Speakers at the Latino Community Association’s Empowering Families Luncheon on Dec. 12 reached across 25 years of history to show how LCA is meeting its most serious challenge.
“I knew I wanted to do something to support my community, but I never imagined it would be like stepping into a firestorm,” said Board President Luis Jimenez.
The Central Oregon immigrant community is “under fire,” he said, referring to aggressive ICE arrests. “You and I have two clear choices – sit back and watch, or be part of it. I choose action over indifference, and I can see the many people here in this room. I’m not alone.”
Mario Huerta told the audience how Father Mike Walsh chose him to lead El Programa de Ayuda more than 25 years ago. That hotline for resources grew into the Latino Community Association. He thanked Catalina Estrada, Laura González, and Iscela Sánchez for selling tamales to support the program. He recognized Manuel Lopez for his community organizing and the late Dennis Maloney for his help and encouragement.
“It truly was a labor of love,” Huerta said.
Executive Director Catalina Sánchez Frank described how she stepped into her role in early February, just a couple of weeks into the new Trump administration. “In those first days, it felt like the ground was constantly moving under me,” she said. “But I walked into an organization filled with incredible staff and an army of volunteers who show up for our community every single day.”
She echoed the words of Deputy Director Mary Murphy. “We are doing everything in our power to protect immigrant families.”
In 2025, LCA shifted from a mission to help Latino families thrive to help the Latino community survive, Sánchez Frank emphasized. She outlined LCA’s impact during Fiscal Year 2024-2025 in family empowerment, health, employment, English and citizenship classes, and immigration help and advocacy.
“When you leave today, I hope you carry our message of hope with you,” Sánchez Frank urged supporters. “Talk about this work. Talk about this moment. Help us build the understanding and solidarity our community needs right now.”
Audience members watched a slide show and video with testimony from clients and community partners, and dined on cuisine from ¡Hola! Restaurant. Their donations, plus sponsor contributions, enabled LCA to raise $80,000.
This story is based on submitted information and has not been verified by our news team.
