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.
Now located in the heart of 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
Adnoris "Bo" Torres
Puerto Rican
Executive Director
atorres@hispanic-center.org
T (616) 742-0200 ext 160
F (616) 742-0205
Evelyn Esparza-Gonzalez
Mexican
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
Alva Favela
Mexican-American
Translations Coordinator
translations@hispanic-center.org
T (616) 742-0200 ext 131
F (616) 742-0205
Alicia Gaitan
Mexican-American
Community Support Coordinator
agaitan@hispanic-center.org
T (616) 742-0200 ext
F (616) 742-0205
Marisol Garcia
Mexican-American
Administrative Assistant
HCWMReceptionist@hispanic-center.org
T (616) 742-0200
F (616) 248-0905
Santiago Gayton
Chicano
Project Manager
sgayton@hispanic-center.org
T (616) 742-0200 ext 124
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
Ricardo Martinez
Mexican-American
Career Development Specialist
rmartinez@hispanic-center.org
T (616) 742-0200 ext 123
F (616) 742-0205
Alejandra Meza
Mexican-American
Community Navigation Specialist
ameza@hispanic-center.org
T (616) 742-0200 ext 113
F (616) 742-0205
Ana Ortiz
Colombian
CDBG Program Coordinator
aortiz@hispanic-center.org
T (616) 742-0200 ext 121
F (616) 742-0205
Griselda Perez
Mexican
Interpretations Coordinator
gperez@hispanic-center.org
T (616) 742-0200 ext 130
F (616) 742-0205
Lupe Perez
Mexican
Assistant to Language Services
interpretations@hispanic-center.org
T (616) 742-0200 ext 130
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
Daniela Rojas-Cortes
Costa Rican
Fund Development and Communications Manager
drojascortes@hispanic-center.org
T (616) 742-0200 ext 144
F (616) 742-0205
Jocelyne Romero
Mexican-American
Accounting and Executive Operations Coordinator
jromero@hispanic-center.org
T (616) 742-0200 ext 143
F (616) 742-0205
Daphne Windom
African American
La Escuelita Lead Teacher
dwindom@hispanic-center.org
La Escuelita Classroom: (616) 965-9667
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 -
- Susan Ledy, Trustee - Retired
- 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
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
Accountant Assistant
Volunteer Opportunities and Internships
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.
If you’re interested in individual assignments or group projects please fill out the volunteer/internship form and we’ll follow up with you. 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 Daniela Rojas-Cortes drojascortes@hispanic-center.org for more information.
Open Positions
Volunteer: Data Entry
Volunteer: Storage Unit Cleanout -Nov 23, 2019
Volunteer: Historical Registry
Volunteer: Front Desk (Must be able to speak Spanish & English)
Volunteer: 2019 Community Conversations Sessions (various positions)
Volunteer: Childcare for various events
Volunteer: La Gran Posada: A Christmas Open House
