A new facility is aiming to bring together an entire community by reaching out to one segment of it.
It's called Centro Hispano de East Tennessee.
"We know that the Latino community has grown, we know that a lot of businesses want to serve the Latino community, we know that children are in the school system, so they are being part of the main fabric of the city, and we need to make sure that they get integrated into the city," said Loida Velazquez, a Centro Hispano board member.
She, along with other community leaders, including Knox County Mayor Tim Burchett and Interim Knoxville Mayor Daniel Brown, helped to celebrate the grand opening of Centro Hispano on Saturday.
Velazquez says the idea of opening the center began about ten years ago, and then, around three to four years ago, those interested came together to form a board.
Then, recently, the space became available.
The Helen Ross McNabb Center offered up one of its buildings in John Tarleton Park off Sutherland Avenue.
With the county's approval Helen Ross McNabb leases the building to Centro Hispano for $1 a year.
"It's incredible, it's the realization of a dream, the realization of a dream that not only me but a lot of people had, and it has come in a way that is so fantastic," Velazquez said. "We have a place, it's a nice place, it has a beautiful view of the city, it's easy to find, the community is already familiar with the area, so it has worked so well in so many levels that it's incredible."
Centro Hispano plans to offer free legal aid, education, financial advice, cooking tips, and helping integrating into the community.
Maria Gonzalez, who is receiving helping from the center, knows understands the challenges of that transition.
"I came here seven years ago, my father was here, and we missed him, so my mother, my brother and I came up here, and I decided to stay, I liked it very much, then I got married, had my son, and I really feel this is a very good place for him to grow up," Gonzalez said through an interpreter.
Gonzalez is now completing part of her education via the Internet through a program called Plaza Comunitaria.
East Tennesseans from Mexico can complete their education in that country up through high school for free. For just $10, they can also earn a bachelor's degree.
"We're very grateful and very happy that the center has opened and that you and your community, meaning Americans, and the mayor of the county and city have come also to join us," Gonzalez said through an interpreter.
Centro Hispano is a non-profit organization that is supported by grant money and private funds.
Leaders also plan to rent out some of the rooms in the building as offices for other organizations, including the YWCA.
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