Caridad Asensio, co-founder of the Caridad Center in Boynton Beach, dies at 79-years-old

BOYNTON BEACH, Fla. --- Caridad Asensio, co-founder of the Caridad Center in Boynton Beach, died Monday at 79-years-old.

In 1992, Asenio co-founded the Caridad Center from a doublewide trailer at U.S. 441. After gathering funds from local donors, a 7,500-square-foot building was built in Boynton Beach. The Caridad Center is now the largest free clinic in Florida.

Asensio’s name means “charity” in Spanish, and throughout her career she provided medical aid and social services to Palm Beach County. 

A social worker and health educator, Asensio met fellow schoolteacher and clinic co-founder Constance Berry in 1979 at Hagen Ranch Elementary School in then agricultural west Boynton Beach. Together, they founded the Caridad Center.

Last year, more than 24,500 patient visits were made to Caridad’s free medical, dental and vision clinics.

Caridad Center also provided outreach services of emergency food, rent and clothing to more than 2,000 families last year, and educational-enrichment services for 75 children each school year.
 
Her children, Alina Ripoll and Manuel Asensio-Garcia, four grandchildren and two sisters, survive her.

Asensio's viewing will be held from 6 p.m. to midnight at the Maspons Funeral Home at 3500 SW 8th Street in Miami. Mass will be celebrated at noon, Thursday, Nov. 3 at the Church of the Little Flower at 2711 Indian Mound Trail in Coral Gables. A memorial service will be held at 10 a.m., Saturday, Nov. 5 at the Caridad Center, 8645 W. Boynton Beach Boulevard in Boynton Beach.