Today,
Monsignor Romero's legacy is commemorated around the world. Here in
Somerville, Centro Presente, a Latin American immigrant organization,
honors the legacy of Monsignor Romero through the organization's every
day work in the community.

"At Centro Presente, every day, we
try to commemorate the legacy of Monsignor Romero through our work,"
said Patricia Montes, the Executive Director of Centro Presente.
"Monsignor Romero worked for the defense and promotion of human rights,
and denounced the systematic violation of human rights by the social
and economic power structures which still exist in El Salvador today.
He was the voice of those without voices. At Centro Presente, we are
trying to give voices to our members from the Latino immigrant
community, those who can not speak for themselves because this society
is not giving them the opportunity."

Some twenty-seven years
after it was established, Centro Presente has grown to service upwards
of three thousand people a year, mostly in Somerville, Boston,
Cambridge and Chelsea. Immigrants from all over South America benefit
from the countless services that the organization offers. From adult
education classes in English or computer skills, to legal immigration
counseling, to after-school programs, Centro Presente is an invaluable
support system to thousands of residents in the local community.

"We
are a member-driven, state-wide Latin American immigrant organization
dedicated to the self-determination and self-sufficiency of the Latin
American immigrant community of Massachusetts," noted Montes. "We work
for immigrant rights and for economic and social justice. Through the
integration of community organizing, leadership development and basic
services, Centro Presente strives to give our members voices and to
build community power."

Just as Monsignor Romero once strove
to give voices to people in El Salvador, Centro Presente commits every
day to helping Latin American immigrants by continuing the traditions
of Monsignor Romero. On March 19th, the organization will dedicate an
entire evening at Machu Piccu Restaurante Turistico in Monsignor
Romero's honor, to celebrate "la lucha" for Justice and Human Rights
and to recognize Jim and Julia Wallace for their continued dedication,
mission and lifelong commitment to social justice.

Through
Centro Presente's continued dedication and commitment to the Latin
American immigrant community, Monsignor Romero's legacy will always be
heard.