Centro Hispano Announces New Executive Director
June 1, 2024
Centro Hispano de Frederick is excited to announce Suzanne M. Salichs, Ph.D., as its new executive director.
Dr. Salichs has many years of experience in nonprofit administration, public service, grant acquisition and management, and organizational development, including establishing a community center to serve rural populations in Oklahoma. She has a Ph.D. in leadership and higher education as well as a master´s degree in public administration.
“Suzanne will be a wonderful asset for Centro Hispano,” said Dan Blum, board chair. “After conducting a nationwide search and receiving close to a hundred applications, the board felt that Suzanne is the perfect person to help the organization to reach its full potential. She has extensive nonprofit experience, a passion for the work, and strong community-building skills that will take Centro Hispano to the next level.”
Centro's Éxito STEAM Program Featured in Frederick News Post
February 29, 2024
The Frederick News Post published an in-depth article about Centro's Éxito program, which provides science, technology, engineering, arts and math enrichment to Hispanic youth from K-12.
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The program also focuses on soft skills targeted to the specific population the program serves, like leadership qualities, collaboration and career development. You can read the full article here.
Centro Receives $260,000 to Expand STEAM Program
February 17, 2024
Centro Hispano received a $260,000 grant from the State of Maryland to expand its STEAM education program in Frederick County schools! The award is funded through the Blueprint for Maryland's Future program and supports the delivery of mental and behavioral health resources for youths. In conjunction with our existing Éxito curriculum funded by CareFirst, this will allow us to expand to three Frederick County elementary schools.
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The program will start immediately, with our first cohort beginning in the Spring of 2024
2023 Holiday Party
December 20, 2023
Everyone had a terrific time at our annual holiday party this year. Thanks to many sponsors, we had food, gift baskets and a "surprise" visit from Santa Claus.
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As an added bonus this year, Target Corporation provided gift cards that allowed us to help over 100 families buy a few extra Christmas items.
2023 Hispanic Heritage Festival
October 6, 2023
Centro Hispano held is third annual Hispanic Heritage Festival on the creek in downtown Frederick on October 6, 2023. The weather was perfect and thousands of visitors enjoyed a full day of live music, dancing and fantastic food! The festival provides a way to showcase the rich Hispanic culture that our immigrant neighbors bring to our community.
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Thanks to all of our sponsors, and especially Target Corporation, who help make our annual festival possible. Missed it? Plan to join us on October 4, 2024 in downtown Frederick for this year's festival.
Ausherman Family Foundation Provides Grant to Help Centro Hispano Expand
December 7, 2022
The Ausherman Family Foundation has provided a generous grant that will allow Centro Hispano to rent an additional classroom at its facility. The Ausherman Family Foundation is a private foundation, established in 2006. The Trustees envision a vibrant community where committed nonprofit organizations effectively work together in a spirit of cooperation to advance superior charitable outcomes in Frederick County. The Foundation’s mission is to empower the passion for change in Frederick County, Maryland.
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This needed extra space will provide additional room for English classes, seniors workshops and Éxito, our expanding summer STEAM program. We are extremely appreciative of the support of the Ausherman Family Foundation and its willingness to help us serve the needs of the Hispanic immigrant population in Frederick.
Ausherman Family Foundation Funds Strategic Planning for Centro Hispano
April 18, 2023
The Ausherman Family Foundation has provided a generous grant to Centro Hispano that will be used to fund a comprehensive strategic plan. By engaging in this process, we will ensure that we are working towards a common vision and leveraging our resources effectively.
Centro Hispano is undergoing rapid expansion, which coincides with the increase in the Hispanic population of Frederick County. To ensure smart, measured growth in combination with evidence-based assessments of success of its programs, the Centro board determined in late 2022 to engage in a thorough, forward-looking strategic planning process. The result of this process will be a plan that provides a framework to accommodate continued growth over the next several years.
Thanks to the grant provided by the Ausherman Family Foundation, Centro will be able to engage in this critical process without any negative financial impact to ongoing programs. The initial information-gathering process will begin in late spring, 2023.
Centro Hispano Awarded Three-Year Grant to Provide Interventions for At-Risk Youth
September 16, 2022
Care First has agreed to provide Centro Hispano with funding for three years to offer interventions for at-risk elementary school youth.
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The program will kick off later this year with the first of three cohorts in partnership with Waverly Elementary School. Youth will be identified by teachers and will be given the opportunity to stay after school for enrichment activities including STEM programs, collaborative activities, leadership training, self-image improvement exercises and more. The goal of the program includes soliciting parent involvement to provide high-level guidance for maximizing the students' potential for success.
Frederick County Public Schools and Centro Hispano Enter into Partnership Agreement for STEAM Program
August 4, 2022
FCPS superintendent Cheryl Dyson, along with Keith Harris, executive director of the FCPS Accelerating Achievement and Equity office, English Learning Coordinator Katharine Gull and other FCPS administrators visited Centro Hispano to formalize a partnership agreement relating to Centro's Éxito summer education program for FCPS students.
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Under the agreement, Centro will work with FCPS to develop curricula, provide access to students and help FCPS achieve its goals of helping students be empowered learners and engaged citizens, nurture relationships with families and promote a culture fostering wellness and civility for students and staff.
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The primary target of this partnership agreement is Centro's Éxito summer education program, which includes science, technology, engineering, art, math (STEM/STEAM), English Language and Spanish Language components as well as life-skill enrichment.
Frederick County Immigrant Affairs Commission Town Hall Meeting Held at Centro Hispano
March 31,2022
The Frederick County Immigrant Affairs Commission (IAC) held its first town hall at Centro Hispano. Approximately 30 members of the public appeared in person and others submitted comments by phone and Facebook. Many of the commission members attended in person at Centro Hispano. The mission of the IAC is to "serve in an advisory capacity to County government as a means to advocate for immigrant voices to be heard and understood while acknowledging issues of importance to all immigrants and co-creating solutions to facilitate civic engagement and equitable access to all County services.”
Centro Hispano Partners with FCPS to Provide Prom Dresses for High Schoolers
March 20,2022
In collaboration with Frederick County Public Schools, Centro Hispano is collecting dresses suitable for proms. We are creating a "closet" for young ladies who are, or will be, in need of formalwear but whose families may not be in the financial position to purchase a pretty, formal dress for them.
Centro Hispano Executive Director Named to Frederick County Immigrant Affairs Commission
January 16, 2022
Centro Hispano Executive Director Maria Shuck was named to the newly-formed Frederick County Immigrant Affairs Commission. The work of the commission will be critical to ensuring civic engagement and equal opportunity for immigrants in Frederick County.
The role of the Commission will be to identify needs of the immigrant community and communicate them to the County Council. The Commission's first town hall will likely take place in March, 2022.
