November 21, 2025

Ferris State’s Hispanic/Latino Cultural Center teams up with the Hispanic Center of Western Michigan to provide 700 winter coats to families

Ferris State’s Sonia Treviño and the Hispanic Center of Western Michigan’s Eleazar López-Díaz display a few of the more than 700 coats collected for families in need across West Michigan. — Sonia Trevino, Director of Ferris State's Hispanic/Latino Cultural Center and Eleazar Lopez-Diaz, Corporate Gift Officer at the Hispanic Center of West Michigan show of a few of the more than 700 coats collected for West Michigan families.

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. —

More than 700 winter coats were distributed to children, adults and families in Grand Rapids as the winter weather approaches through a partnership with the Ferris State University Hispanic/Latino Cultural Center and the Hispanic Center of Western Michigan.

The organizations recently distributed coats that were collected on campus and beyond at Grand Rapids’ Cesar E. Chavez Elementary School.

Hispanic/Latino Cultural Center Director Sonia Treviño said the collaboration highlights Ferris State’s ongoing commitment to uplifting the Hispanic/Latino community and strengthening partnerships that make a meaningful difference across West Michigan.

Treviño said the event is the latest partnership with the Hispanic Center of Western Michigan, which provides support and services to more than 30,000 people in the region each year.

The coat drive was an opportunity to support the community while giving Ferris State students the ability to network, meet mentors, and be part of a larger effort to have an impact.

“I really believe the spirit of Woodbridge and Helen Ferris is in the work that the students are doing, really helping a community,” Treviño said. “The foundation of our university lies in providing access and resources to people and being part of our greater community.”

Ferris State’s Hispanic/Latino Cultural Center, located in Room 131 of the Interdisciplinary Resource Center, 1301 S. State Street, provides interactive, leadership building experiences that include opportunities to foster growth both academically and professionally for all students.