2023 was a year of great advocacy by our agency, alongside our partners in the community. Among such efforts was our collaboration with our friends at Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights on their petition to the state and federal government for Dignified Care For All, following the wave of newly arrived immigrants to our city. We were proud to stand alongside them not only privately, but also publicly at two televised press conferences downtown this past fall. At Centro Romero, we have seen time and time again that when we join together, real change is possible.

Additionally, in October, our Executive Director Daysi Funes, and Associate Director Diego Samayoa, sat down with Illinois State Senator Mike Simmons, who represents our district. Senator Simmons has been a long-term partner and advocate of the work that our agency does in the community, and he shares our goals for greater agency and self-sufficiency for the Chicago immigrant and refugee community. This discussion paved the way for further collaboration between our two organizations.

Finally, this fall our Adult Education program, under the leadership of its new director Jackie Seward, held an orientation for new students. Events like these allow students to get acquainted with our agency and the work that we do in the community, as well as with what they can expect as a student here. At Centro Romero, we believe that it is never too late to further your education, regardless of age or skill level.