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WHO WE ARE

Our Mission

Increase access and opportunities for Latinos and influence the systems that serve them.

Our Mission

Valuing the dignity of every human being, respecting cultural beliefs and traditions, and recognizing the strength and resilience of our diverse Latino community, Hispanic Services Council is a bridge that links the community to opportunities that help them thrive and achieve their fullest potential.

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Values

WHO

As part of the community since 1992, our shared immigrant, cultural, and language experiences allow us to connect more deeply and earn the trust of the community. We build on these connections to more meaningfully engage with and advocate for those we serve.

WHAT

We transform lives through information, education, resources, and advocacy. We serve as a bilingual, bi-cultural connector to other providers in human and social services, government, and education. We address disparities in education, health, and civic engagement to help others achieve full integration and equitable access to opportunities.

HOW

We treat people with dignity and respect, understanding that we all have different and unique life experiences in our home countries and in the United States. We amplify the voices of those who feel they don’t have a voice.

WHY

We believe all people deserve equitable access to opportunities that let them achieve a higher quality of life and contribute more fully to their families and communities.

History

Our History

Founded in 1992, Hispanic Services Council (HSC) is a private, non-profit organization focused on improving the lives of Latino children and their families in Hillsborough County. The brainchild of social service professionals, HSC was initially an informal network that offered bilingual translation, information and referral services through the Linea Hispana (Spanish Hotline). 

We reframed our work in 2011 to focus on Education, Health, Economic Mobility and Civic Engagement, which represent our commitment to changing the policy, environmental and systematic conditions impacting Latinos. HSC’s work centers on listening to those we serve and developing access to opportunities that result in an educated, healthy, and engaged Latino community. 

HSC serves as the cultural and language conduit for families who are seeking stability in the United States, alleviating the isolation felt by those who are trying to overcome language and cultural barriers to lead productive lives. We help them through challenges such as securing adequate housing, gaining U.S. citizenship, enrolling their children in school, and finding health services. Our relationships with providers alleviate the frustration of those who may not have the language or cultural capacity to connect more fully with the families they are trying to support.

 

Our People

Board of Directors

The Hispanic Services Council is governed by a board of directors who provide program and operations oversight and are responsible for setting the organization's mission, vision and goals. HSC Board members are Latino leaders within their respective organizations and represent various business sectors including private industry, non-profits, and state and local governments. 

Click here to see our board of directors.

Our People

Education

Civic Engagement

Francis Acosta

Family Resource Specialist

Pathways to Hope

Bertha Bello

Community Coordinator

La Red de Padres Activos/The Network of Active Parents - Middle School

Zoraya Benitez

Community Coordinator

La Red de Padres Activos/The Network of Active Parents - Middle School

Jessliam Cortes

Community Coordinator

La Red de Padres Activos/The Network of Active Parents - Middle School

Monica Castillo

Community Coordinator

La Red de Padres Activos/The Network of Active Parents / - Middle School

Lilian Cruz

Family Resource Specialist

Pathways to Hope

Liliana Delgado

Family Support Liaison

La Red de Padres Activos/The Network of Active Parents

Maria Duenas
Community Coordinator
La Red de Padres Activos/The Network of Active Parents – Middle School

Zay D'Quiala
Housing Specialist
La Red de Padres Activos/The Network of Active Parents

Mabel Filpo

Supervisor

Pathways to Hope

Luis Salazar
Volunteer Resources Liaison

La Red de Padres Activos

Gloria Avila

Project Director / DOJ Fully Accredited Representative

Immigration Legal Services and Advocacy (ILSA)

Girrell Vega

Family Resource Specialist

Pathways to Hope

Valerie Verdejo

Family Resource Specialist

Pathways to Hope

Jose Fernandez

Administrative Services

Immigration Legal Services and Advocacy (ILSA)

Administration

Steve Costner
Finance Manager

Annabel Saavedra

Community Coordinator

La Red de Padres Activos/The Network of Active Parents - Elementary School

Health

Rosy Bailey

Project Director

Puentes de Salud/Bridges to Health

Clara Leon

Client and Administrative Services Liaison

Velia Huitron

Promotora/Community Health Worker

Puentes de Salud/Bridges to Health

Robert Medina

Promotora/Community Health Worker

Puentes de Salud/Bridges to Health

Veronica Ortiz

Promotora/Community Health Worker

Puentes de Salud/Bridges to Health

Liliana Ramirez

Promotora/Community Health Worker

Puentes de Salud/Bridges to Health

Marcela Franchini

Community Coordinator

La Red de Padres Activos/The Network of Active Parents - Elementary School

Maria Garavito

Project Director
La Red de Padres Activos/Network of Active Parents

Franklin Gonzalez

Parenting Skills Coordinator

La Red de Padres Activos / The Network of Active Parents - Middle School

Danissa Maldonado

Community Coordinator

La Red de Padres Activos/The Network of Active Parents - Elementary School

Diana Maruri

Project Coordinator 

La Red Mas

Anny Portillo

Community Coordinator

La Red de Padres Activos/The Network of Active Parents – Elementary School

Wladimir Rojas

Community Coordinator

La Red de Padres Activos/The Network of Active Parents - Elementary School

Damaris Rivera
Family Resource Specialist
Pathways to Hope

Executive Director

Maria was hired in 1996 as HSC’s first Executive Director and has more than three decades of experience in the nonprofit sector. She holds a BA in Political Science from Furman University and a MA in International Affairs from The George Washington University. Prior to joining HSC, Maria served as Director of Programmatic Operations for the Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute and as Director of the National Census Project for the National Association of Latino Elected Officials (NALEO). Born in Colombia, she came to the US when she was seven years old and has lived in Dunedin since 1995. She says, “I am amazed and humbled by the resiliency of our immigrant community, as exemplified by my parents’ journey to become fully contributing members of society in the United States. I am committed to compassionately supporting and encouraging people on this journey in honor of my parents who walked this path with honor, hope and pride.”

Public Disclosure

HSC makes the following information available for public disclosure and review: relationships with providers alleviate the frustration of those who may not have the language or cultural capacity to connect more fully with the families they are trying to support.

● Form 1023
● Form 990
● Organizing/Governing Documents
● Conflict of interest policy
● Financial statements.

These documents are available at:

HSC's Administrative Office

7825 N. Dale Mabry Hwy., Ste. 102
Tampa, FL 33614

Monday-Friday, 8-5 p.m.

Public Disclosure
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