Centro Hispano sees continued growth, opens new space [Video]

The group has teamed up with a local church to expand its outreach and has now tripled its center space.

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — East Tennessee’s Hispanic community is growing along with the demand for services. Centro Hispano has helped thousands of neighbors within the last year.

The nonprofit has teamed up with a local church to expand its outreach and has tripled its center space. The new center is more than a building with rooms and offices for Karla Mejia, a small business owner.

It became home for Mejia when she immigrated to Knoxville from Honduras in 2017.

“You feel like family — you feel like you can trust them,” Mejia said.

Centro Hispano equips neighbors like Mejia with resources, including English classes and workforce development.

“I’ve received mentorship and networking opportunities,” Mejia said.

Like Mejia, Januaria Perez shares a similar story, arriving in Knoxville from Venezuela in 2019.

“They teach how you can successfully start a business …