About the Spanish American Committee
Mission
The Spanish American Committee’s mission is to act as a gateway to socioeconomic success for Spanish-speaking individuals and families in Northeast Ohio while maintaining and celebrating a Latino perspective.
Vision
Our vision is to be the keystone leader in providing and coordinating comprehensive social and economic services to the Latino community throughout Northeast Ohio by means of education, workforce development, and housing programs.
The Gateway to Success for the Cleveland Hispanic Community
Since 1966, the Spanish American Committee (SAC) has been dedicated to serving as the gateway to socioeconomic success for the Hispanic community of Cleveland, Cuyahoga County, and Northeast Ohio. The SAC has been creating opportunities that lead low-income individuals and families to self-sufficiency for over 55 years, making it the longest-operating Hispanic/Latino social services agency in the state of Ohio. We currently serve over 5,500 disadvantaged individuals and families each year, with over 1,500 of those being new clients.
The Spanish American Committee provides opportunities through five core programs that provide clients with family support and bilingual childcare services, financial literacy education and training, housing education and guidance, employment training and services, and adult education opportunities such as English as a Second Language (ESOL) classes. This effective multi-service model ensures that all our clients’ needs are met in one place, making the socioeconomic success and self-sufficiency they seek more accessible than ever.
Our Partnerships, Affiliations, & Certifications
In order to accomplish our agency’s objective of stabilizing and strengthening the social and economic well-being of Latino families, the Spanish American Committee establishes meaningful partnerships and community connections.
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United Way Partner Agency
The Spanish American Committee is a proud partner of the United Way of Greater Cleveland. United Way shares our dedication to fight racial disparities and discrimination, embrace cultural diversity, and ensure that everyone has equal access to community resources and support.
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UnidosUS Affiliate
As an Affiliate of UnidosUS, the Spanish American Committee is recognized as a community-based organization that directly serves the Latino population. We know the practical concerns and policy issues that affect our local Hispanic community and are engaged in implementing innovative solutions.
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HUD-Certified Housing Program
Our Mi Casa Housing Program is certified by the U.S. Department of Housing & Urban Development (HUD).
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Aspire Greater Cleveland Partner
For over 35 years, our partnership with the Cuyahoga County Public Library Aspire Greater Cleveland program has enabled us to provide ESOL classes to our community of Spanish-speakers looking to learn English.
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City of Cleveland Partner
The Spanish American Committee has partnered with the city of Cleveland for over 40 years. Thanks to their support, we have been able to expand our services of housing and financial literacy.
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Cuyahoga County Partner
The Spanish American Committee has partnered with Cuyahoga County for over 40 years. Their support has enabled us to work with the school voucher system for low-income Latino families who are in need of childcare service.
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Starting Point Partner
The Spanish American Committee has closely worked with Starting Point since the inception of our childcare center. They have provided help through academic guidance and the required training to our teachers for the continued improvement of our childcare center.
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USDA Partner
The Spanish American Committee has closely worked with the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) since the inception of our bilingual childcare center. As a five-star childcare center, we give credit to the service provided by the USDA staff for their continued support to our community.
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JumpStart Inc. Partner
Through our Families First Social Services Program, the Spanish American Committee partners with JumpStart Inc. to offer onsite bilingual, one-on-one advising for Spanish-speaking business owners. JumpStart strives to create equitable opportunities and accessible business assistance for Black, Hispanic/Latino, and women-led companies.
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Journey Center for Safety & Healing Partner
Through our Families First Social Services Program, the Spanish American Committee partners with the Journey Center for Safety & Healing to offer weekly, onsite domestic violence counseling.
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Cleveland Furniture Bank Partner
Through our Families First Social Services Program, the Spanish American Committee refers qualifying families to the Cleveland Furniture Bank for assistance in furnishing their homes.
