By Jefferson Díaz
The Truth Reporter
The Sofia Quintero Art & Cultural Center hosted, this past September 11, the first El Centro SMART Community Conversation, calling for parents, students, teachers and community leaders to discuss the future of a new community hub at Escuela SMART Academy.
This initiative, led by Toledo Public Schools (TPS) in partnership with Escuela SMART and the Sofia Quintero center, aims to transform the school into a full “Community HUB”, a place where families can access educational support, health, wellness and immigration services and cultural programming under one roof.
Superintendent Romules Durant, EdD, attended the event and for him the evening represented a step toward realizing that vision. “There were great discussions at the Community Conversation Event at a community HUB at Escuela SMART Academy called El Centro. TPS Proud!” he said in a statement following the event.
The gathering centered on results from a recent survey of residents in the Old South End, where Escuela SMART is located. Organizers shared initial findings about what services people want most from the hub. Among the recurring themes: expanded mental health counseling, after-school activities, bilingual support, food and clothing resources and community events that celebrate local culture.
Attendees were invited to respond and suggest priorities. Parents asked about practical details such as staffing, hours of operation and funding. Others emphasized that El Centro should reflect the identity of the neighborhood, which has a strong Latino presence.
That focus on cultural identity was reinforced by the presence of the Sofia Quintero Art & Cultural Center, which has long served as a hub for arts and community life in South Toledo. The organization helped host and facilitate the meeting, offering translation and encouraging residents to speak in both English and Spanish.
After the event some community members asked how TPS would ensure the hub remains accessible and sustainable, particularly once the initial attention fades. Others pushed for transparency: publishing the full survey results, forming a steering committee with local residents, and committing to follow-up meetings.
Organizers promised to share the survey publicly and to involve community members directly in planning next steps. While no final decisions were made, the session was widely seen as a beginning rather than an end.
Whether the promises made at this first Community Conversation will translate into a fully functioning hub remains to be seen. But the turnout and dialogue suggested strong local interest in building El Centro into a space that reflects the needs and identity of South Toledo.