LANTERN CENTER

LANTERN CENTER. Founded in 2002, Lantern Center was a neighborhood outreach program operated by the SISTERS OF THE PRESENTATION OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY (PBVM) offering hospitality, educational opportunities and advocacy for immigrants who were attempting to better their lives. The program was based in a former school of ST. MARY'S CATHOLIC CHURCH and was later centered in the Historic Millwork District in the SCHMID INNOVATION CENTER.

In September, 2019 the second annual Lighting the Lantern dinner was held at CONVIVIUM URBAN FARMSTEAD. The event raised money for the Lantern Center which had assisted more than 1,000 immigrants from 679 countries learn English and study for citizenship with 83 students successfully becoming citizens. (1)

Continued growth led to the need for new space by 2026. In that year the Lantern Center relocated to MOUNT LORETTO. The space which once housed offices for the sisters became a front office, large main tutoring room, kitchenette, and children's room on the main floor with with additional upstairs space with offices and private tutoring space. At the time of the relocation, the Center served eighty students each week. Since opening in 2002, the Center has served the needs of over 2,500 immigrants from 85 countries. (2)

Source:

1. Hogstrom, Erik, "Lantern Center Lights Immigrants' Path," Telegraph Herald, Sept. 30, 2019, p.1A

2. "Lantern Center Comes Full Circle to a Home with Presentation," Telegraph Herald editorial, June 26, 2026, p. 4

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