About Us
Founded in 1978, the goal of the Hispanic Center is to provide unmet social services to the Hispanic Community in Greater West Michigan.
Located in the heart of the Roosevelt Park, the largest Latino neighborhood in Grand Rapids, the Hispanic Center is able to directly serve more than 10,000 individuals annually. Not limited to Grand Rapids, we seek to address the needs of Latinos in West Michigan. The staff is largely bilingual and multi-cultural. We understand our Latino neighbors, connect with them, and work to achieve self-sufficiency together.
The Hispanic Center of Western Michigan is a non-profit 501(c) (3) community-based organization.
Our Mission
TO EDUCATE, TO ADVOCATE, TO EMPOWER.
The Team
Evelyn Esparza
Mexican
Interim Executive Director
Director of Finance and Administration
eesparza@hispanic-center.org
T (616) 742-0200 ext 153
F (616) 742-0205
Eloy Baez-Fernandez
Puerto Rican
Language Services Administrative Specialist
ebaez@hispanic-center.org
T (616) 742-0200 ext 131
F (616) 742-0205
Paola Carlson
Colombian
Healthcare Promoter
promotora@hispanic-center.org
T (616) 742-0200
F (616) 742-0205
Omara Espinoza
Mexican
Support to Language Services
interpretations@hispanic-center.org
T (616) 742-0200
F (616) 742-0205
Alejandro Esterline
Dominican-American
Translations Coordinator
translations@hispanic-center.org
T (616) 742-0200 ext 131
F (616) 742-0205
Alva Favela
Mexican-American
Community Support Navigator
afavela@hispanic-center.org
T (616) 742-0200
F (616) 742-0205
Marisol Garcia
Mexican-American
Community Support Navigator
mgarcia@hispanic-center.org
T (616) 742-0200 ext 144
F (616) 248-0905
Belkis Lizarazo
Venezuelan Administrative Assistant hcwmreceptionist@hispanic-center.org T (616) 742-0200 F (616)742-0205
Olga Martínez
Mexican
Human & Civil Rights Advocate
omartinez@hispanic-center.org
T (616) 742-0200 ext 112
F (616) 742-0205
Alejandra Meza
Mexican-American
Family Support Services Manager
ameza@hispanic-center.org
T (616) 742-0200 ext 113
F (616) 742-0205
Ana Ortiz
Colombian
Youth Program Coordinator
aortiz@hispanic-center.org
T (616) 742-0200 ext 121
F (616) 742-0205
Juan Carlos Pastor
Mexican-Peruvian
Accounting Assistant
HCWMAssistant@hispanic-center.org
T (616) 742-0200 ext 143
F (616) 742-0205
Griselda Perez
Mexican
Interpretations Coordinator
interpretations@hispanic-center.org
T (616) 742-0200 ext 130
F (616) 742-0205
Claudia Pohlen
Nicaraguan
Fund Development Manager
cpohlen@hispanic-center.org
T (616) 742-0200 ext 146
F (616) 742-0205
Celeny Quintino
Mexican
La Escuelita Lead Teacher
cquintino@hispanic-center.org
T (616) 965-9667
F (616) 742-0205
Tracy Ramirez
Mexican
La Escuelita Teacher Assistant
tramirez@hispanic-center.org
T (616) 965-9667
F (616) 742-0205
Holly Rea
Italian-French American
Language Services Manager
hrea@hispanic-center.org
T (616) 742-0200 ext 131
F (616) 742-0205
Jocelyne Romero
Mexican-American
Accountant
HCWMAccounting@hispanic-center.org
T (616) 742-0200 ext 143
F (616) 742-0205
Tamara Monteon
Mexican
Community Support Navigator
tmonteon@hispanic-center.org
T (616) 742-0200 ext 114
F (616) 742-0205
Hispanic Center of Western Michigan Board of Directors
- Attah Obande, Board Chair - Spring GR
- Patrick Lonergan, Trustee - Fifth Third Bank
- Karla Amaya-Leone, Trustee - Home Sweet Homes
- Tony Baker, Trustee - Ferris State University
- Kristin Ekkens, Trustee -Singularity University
- Susan Ledy, Trustee - Retired
- Javier Cervantes, Trustee- Grand Rapids Public Schools
- Monica Steimle-App, Trustee - Rockford Construction
- Roberto Peña, Trustee -
- Lance Zoerhof, Trustee - Warner Norcross & Judd LLP
- Jessica Podvin, Treasurer - D.K. Weiss Accounting
- Mario Castillo, Trustee - Transnation Title Agency
- Abraham Garcia, Trustee - DTE
- Dante Villareal, Trsutee- Grand Rapids Chamber of Commerce
Careers
The success of our organization hinges on our team. We are made up of individuals who are compassionate, mission driven, and are willing to participate in all of our fundraising and awareness efforts.
If you are interested in joining our team, please fill out the career form, upload your resume and cover letter and we'll follow up with you. Make sure to indicate which position you are applying for.
Open Positions
Food Distribution Coordinator
Accountant
Community Outreach Specialist
Volunteer Opportunities
We love our volunteers and interns and appreciate their work so much! If you’d like to join us, we have a great office culture where you’ll be welcomed as a valued member of the team.
Whether you’re looking for short term, occasional, or regular opportunities, we’re flexible about getting you involved with something that works for you!
Please contact Evelyn Esparza for more information.
