When Eli Reynoso moved to Kansas City from Mexico City 18 years ago, she arrived with a college degree and an ambition to make a difference.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
She immediately started volunteering with El Centro and now serves as the Vice President of Programs for the organization. In that role, she oversees a wide range of programs that provide assistance to Latinos primarily in Wyandotte County, but also in Johnson County; Kansas City, MO; and in western Kansas.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
El Centro is a multi-faceted program that takes care of the whole person, not just one specific area of need.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWe have programs that include financial education, budgeting, computer skills, GED classes, and new business programs and some events that we can support them,\u201d Reynoso said. \u201cWe\u2019re just trying to find better opportunities and help them increase their income through their work.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cHousing is the new department at El Centro. We are encouraging Latinos to be first-time homeowners. We offer a year-long workshop with 12 classes that can help Latinos improve their credit scores and save for the down payment. We want to encourage the Latino population to be sustainable. It\u2019s not just buying a house.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWe have advocacy in all our programs. We are educating and informing Latinos to be involved in the system, the financial system, the educational system, the health system. We want to help them be able to understand the processes. That\u2019s why we have different programs here at El Centro to support all Latinos to be part of the community.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The housing program is one of Reynoso\u2019s primary initiatives. It\u2019s not a new concept with El Centro, but \u201cBienvenido A Mi Casa\u201d (\u201cWelcome To My Home\u201d) is a new program she started with El Centro\u2019s CEO, Erica Andrade.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWe started this dream for \u2018Bienvenido A Mi Casa\u2019 in 2024, combining the training class that I took with a program she used to buy her home. It\u2019s nothing new, but it\u2019s a new product. Many years ago, El Centro was like the organization that financially supported many families to help them buy their own houses.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Because of her work, Reynoso is the October recipient of the Blue KC Gamechanger award. Founded in 2024 by Blue KC and the Kansas City Current, the Blue KC Gamechanger program recognizes an individual whose leadership inspires physical, mental, emotional and community wellness by creating healthier, more inclusive environments. This can be done through healthcare, education, sport or advocacy efforts. To nominate the next Blue KC Gamechanger, CLICK HERE<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Reynoso has a long list of mentors she\u2019s served under, both with El Centro and outside. Now, she\u2019s providing leadership to other Latinos as they assimilate into the community she calls \u201cthe best.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cKansas City is the best place, the best city,\u201d she said. \u201cIt\u2019s the best place to raise your family because it\u2019s safe and it\u2019s beautiful. We have a great population that can support each other, even during crisis situations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cWe see the love between each other. When the Latino population is suffering something, many other races just ask, “What do you need from me?\u201d That\u2019s why Kansas City is amazing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cI\u2019m from Mexico City. I lived in Mexico City until I was 32-years old. But I now view Kansas City as my home. That\u2019s why I am working with El Centro, because I need to do something more, to give back the amazing things that I am receiving from this city.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n She\u2019s thrilled to receive the Gamechanger award from the Current and Blue KC.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cAs a soccer mom, this award is a great opportunity, because I have a daughter who has been playing soccer since she was 2\u00bd years old,\u201d she said. \u201cNow she is 15 and playing varsity soccer at the high school. She is so proud because this opportunity connects my whole family. My husband loves soccer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cTo receive this amazing award from the Current is a win-win for my family and for my work and for me.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n Blue KC Gamechanger program<\/p> <\/div>\n Blue KC supports the Kansas City community through impactful sports partnership programs<\/h3>