El Centro de La Raza
Seattle, WA
Mission Statement: 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.
El Centro de la Raza is a voice and a hub for Seattle and Martin Luther King, Jr. County’s Latino community as we advocate on behalf of our people and work to achieve social justice. Through our comprehensive programs and services, we empower members of the Latino community as fully participating members of society. We also work to raise awareness with the general public, and government, business and civic leaders about the needs of the Chicano/Latino community in the United States.
The organization has a strong commitment to the struggle for civil rights for all persons, regardless of race, and a rich history of services to the community. Many of the program participants come back to El Centro de la Raza to join the advocacy efforts, to volunteer, or just to visit. Along with the local work, El Centro de la Raza maintains an international perspective and connections and continue to work for positive social change in the global community.
El Centro de la Raza strives to have a positive impact on people’s lives. We use evaluation tools to make sure that measureable change occurs through the services we deliver. Each of El Centro’s programs helps participants progress toward one of these “Nineteen Core Outcomes”:
- People meet their basic food needs
- People transitioning out of homelessness secure permanent housing
- People retain jobs
- Low/moderate income people are able to purchase a home
- Increased knowledge of banking and personal money management
- Successful default counseling; families determine best housing solution
- Infants/young children meet development milestones
- Young children are prepared to enter kindergarten
- Students develop/strengthen skills and/or habits that support academic success
- Educationally at-risk students make academic progress
- Older adults maintain the highest possible quality of life
- People acquire/improve English language and literacy skills
- Parents/guardians participate in children’s learning
- Identify, alleviate and meet the needs of at-risk pregnant women
- Families obtain resources to prevent eviction and achieve housing stability
- Youth are encouraged and better prepared to pursue and/or enroll in post-secondary education
- Individuals and families in crisis receive immediate information, referral and services
- Engage Latino Families and community members in Juvenile Justice advocacy and policy changes
- Increase access and awareness of human services, housing, and health resources for Latino Veterans
To learn more about El Centro de la Raza, visit www.elcentrodelaraza.com.
