An Update from us on COVID-19 Response
April 2020
El Amanecer
The Official Newsletter of The Spanish American Center
Dear friends, clients and supporters,

   In this time of concern and uncertainty regarding the COVID-19 virus, we are grateful for all of your support and very thankful for all you do for the Spanish American Center.

    I would like to give you all an update of what is happening with specific services and programs here at the Center :

  • We are operating on a part time schedule with half of the staff available from 8:30 am-1:30 pm (telephone & e-mail only).
  • Sadly, our doors are closed to the public to minimize risk to all.
  • If clients or people in general need food from our pantry, please call us first and we will have the boxes and items ready for pick up at the door.
  • We have received some donations and grants to continue purchasing foods to stock up on necessary items.
  • We bought fresh produce from Growing Places and are distributing those to the people as they come.
  • Domestic Violence services are over the phone or via emails.
  • Information, and Advocacy continue over the phone.
  • ESL classes suspended until further notice.
  • United Elders Lunch Program on Thursday has been suspended.
  • Outreach in person is suspended, outreach is being done only by phone or email.
  • Notary Services - please call.
  • Community breakfasts and dinners have ben suspended.
  • Census In person - Outreach is suspended; only by phone and email services.
  • Shannon Grant Youth Program suspended only information via email or phone calls.


    New immigrants from other countries or displaced people from the earthquakes in Puerto Rico are still being served and we are trying to meet their needs. These are people who trust the Center and depend on us.

   We all need to take care of ourselves and each other while we continue to care for our community needs to the best of our abilities. We are in this together. Stay safe, stay healthy and stay in touch through our phone, web site, e-mail and social media.
We may publish this newsletter more frequently, as restrictions are fluid and our responses and program capabilities may change quickly.

Estimados amigos, clientes y patrocinadores;

En este tiempo de preocupación e incertidumbre debido a la crisis del Covid-19 estamos muy agradecidos por todo el apoyo y cooperación y todo lo que ustedes hacen por nuestro Centro Hispano Americano.  Quisiera ponerles al día con lo que está sucediendo aquí en el Centro:
 
  • Estamos operando con un itinerario a tiempo parcial la mitad del personal está disponible para contestar llamadas y correos electrónicos solamente, desde las 8:30 am –aproximadamente hasta las 1:30 pm. Los viernes cerramos a las 12:30 pm.        
  • Sentimos mucho que nuestras puertas están estén cerradas para el publico esto lo hacemos para disminuir el riego para todos.
  • Si los clientes o el público en general tienen necesidad de recoger alimentos de nuestra alacena deben llamar primero para preparar los alimentos y dejarles saber que los pueden recoger en la puerta cuando estén listos         
  • \Hemos recibido algunas donaciones y recaudaciones de fondos para continuar comprando alimentos y reponer aquellos que sean necesarios.
  • Compramos vegetales frescos de la agencia Growing Places y distribuimos esos enseguida a la gente que vino a buscar alimentos. Estamos en proceso de tramitar otra compra de vegetales.         
  • Los servicios de Violencia Domestica están siendo conducidos por teléfono o correos electrónicos solamente
  • El programa de  información y abogacía  continua limitado y es dado por teléfono solamente. Los referidos están suspendidos hasta nuevo aviso.
  • Las clases de Ingles como Segundo Idioma han sido suspendidas hasta nuevo aviso.
  • El programa de almuerzos para personas de la tercera edad a sido suspendido también hasta que pase esta crisis.
  • La participación en la comunidad de contacto personal con agencias y personas ha sido suspendida también. Solo reuniones por teléfono o en computadora son llevadas a cabo diariamente los demás es conducido por teléfono y correos electrónicos.         
  • Servicios de notaria deben llamar primero
  • Los desayunos y comidas de gratis para  la comunidad han sido suspendidos
  • Censo 2020- contacto personal con el público está suspendido solamente damos ayuda por teléfono o correo electrónico.
  • El Programa Shannon después de la escuela para jóvenes también está  paralizado ya que no podemos tener contacto con niños de escuela solamente podemos hacer llamadas y enviar cartas electrónicas.

A los nuevos emigrantes de otros países o a las personas que llegaron de Puerto Rico después de los terremotos por favor llamen si tienen alguna emergencia para ver cómo podemos ayudarles pues continúan siendo una prioridad para nosotros y deseamos servirles lo mejor que podamos dada las circunstancias. Sabemos que confían en nosotros y dependen de esa confianza. 

Tenemos que cuidarnos los unos a los otros y también continuar cuidando las necesidades de nuestra comunidad dentro de lo que podamos. Estamos todos en lo mismo. Manténgase seguro y saludable y continúe comunicándose por teléfono, la red y  otros medios sociales. Continuaremos publicando este mensaje mensual  frecuentemente según surjan cambios para mantenerles informados al día.
En espíritu de fuerza y hermandad queda de ustedes. 

Yours in the spirit of our strength,
Queda de ustedes con espíritu de fortaleza,


   Neddy 

Neddy Latimer, Executive Director, Spanish American Center
978-534-3145 ext 118
www.spanishamericancenter.org

Emergency phone numbers active as of 4/5/2020:

UPDATED CONTACT NUMBERS : Maria (DV) 978-235-0696, Wanda (DV) 978-227-6486, Tamara 978-227-8845, Neddy 978-227-8142. Due to physical closure of SAC due to Covid.-19 precautions, agency staff, both DV (domestic violence programs as well as general urgent needs) can be contacted through use of the numbers listed above. Check back for updates as the situation is fluid. Thank you for your continued understanding and support
FOOD PANTRY UPDATES
Demands for our Food Pantry continue to grow as local families find their financial needs increasing due to the pandemic, unemployment, and simply being unable to access food via normal methods. Although we are working away from the Center, our FOOD PANTRY will be available on Mondays and Fridays BY APPOINTMENT ONLY. Volunteers will put care boxes together for client pick up. We will also consult with clients about their individual needs. We thank everyone for their patience as we try to meet prioritized needs.
Coastal Puerto Rico
Puerto Rico Earthquakes Response
The Southern Coastal communities continue their recovery from a long series of earthquakes and aftershocks. Many towns remain vulnerable. Due to our local fundraiser in February, we were able to donate to recovery efforts on the island, in communities where we share roots, family, culture, and friends. Below is a response from The Isabel Santiago Cultural Center in Guanica, Puerto Rico:
Guánica, Puerto Rico
March 24, 2020
Board of Directors
Spanish American Center
Leominster, MA. 01453

Dear sirs and madams:
Isabel Santiago Inc. Cultural Center of Guánica, Puerto Rico,  is grateful for your generosity and for having our town in your hearts; especially now in these difficult times which we had been through during hurricane  Maria, the earthquakes, and now the Corona virus 19 pandemic.
Your support and contribution for the victims of the earthquakes, which our town was affected the most, will be utilized to the best possible way in agreements taken by all the members of our institution. We have not rebounded entirely from Maria’s crisis.  Many people have not been able to resolve their housing situation. For many the earthquakes have aggravated their situation, and now with the Corona virus problem the emotional charge is much heavier.
Thanks to you, we can help some since there are still people living in shelters or sleeping in camping tents. Because of that and for them, from the bottom of our hearts goes our most sincere gratitude for the beautiful gesture of your generosity and solidarity with us. God bless you, fill you with joy, and multiply your assets.
With affection and gratitude,

Héctor L. Zapata Acosta
President, CCIS, Inc.
The Spanish American Center has been the recipient of recent donations and funding from the following generous donors:
Gretchen & Will Aubuchon, Bob Dwyer, James K. Farnsworth, Christine Sweeney , Peter Bovenzi and Jessie Olson.

The following agencies/companies have also sent financial support:

Digital Credit Union
THANK YOU!
We hope everyone is doing well! Our Directors ventured out today to make bags for  The Spanish American Center, Inc.  to give to families in need. Clothes, blankets, toothbrushes, toys and more were donated to those that may need our help. We hope everyone is doing their part by staying inside and following CDC guidelines. Stay healthy! 
Spanish American Center Welcomes Ms. Meredith Geraghty to our Board, March, 2020
Ms. Geraghty currently works as the Program Officer for NewVue Communities, overseeing the Community Organizing Department, The Small Business Technical Assistance Department and the Housing and Financial Services Department. She holds a B.S. in Biology and Environmental Science from the University of New England and an M.P.A. from Columbia University.
From Meredith:
"I am inspired by the Spanish American’s Ce nter’s “special focus on the Hispanic /Latino community, limited by language, poverty and access.” Ten years ago, I had the privilege to serve as Peace Corps Volunteer in Bolivia and El Salvador This experience helped me to develop a deep appreciation for the charm of the Spanish language, the diversity of Hispanic cultures, the rhythms of Latin music, and the richness of Hispanic food. I am always on the look-out for great pupusas (Salvadoran stuffed tortillas).  
I am a mother and wife raising a bilingual, multi-cultural family with my Spanish-speaking Salvadoran husband. I am champion of immigrants right and recently hosted two Central American asylum seekers in my home.
I joined the board of the Spanish American Center because the mission of the agency deeply resonates with my values and I wanted to contribute to an organization that is currently filling an important need in North Central Massachusetts. " - March, 2020
We welcome Meredith to our Board, and embrace her willingness to share her skills and dedication!
For FREE on-line ESL Courses for Spanish Language Speakers, please consider the following option to continue to improve your English skills!
Click on the link below to be taken to their WEB Page (not a program or affiliation of The Spanish American Center, but identified as a potential on-line resource for you, as our ESL Course has been cancelled due to Coronavirus restrictions).

  • Aprenderás a comunicarte de forma oral y escrita en el idioma inglés, de manera efectiva para aplicar en tu vida diaria y laboral
  • Serás capaz de expresar hechos y opiniones con confianza
  • Expandirás tu vocabulario en inglés con alrededor de 50-60 palabras por semana
  • Te brindará las herramientas necesarias para motivar el autoaprendizaje y crecer profesionalmente
You can also contact us via Facebook Messenger : https://www.facebook.com/spanishamericancenter/