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For more than two decades, the Centro de Ayuda (Center of Help) in Annapolis, Maryland, has served as a lifeline for immigrant families navigating life in Maryland. The nonprofit provides a wide range of culturally responsive services — from English and citizenship classes to youth programs, health navigation, and legal‑rights education. Its mission is to help Latino and immigrant residents access the tools, information, and support networks needed to thrive.
The organization has become especially vital in recent years as demand for language access, health resources, and community advocacy has grown. Centro de Ayuda partners with local schools, health departments, and civic institutions to bridge gaps that often leave immigrant communities underserved. Its staff and volunteers work directly with families, offering guidance on everything from school enrollment to accessing public benefits, and connecting residents with trusted local services.
At the center of this work is Executive Director Gabriel Rodríguez, who has helped guide the organization through a period of expansion and renewed visibility. Rodríguez, who previously served as Director of Programs, stepped into the leadership role with a background that spans nonprofit management, education, and the arts. Under his direction, Centro de Ayuda has continued strengthening its programming while deepening its partnerships across Anne Arundel County.
The Fulcrum spoke with Rodriguez on a recent episode of The Fulcrum Democracy Forum.
We first met Rodriguez during the filming of The Fulcrum’s series The 50: Voices of a Nation, which explores how Americans across the country engage with democracy at the local level. In the Maryland episode, he noted that many immigrant families place mental health on the back burner because daily pressures like work, housing, and financial stress take priority, making trusted community organizations essential for connecting them with reliable health information and support.
Rodriguez’s participation in the Maryland installment of the series highlights the broader civic and democratic challenges immigrant communities face — and the essential role organizations like Centro de Ayuda play in addressing them.
As The 50 continues documenting community leadership across the country, Rodríguez’s work underscores how local, culturally grounded institutions can bolster civic participation, public health, and community resilience.
Hugo Balta is the executive editor of The Fulcrum and the publisher of the Latino News Network, and twice president of the National Association of Hispanic Journalists.
