Carpenter Welcomes Laura Gutiérrez as Executive Director of the United Community Center

(MADISON)—Today, Senator Tim Carpenter issued the following statement regarding the announcement that Laura Gutiérrez will take over as executive director of the United Community Center in May:

“I am very excited to welcome Laura Gutiérrez as the first woman to serve as executive director of the United Community Center. It is very gratifying to watch someone who grew up on the Southside become a leader of such a positive local organization. She will be following in the footsteps of Ricardo Diaz who has led the organization for over twenty years cumulatively, including four years in the ‘80s, and then recently since 2003.

“The United Community Center provides programming for people of all ages. Its Early Learning Academy offers care for children from 6 weeks old, and provides early childhood education so that kids are ready for their first day at school. As kids grow up they can attend elementary and middle school at the Center’s two public charter schools. For adults they offer homebuyer counseling and substance abuse treatment, and for older adults they have programs such as a senior center and a care management program to assist in coordinating long-term care services.

“Laura’s background as a teacher, educational administrator, and civil servant show me that she will maintain and strengthen the UCC’s dedication to education and public services. She is a shining example of the Center’s slogan: Empowering the Community to Achieve its Dreams. I can’t wait to see what comes next for the UCC under her leadership!”  

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