Council for the Spanish Speaking / Centro Hispano Milwaukee Career Opportunities

In 1964 El Centro Hispano became the first Latino serving non-profit community based organization in Milwaukee. A few years later, El Centro evolved into the Council for the Spanish Speaking, Inc.


Today, the Council for the Spanish Speaking, Inc. has grown into a larger, more comprehensive organization, thanks to the support of the community, the good work of its staff, and a committed board.

Broadly speaking, the Council’s mission is to advocate for and empower the socially and economically challenged, with a focus on the needs of Milwaukee Latinos. Its bilingual (Spanish/English) and culturally competent staff delivers educational programs and social and human services to families, children, youth and the aging to help them overcome the social, economic, linguistic and cultural barriers to self sufficiency. The Council manages six housing complexes for low income elders able to live independently, and offer them wraparound support services. Annually, it sponsors a series of major events that support families, promote cultural and artistic expression, and celebrate children, their parents, and the civic leaders whose advocacy helps improve their quality of life.
 

The board of directors of the Council is comprised of community and corporate members who set policy and strategic direction, and hires and supervises the Executive Director. In turn, he is responsible for an administrative and supervisory staff of 14 and a program staff of 128.
 

In 2007-08, the Council’s board approved revised budget was $6,892,463 with comparable expenses. Generally, its mixed revenue base includes: 64.25% government grants and contracts; 8.24% in contracted services; 6.5% HUD subsidies; 2.21% United Way; 1.4% contributions; 9.4% In-kind; 1.14% direct client income; 5.85% rent income; and, 1% management fees.
 

Throughout the years, the Council has served thousands of individuals, families and children. Annually, it serves approximately 12,000 individuals. Those served typically include 78% Latinos, 10% Caucasian, 8% African American, 3% Asian, and 1% Native American.
 

With the rapid growth of the Latino population, Council programs will need to expand. Because of a struggling economy and employment market in Milwaukee, the Council has increased its involvement in community planning, economic development, pre-employment training, and health and human services. It also increased its advocacy to improve social and economic conditions for all. Aware of the complex nature of social interactions in ethnically and racially diverse communities, the Council will also help those who work in our communities attain greater social, linguistic and cultural competency –skills necessary to effectively reach and serve newcomers and the previously excluded.


To adequately support its plans for growth, the Council will aggressively pursue a larger share of existing funding streams, and will implement initiatives that generate their own revenues, moving the organization towards greater fiscal self-sufficiency. It will also partner with other community based organizations (CBO's) and service providers to bring greater coherence and efficiency to how community needs are met.
 

An organization with such broad scope, reach, and purposes needs to look strategically into the future. During the fall of 2006, the staff and Board of Directors engaged in a reflective planning process leading to this strategic plan, a blueprint for Council initiatives during the next three years. The plan was approved in February of 2007 as one that is renewed every year as the organization develops. This document is an update of for fiscal year 2008-09. It describes strategies that will change the organization into one that plans, collects data on its practices, self reviews, assesses, adjusts and reports on its effectiveness to the community, those it serves, and those who support it. It signals a new era in an organization that will be a key player in transforming the Milwaukee area into a more socially just and equitable place to live, grow, work and pursue the good life.