IBERO AMERICAN ACTION LEAGUE IN ROCHESTER ANOUNCES THAT IT WILL FORM A PARENT-SUBSIDIARY RELATIONSHIP WITH CENTRO CÍVICO IN AMSTERDAM, NEW YORK

New relationship will provide services to more than 80,000 Latinos and individuals of other backgrounds.

In a special meeting on Thursday, October 21st, the Board of Directors for Ibero American Action League approved a resolution to form a parent-subsidiary relationship with Centro Cívico, a human services agency based in Amsterdam that serves the Capital Region in Montgomery County, approximately 35 miles outside of Albany. Centro Cívico’s Board of Directors has also approved the resolution. The new relationship is being established to better serve the growing Latino communities in the Finger Lakes and Capital Region areas.

“The combined Latino populations in the counties that our agencies serve are more than 80,000 and growing. However, we know that Ibero and Centro Cívico have become well-known outside of our home counties. Both agencies have always been ready to work with other groups and individuals who provide services to Latinos, and others in our community, wherever they are located in our regions,” said Ibero Board Chair Juan Lugo. Lugo is also the chair of a joint task force that oversaw the due diligence for the proposed relationship. Also overseeing the process is Michael West, senior attorney for the New York Council of Nonprofits (NYCON).

“I am thrilled that Centro Cívico will join Ibero. Combined, these agencies have five decades of service to their communities. The combined efforts of these two agencies will be to the benefit of everyone we serve,” said Centro Board President Dr. Roberto Ochoa.

Centro Cívico, which was founded in 1986, offers services in the areas of early childhood, youth and family. It also offers a New York State Spanish-language AIDS hotline. Additionally, it has hosted several visits by the Mexican Consul General’s office, and in collaboration with Ibero, hosted the 2008, 2010 and 2015 Upstate Latino Summit©, upstate New York’s premier event for the region’s Latino professionals. The daylong event features panel discussions on numerous topics affecting Latinos and their impact on the entire community. Topics include: health care, immigration, education, business development and political office.

This year’s Upstate Latino Summit featured U.S. Department of Commerce Director of Intergovernmental Affairs, William Ramos; Governor Andrew Cuomo, and New York State Assemblyman and Puerto Rican/Hispanic Task Force Chair Marcos Crespo as keynote speakers. Centro Civico’s Executive Director, Ladan Alomar, was also in attendance and part of the planning process.

“Since meeting Ladan in 2007, we have established a close partnership while discussing the needs of Latinos and others in the Capital Region of Albany, Amsterdam and Rochester. With so many parallels between these communities, the decision to combine agencies, resources and abilities was an easy one,” said Ibero President and CEO Hilda Rosario Escher.

“Ibero and Centro Cívico have dedicated staffs who have demonstrated commitment and time to our communities. I am grateful to both boards and staff for the support we have received. We look forward to a partnership that will extend well beyond the relationship Hilda and I have formed that will serve as a benefit to Latinos and others in the years and decades to come,” said Centro Cívico Executive Director Ladan Alomar.

Ibero was founded in Rochester in 1968. Initially established as an organization to support the growing Latino community, Ibero has grown into a full service dual-language human services agency that serves individuals of all ethnic backgrounds with a staff of approximately 250 people.

Ibero’s award-winning programs focus on:

• Leading individuals and families to greater self-sufficiency
• Preparing children for school
• Providing academic and social support to high school students
• Teaching important life skills to both children and parents
• Building stronger families

Ibero also offers successful GED and English as a Second Language programs, and its Annual Hispanic Scholarship and Awards Gala presents more than 60 scholarships to high school seniors from Genesee, Livingston, Ontario, Monroe and Wayne counties.

In November, Ibero is scheduled to launch the first and only 24-hour Spanish language radio station in Rochester, Poder 97.1FM. Programming for El Poder Latino (Latino Power) will focus on music and education. Revenue from underwriters will help support Ibero’s programs.