Our Mission
Empowering Youth, Strengthening Families, Engaging Community.
Our Vision
For Latinx families to aspire upwards to reach personal and professional goals while feeling engaged and strengthened with the tools for success.
How does Centro do the work?
Centro believes in esperanza (hope) as foundational in all it does. Through programming and in partnership with the community, Centro aims to strengthen access to family-centered community strategies that address the social determinants of health. Whether through youth programming, immigration services, or family services, the intent is that the community engages with staff committed to centering hope and healing for themselves and those they serve.
Centro’s true impact is seen when the Latinx community takes action and defines their life's journey on their terms.
OUR VALUES
Foster Connections
We are a welcoming community, and we take great care to ensure support and belonging for all.
Live with Courage
We will question our own assumptions protect and defend our rights and the rights of others, lead in collaborative ways, and seek help and guidance when we need it.
Act with Mutual Respect and Dignity
We embrace our diverse cultural assets, which collectively make us stronger.
Nourish Community
We work together to create and advance opportunities for all.
Demonstrate Integrity
We make time to clarify our collective principles, do the work it takes to live ethically and establish systems to hold ourselves and each other accountable.
Ways to Take Action
“When I moved to Madison from Venezuela over 20 years ago, I felt alone—without my family, my friends, or a sense of community. That changed when I found Centro. From the moment I walked in, it immediately felt like home. I felt welcomed, supported, and like I truly belonged. To me, Centro means home.”
Sujhey Beisser
“Being able to showcase my family traditions and experience an openness from others to learn has been both eye-opening and amazing experience. My Abuela Benita and I have been able to share this experience together and for that I am thankful to Centro.”
Alondra Lavariega Castellanos
“Centro has been a place of healing. When I started working at Centro in 2017, it was immediately apparent our focus on community wellness. Since we can only give what we have, we have made more intentional our focus in co-creating internally at Centro a space of interdependence, that honors the different perspectives and is restorative in addressing issues that arise. We focus on our strengths for resistance and collective healing.”
Evelyn Cruz
