CARECEN Celebrates 37 Years Serving the Latino Community in the Washington, DC Area

 Community   Tue, September 18, 2018 10:31 AM

Washington, D.C.  – The Central American Resource Center (CARECEN) will hold its annual Anniversary Celebration and Awards Ceremony on Thursday, September 20, 2018, at the Willard Office Building in Washington, DC, from 6:00 to 9:00 PM. During this event, CARECEN will celebrate 37 years of working with and defending 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 families and unaccompanied children who have settled in our region after fleeing violence in the countries of the Northern Triangle.
  • Promoted public policies that assist all immigrants to integrate into their communities.
  • Supported Central American asylum-seekers at the U.S.- Mexico border with legal orientation and humanitarian support.

“CARECEN continues to defend our community and holds firm despite attacks on immigrants in the current political reality.  We promote the integration of Central American and Latino immigrants in the Washington area and convene 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, CARECEN will award the Saúl Solórzano Justice Award to Senator Chris Van Hollen, Senator of Maryland. A tireless fighter for the people of Maryland, Senator Van Hollen has emerged as a national leader fighting for the rights and dignity of immigrants, particularly in his efforts to extend the Temporary Protected Status (TPS) program and work on legislation to protect TPS beneficiaries when the Administration decided to cancel the program. His continued tenure in the Senate ensures that we have champions for immigrants. His leadership, commitment and exceptional work personify the ideals of the late Saúl Solórzano, a great community visionary and longtime CARECEN leader. Catholic Legal Immigration Network (CLINIC) will receive the Community Empowerment Award, recognizing their accomplishments as an outstanding organization that has made significant contributions to capacity building in immigration law and assisted CARECEN in achieving its mission.

Community, business leaders and representatives of local and state governments will attend the event.  This year, the event is sponsored by Clark Construction, Georgetown University, WilmerHale, Goodwin Procter, DC Acceso Credit Union, Citi, SEIU 32BJ, LIUNA Baltimore/Washington Council, Verizon, United Food and Commercial Workers International Union, International Machinists and Aerospace Workers Union, Steptoe & Johnson,  the American Federation of Government Employees – Women’s and Fair Practices Department, Wells Fargo Advisor Moshe Burstin, Davis & Harman LLP, Hafner Vineyards, DC Brau and Capital Wire PR.

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 human rights advocacy.

The Willard Office Building, 1455 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Washington, DC - September 20, 2018 - 6:00 PM Reception & Live Music / 7:00 PM Program

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

CONTACT:
Abel Núñez (202) 328-9799 ext. 202