Louisville

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The Louisville Division honors Mr. Edgardo Mansilla for his work to provide comprehensive services to refugee and immigrant families in furtherance of their successful integration into the community.

Mr. Mansilla is the executive director of the Americana Community Center, a non-profit organization founded in 1990 in response to the city’s growing foreign-born population. The organization’s programs have expanded to serve approximately 5,000 to 7,000 individuals across geographic areas representing 36 ZIP codes each year, representing those born in the United States and in 92 other countries. The Americana Community Center not only educates and informs parents about achieving academic and life goals, but also focuses on school preparedness for children.

One of Mr. Mansilla’s many contributions was to address the high number of robberies reported by the immigrant community his organization serves. Victims were targeted because they kept cash at their homes rather than depositing it in a bank. Mr. Mansilla created a group to work with the banks to help members of this community open checking accounts. He also worked to help increase community policing and increase trust and communication between law enforcement and members of the immigrant community. Due in large part to Mr. Manislla’s efforts, robbery reports have decreased.