January 7, 2026

Latino Center of the Midlands Awarded Grant from OpenAI’s Foundation People-First AI Foundation

OMAHA, Neb. – The Latino Center of the Midlands (LCM), formerly known as the Chicano Awareness Center, is proud to announce it has been awarded a grant from OpenAI’s Foundation from its People-First AI Fund. This funding initiative supports organizations leveraging artificial intelligence to expand opportunity, strengthen communities, and improve access to vital resources.

The People-First AI Fund was launched to help nonprofits use AI in ways that directly benefit the communities they serve. The Latino Center of the Midlands is among a select group of organizations nationwide chosen for their vision and commitment to equity-driven innovation.

“We are honored and thrilled to be recognized by OpenAI and excited about the innovative possibilities this grant unlocks for our community,” said Albert Varas, President & CEO of the Latino Center of the Midlands. “This support helps us expand the ways we empower individuals and strengthen families across South Omaha and beyond.”

The grant will allow the Latino Center to explore innovative, responsible AI tools that strengthen programming across all programming. By integrating people-centered AI, the organization aims to expand access to culturally responsive resources, improve service delivery, and support the families it serves with greater efficiency and impact.

The Latino Center of the Midlands empowers youth, adults, and families through education, leadership development, workforce training, and community well-being initiatives. This grant marks a milestone in the organization’s ongoing commitment to combining tradition with forward-thinking solutions.

For more information or to arrange interviews, contact San Juana Paramo at sjparamo@latinocenter.org or call 402-733-2720.

###

About Latino Center of the Midlands: The Latino Center of the Midlands, formerly the Chicano Awareness Center, is the largest Latino-serving organization in Omaha, focusing on educational support, workforce development, and leadership opportunities. For more information, visit www.latinocenter.org.