EXPANDING OUR REACH

CENTRO has undergone a tremendous transformation during the past 10 years, and it is no longer the neighborhood center that many Latinos families grew up knowing. Thankfully we are much more able to meet many of the social, behavioral and health-related needs of our community; than ever before. Originally founded in 1977 as Centro Communal Hispano by a group of community activists to serve Puerto Ricans, CENTRO was founded by volunteers. Its original purpose was that of preserving and sharing the Puerto Rican culture, to act as a gathering venue for celebrations and important community matters, as well as to assist these newcomers establish strong roots in Worcester. CENTRO’s mission and the community it serves has evolved, as the make-up of the population in Worcester has changed. By the mid-1990s, CENTRO realized that all Latinos in the area could benefit from the services it offered. That mission has evolved further as the make-up of Worcester’s population has continued to evolve. Today, we proudly serve individuals and families from North, Central, and South America. We also serve people from several countries in the African Continent, Southeast Asia, and the Middle East.