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Centro Raíces Latinas

The Hispanic-Latinx Center, established in 1988, brought Hispanic-Latinx culture and experience into the life of Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary. In 2025, we honor the decades of this legacy and expand our call to serve the Latine community and those called to ministry within it. Newly relaunched as Centro Raíces Latinas (CRL), CRL honors the peoples of Abya Yala, the Indigenous name for the lands now known as Latin America, acknowledging the Indigenous, African, and colonial stories that shape our shared and complex identities.

 

Rooted in faith and committed to the way of Jesus, Centro Raíces Latinas cultivates justice, compassion, and hope. We empower Latine leaders and allies to be agents of transformation, helping the Church become an instrument of healing for the world. Through accessible, contextually grounded programming and intercultural education, we celebrate the culture, diversity, resilience, and spiritual wisdom of Latine communities. Whether you connect with Garrett in person or online, CRL is a home for all who seek connection to their raíces and the shared work of solidarity, growth, and renewal.

Four Pillars of CRL

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

At the Centro Raíces Latinas, our work is rooted in faith. As part of Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary, we ground everything we do in our religious convictions and in the way of Jesus. This faith commitment is not abstract—it shapes how we form Latine leaders and allies to be agents of change. By cultivating a faith rooted in justice, compassion, and hope, we empower leaders to transform the Church so that it may truly thrive and become an instrument of healing for the world.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Centro Raíces Latinas provides theological and practical resources to equip Latine leaders and educate non-Latine communities in Latin American realities, offering formation rooted in Latin American theology, histories, struggles, and spiritualities, to better engage with el pueblo Latine.

We do this by:

  • Elevating Latine theological voices within the academy, church, and society
  • Equipping leaders through accessible, contextually relevant programming
  • Providing opportunities for intercultural learning and reflection

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

CRL creates space for Latine leaders, clergy and laity, students, faculty, staff, and communities, as well as non-Latine allies, to engage in collective work around justice, advocacy, and organizing. This includes:

  • Addressing issues that disproportionately affect Latine and marginalized communities
  • Fostering faith-based organizing and community transformation
  • Building networks of solidarity across cultures and borders
  • Advocating for the well-being of Latine students
  • Strengthening and building partnerships in Evanston, the Chicago area, the U.S., and Latin America, including:
  • Latino Engagement, Evanston Public Library
  • Evanston Community Foundation

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We celebrate the diversity, resilience, and spiritual wisdom of Latine communities through cultural expression. This involves:

  • Highlighting the arts as a pathway for healing and transformation
  • Honoring heritage and tradition through community events and creative platforms
  • Gatherings for Latine students, faculty, staff, and alumni
  • Partnering with organizations in Latin America and the Caribbean for mutual exchange.

Meet the Director

Dr. Emma Escobar serves as the Director of the Centro Raíces Latinas (CRL) and as the Assistant Professor of Faith-Based Organizing.

Meet Dr. Escobar
Read about Dr. Escobar’s appointment
Contact Us

Reach us at CentroRaicesLatinas@garrett.edu