El Amanecer
The Official Newsletter of
The Spanish American Center, Inc.
Hispanic Heritage Month September - October 2020
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News And Notes From Neddy
October, 2020
Every day I think about the “new normal”. Now more than ever we need to stand and unite together. July, August, and September have been extremely busy months between running our summer meals and responding to the many phone calls that we get on a daily basis regarding Domestic Violence services, Food Pantry, housing issues, elderly and immigrant’s concerns plus many other issues related to the current pandemic. It’s been quite a challenge but the staff and volunteers continue doing what we love most: responding to the calls of the needs of our children, families, and anyone else in need, always keeping our mission ongoing.
Here are some updates:
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We are pleased that so many of our community's leaders have sent us greetings acknowledging Hispanic Heritage Month and the contributions of our cultures. Thank you all for your recognition and support!
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In September we decided to continue the Grab and Go meal program for 3 sites: SAC, Riverside Village, and Silver Leaf, with the possibility to extend until December 31, 2020 because Summer Eats gave us waivers to continue.
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We continue being physically closed to the public but available by phone and e-mail. Our commitment to our agency and our community has not stopped. Community support is what keeps us going day by day, a big thank you to all of you.
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We received $2,500 from the Worcester County Food Bank to help with food and other needs.
- We are in the process of adding two new positions: a Receptionist and Data Entry person, and a Domestic Violence Outreach Worker. Interviews will begin in October.
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Two new coordinators have also been hired to assist with the Shannon Grant.
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We continue working very closely with the Community Foundation of North Central MA to assist immigrants in need. Please help spread the world that funding is available at SAC, and that we will do everything possible to help those whom, because of their lack of documentation, will be forgotten.
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Funding is also available to help others with rental assistance and other expenses this funding is from FEMA and FEMA Cares COVID impact.
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We continue to work with the Census 2020 count helping Hispanic people to register at the Center on a daily basis.
If anyone needs to contact the Center for services ,please call us, Monday to Friday from 8:30- 4:30. You can leave a message and someone will call you back. Please keep safe, healthy, and in good spirits.
With our warmest wishes,
Neddy
Neddy Latimer
Executive Director
Spanish American Center
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"A civil and human rights movement, supporting individuals with disabilities and their families in North Central Massachusetts." |
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We wish to acknowledge the upcoming ARC of Opportunity of North Central MA planned drive to benefit The Spanish American Center. Thank you for selecting us as your designated recipient.
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Hispanic Heritage and Our Youth |
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A message about Hispanic heroes, history and meaning for today's children.
by Migdalia Velez, President
Spanish American Center Board of Directors
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Saludos a Todos,
Quiero comenzar con una pregunta que mi nieto de ocho años me hizo a mĂ; “abuela hay gente Hispana que son famosos?” Por supuesto pensĂ© en mĂşltiples Hispanos/Latinos que han hecho contribuciones significantes en sus paĂses y en Nuestra NaciĂłn.
El hecho que mi nieto me hizo esa pregunta me llevo a pensar en oportunidades perdidas (de nuestra parte como familia y los Sistemas Escolareas) en educar a nuestros niños Latinos e Hispanos como familias y Sistemas Escolares sobre las contribuciones y de Latinos e Hispanos en clases de historia.
Los niños Hispanos y Latinos necesitan escuchar las historias y contribuciones de personas Hispanas y Latinas como Pedro Albizu Campos. Albizu Campos creciĂł en la pobreza. En 1912 fue otorgado una beca en estudios quĂmicos e ingeniera en la Universidad de Vermont. Un año despuĂ©s, se transfiero a la Universidad de Harvard enfocando en estudios quĂmicos y literatura, y fue el primer puertorriqueño en graduarse de la Universidad de Harvard.
Isabel Allende es una escritora chilena, sus obras a veces contienen aspectos de la tradiciĂłn “realismo mágico”, and es famosa por su novela The House of Spirits (Casa de Los EspĂritus) y City of The Beast (Ciudad de la Bestia) los cuales han sido comercialmente aclamados. Allende ha sido llamada mundialmente la “autora Hispana más leĂda.
Jorge Ramos es un periodista Mejicano Americano y presentador de noticias en español en la cadena Univisión. Ramos fue nombrado uno de Time Magazine Persona más Influénciales. Conocido como “el Walter Cronkite” De Latino América”, a los 24 años de edad, Ramos dejo a Méjico para vivir en América después que el gobierno Mejicano censurara una historia critica que el produjo y se hizo ciudadano Norte americano en el 2008,
Lin Manuel Miranda, de descendencia puertorriqueña, compositor, escritor y presentador, Lin Manuel Miranda recientemente tuvo el papel principal en su obra famosa “Hamilton” por el cual obtuvo el premio Tony en 2016 por mejor obra. Miranda se hizo conocer inicialmente con su obra “The Heights”
Mientras celebramos el Mes de La Herencia Hispana, les recomiendo celebrar más que nuestras comidas tĂpicas, culturas y tradiciones. Vamos a comprometernos a tener conversaciones con nuestros niños, y contarles nuestras historias para que ellos entiendan y se sientan orgullosos de quienes somos!

Hello everyone,
Hispanic Heritage month! I would like to start with a question that my eight-year-old grandson asked me; “Grandma, have Hispanic people ever done something that they are famous for?” Of course, I thought of multiple Latino/Hispanic people who have made significant contributions to their Countries and our Nation.
The thought that my grandson asked this question led me to think about missed opportunities (both on our part as a family, and systems of education) in educating our Latino and Hispanic children, and in schools including famous Latino and Hispanic people in their history lessons.
Latino and Hispanic children need to listen to the stories and contributions of people such as Pedro Albizu Campos. Albizu Campos grew up in poverty. In 1912, he was awarded a scholarship to study chemistry and engineering at the University of Vermont. He transferred a year later to Harvard University, majoring in chemistry and literature and becoming the first Puerto Rican Harvard graduate.
Isabel Allende is a Chilean writer. Allende, whose works sometimes contain aspects of the "magic realist" tradition, is famous for novels such as The House of the Spirits and City of the Beasts, which have been commercially successful. Allende has been called "the world's most widely read Spanish-language author"
Jorge Ramos is a Mexican-American journalist who anchors the Spanish language Univision nightly news, an English language news program, and was named one of Time Magazine’s Most Influential People. Known as “The Walter Cronkite of Latino America,” Ramos left Mexico for America at age 24 after the Mexican government censored a critical story he produced. He became a U.S. citizen in 2008.
Of Puerto Rican descent, composer, lyricist and performer Lin-Manuel Miranda most recently played the title role in his smash hit Hamilton, for which he received 2016 Tony Awards for Best Book and Best Score. He burst out onto the Broadway scene with his Tony Award-winning show, The Heights.
As we celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month, let’s celebrate more than just our foods, culture, and traditions, let’s commit to having conversations and storytelling to our children about why we need to be proud of who we are! -Migdalia Velez
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October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month
​Domestic violence victims total 10 million per year
According to a CDC survey, 20 Americans experience intimate partner physical violence every minute. That totals around 10 million victims per year.​
Our DV Prevention/Intervention Program is planning an event in Leominster promoting awareness. Follow our WEB Page and our Facebook postings for updates.
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Join Us In Welcoming our NEW Spanish American Center
Youth Outreach Worker - Shannon Grant Program
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Ana Martinez Reynolds is our newest employee working with our at-risk youth outreach program.
Ana can be reached at 978-534-3145, ext. 112.
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Shannon Community Safety Initiative (CSI)

The Shannon Community Safety Initiative (CSI) is aimed at reducing gang violence across the Commonwealth.
Shannon Overview
The Shannon Community Safety Initiative (CSI) is a multi-pronged approach to address a community’s gang and youth violence problem using five strategy areas:
- Social intervention
- Suppression
- Opportunity Provision
- Organizational Change
- Community Mobilization
In addition, Shannon CSI funds are used to support a research component of the Shannon CSI program comprised of the Local Action Research Partners (LARPs) and the Statewide Research Partner (SRP). LARPs provide strategic, analytic, and research support to individual Shannon CSI sites. The SRP provides similar support to OGR, the LARPs, and all funded Shannon CSI sites and partners without a LARP. All Shannon CSI funding (site and partner, SRP and LARP) is awarded through a competitive process overseen by the Justice and Prevention Division. The Research and Policy Analysis Division, provides support to the Shannon CSI Initiative in the form of data collection and analysis.
If interested, we are currently considering applications for the following position:
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Thanking our Board Member Georgie Rodriguez Locutor for raising $200 for SAC through his Birthday Fundraiser on Facebook!
Please share our gratitude with your donors.
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These emergency services are funded by a generous grant from
The Community Foundation of North Central Massachusetts.
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Messages from local leaders who recognize
& value our Hispanic Culture!
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Dear Friend:
September 15th marked the beginning of National Hispanic Heritage Month.
This is a time for us to step back and honor the extraordinary contributions that Hispanic Americans have made throughout our history. But it’s also an opportunity for us to celebrate how the Hispanic community continues to enrich the character of our country and strengthen the bonds that bring us together as Americans.
Here in Massachusetts, we are so blessed to see firsthand how the Hispanic community gives back through organizations like the Spanish American Center. Under the leadership of Neddy Latimer, the Center has been working tirelessly to help those in need. Every summer, I stop by myself to see Neddy’s amazing summer meals program for kids, and just recently I donated masks during the early days of the pandemic. Thanks to Neddy’s awe-inspiring group of staff and volunteers, the Spanish American Center has continued to serve as a critical resource for our community during COVID-19, working to ensure that no family goes hungry during this challenging time. I’m also inspired by their work to get every person counted as a part of the 2020 Census so that our cities and towns get the support we need from the federal government. If you haven’t taken the 2020 Census yet, please take it as soon as you can – the census needs to count everyone, and legal protections exist to ensure that the data you provide to the Census is kept confidential and cannot be shared with other government agencies or outside groups.
This year’s Hispanic Heritage Month comes at a difficult time. The diversity of our Hispanic community is woven into the fabric of our nation, but sadly, the Trump Administration has spent the last four years dividing Americans, instituting punitive policies designed to scare immigrants, treating Puerto Ricans like second-class citizens – I could go on and on. And now, COVID-19 has amplified so many of the existing health care and economic disparities we already faced. This is a challenging moment, but I believe that together, we can and must fight to ensure that America is a land of opportunity and progress for all where nobody gets left out or left behind – no matter their race, culture, color or creed. Please make a plan to vote in this year’s election on November 3rd. As my friend John Lewis used to say, “your vote is precious, almost sacred. It is the most powerful nonviolent tool we have to create a more perfect union.”
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The Spanish American Center's mission, "Sirviendo Nuestra Comunidad," has set an example for all us for more than 50 years to find ways we can give back to our community. From the food pantry and community kitchen, to the English language courses, to after school programming, domestic violence services, the legal clinic, and voter engagement, the SAC and their staff, under the great leadership of Neddy Latimer, makes our community stronger. In honor of Hispanic Heritage Month, I am proud to join other community leaders in celebrating the Spanish American Center's dedication to our community, and all that they do to support and empower our neighbors. Rep. Natalie Higgins
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If you click on the photo of Mayor Dean Mazzarella you will be taken to his special Video Message honoring the contributions of the Latinx community which has added to the rich diversity of Leominster and all of North Central Massachusetts, We thank you, Mr. Mayor, for your history of support to the Center and for your incredible leadership for the City of Leominster throughout the years. |
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OUR GRAB'N GO Meals Continue
at TWO Leominster Sites!
(PLEASE Call Early in the Day to Reserve!)
See Below
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We send out a sincere THANK YOU to our friends at Walmart who have been donating fresh poultry and food staples to SAC! This has allowed us the ability to extend our Grab 'N Go meals. Please consider shopping at Walmart. Local merchants have stepped up to help us help our community during these challenging times! Thank You WALMART Jungle Road! |
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Rollstone is Donating $25,000 to Local Nonprofits: One New Checking Account at a Time - SAC Was Chosen to be one of 25 local designated charities!
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"Your Choice: You choose the checking account that best meets your needs, and the charity that means the most to you. Because whether they're providing food to the hungry, a forever home to a shelter dog, or giving back to veterans who have given our nation so much, we are all getting a better community in return." Rollstone Bank Checking for Charity Info
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A REQUEST FROM THE COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH - COVID -19 IMPACT SURVEY |
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El Departamento de Salud PĂşblica de Massachusetts (MA-DPH) está tratando de brindar una mejor ayuda a la gente durante la crisis del COVID-19, escuchando sus experiencias y desafĂos presentes. Al responder a esta encuesta, usted puede ayudar a encontrar soluciones nuevas a los problemas de la comunidad, y puede darle al MA-DPH la informaciĂłn que necesita para tomar medidas y apoyar a las comunidades que más lo necesitan. El MA-DPH tambiĂ©n se compromete a difundir la informaciĂłn obtenida de manera que nos ayude a todos a tomar medidas colectivas.
Creo que este esfuerzo nos ayudará a comprender mejor el impacto del COVID-19 en nuestras comunidades, y animo a cualquier persona mayor de 14 años a participar usando este enlace: www.mass.gov/COVIDsurvey
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The Massachusetts Department of Public Health (MA-DPH) is trying to better help people through the COVID-19 crisis by hearing about their experiences and challenges right now. By taking this survey, you can help find new solutions to community problems, and give MA-DPH the information they need to take action and support the communities that need it most. MA-DPH is also committed to sharing information back in ways that will help us all take collective action.
I believe this effort will help us better understand the impact of COVID-19 on our communities, and would encourage anyone over the age of 14 to participate using this link: www.mass.gov/COVIDsurvey
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