In the developmental world of nonprofits, the Lancaster Hispanic Chamber of Commerce (LHCC) is in its infancy; it's a newborn. But in a short period of time, LHCC has laid a stable foundation upon which growth can be nurtured.

Essential for continued maturation are public awareness and community support. Once it does blossom, LHCC will connect resources to those in need, unlock the economic potential of the local Latino community and make Lancaster County a better place to live.

"It's in its baby stages, but people are beginning to reach out," said Esther DeWoody, the founder and president of LHCC. "The mission is to reach the Latino business owners and educate members of the Latino community about the community resources available to them, so they can do better in education and financially. We want Latino business owners to know that it's possible, that they can do it. People are willing to go the extra mile to welcome the Latino community and work with them."

After putting thoughts into motion in April of 2025 and launching the organization's website in November, DeWoody formally founded LHCC in March of this year. DeWoody is currently operating the fledgling organization from her Manheim Township home but hopes to move into a more permanent brick-and-mortar office by the end of this summer and then eventually add staff.

For the moment, LHCC conducts membership meetings from 9 to 10:30 a.m. on the last Thursday of every month at Javateas Gourmet Coffee Cafe, 1 Dutchland Ave., Ephrata.

"It's coming. I'm out there. I'm networking," said DeWoody. "We want people to know we're here and we're not going anywhere. We're going to build a strong Chamber."

"We have to unite," she added. "We have to want to make things better as a community, and not just Latinos. Everybody sees the need for this. It's something people have been looking for."

Part of LHCC's immediate future is a culturally based, Latino-themed event in Lancaster city on Friday, June 5. Though some of the details are still being finalized, LHCC has already secured sponsorships for the event.

In addition, LHCC is also planning a community outreach gathering in August.

"My favorite part is that (LHCC) will help people in the Latino community," said DeWoody. "This will better their lives because of the resources they don't know exist. The only requirement for membership is that you have to be able to give back to the community in some way. I want people to work together as a family. I don't want them to look at each other as members; I want them to look at each other as family members."

As part of its organizing, LHCC has been working with similar organizations, like the Lancaster Chamber of Commerce and the U.S. Hispanic Chamber of Commerce.

Currently, LHCC counts 25 individuals as part of its membership.

"They're leaders who can be mentors and who can be teachers," said DeWoody. "They're strong leaders from Lancaster County who are willing to work with the community, and they don't have to be Latinos."

According to census data, more than 65,000 Latinos reside in Lancaster County, and Hispanics represent about 12% of the county's total population. The highest concentration of Latinos resides in the city, where they make up about 40% of Lancaster's population.

Data about the number of Latino-owned businesses in Lancaster County is less clear.

"I feel like there are voices that aren't at the table, and I want to be their voice," said DeWoody. "I want to elevate their voices. It's about community opportunities for our community. I want to build something where people feel supported and where they can grow together. I want people lifting each other up. There are big organizations out there who are helping the community, and I think we can work better together."

"I want to be a bridge between systems," continued DeWoody. "I ask people, 'What do you need? What is the community looking for?' I ask people, 'How can I help you?'"

Passion provides fuel for the entrepreneurial spirit.

"We're very proud people," said DeWoody. "We're very into our culture. You have to look at each of us as from different cultures, and we're all very proud of our cultures. That's something that's very important for us to get people to understand. We're also very family oriented."

For additional information, go to http://www.lancasterhispanicchamber.org.