El Centro was founded in 1968 by a  group of dedicated and passionate individuals who saw an increasing need for basic social services for the growing Spanish-speaking population of the Pasadena community.
After securing the support of the City of Pasadena, the group opened in a small building located in Pasadena’s Central Park. El Centro has remained an active community organization since that time and today provides services to thousands of families and individuals each year, from all backgrounds and ethnicities.

Volunteers forms

Looking to Volunteer

37 E. Del Mar Blvd, Pasadena, Ca 91105

To contact us:

(626) 792-3148

info@elcentropasadena.org                webpage: elcentropasadena@yahoo.com

  El Centro’s Programs and Services

Peña Juvenil Programs for Youth/ El Centro's Youth Leadership Academy at Muir High School , Pasadena Unified School District.
Peña Juvenil addresses the needs of Pasadena’s low income youth by providing educational programs including: after school tutorials, a leadership youth group, and a "Summer School in the Park" program, and online educational links and resources to further educational opportunities and social awareness.

Villa-Parke Senior Network
Enhances the quality of life for seniors by offering alternatives to social isolation and by providing awareness of available community resources. Provides services to over 150 seniors per year, including: case management; citizenship and ESL classes; arts and crafts classes; and referrals for medical, psychological and other support services.

Cultural Celebrations
El Centro holds a series of festivals and exhibits that recognize the historical and cultural contributions of Latinos in California, including: Día de los Tres Reyes (Three Kings Day), Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) / Dia De Los Americas, Latino Graduation, and the Cesar Chavez Commemoration Event.

El Centro Volunteer Program
If you are interested in voluteering with El Centro's programs, please contact us via phone at 626.792.3148 or email our Program Youth Manager, at:

coralito.albares@elcentropasadena.org

Looking to Volunteer

Volunteer Package

Information and Referral Services
Connects El Centro’s clients with the specific community and government service agencies best suited to meet their individual and family needs.

Univision, Odio Racial En California, Spanish

Summer in the Park, Application .pdf

37 E. Del Mar Blvd, Pasadena, Ca 91105  (between Raymond and Fair Oaks)

Hours: Mon - Friday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. tel. (626) 792-3148 fax (626) 792-3084 info@elcentropasadena.org

Building better lives through service to each other and the community...

Randy Jurado, El Centro's Executive Director Meets With Nancy Pelosi, Speaker of the House (U.S. Congress).  June 2008

by Summer in the Park student

Coralito Alvarez, El Centro staff

March 20, 2009

Dear El Centro Friend,

El Centro needs your help. Demand for services offered by El Centro, continue to increase.  At the same time, due to tough economic times, grants and foundation funds we normally depend on are being reduced. Without additional support these reductions may force El Centro to limit or cut services that support hundreds of low income Pasadena/Altadena children, youth and senior citizens every day.  more

El Centro Scholarship Fund Ceremony

 We are preparing to have our 2009 El Centro Scholarship Fund Ceremony and we would greatly appreciate your support by donating to our scholarship fund. You will help to improve the lives of many students who will be attending community colleges and universities.  You can make your tax deductible contribution by visiting our web site: http://ww.elcentropasadena.org/ec-donate.html and you can click on the "Donate Now" box. You can also mail a check or money order to: El Centro de Accion Social - address: 37 E. Del Mar Blvd Pasadena , CA 91105 .

 Thank you for your support.

Thank you for your support

 

April 22, 2009

 

El Centro de Accion Social’s Board of Directors and staff would like to take this opportunity to thank you for your continued support.

 

El Centro works throughout the academic year and summer to help students improve their academics and personal growth. We are currently preparing for our 2009 Summer School in the Park program where we help over 150 Pasadena Unified School District (PUSD) Kindergarten through 12th grade students improve their grades in subjects such as English, science, and math. PUSD refers students to participate in El Centro’s Summer School in the Park program, which means success instead of failure for many students who need the additional learning experience and academic knowledge in order to graduate.   more

Adriana De La Torre – El Centro’s Ambassador for Peace. Adrian De La Torre will graduate from Pasadena's John Muir High School in June and her dream is to

De La Torre was born at Huntington Memorial Hospital in Pasadena.  She attended Roosevelt Elementary School, Eliot Middle School, and is a current senior at John Muir High School.

  Her dream is to go to a University and to become a Kindergarten teacher or go into business as an entrepreneur                 more