Kentucy Hispanic Resource Center That Offers Health Services To Close as Not-For-Profit, Operate on Limited Basis

A funding shortfall is prompting El Centro la Esperanza -- a Hispanic resource center in Bowling Green, Ky., that provides health services and other assistance -- to dissolve as a not-for-profit entity by the end of the week, the Bowling Green Daily News reports. The center, which solely relies on donations, will remain open and operate on a limited basis until a grant runs out. The center was established in 2001 with government grants and support from the T.J. Samson Community Hospital and Western Kentucky University. It has provided health-related services to certain communities with large Hispanic populations since. In 2003, the center received a $2,189 grant from the Bowling Green's E-SNAP fund; a $5,000 grant from the Enterprise Community for English classes; and $2,000 from National City Bank for start-up costs. In 2004, U.S. Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) presented the university with a $700,000 check to pay for the center's health services. The services included HIV/AIDS education, translators for doctor visits, health programs and screenings, transportation services and utilization of Western's Mobile Health Unit. The university has requested a second grant of $250,000 from McConnell but the center does not yet know if it has been approved. Celia Lopez, the center's founder and director, said, "There's no funding to support what we're trying to do" (Adams, Bowling Green Daily News, 11/29).