Clients Services
Our Director of Client Services is the “face” of Centro Latino. She is available for telephone calls, walk ins and appointments for almost any question or problem a client may have. Each case is handled individually, to the best of our ability and with utmost confidentiality.
Our bilingual Client Services director provides a number of services including:
Translation
Interpretation
Assistance with Affordable Healthcare
Referrals as needed to: Physicians, Dentists, Lawyers, Social Service and Government Agencies,
Police, Immigration
Contact our Client Services Director
at (828) 330-0477
Immigration
The organization has an accredited representative with the Department of Justice Office of Legal Access Programs
to assist in all types of immigration needs including Fiancee Petition, Freedom of Information Act, Alien card, Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, Violence Against Women Act Petitions, application for employment authorization, naturalization, application of citizenship certificate, fingerprints, passports and others. Our representative can handle any one of multiple immigration needs at a much reduced cost than is usually incurred with the use of an attorney. When necessary however, Centro Latino has established alliances with local immigration attorneys who can help with any legal needs, that are beyond the scope of our representative.
For more information or to make an appointment call the direct immigration line at (984) 212-3288 or email to
Abriendo Puertas( Tutoring Program)
Almost since our inception, Centro Latino has been offering a tutoring program. Opening Doors (also known as Abriendo Puertas) functions from 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m., from Monday to Thursday.
This program provides homework assistance and literacy instruction for at-risk students in grades Kindergarten through 5. Parents and teachers alike have praised its effectiveness. Many of these children and almost all of their parents have difficulties with English. Without a command of the language, parents can not help their children with homework, and children are frustrated trying to succeed on their own.
The program has experienced community tutors and students from Lenoir-Rhyne University who work one-on-one with students. The program trains families to understand the education process and exposes children to cultural, scientific and artistic experiences.
Charge per student: $ 35 per month and space is limited.
For more information, send an email to:
Or call (828) 381-4252.
English as Second Language
English as a second language (ESL) has always been very much in demand. New Hispanic arrivals have many barriers to overcome. Becoming more comfortable with the English language is almost always at the top of their wish list.
ESL gives new immigrees confidence to succeed, improves their grammar and allows them to learn in a comfortable and friendly environment with other newcomers who are in a similar situation.
If you are interested in ESL classes, please call the Centro Latino office for more information at (828) 330-0477
Our Services
Other
A variety of other programs are intermittently available at Centro Latino. These classes depend the availability of our staff as well as the interest of our clients. If you are interested in any of these programs please call the office at (828) 330-0477 for more information and when they might be next held.
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Spanish for Business - has been taught by our client services director
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Diversity Training - can be presented by one of our board members to businesses, explaining the cultural differences of the native Hispanics
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Knitting classes - taught by one of our board members once a month for knitters at any level
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Parenting classes - given in Spanish to answer questions and give guidance about parenting
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Know your rights - given in Spanish to discuss with parents their legal and educational rights in a variety of circumstances with regard to themselves and their family
Food Pantry
Our Food Pantry provides food assistance to low-income and no-income families.Our shelves are stocked with canned goods, dry goods, rice, cereal, and other shelf stable foods.