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| Last updated on November 3, 2008 |
As an organization grounded in the Latino community, our mission is to build unity across all racial and economic sectors, to organize, empower, and defend our most vulnerable and marginalized populations and to bring justice, dignity, equality, and freedom to all the peoples of the world.
Our vision is a world free of oppression based on poverty, racism, sexism, sexual orientation, and discrimination of any kind, that limits equal access to the resources that ensure a healthy and productive life for all peoples and future generations, in peace, love, and harmony.
Description:
Bilingual, culturally appropriate, wraparound services that are designed to enable our participants to succeed in their efforts to become self-reliant.
Human Services: Food Bank, Hot Meals for the Homeless, Congregate & Home Delivered Meals and Social Activities for the Elderly, Infant Mortality Prevention, Homeless Assistance for Families with children, Emergency Shelter Vouchers, Rental Subsidies, Transitional Homes, Provide Tenant/landlord laws information, El Patio low-income Apartments, Advocacy & enrollment for Food Stamps, SEAMAR Basic Healthcare enrollment office on site.
Education & Skill Building: Homeownership Education & Financial Literacy, Individual Development Account (IDA) Program with United Way of King County & Community Partners, Job Readiness & Employment Placement, Citizenship Program, Civics Class, Legal Clinic referral, Clemente Course offering college credit in partnership with Seattle Central Community College, Parenting classes in partnership with Atlantic Street Family Center and Program for Early Parent Support (PEPS).
Child/Youth: Child Development Center, After-school Mentor/Tutor Educational Support Program, Youth Poetry, History, & Leadership Programs, Youth Case Management, Hernan Delgado Computer Lab.
Arts & Culture: Arts Galleria Exhibits, Mil Manos Latin American Gift Shop, Guest Speakers & Artists.
Community Building: Community Building Institute (CBI) in partnership with Minority Executive Director's Coalition, United Way of King County, & City of Seattle, Social Action, Environmental Justice, Economic development, Community Involvement, Voter Registration.
History:
The fall of 1972 was not the "best of times" for Seattle, the Northwest, the United States, or the world at large. Seattle was struggling with the "Boeing Bust", the area's worst recession since the 1930's. At one point someone erected a billboard reading, "Will the last person to leave Seattle, please turn off the lights?"
As fall came, the days shortened, the rains arrived and the air cooled into one of Seattle's coldest winters. A local incident demonstrated how the lines between national and local issues could easily become one. An anti-poverty program had been abruptly defunded, sparking and issue that led to the creation of El Centro de la Raza.
Several dozen Latino students of the English and Adult Basic Education Program at the Duwamish branch of South Seattle Community College found themselves without an educational home. On October 11, 1972 core staff, students and their families peacefully occupied the abandoned Beacon Hill School near downtown Seattle.
The people who had peacefully occupied the Beacon Hill School created a community, without running water and heat, as negotiations took place with the City of Seattle and Seattle Public Schools. At one point it became necessary to occupy the Seattle City Council Chambers to underscore the determination to develop an authentic community center on the site.
One of the key debates raged around the most appropriate location for the Latino center. The occupants were convinced that the Beacon Hill site was the most appropriate because of it's centralized location, availability, and potential for expansion and development.
The final approval from the Mayor to secure the facility came only after the peaceful occupation and subsequent arrest of El Centro leaders. The three-month occupation, in one of Seattle's coldest winters, resulted in a five year lease of the building at $1 a year.
After the victory, the people of El Centro began an extraordinary journey. Over the past three decades people's sweat equity, songs and study have built one of the largest and most productive community based organizations in the nation.
Contact people:
Office fax number: (206) 329-0786
Address:
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2524 16th Ave South
Seattle, WA 98144
This location is handicap accessible
(See a map) |
Web Site: http://www.elcentrodelaraza.org
Directions:
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From I-5 Northbound:
Take the WEST SEATTLE FREEWAY/COLUMBIAN WAY exit, exit number 163.
Keep RIGHT at the fork in the ramp.
Merge onto COLUMBIAN WAY S.
Turn LEFT onto South SPOKANE ST.
Turn LEFT onto BEACON AVE S.
Turn SLIGHT RIGHT onto 16TH AVE S.
From I-5 Southbound:
Take the W SEATTLE FWY/COLUMBIAN WAY exit, exit number 163A.
Keep LEFT at the fork in the ramp.
Merge onto COLUMBIAN WAY S.
Turn LEFT onto South SPOKANE ST.
Turn LEFT onto BEACON AVE S.
Turn SLIGHT RIGHT onto 16TH AVE S.
From I-90 Westbound:
Take the RAINIER AVE. SOUTH exit, exit number 3A.
Merge onto RAINIER AVE S/WA-167.
Turn RIGHT onto S MCCLELLAN ST. Turn RIGHT onto 21ST AVE S.
Turn LEFT onto S MCCLELLAN ST.
Turn LEFT onto 17TH AVE S.
Turn RIGHT onto S MCCLELLAN ST.
Turn RIGHT onto BEACON AVE S.
Turn SLIGHT RIGHT onto 16TH AVE S.
Nearest Bus Stop: 36, 60, 1 minute walk |
Miscellaneous Information
| Liability |
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No
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| Does your organization welcome court-ordered community service volunteers? |
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Yes
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| Does your organization have volunteer positions for youth 12-18? |
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Yes
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