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We have just moved!
Address:
10914 Georgia Ave. (Back Entrance)
Wheaton, MD 20902
Phone: (301) 754-1801
Fax: (301) 754-1803
We have just moved!
Address:
10914 Georgia Ave. (Back Entrance)
Wheaton, MD 20902
Phone: (301) 754-1801
Fax: (301) 754-1803
Executive Director ptorres@centro-familia.org
Founded and directs Centro Familia, a 10 year-old community-based non-profit organization dedicated to improving the quality and availability of early care and education opportunities in low-income, immigrant neighborhoods. Ms. Torres has an Master’s degree in Education and Counseling Psychology from the University of Missouri.
Recognized leader with a reputation for dedication and passionate commitment to the community, able to influence and solicit support from key executives, government officials, and community leaders.
Involved in policy and political advocacy, and serves on several committees and boards at a local and national level.
20 years of experience in the delivery of social services to low income, English Language Learners and immigrant communities, in positions that ranged from clinician to executive director.
Pilar Torres, MEd.:
Vice-President, Board of Directors NAFCC National Association for Family Child Care
Latin-American Advisory Group, County Executive Montgomery County, MD (2005-present)
State of Maryland Early Childhood Education Committee (2004-2005)
Maryland’s Child Care Administration’s Advisory Council (2001-2003)
Chair Montgomery County’s Task Force on Quality Child Care in Immigrant Communities (2003)
Child and Family Local Management Board- Early Childhood Workgroup (2005)
Chair of Maryland Task Force on Child Care Issues in the Latino Community (2001)
Montgomery Women (2007-present)
Leadership Montgomery Executive Committee (2001)
Committee for Montgomery (2003-2007)
Awards:
Community Leader, Mid-Atlantic Hispanic Chamber of Commerce 2006
Montgomery Women’s Rising Star Award, 2005
March of Dimes- Celebrando el Espiritu Latino Honoree 2005
Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of Montgomery County Leadership Award, 2001
Washington Area Women’s Foundation Community Leadership Award, 2000
Maryland Department of Education “Women Who Dare” Leadership Award, 2000
Programs Director eserrano@centro-familia.org
Ms. Serrano has over 20 years of experience in the research, creation, implementation and management of educational projects and community services.
Her experience includes conducting formative sessions with individuals and groups of varied ages, cultural and ethnic and linguistic background and work with several charities and community groups.
Ms. Serrano is also an immigrant and a mother and very active in the childcare training and advocacy communities.
Program Coordinator – Community Outreach Specialist
mcruz-solis@centro-familia.org
Ms. Cruz has extensive experience working with underserved communities.
Her leadership skills and peoples approach make her a natural leader for LEONAS (Latinas Para la Educación y Orientación de la Niñez Asociadas), a network of Spanish Speaking child care providers Ms. Cruz helped create, that offers language and culturally sensitive mentoring, validation and professional development for the child care community.
Early Childhood Specialist – Program Coordinator rthorndahl@centro-familia.org
Ms. Espinoza-Thorndahl has been involved with early childhood education and training for the past five years. Her previous experience in parents training and home visiting with government-funded programs make her an ideal resource for the education and support of the immigrant community.
Programs Coordination Assistant lgarcia@centro-familia.org
Ms. Garcia joined Centro Familia as a young Americorps member and with the training and support of both Centro Familia and Americorps Project Change Program, has become an instrumental piece in the management and implementation of our training programs.
La Escuelita Assistant Teacher
La Escuelita Assistant Teacher
La Escuelita Assistant Teacher
La Escuelita Assistant Teacher
La Escuelita Assistant Teacher