Carlos Graupera founded the Spanish American Civic Association, known as SACA and located in downtown Lancaster, in 1973. As its chief executive officer, he led that organization in uplifting and restoring the residents of marginal communities through human relations, economic assistance and social services, while also supporting their cultural identities.

Mr. Graupera has announced he is stepping down this year after 50 years of service with SACA. Under his leadership, the organization has grown to serve nearly 1,400 people each year in Lancaster, focusing on behavioral health and wellness, educational services, job placement, and home ownership.

Mr. Graupera has long had a passion for supporting the Latinx community, which comes from his family background. He and his family came to the United States from Cuba in 1961, when he was just 11 years old, and moved to Lancaster four years later. Graupera’s father, Charles, eventually became a Spanish professor at Elizabethtown College; his mother, Aida, was the first bilingual case worker for Catholic Social Services.

Mr. Graupera has no plans to slow down in retirement. He plans to focus on establishing a regional network for Tec Centro, SACA’s bilingual workforce development center, expanding it with the help of city leaders in York, Lebanon and Reading.

Carlos Graupera, for your half-century of leadership in supporting and uplifting members of marginal communities; for your development and expansion of programs focusing on job placement, home ownership, educational services, and behavioral health and wellness; and for your civic dedication to Lancaster City and County, Franklin & Marshall College bestows upon you the Honorary Degree, Doctor of Humane Letters.