Tim Flavin currently serves as the Director of Mi Raza Community Center in Arcola. Mi Raza Community Center, founded in 2004, which Tim is a co-founder, serves the needs of the growing Hispanic/Latino and immigrant population in Douglas County and the surrounding area of east central Illinois. Mi Raza has assisted immigrants from 35 countries and continues to grow. Tim’s wife, Debbie, a vital partner in providing services at Mi Raza, recently completed 33 years as a Spanish teacher at Arthur Lovington Atwood Hammond High School. Debbie has also taught ESL teacher for Lake Land College in Mattoon and Parkland College in Champaign through programs at  Mi Raza Community Center.

Tim’s professional career includes 22 years in banking as an Agriculture Loan Officer, a Farm Manager and Trust Officer, and as President of The State Bank of Hammond for 8 years. He also served as the Mayor of Hammond, Illinois, for 12 years. Tim serves many non-profit organizations as a volunteer and as a board member. Tim also owns and operates a small, diversified farm near Ivesdale, Illinois, in Champaign County where his Irish ancestors settled over 100 years ago.

Tim has an Associate in Science (AS) degree in Agriculture from Parkland College, a Bachelor of Science (BS) degree in Agricultural Economics from the University of Illinois, and a Master of Business Administration (MBA) degree from Benedictine University. Tim will begin work on a PhD in Organizational Development at Benedictine University in 2020.

Tim has been a volunteer for The Immigration Project for 16 years. In 2017, Tim became accredited by the U.S. Department of Justice to practice immigration legal services before the Department of Homeland Security. This accreditation allows Tim to provide legal services and assist immigrants with all phases of the immigration and citizenship processes.

Tim has been honored with many awards for his service to immigrants, including an award from the Illinois Association of Agencies and Community Organizations for Migrant Advocacy (IAACOMA) for “Exemplary Dedication and Contributions”; the “Humanitarian Award” for “Immigrant Hospitality” from the cities of Champaign and Urbana; and the “Heart of Gold” award from the East Central Illinois Community Foundation.