigan United Way Home Depot National Council of La Raza
EXPENSES*
Network 180 Patrick Lonergan Raul Ysasi Meijer Mercantile Bank Michael Moreno MLive Spectrum Health The Doug & Maria DeVos Foundation United States Department of Justice Urban Core Collective W. K. Kellogg Foundation Warner Norcross & Judd
REVENUES* FEDERAL $89,790
INDIVIDUALS $438,888 PROGRAMS $1,349,507 STATE $164,704 FOUNDATIONS $377,831 MANAGEMENT $134,434 $94,600
FUNDRAISING
OTHER $157,921 $55,776
CORPORATIONS
*2014 Financial Results subject to audit
PROUD PARTNER
TO SERVE. TO EDUCATE. TO ADVOCATE.
1204 Grandville Ave. SW Grand Rapids, MI 49503 p: 616.742.0200 f: 616.742.0205
@Hispanic_Center
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www.hispanic-center.org