Brief History of the Elgin Hispanic Network

 

1987

For many years, the Elgin community has had a wonderful networking opportunity for social service agencies called Health & Welfare Luncheon.  By the summer of 1987, several Hispanic community leaders felt the needs of the exploding Latino community would be best served by creating an organization exclusively devoted to the benefit and welfare of the local Latino community. On September 2, 1987, Fabiola Palacios and Estela Gallegos led the first meeting of the Elgin Hispanic Network.  In November of 1987, the first Thanksgiving Luncheon took place. It was a humble event held at held at Centro de Informacion with a presentation by Mr. and Mrs.

Pujals and Dr. Manjarres of Latino Intervention Center.  Monthly meetings were held and attendance began to grow as they sought to unite a group of bilingual (English-Spanish) individuals to share their thoughts and ideas about helping the Hispanic community they served through their employment.

 

1988

Initially, the group was referred to as The Elgin Hispanic Task Force, but in 1988 they officially changed the group’s name to The Elgin Hispanic Network. The network was home to members from a wide variety of Hispanic cultures. Bonds between these differing cultures developed as everyone sought ways to better the Latino community. At the monthly meetings, we spoke (vis-a-vis “networked”) with each other on what we were doing in and for the Hispanic community.  We each reported to the group on what was going on within our own agencies or workplace, and how we could or would help the Latinos in our community.

 

1989

Bylaws were drafted and the Articles of Incorporation (for non-profit organization) were filed with the State of Illinois.

 

1991

Membership grew dramatically and the Network began to be noticed locally as a leader in the Hispanic community.  The work of the members of the standing committees began to bear fruit and soon thereafter, the Network began to get recognition among the many social and government agencies throughout the area.  1991 also saw the first member awards ceremony at Thanksgiving Luncheon which was held at Jalapenos Restaurant.

 

1992

On February 19, 1992, the Elgin Hispanic Network hosted the Health & Welfare Luncheon at Elgin Community College and formally introduced itself to the Elgin Community including its mission, objectives and logo. In March 1992, the Network awarded its first educational scholarship awards.  In April 1992, we began publishing a newsletter to all the members on a monthly basis.  Publication lasted five years.

 

1993

In September 1993, the Network began the process of formal recognition with the federal government as a non-profit organization. 501(c)(4) status was granted in 1995.

 

1994

In March 1994, the Elgin Image Advisory Commission presented the network with the prestigious Elgin Image Award in recognition of its outstanding contribution to Elgin's image in 1993.

 

1995

In August 1995, the Network was recognized by the Elgin City Council as the leading Hispanic organization in Elgin.