From Surviving to Thriving.

Exartizo equips Greater Cleveland’s underserved Latino families with every tool they need to rise—under one trusted roof.

Why “Exartizo”?

Exartizo is an ancient (Greek ἐξαρτίζω) word means “to furnish completely” or “to fully equip.” Early church writers used it to describe preparing people “for every good work.” We carry that vision forward by preparing families from all types of backgrounds for every challenge and opportunity through a holistic perspective.

2011 - Need revealed

origin story

Pastor Luis Vizcarrondo, a born and raised Clevelander, a former federal public-servant and now community pastor, watched Latino families fleeing political violence settle along Cleveland’s far-west corridors—with little English, no legal safety-net, and no culturally competent help. He launched pop-up “wrap-around” services at Refine Churchs old building, offering tutoring, translation, and crisis referrals in one visit. Local studies later confirmed Latino newcomers routinely fall through service gaps in Cuyahoga County’s west, southwest, and northwest suburbs.

2017-birth of exartizo

Those services matured into a formal nonprofit—Project Exartizo—combining education, health navigation, job coaching, and warm connections under one doorway. National research shows wrap-around hubs like ours produce stronger, more sustained outcomes than siloed aid.

2019-Statewide recognition for mentorship program

The Ohio Department of Education spotlighted Exartizo’s bilingual mentor program for excelling Latino education — an early proof that culturally aligned interventions close achievement gaps.

2023 – Hope Stronger than Hate

After a wave of five burglaries and hate crimes against our original site, supporters rallied with emergency gifts and volunteer labor—turning tragedy into renewal. Independent media show latino led communities nationwide facing similar attacks, yet few rebuild as quickly; Exartizo did in under six months.

2024 – A Historic First

We were donated a debt-free, 1.5-acre campus in Brooklyn, OH—the first Latino-led nonprofit in Cuyahoga County to own property outright—creating permanent space for classrooms, community programs, and cultural gatherings. Property-tax exemption records confirm the rarity of such ownership among community nonprofits.

2024 – Scaling Impact

In our inaugural year on the new campus we served 1,460 neighbors through direct services and strategic partner referrals—triple our 2019 numbers.

2025 – Multiplying Across Ohio

Exartizo now equips 600+ families every year, leveraging 13,000 volunteer hours—worth $34.79 each on the national index—to deliver more than $450 K in community value. Cross-sector alliances with clinics, universities, and legal-aid groups let us replicate our hub model across the state.

A Rising Ohio, Powered by Dignity

We see a Northeast Ohio where every Latino neighbor—and every family beside them—rises with dignity, transforming our region’s culture, Communities, and economy.

Core values

Faith in action

Love looks like measurable service.

Dignity first

Every human carries equal worth.

cultural integrity

Tailoring programs to language & heritage boosts engagement up to 60 %

relational trust

We walk with families

accountability

Transparent Stewardship

Unleashing Hope at Every Door

We equip minds, empower health, elevate income, defend justice, and celebrate culture—through wrap-around care that turns urgent needs into generational momentum for Latino and underserved families.

How Our Wrap-Around Hub Works

Together with a growing network of Latino-led agencies, we weave five life-saving threads—Education, Health, Economic Stability, Legal Advocacy, and Cultural Belonging—into one unbreakable fabric of care. Because families never struggle in just one of these areas, our wrap-around hub pairs Exartizo’s direct services with swift, “warm-hand” referrals to trusted partners, ensuring every need is met without the maze of phone calls or waitlists. This collaborative model delivers deeper, faster, and longer-lasting results than any organization could achieve alone—forging a community safety net strong enough to lift an entire generation.