The Latino immigrants who come to Centro Romero are united by one simple goal: to acquire skills that will help them become successful Americans.

Every year, thousands of newcomers find their way to this community-based organization on Clark Street on the Far North Side to learn how to use a computer, iron out legal issues and, most of all, to read and speak English better.

On a recent afternoon, a literacy class had just let out and mothers, mostly from Mexico, came to the child care room down the hall to scoop up their preschoolers who were listening to a story — a two-generation dose of education and self-reliance.

For 30 years, Centro Romero has been serving the Edgewater, Rogers Park and Uptown neighborhoods, expanding opportunities for residents with few options. It is one of the local nonprofits that receives financial support through Chicago Tribune Charities a McCormick Foundation Fund.

Read the full article by Bonnie Miller Rubin in the