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Centro de la Comunidad,
Inc., has offered social services to the Hispanic
community and other newcomers since 1969. Centro is the only
Hispanic organization serving the Hispanic community of
southeastern Connecticut. Cultural sensitivity and outreach
have been constant priorities for Centro. Centro’s bilingual
and bicultural staff is familiar with the surrounding
community and its resources. Centro inaugurated the concept of
an interagency Welcome Center that embraces newcomers of all
ethnic and cultural backgrounds.
1. Social Services:
Our services address the short-term and long-term
needs of our clients who face a variety of challenges.
The target population is socially and economically
disadvantaged Latino families. The goals of the program
are to ensure that:
Basic needs are met (food, shelter including housing assistance,
clothing, medical and social services)
Participants have access to special needs
programs through referrals including mental health care, counseling services, immigration and the like.
Social development programs offer activities to reduce isolation of senior
citizens including free lunch and field trips.
2. Educational
Services:
The education program provides services to
a target population that is undereducated and
economically disadvantaged. In addition, the program
provides advanced English and referrals to credential
evaluation services for immigrants that are skilled
professionals. The goals of this program are to increase
educational levels and English language skills of recent
immigrants to our community.  The services provided are:
- ESOL/English for
speakers of other languages -
8:30 a.m. -12 p.m.
daily (beginner and intermediate level)
- GED in Spanish -
Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday ( 6 p.m. - 9 p.m.)
- Certified Nurse Aid
(CNA) Training - 8-week program resulting in a
certificate in a high-demand field. Department of
Labor-approved fee program with support available from
Connecticut Works. Ongoing educational support is available
to continue in this field. Admission requirements: High
School diploma, interview, pre-tests, and English
proficiency.
Admissions testing - Call for information.
- Spanish Classes
- Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced and Conversational
(fee program)
Small classes taught by native speakers
address conversation, culture, reading and writing skills. A
textbook and Internet sites with interactive grammar
exercises are available for practice. The teachers address
vocabulary that ties in with students' work or interests. (Call for session information)
3. Job
Readiness
Goals of the job readiness program are to
secure imployment for unemployed and underemployed Latinos as well as to improve their skills:
- Job Search
- Job counseling, resume and cover letter preparation,
educational referrals
- Application and completion of job forms
- Reference Letters
- Referrals to interview training and workshops
- Vocational Training - Certified Nurse Aide
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