by Yvonne Francisco
(originally published by Lowell Corazon Latino in Spanish)
Lowell – The Latinx Community Center for Empowerment (LCCE), a key organization in the city, recently celebrated its fifth anniversary, establishing itself as an essential pillar for the Hispanic and Latinx community in the region.
Founded in 2019 by Executive Director Diego Leonardo, the center’s mission is to empower Latinos through education programs, workforce development, financial education, and community activities that promote inclusion and representation.
Since its inception, LCCE has worked to eliminate barriers that have historically affected Latinos, such as lack of access to essential resources and language limitations. Through its innovative model, the center not only seeks to overcome these challenges but also aims to leverage the talents and skills of this community to contribute to the development of Lowell as an inclusive and vibrant city.
The celebration event for LCCE’s 5th anniversary brought together dozens of community members and organizational representatives, marking the occasion with a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the inauguration of the new LCCE location at 97 Central Street in the city.
Key Programs
Maria Aybar, LCCE’s Director of Operations, reaffirmed the organization’s commitment, stating that LCCE celebrates the cultural richness of Latin America through the Hispanic and Latinx Festival every year.
The event brings the community together with dances, food, art, and culture, reflecting the diversity of the 33 countries and 448 languages that represent the region. Additionally, in collaboration with UMass Lowell, the Lowell Historical Center, and the National Historical Park, the organization has launched the Lowell Latinx Archive, a collection of oral histories that gives voice to local leaders and highlights their contributions and challenges in the city.
LCCE’s achievements are impressive: over 150 students have participated in its English classes, and 300 people have received cultural competency training this year. The expansion of its programs has allowed them to double the number of teaching sessions, now offering classes in the afternoons as well. With a new physical space that houses all of its activities, LCCE is better equipped to meet the growing needs of the community.
Looking to the future, the organization has set two major goals. First, to strengthen partnerships with local institutions and organizations to deepen the understanding of the Latinx community’s needs. Second, to expand its team by hiring volunteers, alumni, and engaged community members to continue reflecting the diversity they represent.
On behalf of LCCE, Aybar thanked the continuous support from partners like the Greater Lowell Community Foundation, which has been key to the success of their initiatives. With this backing, the organization remains committed to raising the visibility of the Latinx community and strengthening its presence in all aspects of life in Lowell.
A Model that Transforms Lives
LCCE’s work is based on three fundamental pillars: Breaking barriers by helping the Latinx community overcome challenges like language and limited access to essential resources; Building strengths through programs that foster personal and professional development, utilizing individual skills and talents; and Prosperous communities by promoting active participation of Latinos in the civic, social, and economic spheres of Lowell. This comprehensive approach seeks to empower the community and foster an inclusive environment where its members can reach their full potential.
Currently, LCCE’s annual budget is $257,000, a testament to its growth and impact. However, the center has ambitious plans for the future. In the next two years, they expect to double the number of English classes, expand workforce training programs, hire more full-time staff, and strengthen partnerships with other local institutions serving the Latinx community. To achieve this, they aim to reach a budget of $460,000 by 2025 and $1,230,000 by 2026 to sustain these initiatives and broaden their impact.
A Call to Socially-Responsible Investors
LCCE offers a unique opportunity for investors interested in making a difference in one of Massachusetts’ most vibrant communities. The organization seeks strategic partners who share its mission and are willing to support initiatives that create lasting impact.
With an ambitious vision and a track record of success, LCCE invites entrepreneurs, institutions, and philanthropists to join this effort and be part of a transformation that promises both social and economic benefits. Ways to support include sponsoring the Lowell Hispanic and Latinx Festival, providing scholarships for students to attend language classes, helping LCCE secure its own space, donating technology, and more.
Official Recognition
The Massachusetts House of Representatives and State Senate presented proclamations to honor LCCE’s work. State Representative Vanna Howard presented a citation on behalf of the Speaker of the House, Ronald Mariano. In her message, she highlighted: “Your commitment to uplifting the Latinx community through education, culture, and civic participation has made a tremendous difference in our community. Thank you for all that you do, and I raise a toast to many more years of impactful work and wish you continued success.”
Meanwhile, Michelle Bouchard, representing Senator Edward Kennedy, presented a Senate citation recognizing the opening of LCCE’s new office in downtown Lowell. The document emphasized: “The Massachusetts Senate extends its congratulations to the Latinx Community Center for Empowerment in recognition of the opening of its new office in downtown Lowell and for five years of dedicated work empowering the Latinx community in Lowell. It also extends its best wishes for continued success.”
