Isabel Villar, Founder of El Centro Hispano, Appears on WABC-TV's "Tiempo" Show

ARDSLEY, N.Y. - Dec. 2, 2014 - PRLog -- Following just a few weeks after El Centro Hispano’s highly successful 40^th Anniversary celebration at a sold-out Gala attended by more than 500 distinguished guests and supporters, Founding Executive Director Isabel Villar recently appeared on WABC-TV’s Tiempo roundtable discussion show. She spoke about the significant contributions that the non-profit organization has made in strengthening Westchester’s Hispanic community over the years.

Hosted by news anchor and reporter Joe Torres, Tiempo is a weekly show aired throughout the New York metropolitan area that focuses on topics affecting and relating to Hispanic citizens.

During the interview, Ms. Villar related how El Centro Hispano has grown dramatically since it was founded in 1974 to meet the needs of an exponentially growing Hispanic community. “We started with one program to help Hispanics get jobs and now we have 25 bilingual education, technology, services, cultural events, outreach, counseling and empowerment and other programs.” She noted that in the beginning, clients were all in the White Plains area but today “we are helping Hispanics across a wider geographic area as a result of adding six satellite locations and starting affiliations with four schools.”

Ms. Villar also spoke about how El Centro Hispano’s programs have made a difference in the lives of many individuals. As an example, she recalled the scholarship program, designed to help academically high achieving high school seniors continue their studies at college. “Our first scholarship was in the amount of $50 and I am proud to say that last year, we awarded $30,000 to 25 talented students.”

Ana Bolivar, whose family hails from Colombia and was one of the scholarship winners 10 years ago, shared her experience during the interview. When Torres asked her if El Centro Hispano had made a difference to her, she said: “I don’t think I would be where I am today if it were not for this organization’s support.”

Ms. Bolivar graduated from White Plains High School and with the $1,500 scholarship from El Centro Hispano, she obtained a B.S. Degree in Mechanical Engineering at The City College of New York. After earning a Master’s Degree in Communications and Media Studies from Pace University, she joined Con Ed in 2008 as a management associate and, a year later, she assumed an operating supervisor position. In 2012, she was promoted to her current position as supervisor of the newly established Gas Conversion Group.

El Centro Hispano’s impact left an indelible impression on Ms. Bolivar, one which prompted her to “give back” to the organization that helped her: She told Torres: ”Today I am part of the scholarship committee and my husband and I have set up our own scholarship to aid the next generation of young Hispanics further their education.”

When Torres asked Ms. Villar what El Centro Hispano needs to continue meeting its mission of strengthening the Hispanic community, she replied, “We need tutors and other volunteers and the continued generosity of our supporters.”

In regard to the latter, El Centro Hispano announced after its 40^th Gala in October that it had launched a new and attractive program for donors who contribute more than $500 per year. It’s called “Family Circle” which provides donors with a number of benefits. Among them are invitations to year-end celebrations including various education programs, scholarship presentations, the annual holiday celebration, and more. In addition, they have opportunities to participate in hands-on volunteer activities including tutoring in one-on-one education programs and distributing food to families and individuals.

Donors will also be honored at both a “Family Circle” celebration and at El Centro Hispano’s annual fundraising event when they will be acknowledged for their support. They will also be listed in the annual report as a “Family Circle” member.

Underscoring the importance of “Family Circle” to El Centro Hispano’s future programs, Ms. Villar noted that the Hispanic community in Westchester in the 1970 census comprised only about 23,000 residents compared to 207,000 in the 2010 census. “In White Plains alone where we are based, about 30% of the population today is Hispanic and this number will surely increase, making our programs even more essential to help the next generation of Hispanics succeed in our community,” she explained.

To see the complete “Tiempo” interview, click the following link and scroll down to Parts 3 & 4 of the November 23 broadcast date:

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For more information about El Centro Hispano and how to become a “Family Circle” donor, call (914) 289-0500 or via e-mail: elcentrohispano1@aol.com

About El Centro Hispano

El Centro Hispano, a 501(c)(3) non-profit, fulfills its mission to strengthen the Hispanic community by offering a wide variety of bilingual programs throughout the year. The 25 programs currently offered by El Centro Hispano are changing the lives of our clients through Education, Technology, Services, Cultural Events, Outreach, Counseling and Empowerment, and through Special Activities. They include English as a Second Language, GED, and computer classes; tutorial and mentoring programs; scholarships to graduating high school seniors; literacy support for our youngest clients; Girl and Boy Scout troops; educational and informational workshops; weekly food distribution; free legal and Affordable Care Program assistance; sponsorship of cultural events; as well as translation services and assistance in finding housing and looking for a job.