Programs and Services Offered

Attorney at law assistance:

  • immigration issues: Through collaboration with Pisgah Legal Services, LAC offers the services of an immigration lawyer free of charge, every Monday from 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM at El Centro Comunitario. Clients have to comply with requisite of being under poverty line according to North Carolina standards.

  • housing matters: LAC collaborates with Pisgah Legal Services to provide the services of a lawyer specializing in housing law, free of charge, every other Monday from 4:00 to 7:00 PM at El Centro Comunitario. Clients have to comply with requisite of being under poverty line according to North Carolina standards.

  • The “justice for all” racial collaborative: provides victims of racial discrimination access to legal services and reparation whenever applicable.                                                    
    This collaboration has served 150 individuals in 2005


Worker’s rights, wages claims and worker’s comp office: This program allows workers who need assistance as they justly claim for unpaid wages and funds related to worker’s comp. The program also provides workshop to educate workers about their responsibilities and rights as workers, and safety conditions at the work place as well. 40 individuals served in 2005 with the acquisition of $15,750 in unpaid wages.

Basic computer skills class for adults: provides the basic knowledge that adults need to operate a computer. Browse the internet and use e-mail. Classes are held in evening hours. This program serves 10 individuals every three months.

English as a Second Language for adults: This program results from collaboration between LAC and the Blue Ridge Community College and provides instruction in English as a Second Language for adults twice a week from 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM. This program has served 50 individuals in 2005.

Procedure to obtain the I.T.I.N and Tax Filing: Our office assists Latinos in the process of getting their Individual Tax Identification Number (ITIN). This document allows them to pay their taxes and represents a valid form of identification as well. This program served 500 individuals in 2005.

Women’s Program: After some months of hiatus this program is restarting in August as an 8 class cycle on Parenting and prenatal care. Once the cycle is complete it will restart with new participants and the same topic or another topic requested by the women. This program has served a group of 20 women on a weekly basis during 2005

Latino Lay Health Ministry Program: Latino Leaders from different Hispanic congregation meet twice a month to receive training and information on health related issues and services available in the community. This program is done in collaboration with Partnership for Health and it has served 25 Latino church leaders on a monthly basis in 2005.

Leadership Development workshops: This program has constituted the back bone of LAC. Ever since the center opened in July 2002, there has been one or two workshops offered on a monthly basis. The topics are diverse and many times are suggested by the community as a means to respond to its most pressing need. Some of the topics have been: healthy life-style and eating habits, how to obtain a drivers license. We have offered 10 workshops throughout 2005, with an average attendance of 25 people.

Weekly Food Distribution: This program is run weekly in collaboration with a local congregation and one a month with the assistance of the Manna Food Bank. People needing this help come on Mondays from 10:30 AM through 5:30 PM to receive bread, groceries and toiletries. 456 families served in 2005.

Interpreter’s Assistance: Limited English proficient clients can request the assistance of an interpreter as they deal with court or legal issues. 48 cases registered in 2005.

Free Health Exams and Medical Screenings: In collaboration with Park Ridge Hospital, we have provided PAP, Colon, Prostate, Diabetes, Osteoporosis, Cardiovascular and vision screenings. 150 individuals served in 2005.

Alcoholics Anonymous in Spanish: Alcoholism is a recurrent disease in Latinos. Those who deal with alcoholism issues have their own support group and activities weekly at the Center, in Spanish. This program meets three times a week with an average attendance of 10 individuals.

Leadership Development Program for Latino Young Women: This program is run weekly by the Association of American University Women. The objective is to incorporate Latino girls from the 8th grade in a 5 year leadership program to develop the as leaders and help them have access to college. 16 young women served in 2005.

Monthly News Letter: Members and friends of the Center receive the monthly newsletter in Spanish, EL CONTACTO HISPANO. This publication contains timely information about resources and available programs. This newsletter welcomes the written expression of individuals in the grass roots level. Around 200 samples are distributed every month.

The latino informational network meeting (link): hosted by LAC and held the first Wednesday of every month, is a meeting attended by most of the agencies and organizations that serve Latinos in the county and WNC in general in order to network and share information about new programs, resources and find possible solutions to common problems. This program served an average of 32 agencies in 2005.

Friendship Heritage Festival: The Friendship Heritage Festival is an annual event led by a community and spearheaded by The Latino Advocacy Coalition (LAC) and The African American Resource Coalition (AARC). Its goal is to celebrate the diverse cultures of Henderson County, to “Create Community through Celebration.” This year’s festival had representatives from Native American, Appalachian, African American and Latino cultures. The celebration of diversity includes music, dance, crafts and foods. Approximately 1,000 individuals attended this first year of this annual festival.

Spirit of Diversity Awards: The Latino Advocacy Coalition created the Spirit of Diversity Awards, an annual celebration to recognize the work and achievements of individuals in the community that embody the spirit of diversity through their committed effort to improve the quality of life for all residents of Henderson County. 75 individuals attended the first year of this awards ceremony.

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