|
WASHINGTON,
D.C. – U.S. Representative Jan Schakowsky (D-IL) today commemorated the
20th anniversary of Centro Romero. Below is Schakowsky’s Congressional
Record statement:
Mr.
Speaker, I rise today to commemorate the 20th anniversary of Centro Romero,
a community-based organization that has been serving Salvadoran immigrants
in the Chicago communities of Rogers Park, Edgewater, Ravenswood, and Uptown.
Since its founding in 1984, Centro Romero has served Latino immigrant and
refugee populations by providing services to adults and children to help
them overcome barriers of integrating into U.S. society. Last year,
Centro Romero served over 5,600 clients through its adult education, women’s
empowerment, youth learning and leadership and legal assistance programs.
Centro
Romero was founded by a group of Salvadoran refugees living in Chicago
who wanted to assist other incoming Central American refugees arriving
in the United States to seek safe haven from the political and civil repression
and human rights abuses that were plaguing the region during the 1970s
and 1980s. Centro Romero is named in honor of Archbishop Oscar Romero,
a Salvadoran Roman Catholic cleric, on behalf of his service of the poor
and oppressed people. Archbishop Romero was assassinated in 1980
for his outspoken denunciations of the ruling elite and his defense of
human and civil rights during El Salvador’s civil war.
Centro
Romero began its work in Chicago communities by providing basic services
such as food, job placement, housing orientation and immigration procedures.
Today, Centro Romero provides these services and has added a women’s program
and youth program to address additional needs in the growing Latino community.
Today,
in the House of Representatives, I would like to extend my congratulations
and appreciation from the grateful communities of Chicago to the dedicated
staff and volunteers of Centro Romero for their many contributions providing
vital information and essential services for the Latino communities.
All of us who live in the Chicago area are fortunate to have Centro Romero
in our midst and we all benefit from its unparalleled commitment to improving
our community. |
|