Casa Central Recognizes McDonald's Hispanic Owner-Operators Association (MHOA) as the November Sponsor of the month

Casa Central is thrilled to announce McDonald’s Hispanic Owner-Operators Association (MHOA) as our November partner of the month. For over ten years, Carmen Solano-DeCarrier, President of MHOA of Chicago and Northwest Indiana, has united with Casa Central to better serve the Latino community of the Chicagoland area. Through the years of partnership, together, MHOA & Casa Central ensure that everyone in our community has the opportunity to reach their full potential, thrive, and make meaningful connections.

MHOA’s proud history of supporting our communities is demonstrated through its continued engagement in our activities. For many years, every Spring, MHOA/Solano-DeCarriers hosts a shoe drive and collect hundreds of new shoes for our children in the Early Learning Academy and School Age Program. Through the shoe drive, MHOA helps Casa Central fulfill its basic role as a social service agency by providing basic necessities such as putting shoes on the soles of children in need. Our families have grown to deeply appreciate this community event that gives them access to the footwear they need to stay healthy.

Over the last past decade, Solano-DeCarrier Management has continuously supported Casa Central’s various events such as Week of Hope and the Annual Awards Dinner through generous contributions. Most recently, this year, MHOA, was brought on board as one of the organization’s 65^th anniversary Partners. As an official partner of the organization, MHOA participated in Week of Hope’s Community Health Expo to share more information on McDonald’s healthier food options and its Archway to Opportunity program that offers its employees opportunities to improve English skills, earn a High School diploma or work towards a college degree so they can achieve their dreams.

Beyond its financial and in-kind support to Casa Central, one of the binding pillars that upholds the partnership, is both of our unwavering commitment to education. Casa Central’s programming is dedicated to inspiring lifelong learning, promoting academic, social, emotional, life skill and vocational development among children, adults and families. McDonald’s is also strongly committed to motivating Hispanic students to earn a college a degree. Since 2013, the MHOA has awarded around $300,000 in scholarships to Hispanic students with financial needs that have demonstrated their academic and leadership abilities, as well as their sincere wish to serve their community.

Additionally, MHOA has provided board support and leadership to Casa Central. Carmen Solano-DeCarrier served on Casa Central’s Board of Director for six years from 2007-2013 and most recently, has been inducted to the newly formed Emeritus Advisory Board this year. Reflecting on her years of service, Carmen shares “The MHOA is grateful to be a closer partner to Casa Central and to collaboratively meet the unique needs of our community”. Through her guidance and vast experience working with the communities we serve, Casa Central will continue to strengthen its reputation as one of the leaders in the Chicago metropolitan area delivering culturally responsive, cross-generational, evidence-based services to vulnerable populations. 

Casa Central is deeply grateful for the MHOA’s long history of contributing to local communities. The McDonald’s owners and operators, many of whom emigrated to the U.S., have worked tirelessly to not only build their businesses but to transform the communities they serve. These Hispanic owners and operators act as a source of inspiration to the families of Casa Central, and echo our mission of empowering Latinos to be self-sufficient and achieving a higher quality of life.