HEART
AT THE
CENTRO
CAPITAL CAMPAIGN
$1,000,000
of our $8,000,000 goal has been raised
At the heart of every gift is a stronger tomorrow.
Building with Heart
The Hispanic Center of Western Michigan (HCWM), is the largest organization in the state serving our Hispanic community. Founded in 1978, the goal of The Center is to provide unmet social services.
Located in the heart of the Roosevelt Park, the largest Latino neighborhood in Grand Rapids, The Center has long been a place of trust, advocacy, and connection. Now building a space where the heart of our community can thrive.
In the summer of 2024, HCWM purchased a historical church directly across their current administration office. The three story, 18,000 square foot building will become El Centro Community Hub.
The multi-purpose facility will offer local agencies who provide services currently scattered throughout the county, with a centralized location to meet clients. It will also be home to the La Escuelita, an affordable, high-quality Preschool and Daycare and adding a new pilar.
With your support, our vision will become a reality in summer 2026.
The Vision
Expanding Core Services
- Enhancing our Family Support, Workforce Development, Youth & Education, and Language Services programs.
- Over 50 trusted partners onsite providing services such as healthcare referrals, financial literacy, and more.
Investing in Our Children's Future
- Our bilingual daycare and preschool to be onsite.
- Approximately 65+ licensed spots for children 0-5, serving over 100,00 care hours annually.
- Family wrap around services to promote school readiness and parent engagement.
Empowering Through Legal Access
- Provide low-cost or pro-bono immigration support.
- Provide legal advice and guidance on immigration law and procedures.
- Provide support to clients during the immigration process, including preparing the for interviews and helping them navigate the system.
A Teaching Cocina
- A classroom for nutrition education, food budgeting, and cultural cooking.
- A training space for culinary workforce development.
- A hub for community meals and cultural exchange.
Meet Our Capital Campaign Cabinet
We are proud to introduce our Capital Campaign Cabinet—dedicated leaders who have committed their time, talent, and treasure to HCWM’s largest capital campaign, and we are deeply grateful for their unwavering support and willingness to give back to our community.
Omar Cuevas
Grand Rapids Chamber of Commerce
Co-Chair
When I was asked to serve as co-chair, my immediate response was a clear and heartfelt yes: How can I help? The Hispanic Center has long been a beacon for the prosperity of West Michigan’s Latino community by uplifting and unlocking the potential of newcomers. As an immigrant from Mexico, I feel a deep calling to support this effort. This campaign is about our future, and I’m committed to doing whatever I can to help move it forward.”
Omar is a first-generation immigrant from Mexico with a deep commitment to building an inclusive economy. As Senior Vice President at the Grand Rapids Chamber, he leads resource development and strategic growth by cultivating key relationships within both the Chamber and the broader community. Prior to his current role, Omar spent nearly two decades in banking and lending at a regional financial institution. Today, he also leads the Chamber’s Welcome Work with New Americans through the Kent County Welcome Plan, advancing strategies that unlock the economic potential of immigrants and refugees. Outside of his professional work, Omar is an active leader and volunteer, serving on numerous local boards and initiatives. His dedication reflects a lifelong passion for creating a stronger, more inclusive economic landscape across West Michigan.
Jay Ahmed
Highpoint Bank
Co-Chair
“As an immigrant who became a naturalized U.S. citizen and built a career in the banking sector, I’ve learned priceless lessons – both personally and professionally. I’ve experienced many of the challenges that immigrants and minorities often face: navigating an unfamiliar system, overcoming language barriers, dealing with financial uncertainty, and too often, only finding help that comes with a price tag.
More than 25 years ago, I was fortunate to receive support from the Hispanic Center of West Michigan. They guided me through the citizenship process and helped change the course of my life. I remain forever grateful for their support, which continues to inspire me to this day. That experience fuels my purpose: to serve immigrants, minorities, small business owners, and anyone seeking a trusted banker—someone with integrity who truly understands their journey and is committed to helping them achieve financial empowerment with honesty, clarity, and care.”
Capital Campaign Cabinet
Lea Tobar – Grand Rapids Public Schools
Gerson Moreno-Riaño, Ph.D – President of Cornerstone University
Executive Committee
Melissa Boughner – President
Zoraida Vélez – Vice President
Jocelyne Romero – Director of Financing
Eleazar Lopez-Diaz- Development & Marketing Coordinator
Francisco Martinez- Roman- Events & Public Relations Officer
Board of directors
- Board Chair Troy Cumings– Warner Norcross + Judd
- Board Vice President Rosa Estrada– Gentex
- Board Treasurer Jessica Podvin – DK Weiss & Associates
- Board Secretary Liza Alvarez
- Trustee Javier Cervantes– The Diatribe Inc
- Trustee Heidi Kattula– East GR Public Schools
- Trustee Gregory Meyer
- Trustee David Jasperse– Trinity Health Saint Mary’s
- Trustee Sonali Allen– Mercantile Bank
- Trustee David Smith– The Employer Association
- Trustee Daniel Quintanilla– Gentex
- Trustee Juanita Bocanegra
6 of Our 30+ Partners
FAQ
Most frequent questions and answers
For years, our community has asked for expanded access to resources, support services, and programs that empower families and individuals to thrive. Thanks to the generosity of our partners and supporters, we are launching HCWM’s largest capital campaign yet—a bold vision to build a new 18,000 square foot community hub that will bring all of our services under one roof.
This transformative space will allow us to better serve our community, create greater impact, and ensure every individual who walks through our doors has the opportunity to rise, grow, and succeed. Together, we’re not just building a facility—we’re building a future where our community can BUILD WITH HEART.
Our new 18,000 square foot El Centro Community Hub will be a central space where families and individuals can access the essential resources they need to thrive. It will include a bilingual daycare and preschool to provide affordable, high-quality early childhood education and care, supporting parents as they work and helping children build a strong foundation for lifelong success.
The Community Hub will also feature a dedicated Legal Resource Wing offering guidance on immigration, housing, and employment, along with a Teaching Cocina—a community kitchen for hands-on cooking classes, nutrition education, and job training. With additional space for workshops, support services, and community gatherings, this new building will allow us to serve our community more fully, all in one place.
Many of the families we serve—whether through our daily walk-in services or long-term programs—are working hard to build a better life, yet struggle to find affordable, culturally relevant childcare. Our new Community Hub will change that. With a bilingual daycare and preschool on site, we will provide safe, high-quality early education for up to 60 children, helping working parents stay employed, maintain stable housing, and ensure their children are school-ready. By expanding access to childcare, we are removing a major barrier to stability and helping families grow, learn, and thrive—together.
We project that $8 million, raised over the next two years, will allow us to successfully build our new 18,000 square foot Community Hub. Following a Pre-Campaign Feasibility Study conducted by Keith Hopkins Consulting in 2024, and after strategic conversations with key community partners, we confirmed not only strong community support but also the financial capacity to bring this vision to life.
The capital campaign will span two years, with a goal of reaching 75% of our $8 million fundraising target by the end of 2025. This milestone will allow us to break ground and begin construction in early 2026. The new Community Hub is scheduled to open its doors in August 2026, welcoming families, individuals, and partners into a space designed to serve, empower, and uplift our community for generations to come.
Both options are welcome. We understand that for some, a one-time gift is the best fit. For others, spreading their donation over two years (24 months) may be a more manageable way to give—and often allows them to contribute more generously. No matter how you choose to give—one-time, monthly, or annually—we are deeply grateful. Every gift brings us one step closer to opening the doors of our new Community Hub and expanding the impact we can have together.
Yes, this is a two-year capital campaign. If at any time you are able and inclined to support the Heart at the Centro capital campaign, it will be appreciated.
In general, we kindly ask that contributions be unrestricted, allowing us the flexibility to allocate funds where they’re needed most to keep the project on schedule and aligned with community priorities. However, if you feel a strong connection to a specific area—such as the daycare and preschool, legal wing, or Teaching Cocina—you are welcome to designate your gift, and our board will ensure it is used according to your wishes.
Different options for donor recognition are being considered with more information to come. For specific questions or ideas, please contact Melissa Boughner.
Many hands make the work lighter, and there is still so much to accomplish. We invite you to join us in this important journey—pray that our Community Hub will continue to transform lives for generations to come. Consider giving a gift above and beyond your current support. Encourage your friends and family to get involved and contribute. And please remember to include our mission in your estate planning to create a lasting legacy of hope and opportunity.