Serving Latino Families Across the Midlands Serving Latino Families Across the Midlands

Our History and Purpose

The Latino Center of the Midlands, formerly known as the Chicano Awareness Center (CAC), was organized in 1971 when several members of Omaha’s Chicano community were concerned about the education of Chicano youth. Chicano students were experiencing low levels of academic achievement, poor self-concept and little awareness about their heritage as Chicanos.  


Back then, CAC began as a small community center that offered classes in Mexican art, music, folkloric dance and Spanish and English language instruction for youth and adults. Today, we proudly boast that the Latino Center of the Midlands has evolved into the premier social service agency providing cultural transition, education, social and health services to the growing Latino population in Nebraska.  
   

 

 

To promote the self-sufficiency and self-determination of Heartland Latino families and community by providing bilingual, high quality social, educational, economic, public health and advocacy services.

 

 

 Adult Education Resource Center (Established 2005)     
 Community-based adult education and skills development to strengthen the family unit.

  • Computer Information Technology Training Center
  • Spanish General Equivalency Diploma (GED)
  • Basic Skills classes
  • English as a Second Language
  • Driver’s Education

Substance Abuse Outpatient Treatment (Established in 1982) 

Outpatient treatment services to individuals diagnosed as having substance abuse disorders or a 
substance dependence disorder.

  • Outpatient substance abuse services that includes group and individual treatment.
  • Low Risk Offenders Group Therapy 
  • Adult Alcohol Education classes
  • Alcohol/Drug assessments and evaluations for adults.  

Family Based Services (Established in 1976) 

Access to appropriate services to promote self-sufficiency and self-determination. 

  • Referral and cultural transition assistance services in areas of employment, legal consults, immigration, housing, and emergency food and shelter. 
  • Health promotional education and strategies to reduce or eliminate barriers that prevent access to quality health care.
  • Disaster preparedness, First Aid/CPR and certified babysitting classes.

  Education and Student Support Services (Established in 1974)     

Creating pathways to higher education. 

  • School-based, higher education planning services for high school and middle school students.  Activities include college search, campus tours, financial aid workshops, scholarship application, and ACT/SAT preparation.                    
  • Advocacy at the national and state levels to facilitate access to higher education.
  • College outreach programs - Latino Latina Youth Conference.  
  • Latino Parent Institute and Heartland Latino Parent Conference.

 The Latino Center of the Midlands is recognized as a 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1954.