Catholic Charities’ Roberto Hernandez Honored for Work with Children

Roberto Hernandez will be recognized for providing more than 35 years of dedicated service to helping vulnerable children and families of Mercer County by receiving the Professional Award by The Mercer County Commission on Abused, Neglected, and Missing Children. The award will be presented at the Cherish the Children Annual Dinner on April 26th. “It is always very touching to me to see and hear how much the children and families love Roberto,” commented Catholic Charities’ executive director Marlene Laó-Collins. “He is like family to them always being supportive and positive.”

The award recognizes Hernandez’s long history of working to improve the well- being of children and families in Mercer County. According to the Mercer County Commission on Abused, Neglected, and Missing Children: “Mr. Hernandez has dedicated more than 35 years to helping vulnerable children and families of Mercer County. He’s been the director of El Centro since 1999, and under his leadership, El Centro has become the most important resource for Latino families in the greater Trenton area. He is described as dedicated, committed, and compassionate.”

Catholic Charities’ El Centro program assists thousands of families every year, improving access to health care, literacy, naturalization and citizenship, advocacy and basic needs. Services are evidence-based, trauma-informed and are offered in both Spanish and English, regardless of religious affiliation. For information about El Centro, call 609-394-2056.

PHOTO: Roberto Hernandez, pictured with Bishop O’Connell during a recent meeting, established Catholic Charities’ El Centro in 1999, and is receiving the Cherish the Children Professional Award.