When Carlos Bolanos arrives at the Esperanza Center in Fells Point twice a week, the line is often 15 people deep, even on a slow day.
As an EarnBenefits specialist for the nonprofit Seedco, Bolanos helps to screen low-income residents for benefits including food stamps, health insurance programs, tax credits, housing and utility assistance.
Catholic Charities’ Esperanza Center helps link immigrants to healthcare, social services, English as a second language classes and immigration legal services. Bolanos, who is bilingual, works mostly with the Hispanic community and helps screen them for around 20 benefits in one sitting.