El Amanecer The Official Newsletter of The Spanish American Center, Inc.

News and updates from Neddy August, 2020 Dear friends, As we continue to adhere to strict safety protocols here at the Center, we are ever mindful of the hardships that our clients and community members are facing due to Coronavirus . Our staff is utilizing creative ways to "be there" for clients --while employing remote tools for contact and engagement during this unprecedented time. We thank everyone for their patience and understanding of these restrictions. We rely on our e-mails, telephones and video connections to connect with everyone, as we have for the past six months now, and we hopefully anticipate resuming "normal" interactions when it becomes safe to do so. Here are a few notes of interest: We received notice of a grant of $25,000 from Albertson's foundation to assist with summer programs. Our Board of Directors has voted unanimously to approve our newest member, Rodrigo Sousa. We welcome him and look forward to his valuable contributions in the future. Office of the Attorney General Maura Healey provided a grant of $3000 for summer youth stipends. The Grab and Go Summer Eats Program continues until the 28th of August: Silver Leaf, Riverside and Leominster sites. Active Life meals have restarted as of this month.   Census 2020 outreach continues until next month. We are working on the Shannon Grant Program for at risk youth to begin in mid-September, or after students return to their regular school classes. We have a number of families calling to utilize the COVID relief funds for critical housing/shelter needs. Many of these families are not eligible for traditional government programs therefore our targeted funding sources are invaluable in assisting them to remain safe. Thanks to a grant from the Community Foundation of North Central Massachusetts, $50,000 has been allocated for special assistance with a focus on family needs for these targeted vulnerable immigrant populations. CFNCM also funded us $8000 for Winchendon Summer Program expenses.  “Verano Alegre”-Summer Program: The Center is currently running 9 sites to ensure that our children continue to receive the proper nutrition that they need for the summer. We hired 9 people to assist us with “Grab & Go” food preparations, delivery, and distribution for each of these sites. During these months the Center also prepared and distributed over 10,000 breakfast/lunch meals for 5 sites as well.*It has been a lot of work this year due to all the changes implemented but, at the same time is very gratifying to know we are doing our best to keep children safe and fed. We sincerely thank all that made this program possible and successful. With your help we will continue to work to keep us all "together while apart". Please keep your distance, wear a mask, wash your hands and - stay safe! Gratefully, Neddy Neddy Latimer Director, Spanish American Center, Inc.

For more information in both English and Spanish, please visit our WEB site's voter registration page: https://www.spanishamericancenter.org/voter-registration-online/

Shout Out to a Supporter That “Gets It”  When the COVID-19 crisis hit in March, organizations like ours immediately began seeing a spike in requests for food assistance and wondered how we’d be able to meet the swelling demand. Luckily, there are community partners like ALBERTSON'S and its Star Market and Shaw's Markets who immediately understood that, for millions of people across the nation, the crisis brought layoffs and a financial crisis at home. Albertson's Foundation’s Nourishing Neighbors Community Relief Initiative addresses this demand head-on. It was launched with a $53 million company donation and has since raised millions to help organizations like The Spanish American Center address COVID-19 hunger locally.  We’re thrilled to receive a $25,000 grant from this Initiative to Help Feed Children and Families during Summer and want to thank Shaw's and Star Markets, Albertson's Foundation and all the wonderful customers who donated to the campaign. We’ll use the grant to enhance and improve our summer meal programs at the Center. All funds from the Nourishing Neighbors Initiative provide the following critical support to food banks and other organizations on the front line of hunger relief: • Help keep food banks stocked so they can respond to increased demand • Support emergency meal distribution programs at schools  • Support senior centers and other programs that supply meals and food to seniors  Our sincere thanks to the folks at Shaw's, Star Markets and Albertson's Foundation for understanding the need…and meeting it.

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Reminder - Emergency Numbers/ Main Business Number M- F 8:30 am - 4:30 pm Aubuchon Family Art Sale for SAC Thanks to the generous and creative Aubuchon family for putting their talents to use, once again, to help the community! Muchas Gracias to Will, Gretchen, Liam, Burke and Lucy! Art rules!

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Family Expresses Gratitude August, 17, 2020 At Left is a photo of Neddy and staff members Wanda and Maria as they received a surprise thank you from an appreciative family in recognition of the services offered at the Center. A good way to begin another week of services made more challenging within the context of Covid precautions. (Photo credit- Sonia Rodriguez)

Did You Know? IC Credit Union members -Did you know that you can donate to the Spanish-American Center by using your IC Federal Credit Union phone app? It’s safe, secure and easy – simply select “Make A Charitable Donation” from the menu and look up “Spanish American Center, Inc." You can then make a donation using their secure portal via GoodCoin. You will have a permanent record of all of your donations and all charities you support – all in one place. Try it!

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This month's Corporate Sponsor The Baron HR, Leominster Office, 1033 Central Street www.baronhr.com 978-895-9636