El Centro Hispano provides bilingual assistance to the Latino and broader community to help build a stronger community by investing in families, adults, and children in the following areas: social, legal, and health. There is a variety of services provided under each category.
Services
SOCIAL SERVICES
Identification Cards
El Centro Hispano offers a membership identification card that is verified with a document from the client´s native country be it birth or marriage certificate, driver´s license, voter registration card, or other government-issued ID. If a client has no documents, two witnesses are needed for verification purposes.
We emphasize that these cards are not issued by the government and are solely a membership to El Centro Hispano. ID is accepted to identify yourself when requested by different offices and organizations.
Job Referrals
El Centro Hispano assists employees and employers by matching employers with employees based on the needs of a job. Clients seeking work will complete a form that indicates their skill set which is helpful in locating work for clients.
Employers will provide all relevant information for a job on a separate form which allows us the ability to find the right person based on the application the employee and employer has completed.
Translations
El Centro Hispano translates documents ranging from birth, marriage, and death certificates, power of attorney letters, immunization records, and transcripts among other types of documents or identification cards. Translation occurs from English to Spanish or from Spanish to English. We have a one week policy for completing translations.
Interpretations
Interpreters go to various medical offices, work with attorneys, or work with other small organizations and non-profits. Interpreters interpret for Spanish speaking clients needing assistance or English speaking professionals needing to communicate a message in Spanish.
Interpreters can be scheduled by calling (870) 926-1118 (24/7 bilingual line) during normal business hours.
Housing
El Centro Hispano assists individuals and families in need of temporary or permanent housing in their search for shelter, apartments to rent, or buy real estate by using classifieds, word of mouth, Craigslist, and rental agency websites.
For more information please call (870) 931-1884.
Selective Services
The Selective Service System is an independent agency of the United States government that maintains information on those potentially subject to military conscription. Most male U.S. citizens and male immigrant non-citizens between the ages of 18 and 25 are required by law to have registered within 30 days of their 18th birthdays[2][3] and must notify Selective Service within ten days of any changes to any of the information they provided on their registration cards, like a change of address.
Registration for Selective Service is also required for various federal programs and benefits, including student loans (such as FAFSA), job training, federal employment, and naturalization.
If a client needs assistance with signing up for Selective Service, El Centro Hispano can help complete those necessary steps. Service provided for male aliens living in the U.S., who are 18 through 25, who are required to register for the military draft.
LEGAL SERVICES
Court/Police Interpretation
Defendants with limited English proficiency (LEP) have a constitutional right to court interpreters. Denying LEP individuals interpreters during criminal trials violates the U.S. Constitution’s guarantee of due process under the Fifth and Fourteen Amendments, as well as the Sixth Amendment rights of criminal defendants to confront witnesses, be present at their own trial and receive effective assistance of counsel.
El Centro Hispano has interpreters that are available to go to court or to the police station to interpret on behalf of the client.
To schedule an interpreter, please call (870) 926-1118 (24/7 bilingual line) during normal business hours or call the emergency line (870)-926-1118 if after hours.
Notarial Services
El Centro Hispano provides notarial services to clients with photo identification and is able to notarize all translated documents, such as administer oaths and affirmations, take affidavits and statutory declarations, witness and authenticate the execution of certain classes of documents, take acknowledgments of deeds and other conveyances, protest notes and bills of exchange, provide notice of foreign drafts, prepare marine or ship’s protests in cases of damage, provide exemplifications and notarial copies, and perform certain other official acts.
Support in Job-Related Problems
Problems can often happen in workplaces, and common sense is usually the best tool. The sooner an issue is dealt with, and the better a process is followed, the less likely it is that outside assistance will be required.
El Centro Hispano offers assistance and resources that allow personnel to direct clients to lawyers or other agencies that assist in this area.
RELATED: Guide of the Department of Labor – Solving Problems at Work
Documents Assistance
El Centro Hispano is able to support clients by preparing any needed document or letter, or by allowing the use of the computer lab so that the client may prepare the document or letter themselves.
HEALTH SERVICES
Counseling Services
Counseling provides support to overcome challenges in family, culture, sexual orientation, religion, and other factors of difference in Jonesboro, AR. If a client needs counseling, El Centro Hispano can arrange for the client to see a counselor.
Referrals
El Centro Hispano refers clients to various health care service providers and income-based clinics in Northeast Arkansas depending on the client´s needs.
Documents Assistance
El Centro Hispano is able to support clients by preparing any needed document or letter, or by allowing the use of the computer lab so that the client may prepare the document or letter themselves.
El Centro Hispano provides services in six different areas: social, legal, educational, health, cultural and civic engagement. There is a variety of services provided under each category.
El Centro Hispano is a United Way member agency and has received assistance from the City of Jonesboro, the Craighead County Community Foundation, and the Winthrop Rockefeller Foundation.
