Washington, DC - The Central American Resource Center (CARECEN) will hold its annual Anniversary Celebration and Awards Ceremony on Thursday, October 6, 2016, at the Willard Office Building in Washington, DC, from 6:00 to 10:00 PM. During this event, CARECEN will celebrate 35 years of working with and for the Latino community in the Washington D.C. metro area.

Over the past year, CARECEN has continued to improve the lives of Latin American immigrants.  We have:

• Provided valuable immigration services to assist immigrants in securing and maintaining legal status, and reuniting with their families.
• Accompanied immigrants on their path to US citizenship and prepared them to fully participate in our democracy through voting and civic engagement.
• Assisted families to access affordable housing, know their rights as tenants and homeowners, and prevent displacement.
• Advocated for the integration of unaccompanied children who have settled in our region after fleeing violence in the countries of the Northern Triangle.
  

“CARECEN promotes the integration of Central American and Latino immigrants in the Washington area and convenes stakeholders to promote issues of importance to our community.  Through education, advocacy, and direct services, we identify and develop leaders to foster the advancement of our community,” says Abel Núñez, Executive Director of CARECEN.

During the event, Hector Silva, Research Fellow with the Center for Latin American and Latino Studies at American University, will provide the keynote address.  CARECEN will award Oscar Chacón, Executive Director of Alianza Americas, the Saul Solórzano Justice Award for his tireless efforts to promote the rights and dignity of immigrants from a transnational lens. His exceptional work and leadership personify the ideals of the late Saul Solórzano, a great community visionary and longtime CARECEN leader.  DC Ward 1 Councilmember Brianne Nadeau will receive the Community Empowerment award, recognizing her efforts to advance the local immigrant community and make DC a welcoming city for all.

Community, business leaders and representatives of local and state governments will attend the event.  This year, the event is sponsored by Clark Construction, the American Federation of Government Employees – Women’s and Fair Practices Departments, AFGE National, 32BJ SEIU, United Food and Commercial Workers International Union, WilmerHale, LIUNA National, LIUNA Baltimore/Washington Council, LIUNA (Locals 11 and 25), Valor Development, Wells Fargo, Wells Fargo Advisor Moshe Burstin, Verizon, International Machinists and Aerospace Workers Union, ACCESO Credit Union, Capital Area Asset Builders, The Law Offices of Paul Strauss, and Capital Wire News.

Since 1981, CARECEN has fostered the comprehensive development of the Latino population in the Washington metropolitan region by providing direct legal services, housing counseling, citizenship education, and community economic development, while promoting grassroots empowerment, civic engagement, and civil rights advocacy.

Anniversary Reception and Awards Ceremony – October 6, 2016

The Willard Office Building, 1455 F St, NW, Washington, DC

6:00 PM Reception and Live Music / 7:00 PM Program

For reservations or donations to CARECEN, visit: www.carecendc.org

Email: info@carecendc.org