Ibero announces move for headquarters to St. Michael’s Church campus

Ibero-American Action League Inc. is readying to move its administrative offices from 817 East Main St. to the campus of St. Michael’s Church on Evergreen Street.  

Ibero-American Action League Inc. is reading to move its administrative officers from 817 East Main St. to the campus of St. Michael’s Church on North Clinton Avenue. Renovations at the site will begin shortly, with the full transition occurring in January.  

Angelica Perez-Delgado, Ibero’s president and CEO, said the organization has advocated and invested resources into the neighborhood where it will re-locate for more than 50 years.  

“This move brings my leadership team home, strengthens connections to the Clinton Avenue community, enhances projects such as the International Plaza and anchors our beloved St. Michael’s Church,” Perez-Delgado said.  

Ibero is a dual language multi-service agency that uplifts, empowers and advocates for Latinos and the underserved to achieve equity and become fully valued community members. 

[email protected] / (585) 653-4021 

Ibero receives $50,000 in state funding for move

Ibero-American Action League’s Centro de Oro has received $50,000 in funding from the state to assist individuals over the age of 60.

As the only senior center catered specifically for Latinos over the age of 60, Centro de Oro — meaning Gold Center — serves as an educational center and a “home away from home” for seniors facing isolation. The center’s attendees more than doubled after Hurricane Maria and it has faced large funding shortages since.

“Centro de Oro sets the standard for senior care and provides an essential service to our local Latinx population in Rochester,” said state Sen. Jeremy Cooney, D-Rochester, who played a role in obtaining the funding. “I am proud to have supported a state budget that prioritizes our most vulnerable citizens, including our seniors. This funding will play a critical role in Ibero’s outreach into underserved communities.”

Although Centro de Oro is facing funding challenges, Ibero deems it a service critical to the mission of the organization and has worked diligently to secure additional support. Ibero has partnered with the city of Rochester to relocate the center to the Trenton and Pamela Jackson R-Center.

“On behalf of Ibero and the seniors, I would like to thank Senator Cooney for his generous show of support for our senior center and the well-being of our elders,” said Angelica Perez-Delgado, president and CEO of Ibero. “These funds will help Ibero continue serving Latino seniors by maintaining a bilingual, culturally-sensitive environment unique to this population.”

Established in 1968, Ibero is a dual-language human services agency that builds stronger families and greater self-sufficiency among individuals and families of all ethnic backgrounds.

[email protected] / 585-653-4021
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Capital Region nonprofit merges with Ibero

Centro Civico, a Latino non-profit organization serving Amsterdam and the Capital Region, has merged with Ibero-American Action League, the two organizations said on Friday. Centro Civico will become a division of Rochester’s Ibero-American Action League.

“The opportunities this merger brings for the community are very exciting,” said long-time Centro Civico board President Roberto Ochoa. “We look forward to working with Ibero to expand the range of services we provide to individuals and families we serve in Amsterdam and the entire Capital Region.”

With an annual operating budget of $14 million and nearly 300 employees, Ibero offers a variety of services including early childhood programs, youth services, family support services, employment services, entrepreneurial assistance, group homes for the developmentally disabled, housing development, a senior center and a 24-hour Latin FM radio station.

Centro Civico offers many of the same services and will leverage Ibero’s experience to expand in new areas.

In addition to its Rochester headquarters, Ibero also has facilities in Buffalo and in the Southern Tier town of Waverly.

“We find deep comfort in protecting our legacy and commitment to the growing Latino community during these unprecedented and challenging times,” said Ibero President and CEO Angelica Perez-Delgado. “This merger strengthens both organizations and now more than ever, it is crucial for those who serve vulnerable communities to work together.”

Many of the expenses from the merger were covered by a grant from the United Way of Greater Rochester Inc. Synergy Fund.

“This merger is the result of years of hard work and dedication from our partners at the Ibero American Action League and Centro Civico to best serve their consumers,” said Jennifer Cathy, chief impact officer at United Way. “United Way is thrilled to be able to provide this support, thanks to many generous donors, through its Synergy Fund with a focus on how to best meet the needs of local communities.”

[email protected] / 585-653-4021
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Ibero-American Action League collecting donations for Puerto Rico evacuees

The Ibero-American Action League Inc. has launched an online donation campaign to help those affected by recent earthquakes in Puerto Rico.

Source: U.S. Department of the Interior, U.S. Geological Survey
Source: U.S. Department of the Interior, U.S. Geological Survey

The Rochester not-for-profit already has helped two dozen households who have relocated to Rochester since a magnitude 4.7 earthquake hit southwest Puerto Rico on Dec. 28. Many residents in the affected area remain without electricity, medical aid and other necessities.

Ibero is reconvening the Multi-Agency Resource Center that served thousands of displaced Puerto Ricans escaping Hurricane Maria in 2017. During that crisis, roughly 1,000 people walked through the doors of a five-hour welcome reception the agency held at its Clifford Avenue resource center.

More than 25 Rochester agencies collaborated to help evacuees of the Category 4 hurricane. Ibero is encouraging anyone with friends or family arriving from the devastated U.S. territory to visit the organization’s Stability, Education and Employment Services department. Donations to the campaign can be made at ibero.org/donate.

Ibero was founded in 1968 as a dual-language human services organization that works toward the advancement of the Latino community in Greater Rochester.

[email protected] / 585-653-4021
Follow Velvet Spicer on Twitter: @Velvet_Spicer

Urban League chief to speak at St. John Fisher graduation

The outgoing president and CEO of the Urban League of Rochester, William G. Clark, will be the commencement speaker at St. John Fisher College during graduation ceremonies May 11.

Clark is a 1978 graduate of Fisher, having earned a bachelor’s degree in management there. He also holds an MBA with a concentration in accounting from Rochester Institute of Technology. At the commencement exercises, he will receive an honorary doctorate of humane letters from the college.

William G. Clark
William G. Clark

Two other veterans of Rochester human services organizations will be honored at the graduation as well – the recently retired Hilda Rosario-Escher, past president and chief executive officer of Ibero American Action League, and A. Dirk Hightower, executive director of the Children’s Institute. They will receive President’s Medals.

“We are so pleased to honor Bill, Hilda, and Dirk – these community champions – for their strong leadership in our community, the commitment they have demonstrated in their respective roles, and the broad impact of their work,” said Fisher President Gerard J. Rooney. “We know our graduates will see in them people they would like to emulate in their lives after Fisher.”

Clark has served in several capacities – sometimes more than one at the same time — during his 37 years at the Urban League. He was appointed president and CEO in 1994.

Focusing on education, economic parity, housing and employment for African-Americans, Latinos, and disadvantaged residents, Urban League provides some 30 programs for youth, families, and adults.

Details of the graduation ceremonies are on the college’s website.

[email protected]/(585) 363-7275

Ibero-American Action League names new leader

Angelica Perez-Delgado, an executive at the Villa of Hope, has been named president and CEO of the Ibero-American Action League.

Perez-Delgado replaces longtime CEO Hilda Rosario Escher.

Angelica Perez-Delgado. Photo supplied by Ibero-American Action League
Angelica Perez-Delgado (Photo courtesy Ibero-American Action League)

“While Hilda is leaving behind a great legacy and we are sad to see her leave, the board of directors is very excited about Ibero’s future and having a leader like Angelica to lead us in this new chapter for the organization,” said the board chairman, Miguel Velazquez.

Perez-Delgado also was a member of the Ibero board. In her job at chief administrative officer and compliance officer at Villa of Hope, her responsibilities also included organizational development, human resources, informational technology, facility operations and strategic initiatives.

“I am grateful to the board and humbled for the opportunity to lead Ibero. I am passionate and deeply connected to our mission.” Perez-Delgado said.  “I am excited about the opportunity to join talented, passionate and committed staff in leading Ibero into the future.”

Perez-Delgado holds a master’s degree in health administration from Roberts Wesleyan College and a bachelor’s degree in community human services from Empire State College. The 50-year old Ibero-American Action League is a dual-language human services agency serving people of all ethnic backgrounds.

 

[email protected]/(585) 363-7275