Click to download flyer:

English Mobile Clinic Flyer

Spanish Mobile Clinic Flyer

El Centro of Topeka was happy to support the  MANA 9^th Annual Latina Awards last night.

Special Congratulations to  one of El Centro of Topeka’s  Board of Directors, Manual Perez who received a 2013 MANA Latina Award last night. Manuel worked tirelessly for many years as the Executive Director of El Centro helping struggling families in order to make our community a better place. Even after retiring, he continues to help El Centro by serving as one of our board members. Congratulations!

El Centro of Topeka is now hiring 1 AmeriCorps*VISTA position to start in Mid-February 2013.   

El Centro of Topeka is currently accepting applications for an AmericCorps VISTA Development Coordinator. The Development Coordinator will help expand and strengthen the capacity of this organization by identifying new funding streams, planning fundraising events; creating fundraising material and more. This position will be rewarded with invaluable nonprofit skills in high demand as well as the gift of making a positive difference in the lives of struggling families.

What is AmeriCorps VISTA?
AmeriCorps VISTA is the national service program designed specifically to fight poverty. Founded as Volunteers in Service to America in 1965, VISTA has been on the front lines in the fight against poverty in America for more than 40 years. VISTA members commit to serve full-time for a year at a nonprofit organization working to fight illiteracy, improve health services, strengthen community groups, and much more.  VISTA members receive a living stipend and medical coverage. They also receive an education award at the end of their service to put towards students loans or grad school.

Development Coordinator VISTA duties:

-Build organizational capacity of the organization by researching prospective foundational grants; writing grants;

-Planning fund raising event

-Writing fund raising letter

-Draft and edit community newsletter

-Develop and maintain organizational database

 Preferred Qualifications:

Grant writing/Fundraising experience a plus. Excellent organization and communication skills. Demonstrated desire to work for social change. Self starter with capacity to follow through. Ability to manage multiple projects with varying degrees of complexity. Team player. Excellent writing skills. Experience in similar a program a plus.

AmeriCorps*VISTA Benefits:

• A living allowance, dispersed bi-weekly
• An education award OR a stipend upon successful completion of service
• Health care
• Relocation Allowance
• Loan forbearance on qualified student loans
• Interest accrual payment on qualified student loans
• Child care (if eligible)
• Training and professional development opportunities
• Extensive network of AmeriCorps Alums
• Non-competitive eligibility for federal government service (for one year after service)

For more information about the program and the position, please email Lalo Munoz at lmunoz(at)elcentrooftopeka.org

El Centro of Topeka wrapped up a great event hosting  lots of golfers in our first golf tournament.  We’re appreciated of all the support we received .

Thank you to all of the Sponsor of our golf tournament!

Adveritas Construction – Lunch Sponsor

Discount Toner and Ink

Schoolhouse Rental

Big Brothers and Big Sisters of Topeka

LULAC Council Number 11071

LULAC Senior Center

Cortez Transportation Company

Joe Gutierrez – State Farm Insurance

Scott, Quinlan, Willard, Barnes & Keeshan, L.L.C.

Prairie Band Casino and Resort

El Centro of Topeka is pleased to announce a partnership with Washburn University School of Nursing to offer FREE health screenings. The goal of the pilot program is to improve the health of individuals and the community through preventative health screenings, especially the poor and most vulnerable.

Plans are also being made to offer more screenings later this year. Bilingual volunteers will also be available to assist any Spanish speaking visitors. Making sure all communities receive preventative care will help to reduce an individuals potential future health care costs, as well as increasing the community members’ health.

These FREE health screenings will take place on Thursday June 7th and Thusday June 21st from 1:30pm until 3:30pm. Screenings will be located in the parking lot behind the offices of El Centro of Topeka located at 134 NE Lake, Topeka, Kansas 66616.

The mobile unit will provide various screenings, such as those for blood sugar, hypertension, diabetes, oral and skin cancers, and patient education. The mobile unit was created in 2005 and has served more than 5,000 individuals in northeast Kansas.

Verizon Wireless Retail Sales – Bilingual
You’re focused on your future – on finding the right fit for your talent and charisma, and making your presence known. And when you join Verizon Wireless, you’ll find unlimited opportunities to evolve, excel and amplify your success with a company that’s continually redefining the communications industry. If you’re ready to make your mark with a team that thrives on collaboration, you need to consider a future as a Verizon Wireless Retail Sales Representative.

Your record is defined by meeting challenges head-on and always striving for excellence. And it’s that tireless drive, coupled with your strong interpersonal skills and natural instinct to see opportunities at every turn, that sets you apart – and makes you a perfect fit for our team.
Qualifications:
We’re looking for someone who has what it takes to close sales, beat quotas and rack up commissions. You should have at least 1-2 years of sales experience in a commission environment. A college degree is prefered and bilingual Spanish skills are a definite plus. You must also be able to move throughout the store to actively engage customers, demonstrate products, and effectively execute the sales function.

In return for your talent and dedication, we’ll proudly support you with comprehensive benefits worthy of the name Total Rewards, including: award-winning training, a competitive salary, medical/dental/vision from day one, 401(k), work-life programs, phone discounts, generous tuition assistance, and unlimited opportunities to maximize your career potential.  Take a giant leap toward a career for everything you are. Visit us at careersatverizonwireless.com.

Job Opening: Room Attendent

Parrish Hotel, Inc. is seeking room attendants. This position is responsible for maintaining the highest of standards of cleanliness in all guest rooms. He or she must work to promote safety in all guest areas by following strict procedures with respect to pass keys, entry into guestrooms, and reporting any suspicious activity. Hours are flexible.

Applications are available at the El Centro of Topeka office or at any of the following locations: Ramada Convention Center, Holiday Inn Express and Suites, or the Senate Luxury Suite.

Families can immerse themselves in the traditions of the Hispanic and Latino cultures at El Día de los Ninos/El Día de los Libros (Children’s Day/Book Day) Friday, May 4 – perfect timing for those planning family friendly activities in honor of Cinco de Mayo.

El Día offers visitors free snacks, free books and exposure to different cultures. Check out the library’s Spanish-language materials and sign up for summer reading, where you can earn more free stuff just for reading the books and authors you love.

El Día Schedule of Events | Cambio de horario (all events in Marvin Auditorium)
6:00 pm – Book Pick-up | Entrega Recepción de Libros
6:05 pm – Dennis Rogers, Native American Dance Performance | Dennis Rogers presenta espectáculo de danza Nativa Americana
6:25 pm – Abuelita Mary Valdivia Reads Llama Llama Red Pajamas | La abuelita Mary Valdivia leeLlama Llama Rojo Pijama
6:35 pm – Rosie Cutrer, a Multicultural Storyteller | Presentación de Rosie Cutrer – cuentista multicultural
7:00 pm – Craft Time – Create a craft you can eat! | Tiempo de Manualidades- ¡crear una manualidad que te puedas comer!

About 500 individuals participate in our program each year, and many are Hispanic or Latino. All activities are presented in English and Spanish.

Día was founded in 1996 by Author Pat Mora to link children’s books, languages and cultures. Día means “day” in Spanish and is a family literacy initiative celebrated every year. It’s an opportunity for communities across the country to practice DÍA = Diversity in Action.

This program made possible by a generous donation from Marianna and Austin Nothern to The Library Foundation.

Join us for  a special meeting to learn more about El Centro of Topeka and an opportunity to improve the community.

El Centro of Topeka is partnering with the Topeka Fire Department to help share information about a smoke alarm grant it received. The TFD received a $73,700 grant from the Federal Emergency Management Agency. It will allow them to purchase 2500 smoke alarms and 3000 batteries to be given to families and individuals in need for FREE.

If you know of a family or elderly individual who would benefit from a FREE smoke alarm or a new smoke alarm battery please share this information. Lets help save lives!

TFD is coordinating with its firefighters union, El Centro of Topeka and other groups to have alarms installed in homes to ensure that they are working properly. Firefighters will come the house to make sure they are installed and working properly free of charge. The devices give people early warning and the best chance of getting safely out of a fire emergency.

The grant also provides for 100 smoke alarms designed for people who are hearing impaired.

Applications can be turned in to the addrress in the application or directly to El Centro of Topeka’s offices. For questions contact Lalo Munoz at 785-232-8207.

photo courtesy of http://www.flickr.com/photos/dottiemae/