Latino Community Association celebrates 25 years as it cuts the ribbon on its permanent home
BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) - Just in time for its 25th anniversary, the Latino Community Association signed a deal to buy its headquarters at 2680 NE Twin Knolls Drive in Bend, leading to a recent ribbon-cutting celebration.
The growing nonprofit moved into the building off 27th Street in the fall of 2021 and shared the space with Abilitree. When Abilitree moved to a new location in August 2024, LCA expanded to fill the entire 7,200 square feet.
“For the first time, we had abundant room for offices, conferences, and community events,” said LCA Executive Director Catalina Sánchez Frank. “It became the hub for our cultural experience,” she added, referring to family celebrations that took place in the community room.
In October 2024, the building manager told the association that the building would soon go up for sale. LCA’s interim leaders got a green light from the board of directors and began negotiating with the owner. When that seller agreed to carry the loan, LCA signed a purchase contract on April 22.
The Bend Chamber of Commerce hosted the ribbon-cutting ceremony outside the building last Friday, May 30. The event attracted about 200 people who enjoyed lively tunes from the High Desert Middle School mariachi band.
Sánchez Frank and Board President Zavier Borja told the audience why the place was “much more than a building.” It is a permanent infrastructure that symbolizes the roots that Latine and immigrant communities have planted here in Central Oregon. It is a recognition of the resilience of the past 25 years and a celebration for many more years to come.
After the ribbon-cutting, a private event took place inside, and community members were invited to take an inside look at the entire building. Lined along the halls were posters that told the timeline history of LCA. From simple beginnings as a hotline hosted at a church, the timeline highlighted major milestones that have shaped LCA to what it is today.
Dancing, cake, and pictures of the smiling crowd were the highlights of the celebration, similar to traditional Latine fiestas, which inspired the event.
LCA extends its heartfelt thanks for the tremendous community support and the presence of numerous leaders at the event, including city and county elected officials, as well as valued community partner organizations.
“This was a kick-off to a year of celebration,” said Daniel Altamirano Hernández, LCA’s Executive Advisor of Policy & Partnerships.
To learn more about upcoming events in celebration of LCA’s 25th anniversary, please visit our website at https://latinocommunityassociation.org/calendar/lca-25th-anniversary/. Sponsors and donors empower this work to happen; Learn how you can invest in LCA’s future and help make a difference for Central Oregon’s Latine and immigrant community.
