Partner Spotlight: Latino Community Association

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This month, we are so happy to highlight one of our dear partner organizations, the Latino Community Association (LCA). Lucia, LCA’s Development Manager, took the time to answer some of our questions, and we are so grateful to her. 

Tell me a little about the history of LCA and how it has grown over the years. 

Originally established in 1994 as a hotline known as Programa de Ayuda, LCA emerged in response to the challenges faced by Spanish-speaking families in Central Oregon. In 2000, we attained 501(c)(3) status and became LCA. 

The organization's resilience over the years is evident in its commitment to adapting programs and services to meet the evolving needs of the community. Before the pandemic in 2020, the team consisted of 12 people who dedicated all their efforts, along with donors, agencies, and volunteers, to serve the Latine population, who faced risks beyond those related to COVID-19, such as income/job loss and the risk of housing loss. 

With help from various stakeholders, LCA was able to support the Latine community and has increased staff to 27 people to date, increased the budget three times, and expanded to 4 cities in the region (Bend, Redmond, Madras, Prineville). LCA went from serving 1,500 people to more than 12,000 annually during the last 3 years. 

What does LCA do, in a nutshell? 

The organization's work has evolved from general ad hoc services to a comprehensive suite of programs. You can find out more details about each program on LCA's website:

• Workforce Empowerment Program 

• Client Service & Family Empowerment 

• Healthy Families

• Advocacy & Immigration

• Youth Development 

• Community Engagement & Communications

 LCA also organizes Cultural Enrichment events and activities, including the annual Central Oregon Latino Fest, City of Bend Welcoming Week, the Empowering Families Luncheon, and Dia de los Muertos events. 

What does LCA need from the Central Oregon community most right now? 

Right now, all organizations are experiencing the impact of federal-level changes and budget cuts, and more than ever, they need support. In our case, we’ve received support from community organizations and individuals through donations, gestures that lift our spirits—like letters of solidarity—and a historic increase in volunteers, for which we are deeply grateful. We need that kind of support, and we also need people to stay informed and engaged so that the attacks on civil society—which plays a critical role as both a sociopolitical counterbalance and a vehicle for community sustainability—do not continue to erode its strength. 

We need the community we directly serve—Latine/immigrant populations, who are among the primary targets of this administration—to know that they have allies here. Allies who participate in our workshops, but also in our community-building events and fundraisers, which we have been organizing and will continue to do. We need that support to remain strong, so we can continue building community bonds and creating an environment where everyone can feel safe and supported. 

What is one of the hardest things about your job?

 In any organization, ensuring financial capacity and sustainability is always a challenge. As Development Manager, I work directly with the leadership team, and some of the key challenges we face include trying to balance the organization's financial needs with its mission. We don't want to compromise our mission in order to access certain funds or respond to external pressures. 

There is also the ongoing pressure to meet financial goals so that our programs can operate smoothly. In the complex context we are currently living in, an additional challenge is navigating between urgency and sustainability. We must continue to secure emergency funds to support communities directly impacted by current crises, without losing sight of our long-term purpose—to support individuals and families beyond just urgent needs.

I would say that uncertainty across all sectors, budget cuts, political hostility, and the growing competition for private funding (especially as nonprofits are called on to fill the gaps left by public funding cuts), are all factors that make achieving my work more difficult. 

What is one of the most rewarding parts of your job? 

For me, one of the most rewarding aspects of my work is seeing the tangible impact when programs receive the funding they need and are able to continue operating and providing services to the community. Knowing that my efforts directly support the organization’s ability to fulfill its mission gives me deep satisfaction. 

I truly enjoy working as part of a team and deeply value the dedication and daily contributions of each of my colleagues, which allow us to keep moving forward together. I also recognize how fundraising is closely tied to the performance of each individual and program within the organization, making the work truly collaborative and holistic. 

Anything else you'd like to share? 

We’d love to invite everyone to our upcoming fundraising events. The first is the Duck Race, happening on September 7th. This event supports several organizations doing incredible work in our community, and this year we’re honored to be one of the beneficiaries. 

That same day, we’ll be hosting a beautiful concert at Trinity Episcopal Church, featuring the talented Yolanda Sánchez Peterson, who will perform iconic Latin American songs in tribute to the immigrant community. 

And to close out the month with joy, on September 28th, we’ll hold our Baile por la Comunidad/Dance for Community at Silver Moon Brewing, with live music by Son de Cuba, playing salsa, son, merengue, and cumbia. 

These events are a wonderful opportunity to celebrate the beauty of Latin culture, strengthen community connections, and support our programs, which provide essential services to improve quality of life and promote well-being across the region.

Thank you LCA for being such a wonderful support and network for our community 🫶