Maria Elena Castro Named Inaugural Director of MLCDC’s Women Entrepreneurs Project
The Midlands Latino Community Development Corporation (MLCDC, midlandslatinocdc.org) named Maria Elena Castro as the inaugural director of the Women Entrepreneurs (MUJERES EMPRENDEDORAS) Project.
Maria Elena developed MLCDC’s Childcare Program in 2008 and eventually she became an entrepreneur when she started her own daycare center in South Omaha. Maria Elena is originally from Peru. She has received a comprehensive education in early childhood education. Her connections with the Latino community and her passion as an entrepreneur are a perfect combination to understand the Latino market and its needs. She supports each client that walks through the doors of MLCDC and provides them with the assistance they need.
The Women Entrepreneurs Project focuses on developing women’s potential to achieve a sustainable financial future through entrepreneurship. Women in the community gain knowledge about managing finances at home, creating a business, and growing economically. The Project consists of four unique trainings that will help the women in the community gain knowledge about managing finances at home, creating a business, and growing economically.
The Women Entrepreneurs Project consists of four unique trainings that helped 146 minority women in Omaha, Lincoln, and Council Bluffs in 2020. About 70 of those women attended all
Financial Education and Business Plan trainings and received a certificate of attendance and an “I got a Plan” T-shirt. In 2020, the Women Entrepreneurs Project also provided technical assistance to 20 in-home daycares in Omaha and helped 12 participants to open their own business.
Participants are of low to moderate income and every week they connect virtually from Lincoln, Omaha, and Council Bluffs. The virtual trainings allow them to attend classes while taking care of their children, doing chores at home, or listening to the classes on their way to work. The project is part of the Financial Stability and Entrepreneurship programs, and it is supported by organizations such as United Way of the Midlands, First National Bank of Omaha, and U.S. Bank.
The Midlands Latino Community Development Corporation is known as a place where individuals receive training to open childcares, but the mission at the heart of the organization is to provide training opportunities to low-and-moderate-income individuals to achieve financial stability and economic growth through entrepreneurship. The MLCDC is proud of the accomplishments of the many women who have furthered their goals and entrepreneurial aspirations this last year. For more information, visit midlandslatinocdc.org or call (402) 933-4466.