Our Staff |
José E Rivera |
Executive Director
TEL: (503) 359-0446 ext: 26
e-mail: jerivera@centrocultural.org
About me:
Throughout my entire adult life, I have found the time to assist someone in need and make a difference. I feel fortunate working here at Centro Cultural; I work with people who daily are making a difference in people’s lives. We do, without thinking, that these small differences add up to big differences in people’s lives, which we often cannot foresee. I think that’s what the founding families were thinking when they decided to create a place where people in need could find a refuge of hope. Today, forty years later Centro Cultural still offers people hope and assistance.
“El ruido no hace bien; el bien no hace ruido”. San Vicente de Paúl |
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Daniela Garza |
Administrative Assistant
Phone: (503) 359-0446 ext: 23
e-mail: dgarza@centrocultural.org
About me:
I have always known that it is my duty to take back into my community, what I have learned. I take great pride and am humbled to know that we make a difference here at Centro Cultural. Not only am I able to work on my personal goals and dreams of building a better community, but at the same time, to work towards the legacy that my grandparents had established. Every day, I continue to learn, to grow from the members of Centro Cultural. Every day, I am reminded of the struggles and barriers that we, and our community face but, every day I see smiles that give me hope and confidence in that what we do here and now, will change tomorrow.
"Awareness of our situation must come before inner changes, which in turn come before changes in society. Nothing happens in the "real" world unless it first happens in the images in our heads. I change myself, I change the world" - Gloria Anzaldua
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Carlos López |
Information & Referal Specialist | Front Desk
Phone: (503) 359-0446 ext: 21
e-mail: clopez@centrocultural.org
About me:
We all have a purpose for which we were put on this earth. Every day there is a goal to fulfill; each moment there is a reason to live for. Long as we have vision, we have a reason to live.
The Centro Cultural in itself is not the building, but it is made up of the people who work in it. The quality of service we give can only be as good as the vision of the employees who work here. I feel fortunate to work with people who love the Latino culture and strive to serve the community. Who says we can only have one purpose? The sky is the limit.
" For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to everyone that believes." - Romans 1:16 |
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Elsa Barbosa |
Healthy Kids
Phone: (503) 359-0446 ext: 30
esandoval@centrocultural.org
About me:
Centro Cultural is the base for many individuals/families in celebrating the richness of diversity, building a strong community, and the strength of collaboration and partnership. I am fortunate in working here at Centro Cultural as the Healthy Kids Coordinator and being able to assist families and individuals in getting their medical coverage and the health care their kids need. Having five children and as the Healthy Kids Coordinator I know how important it is for children to have health care coverage.
I have been active in Centro for the past five years. I volunteered at Centro for the Fiestas Patrias, children’s day, Posadas and many more events. I also assisted my mom Matilde Sandoval with the Thanksgiving Lunch that was hosted by Centro Cultural.
“Each child is an adventure into a better life --an opportunity to change the old pattern and make it new.” - Hubert H. Humphrey |
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Sarah Jaquez |
Healthy Kids Co-Coordinator
TEL: (503) 359-0446 ext: 30
sjaquez@centrocultural.org
About me:
For years now I have loved helping others in any way possible. You could call it a passion of mine. Being part of the Centro Cultural has helped me do what I love and the Healthy Kids program has helped me not only help others, it has also helped me change my views on life and be thankful for what I have. Overall, it is a great place to be part of and I am lucky to be part of Centro’s staff.
“It’s a small world after all” – Zazu from the Lion King
The truth is that it is not a small world after all it is immense and day after day we should all strive to make it a better place not only for ourselves but for others as well. In my view that’s what the founders believed in: Making the community and the world a better place. |
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 Gretchen Keefer
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ESL Coordinator
e-mail: esl@centrocultural.org
About me:
Gretchen Keefer, BA, MS Ed, Teaching English as a Second Language certification, adult education certificate.
Since 1985 I have taught in a variety of programs - basic adult education, work place English, college bound summer programs. The ESL instruction I enjoy the most is helping adults gain the basic life skills they need to thrive in our society, such as we teach at Centro Cultural.
I have coordinated the ESL program since fall 2002 and do whatever I can to support our volunteers. I could not teach so many people at so many different levels by myself.
"Ideal teachers are those who use themselves as bridges over which they invite their students to cross, then having facilitated their crossing, joyfully collapse, encouraging them to create bridges of their own." -- Nikos Kazantzakis |
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