news-record.com

HIGH POINT -- Latino Family Center's mission centers on helping Latinos connect to resources in the community.

The mission is not new, but leaders recently changed how it is carried out, with a focus on young people and a holistic approach that centers on reaching one person in hopes of serving the entire family.

A core value is biculturalism that honors Latino traditions and language, but it also teaches American ways. Staff members never ask about immigration status.

Recently, for instance, a family living in a homeless shelter was referred to the center from Family Services of the Piedmont. Center staff were able to place the mother in English and computer classes, and the mother now is a volunteer at the center. A teenage boy went into the Hermanos program, and a girl joined Hermanas.

One boy was referred to the Latino Boy Scout Troop, and three children received scholarships to summer camp, held in conjunction with Wesley Memorial United Methodist Church, which, along with St. Mary's Episcopal Church, works closely with the center.

"The children had been abused, and in summer camp they smiled, and the social worker told us they never smiled," said Margarita Kerkado, who is in charge of programs at the center. "We have photos of them smiling. One of the kids has started to talk with the teacher and come out of the shell."

The center has core programs into which most people fit. El Pueblo is for adults. Hermanas for females and Hermanos for males is for middle and high school students. Both youth programs are strong on mentoring to keep young people out of trouble. Mentors target areas such as reducing pregnancy, drop-out rates and gang participation.

"We provide programs that help them believe in themselves by providing enrichment and provide somebody telling them they need experienced help," Kerkado said.

The center also refers clients to other programs in the community, such as English as a Second Language classes provided by Guilford Technical Community College at St. Mary's Episcopal Church.

Adults most often need help with language, jobs, health needs and housing. "Because the staff here is bicultural and bilingual, they're not afraid (of us) but are afraid to go to other agencies unless we set it up," said Kerkado, who came to High Point seven years ago from Mexico. She has a master's degree in nutrition, with a focus on diabetes management, and she was a nutritionist at a hospital in Mexico.

"Our goal is to provide more services with the same quality and compassion," Kerkado said.