Spanish Community Center executive director leaving

Spanish Community Center Executive Director Veronica Gloria will leave the position on Sept. 24.

The Spanish Community Center in Joliet on Friday announced that Gloria, executive director since February 2017, is leaving for another position.

The board has named Sylvia Acosta Chavez as acting executive director until a permanent replacement can be found. Chavez has been director of the Family Advocacy Center at the Spanish Community Center since 2018.

A news release announcing Gloria’s departure said Chavez “has a thorough knowledge and understanding of the Spanish Community Center’s daily operations, the community it serves and the various partnerships of the organization.”

“It’s a bittersweet moment,” board President Tanya Arias said in the release. “Veronica has done a tremendous job at SCC making it into the well-recognized and trusted community organization that it is today. We wish Veronica all the best in her future endeavors.

“Although we are saddened by Veronica’s departure, we’re excited to continue the growth and progress of SCC under Sylvia’s leadership,” Arias said. “The SCC Board of Directors believe Sylvia’s background and experience will allow a smooth transition with no disruption of services — a key factor during the selection process.”

Gloria as executive director more than doubled the agency’s annual budget through new grants and funding sources, the release said.

“This allowed SCC to offer a wide variety of new programming, expanded community outreach, and serve over 8,000 individuals and families during her tenure,” the release said.