The Hispanic-American Council of Kalamazoo has endured a tough year that has included its former executive director pleading guilty to embezzlement and identity theft. And now the Council is facing a fund raising deadline to receive a matching grant from the Kalamazoo Community Foundation. WMUK’s Gordon Evans spoke with Lori Mercedes interim Director of the Hispanic-American Council.
Mercedes says the Council offers English as a second languages and parenting classes. She says they also have partnerships with the Kalamazoo Public Schools and the Boys and Girls Club.
Mercedes says the Council has to raise $75,000 by March 12th to receive a matching grant from the Kalamazoo Community Foundation. Mercedes says raising money has been difficult because of Ramon Berlanga-Rodriguez’s guilty plea to charges of embezzlement and identity theft.
Mercedes says she is the only paid staff member right now. She says the Council is running largely thanks to volunteers and interns. But Mercedes says “closing and shutting down is not an option.”
Kalamazoo Gazette stories on:
The Hispanic-American Council's fundraising challenge
Ramon Berlanga-Rodriguez's guilty plea
