Hispanic Center of W. Michigan Receives $1.5 Million Grant

The W.K. Kellogg Foundation has bestowed a $1.5 million grant upon the Hispanic Center of Western Michigan to fund a three-year Latino Community Development Project.  According to the press release:

The Latino Community Development Project will provide important and stable support for:  the Center’s Latino leadership development efforts; expansion of the Center’s education and civic engagement program; and expansion of the Center’s core immigration services and advocacy for immigrant families.

The CEO of the Hispanic Center Martha Gonzalez-Cortes claims that the organization is one of the largest foundations in the world that promotes social change for Latino families and children, and commented on the explosive growth of the population in the region stating:

“The Latino community is now the largest minority group in Kent County and in the last ten years has represented almost 65% of Kent County’s total growth.  The Kellogg Foundation’s support strengthens the Hispanic Center’s role as the largest Latino community-based non-profit in West Michigan and gives us the tools to strategically address the changing needs of our community.”

The Hispanic Center was founded in 1978 and serves over 12, 500 people per year, providing such services as family case management, mental health services and outreach, gang intervention services,  cultural event planning and training and more.