News Detail

The City of Racine has launched a new bilingual community support services pilot to expand access to city resources for Spanish-speaking residents in a welcoming, neighborhood-based setting. The pilot was formally introduced on January 6, 2026, with a ribbon-cutting ceremony, marking the start of a new approach to delivering customer service outside of City Hall.

The service is available Tuesdays and Thursdays, 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., at the Cesar Chavez Community Center, 2221 Douglas Avenue. By operating from a community center rather than a traditional government office, the City aims to create a more approachable entry point for residents who may feel hesitant or uncomfortable navigating city services in a formal setting.

The pilot is staffed by Elisa Lopez, who serves as a bilingual liaison between residents and City services. Support includes helping residents navigate city services, complete forms, submit service requests, understand property tax information, and connect with the appropriate city departments or partner agencies. The emphasis is on personalized assistance and creating an environment where residents feel comfortable asking questions and seeking guidance.

The bilingual support services program functions as a satellite presence of the City’s Department of Customer Service, made possible through a partnership with the Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services Department, which designated space within the Cesar Chavez Community Center to host the pilot. In addition to one-on-one support, the liaison role helps strengthen language access efforts, track common questions and service needs, and share feedback with the Department of Customer Service to inform future improvements. Community awareness and usage will guide decisions on whether and how the City expands bilingual services in the future, including additional service days, locations, or languages.

Residents are encouraged to stop in during service hours to learn more, ask questions, or connect with city resources.