About Us
Our Beginnings:
In 1973 a number of concerned and compassionate members of the White Plains community met to discuss the growing Hispanic population in White Plains and their urgent need for a variety of social services. After many conversations and numerous meetings, the group, which included the current Executive Director, Isabel E. Villar, formed a charitable organization – El Centro Hispano - dedicated to offering the much-needed services.
Born out of a concerned response to a very real need, El Centro Hispano was established in January 1974 under the auspices of the White Plains Community Action Program in the Chapel Hall at St. Bernard’s Roman Catholic Church. It remained part of the Community Action Program until 2000 when it became a separate entity with its own self-governing Board of Directors. El Centro Hispano is a 501 (c) (3) tax-exempt charitable organization.
The area’s Hispanic population has grown exponentially since 1974 and so has the need to provide a wider range of programs and services. Over the years El Centro Hispano has continually adapted to meet the ever expanding needs of its clients and every year since its founding, more and more individuals have received direct services at El Centro Hispano.
Our Mission
El Centro Hispano’s mission is to assist, support, and strengthen Hispanic families; to help them become self- sufficient; and to ease their transition into their new culture while maintaining and enriching their own.
Our Work
The following individuals are officers and members of the Board of Directors:
Cecilia G. Bikkal, Esq.
President
Lucille Fontana, Esq.
Vice President
Dr. Scott MacDonald
Treasurer
Dr. Martha Duval
Secretary
Luz H. Barrera
Chris Cabanillas, Esq.
George Gumina
Ronny Hersch
Anthony Lanza
Lourdes Lopez- Valle
Ingrid Ordoñez-Street
Dr. Annette Rotter
Jhuriko Then
Dr. Norberto Torres-Otero
Nick Wolff
Leslie Zane
Robin A. Bikkal, Esq., President Emeritus
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H. Judith Aucar, Executive Director
Isabel E. Villar, Founding Executive Director Emeritus
Daisy Flores, Deputy Director of Administrator
Claudia Malaga, Deputy Director of Finances
The staff and Board of Directors of El Centro Hispano are very grateful for the support that the center has received over the years from generous benefactors, foundations, corporate sponsors, and through county grants.
As the Hispanic population in the area continues to expand, the demand for El Centro Hispano's programs and services also grows. Since its establishment in 1974, the number of clients benefiting from direct services at El Centro Hispano has consistently increased each year.
El Centro Hispano achieves this goal through a diverse array of programs and bilingual, cross-cultural activities held year-round.
Here's a glimpse of the services provided:
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Educational initiatives
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Referrals for health, housing, and employment
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Immigration guidance
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Written and verbal translation support
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Counseling and advocacy services
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Mentorship and tutoring programs
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English language instruction
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Technology workshops
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Scholarships for high school students