History
Centro Presente was founded by Sister Rose Marie Cummings in direct response to the rapidly growing community of Salvadoran refugees fleeing violence, government repression and instability during the civil conflicts in Central America in the 1980s. Many came to settle in the Central Square area of Cambridge, where they joined hands with the faith-based and legal services communities to create Centro Presente, to address their needs as a new immigrant community. Centro Presente was at the forefront of what was at the time a growing movement across the country struggling for rights for Central American immigrants facing discriminatory immigration policies, as well as struggling in solidarity with social movements in Central America to oppose US military intervention.
Specialties
Established in 1981, Centro Presente is a member-driven, state-wide Latin American immigrant organization dedicated to the self-determination and self-sufficiency of the Latin American immigrant community of Massachusetts. Operated and led primarily by Central American immigrants, Centro Presente struggles for immigrant rights and for economic and social justice. Through the integration of community organizing, leadership development and basic services, Centro Presente strives to give our members voice and build community power.