El Centro describes expanded services, warns legal-aid cuts have left 350 on waiting list

El Centro’s executive director, Marielena Quikindel, told the Tulsa Hispanic Affairs Commission on March 1 that the organization is expanding child-friendly community services and emergency assistance while facing a sudden loss of partner legal aid that has left hundreds waiting for help.

Quikindel, executive director of El Centro, said the nonprofit’s new Sanctuary Empowerment Center offers programs ranging from a free community closet and a membership ID to a crisis fund and community peer-educator training. "Eighty percent of the families we serve, they have kids under 8 years old," Quikindel said, explaining why each room in the center includes a corner for young children.

The commission heard that El Centro’s partnership-based free legal consultations—previously provided through the Tulsa Immigrants Resource Network, TU Legal Clinic and the YWCA—were cut when those partners lost funds under a recent funding decision. "We have 350 people in the waiting list to have these free legal consultations," Quikindel said, adding that the center is seeking new pro bono attorneys and other connections to restore the service.

Nut graf: The presentation underscored immediate community needs—basic material assistance, short-term cash aid and immigration-related legal help—while urging the commission and city partners to mobilize volunteers, funding and advocacy to replace cut services and to respond to state-level immigration bills discussed later in the meeting.

Key programs and service details

- Community closet: Donations of clothing and…