ARCOLA - Mi Raza represents a safe haven for the very large Hispanic population in Douglas County.
Monday evening, the Douglas County Board of Public Health was considering closing their doors even after the center has given nearly 300 immigrants a chance at citizenship. For one beneficiary of the resource Deneli Rabanalez Hernandez, this facility represents a second home and a wealth of opportunities and support that was given to her family.Â
She said, "It was very difficult for them to pick up on the language, and I think that's why seeing what is done here is so near and dear to my heart because my parents were in that situation and seeing other people's parents be in that same situation and receive help and encouragement here because it's not easy."
The Center is funded by state grants, and since the budget blockade, a financial future was uncertain.
Director Tim Flavin said, "We've really been aggressive here in the last few weeks. We launched a GoFundMe campaign and also reached out to businesses in town and reached 80 percent of our goal in that short period of time, and we don't want to lose that momentum or trust."Â
The board voted to continue to support the program until September.
To counteract any financial strain for FY '17, Flavin and other volunteers with the Center have set up a GoFundMe campaign, as well as applied for a 501 C3. To help support their continued efforts follow the link.
