Catholic Social Services (CSS) announced the expansion of its Our Lady of Guadalupe Center in Columbus with a construction dedication and blessing for its Latino Outreach Center on Jan. 9.
The new location is situated one mile from the current site at 3631 Soldano Blvd. on a new COTA bus route.
The new Outreach Center, formerly a Chuck E. Cheese that boasts almost 12,000 square feet, will be dedicated to serving the Latino community, providing an array of vital services, including nutrition and food, workforce training, housing navigation, case management, support for new moms, emergency assistance, a small business incubator, language assistance/ESL classes and health resources.
“We are excited to open this center, which will serve as a hub for the Latino community,” said S. Kelley Henderson, CSS president and CEO. “Our goal is to empower individuals and families, ensuring they have access to the support they need to thrive in our community.”
In addition to its core services, the center will offer regular volunteer opportunities for partners, embodying its motto of “Neighbors Serving Neighbors” and celebrating the importance of walking alongside one another to foster a sense of belonging and connection among community members.
The ceremony included Bishop Earl Fernandes and was attended by community partners, city and state representatives, benefactors and CSS team members.
For more information about the expanded Latino Outreach Center, contact Julie Naporano, CSS vice president of development and communications, at jnaporano@colscss.org or 614-857-1236.