HAO was founded by Lupe Pearce in 1976 and Roberto Clemente Charter School in 2000 to assist Allentown’s growing Hispanic Community become more economically self-sufficient. It grew, in large part, from her personal experiences coming to the United States, having to learn English, and then finding work at the University of Chicago library and ultimately teaching Spanish in the Chicago school district, using the teaching degree she had earned in Chile. When she moved to Allentown with her family, she could relate to the plight of Hispanics who had lost their jobs when factories closed. Without new marketable skills, they were unable to support their families as productive members of the community. With a small grant from The First Presbyterian Church of Allentown, Lupe opened the doors of HAO to train and educate Hispanic residents to realize their dreams. Maria Cruz was the first Latina volunteer. Since those early days, HAO has grown from an organization with a nominal budget, a staff of one in a small rented office, serving a handful of clients to an active, vital center staffed by over 60 people, serving a cross-section of inner-city residents.
The organization’s goal is to provide high quality bilingual job training, life skills, and support programs for Lehigh Valley residents who are striving to become productive members of society. HAO seeks to assure success by understanding and embracing the needs of the family. HAO provides quality, affordable day care, available in the community. The Roberto Clemente Charter School allows parents and children to learn the importance of continuing education and a strong work ethic. Family counseling is available to guide families and individuals in coping with the realities of 21st century life. HAO also offers an employment service to help find good solid jobs for our clients. Our housing program helps families find good homes and gives them the tools to keep them.
Chronology
HAO was established to meet an important social need, has expended its services in response to community and business growth, and has developed an maintained funding to insure continuation of its valuable services to a broad and diverse population in the future.
1976 HAO Founded
1977 Became a United Way Agency
1987 Began $300,000 capital campaign with $30,000 gift
1987 Purchased and renovated 3-story firehouse into offices, classrooms and meeting space
1988 Became affiliated with SER (Service, Employment and Redevelopment, Inc. of Irving, TX.)
1989 Opened Los Niños Learning Center in new location (child care program)
1992 Rented additional space for child care
1993 Opened Family Learning Center at 711 Chew Street
1995 Rented adjacent building (conference room, testing room, offices) Now have a total of 19 rooms with 5,000 square feet.
Conducted feasibility study for Capital Campaign
Established Employment Advisory Council
1995 Purchased old Allentown Armory (30 rooms, 16,000 sq. ft.) Tripling HAO’s capacity.
1996 Began Capital Campaign ($780,000 goal, increased to $1.4 million)
Began, with Muhlenberg College, English for Native Speakers of Spanish, using college students as volunteer teachers.
Established Educational Advisory Board
Filed application with Commonwealth of PA Department of Education, State Board of Private Licensed Schools to establish Hispanic American Career Institute
1997 Received license approval by Commonwealth of PA Department of Education, State Board of Private Licensed Schools for the Hispanic American Career Institute
Began PA contracted Technical Assistance service to Bethlehem, Harrisburg and Lancaster Community Based Organizations (CBO’s)
1999 Moved to new facility at 136 S. 4th Street, Allentown
1999 Opened second location of Los Niños Learning Center at new facility
2000 Opened HAO Counseling Service
2000 Opened Roberto Clemente Charter School
2003 Began Capital Campaign ($2,500,000) to finance new construction
2003 Opened newly renovated portion of building and newly constructed HAO headquarters
2005 Opened the Partial Hospitalization program at 625 Chew Street
2005 Completed addition of over 2000 square feet of space to the Roberto Clemente Charter School for classrooms.
2007 Purchased building at 462 Walnut Street. HAO will move into new facility in June to allow charter school the entire campus at 136 S. 4th Street.