Sent to all mediaFor immediate releaseNovember 25, 2009Spanish below

El Centro Latino Undergoing Changes

For the past few years, El Centro Latino has been dealing with many challenges including reduced grant fundsand individual donations, leadership and staff transitions, as well as the economic recession. All of thesefactors have made it difficult for El Centro Latino (ECL) to continue pursuing its mission.On Wednesday, November 18th, the Board of Directors faced the tough reality that ECL does not havesufficient funds to continue operating at its current capacity. It is with great regret and sadness that the Boardwishes to inform the entire community that ECL closed its doors to the public on Wednesday, November 25th.The Board is not dissolving the organization and will host a community wide meeting in January to discuss inmore detail the plans for the future of the organization and how to best meet the needs of the Latinocommunity of Orange County. Details about the meeting will be sent out at a later date.Board members wish to thank all of the staff for their hard work, dedication and commitment. ECL is proudto have helped improve the lives of thousands of Latino immigrants in Orange County since 1999 throughprograms such as individualized employment assistance, English as a Second Language classes, after-schoolenrichment, cultural events and more. We are also grateful for all the support that we received from ourvolunteers, community members, other organizations, churches, local government, businesses, foundationsand donors.The Board would like to acknowledge and thank Ilana Dubester, Interim Executive Director, for her work tostructure and organize El Centro Latino in the last six months. We are fortunate to have had her help duringthis transition.To the entire Orange County community, please accept our sincere gratitude for your support and yourunderstanding. If you would like additional information about this notice or the meeting in January, pleaseemaileclcarrboro@gmail.comor call Paula Gildner at 919-966-0465 or Josmell Perez at 919-843-5517.Respectfully,The Board of Directors of El Centro Latino