CLUES Signs Lease for Consulate of Mexico in Saint Paul

For immediate release 

Contact: Kathleen Westerhaus, Vice President of Resource Development

Phone:   651-379-4241         Email:    kwesterhaus@clues.org

 

Monday, April 18, 2005 – Chicanos Latinos Unidos En Servicio (CLUES) President Jesse Bethke Gomez signed the lease agreement for the Consulate of Mexico in Saint Paul on Monday, April 18 at 10:00 a.m.  U.S. Senator Norm Coleman, Bill Harper, Chief of Staff to Congresswoman Betty McCollum, Saint Paul Mayor Randy Kelly, CLUES Board Member Patrick Kelly, and Rob Kost of United Properties were present for this historic event.  The signing took place at CLUES new Saint Paul offices located at 797 East 7th Street on city’s East Side.  The new CLUES facility was selected as the site for the 46th Consulate of Mexico in the United States in November 2004.  The Consulate is expected to open in June 2005.

 

CLUES is making history as one of the first Latino-led agencies in the United States to provide an integrated array of health, human and consular services at one location. 

This new facility will house four of CLUES’ five core services, the Consulate of Mexico in Saint Paul, and a bicultural and bilingual primary health care clinic, HealthEast Salud Integral.  This ‘one-stop shop’ is expected to draw Latinos from a four-state region (Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota and Western Wisconsin).

 

CLUES has been a partner in the Distance Learning Program developed by the Government of Mexico since September 2002.  This program provides an array of secondary and other classes for Spanish-speakers to progress in their education.

 

CLUES is Minnesota’s first Latino agency to have a major capital campaign.  Paul Verret, President Emeritus of The Saint Paul Foundation, is the chair of the agency’s Individual Giving Committee for its Capital Campaign.  He has created a challenge matching fund, which matches all gifts, dollar for dollar, to the campaign.  The campaign goal is to raise $6,000,000 by January 2006.

 

CLUES is Minnesota’s premier Latino social and behavioral health services agency serving the community for 24 years.  Our mission is to “enhance the quality of life of the Chicano Latino community in Minnesota.”   At three sites in Minneapolis and St. Paul, the agency provides a continuum of six core services: Mental Health Services, Chemical Health Services, Family Services, Aging Well Services, Employment Services, and Educational Services.  In 2004, CLUES has over 32,000 client visits.  Recent recognitions include:

  • 2004 - Ranked among the top 25 Hispanic nonprofits in the United States by Hispanic Business Magazine

  • 2003 - National Healthcare Affiliate of the Year - Helen Trías Rodríguez Award National Council of La Raza