By ELISABETH HULETTE, Staff Writer
Bits of Americana have appeared around the Centro de Ayuda, a Hispanic help center in Annapolis.
There's an American flag right inside the door and a picture of an eagle on the wall. And in the office of new director Irene Zoppi, there's a painting of the Statue of Liberty.
They tie together Ms. Zoppi's hopes that the center will be a bridge between longtime residents and the city's growing immigrant community.
"They want to be Americans," she said. "They want to be here. We need to work together."
Ms. Zoppi took over as director in the spring, when founder Mary Schumaker retired. She brought with her two elements key to its survival - a vision for growth and the will to keep it going despite cuts to its funding by the county.
"We're here to help," she said. "Lack of funding? We'll still be here."
Born in Puerto Rico, Ms. Zoppi moved to the United States in college. She holds a master's degree in business administration from The Johns Hopkins University and a doctorate in education policy from the University of Maryland at College Park. Her father's side of the family is directly descended from President Lincoln, and she's a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution.
She's also a lieutenant colonel in the Army Reserve - she served in Operation Desert Storm and speaks passionately of her belief in duty, honor and loyalty.
