ABOUT US
Our History
El Centro Latino was founded in 1969 by a small group of Puerto Rican migrants seeking to address the immediate needs of members of their community as they adapted to life in a new country, and in most cases, to a new language.
1950 Puerto Rican migrants come to the “Hilltop” following employment opportunities at local tanneries and other companies.
1967 The Puerto Rican Association is formed and meets in the basement of Saint Paul’s Roman Catholic Church.
1969 The Latin American Community Center is founded and incorporated by a group of Puerto Ricans in a red brick row house at 1202 West 4th Street. The first programs addressed immediate family needs - employment opportunities, housing, referral and information services.
1970 La Fiesta child care center opens.
1971 The facilities at 1202 West 4th Street are destroyed by a fire. The Agency moves temporarily to space at 7th and Adam Streets before returning back to this site.
1977 El Centro Latino moves to 7th and Harrison St.
1985 The Agency is destroyed by a fire, again. It returns to 1202 West 4th Street. Soon thereafter it expands its operations to the adjacent building – 1204 West 4th St.
1990 El Centro Latino moves to its new facility, a three story, 30,000 square foot building at 403 North Van Buren Street, three blocks from its original location. The Agency operates with a $680,000 budget and offers a number of programs.
2001 Los Jardines, a 24-unit, low-income Senior Citizen housing complex is funded with $2.9 million in federal funds and grants.
2002 Agency receives a three year, $220,000 mentoring grant and a 5-year $1.3 million educational Federal grant (administered by the State’s Dept. of Education) under the auspices of the “Leave No Child Behind” program.
2003 The Agency operates with a $2.2 million budget and offers over 40 programs to the community.
2006 Los Jardines opens its doors with 24 low income seniors living in the residential complex. The Agency grows 30% versus the prior year.
2007 El Centro Latino operates with a $4.2 million budget and a staff of 85 employees (55 full-time and 30 part-time).
2009 El Centro Latino turns 40! Has a budget of over 5 Million and offers almost 50 programs.
Board of Directors
Locations
Executive Committee
Jose Lopez – Chair
Wilson A. Gualpa, Esq. – Vice Chair
Cristina Brounce – Secretary
John Morton – Treasurer
Michael Hare – Co-Treasurer
Ubel Velez, Esq. – At-Large
Carlos de los Ramos – At-Large
Members
Frankie Bonilla
Rosa M. Colon-Kolacko, Ph.D.
Geo Crespo
Nancy Duran
Mariella P. Juhasz
Rebecca Nazario-Straffi
Kate C. Riera, Ph.D.
Yachira M. Torres
Rosalyn Washington, Ph.D.
Maria Matos - President & CEO
Main Building
403 North Van Buren Street
Wilmington DE, 19805
Phone: (302) 655-7338
Manuelita Olson Building
301 North Harrison Street
Wilmington, DE 19805
Phone: (302) 655-7338
La Fiesta II Infant
and Toddler Center
402 N Van Buren Street
Wilmington, DE 19805
La Fiesta III Infant
and Toddler Center
239 Christiana Rd.
New Castle, DE 19720
The Latin American Community Center is a member of the UnidosUS Affiliate Network, collaborating on programs and advocacy to address the social, economic, and political barriers faced by the Latino community.
