Enterprising Latinas Celebrate Wimauma Opportunity Center Expansion

WIMAUMA, FL — The Wimauma Opportunity Center is expanding services to more residents thanks to funding approved in part through Hillsborough County, the Community Foundation of Tampa Bay and other supporters.

Enterprising Latinas, the nonprofit that operates the Wimauma Opportunity Center, used more than $386,000 in Community Development Block Grants awarded through Hillsborough County to fund a new roof and HVAC system, extensive electrical and plumbing upgrades, and restroom renovations.

Three portable buildings were also purchased and installed, creating more office space and room to conduct counseling and community training.

Allegany Franciscan Ministries, represented by Carla Batts, Brittney Frazier, Sister Jeannie Williams and other Franciscan Sisters of Allegany, provided more than $400,000 in additional funding to complete the renovations.

Hillsborough Community College’s Southshore Campus provided nearly $100,000 of in-kind services through its facilities planning and construction team.

One of the portable buildings will be used by Hillsborough Community College Southshore as a satellite campus classroom starting this fall.

During a ribbon-cutting celebration Thursday, Enterprising Latinas were also presented a $50,000 grant award from the Community Foundation of Tampa Bay.

The improvements are intended to increase access to job placement and workforce, entrepreneurship and business development training for low- and moderate-income Wimauma residents.

Nearly 200 people attended the ribbon-cutting to celebrate the completion of the project, with music provided by Mariachi Contemporáneo, breakfast serviced by the Eli's Café team with food provided by Taste the Fusion and Sofrito Joba and a cake in the shape of the Wimauma Opportunity Center buildings created by Carmen Galarza of Custom Cakes by Carmen.

Among those in attendance were Hillsborough County Commissioner Mariella Smith, Angelica Cordero from the Affordable Housing Services Department, HCC Southshore Campus President Jennifer China, Vice President at Bank of America Ann Shaler and Hillsborough County School Board Member Lynn Gray.

The ribbon-cutting for the learning, meeting and office space came after four years of efforts. In addition to upgrades to the main building, two modular buildings consisting of 1,700 square feet were added in addition to the HCC modular classroom.

More than 2,000 people are served by Enterprising Latinas’ programs at the center every year. The center also houses the offices of the Wimauma Community Development Corp., which works to create a healthy and vibrant community.

Other community partners, like CareerSource Tampa Bay, offer services on site at the center every week.

During the ceremonies, Enterprising Latinas CEO Liz Gutierrez announced the dedication and naming of the center’s two newest buildings in honor of two women who have inspired and facilitated ELI’s growth.

The Sister Jeannie Inspiration & Learning Room is named for Sister Jeannie M. Williams of the Franciscan Sisters of Allegany in honor of her commitment to the revitalization of Wimauma community and the sisters’ legacy of working for peace through justice.

The Carmen Galarza Community Room is named for Enterprising Latinas’ member Carmen Galarza, an entrepreneur and mother who, for many years, has been preparing to open her bakery and become a model for change in Wimauma.

“This expansion will significantly enhance our capacity to bring resources to support the economic prosperity of the residents of Wimauma and adjacent communities," Gutierrez said. "The center is the cornerstone of our vision and commitment to turn community challenges into economic opportunities for women.”

The expanded and renovated Wimauma Opportunity Center at 5128 State Road 674 is a key part of ongoing efforts to improve economic opportunities in southern Hillsborough County.

Enterprising Latinas was founded in 2009 and is dedicated to creating pathways of opportunity for Latinas in Tampa Bay by teaching new skills, creating networks of mutual support and advocating for innovative solutions to promote economic mobility and equity.

Photos courtesy Lui Rodriguez, Ileana Cintron, Santos Morales, Tonya Burney and Carmen Galarza.