About 60 people turn out at a forum to discuss the future of Centro Latino. The local resource agency is trying to recover from a leadership shake-up and lawsuit. A public forum intended to ease concerns and answer questions about the direction of the South Sound’s leading Latino resource agency ran high with emotion Tuesday.

Now leaders of Centro Latino will use what they heard to determine their next steps. All eight board members were in attendance.

“It allowed the community to say what it needed to say,” said board Chairman David Artis.

The forum took place at the Hilltop headquarters of the 25-year-old nonprofit agency, which is fighting a wrongful-termination lawsuit from its last executive director and has lost about $200,000 in funding since word of the suit reached the community.

The 60 or so people in attendance discussed the good, the bad and the future of Centro Latino, which provides education, family, job-hunting and financial services for Latinos and other underserved groups. It has satellite offices in Lakewood and Tacoma’s East Side.

Board members wouldn’t discuss details of the lawsuit brought by four-month Executive Director Joy Gomez-Gonzalez, although the subject found its way into discussion more than once.

Some in the audience tried to push the board to address Centro Latino’s public transparency, especially after the lawsuit was filed, and whether the agency is reaching those who need help.

Pamela Duncan-Pierce, community investment director with the United Way of Pierce County, said she’s concerned Centro Latino has gone through three executive directors in five years.

“This is not being quick to judge,” she said. “This is a valid concern.”

Cinthya Piocos, diverse communities coordinator for the Pierce County Library System, said she doesn’t doubt the passion of staff. But she questioned whether the agency still serves as a support system and gathering place for local Latino families.

John Briehl, Tacoma’s director of human rights and services, said the concerns point to real problems at Centro that go beyond public misperceptions.

But others stood up Tuesday and supported Centro’s efforts – which range from after-school programs to job placement services to help for pregnant mothers.

Lua Pritchard, executive director of the Korean Women’s Association, said her group is comfortable referring Latinos to the agency when they ask for help.

“Whatever happened here, we don’t want to know,” Pritchard said, referring to the lawsuit. “We want to fix.”

A few people said all Centro needs is to do a better a job getting the word out about its services.

Some of the agency’s staffers took offense at claims of people being turned away or not getting help when referred to Centro.

“I go home and think about my clients,” said Adriana Tellez, the agency’s community development director and one of a few staffers who fought back tears while addressing the audience.

The meeting came as the board searches for a permanent replacement for Gomez-Gonzalez. Board members didn’t give a timeline, but said they are considering partnering with another nonprofit group to hire a joint executive director.

Board members added that even though some funding was cut this year, the agency is operating in the black. They also said they weren’t planning layoffs.

Artis, the chairman, said Centro’s board appreciated hearing from the community and plans to hold another forum as early as February.