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El Centro's Award
Winning Community Service
and Educational Programs
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Peña Juvenil Programs for
YouthAll programs emphasize a culturally sensitive, open, safe and family-oriented environment where youth can develop and explore their talents and abilities with encouragement and guidance. We believe that all children can learn and succeed. We must provide the educational tools and opportunities.
The Peña Juvenil Program seeks to address the needs of Pasadena's low income youth, including: school performance, school attendance, increasing school graduation rates, overcoming negative sterotypes associated wtih gang involvement, drug abuse, teen pregnancy, teen crime and violence, and poor physical and emotional health through psychological and educational programs related to subtance abuse and prevention programs like Day One Classes/Workshops and other self image awareness building activities. We also provide opportunities for our Youth to meet and interact with positive role models.
After
School Tutorials/Leadership Developments
September - June
Tutorial programs are held for youth, kindergarten through 12th grade, are held at John Muir HIgh School, Jefferson Elementary School and Summer School in the Park..
El Centro's Youth Leadership Academy
September 2007 - June 2008
This program
takes place at John Muir HIgh School, during the regular academic
school year. Pre-teen and teenage youth are provided with peer support,
mentoring, motivational and educational speakers, field trips, and
after school tutorial help in various subjects. Students also get
to learn computer and technology skills.
Summer School in the Park
June - August
One of El Centro's key
programs is "Summer School in the Park" that is held in Pasadena's
Central
Park, and provides academic classes to over 170 students. Our key
partner is the Pasadena
Unified School District and the City of Pasadena. Students earn
official class credits, the youth also receive two nutritional meals
each day,
have access to important support services, such as counseling and
health care, receive training in a variety of art forms, and are taken
on several educational field trips. This Summer, our youth will
have the opportunity to work on their computer and technology skills
through the TELEMUNDO NETWORK & AOL computer donation.
Students will be able to do research on the Internet, through
supervision of their fully credentialed teachers.
Villa-Parke Senior Network
Program
Overview
The Villa-Parke Senior Network began after El Centro staff
observed the
serious plight of seniors in the Pasadena area. After research and
door-to-door outreach was conducted, the program was established to
specifically target the community's immigrant and Spanish-speaking
senior population, providing a host of basic human services to over 100
seniors.
The seniors in the program are in great need of human services, which
not only improve their quality of life, but also extend their life
span. Many are physically isolated, often live in deteriorated housing
and have lived in the Pasadena community an average of 25-30 years.
Many of the seniors are immigrants, and therefore hesitate to seek
assistance due to fear and/or skepticism.
The sole source of income for the seniors participating in the
Villa-Parke Senior Network is generally Supplemental Security Income
(SSI) with Medi-Care and Medi-Cal benefits. Though their health is
fragile, many are caretakers of grandchildren or extended family
members. Basic daily tasks are becoming difficult for these seniors to
coordinate, as many are approaching the onset of physical/mental
illness.
El Centro currently collaborates with several local organizations in
order to supplement the program. These organizations provide mostly
in-kind services and care to senior clients. The Huntington Memorial
Hospital's Senior Care Network the Orthopedic Podiatric Medical Croup,
Inc., the Lake Chiropractic Clinic, the Center for Aging Resources, the
Villa-Parke Community Center and the International Institute of Los
Angeles' Immediate Needs Transportation Program.
Services
The
Villa-Parke Senior Network is currently the only program in the
Pasadena area to specifically target this community, services offered
include:
- Information and referral services for health/social services, government assistance, citizenship, financial planning, etc
- Home services (including case management to ensure preventative care and coordination of daily life tasks), counseling, home visits, etc.
- Socialization classes in ESL, Spanish literacy, citizenship, ceramics, sewing, and arts and crafts, which provide important social and physical interaction
- Advocacy, which provides collective representation to seniors, ensuring that their needs and important role in society are not overlooked, while also promoting awareness/self-esteem among the seniors themselves.
Classes
All
classes and presentations are held at:
Villa-Parke Community Center
363 East Villa Street
Pasadena CA 91107
Room 108
Monday 9:00 am - 11:00 am ESL
Tuesday 9:00 am - 11:00 am Computer Classes
Wednesday 9:00 am - 11:00 am ESL
Thursday 9:00 am - 11:00 am Citizenship & Computer Classes
Friday 9:00 am - 11:00 am ESL
Various field trip activities.
For more information or questions on our senior program please send an
email to:
julio.pimentel@elcentropasadena.org
Each year El Centro de Acción Social organizes
important cultural celebrations that usually attract over 300
individuals. Below you can read about the origins
and significance of these occasions. Please also see our Calendar of
Events page to learn when and where El Centro will host its next
celebration. In addition Dia de los America's is a new and progressive
(non religious) celebration that wil celbrate the indiginous
achievments and struggles of the native peoples and the Spanish
Speaking regions of the Americas, including North, Sourth, Central
regions uniting the total indeginous peoples into a celebration of
unification and celebration of cultures.
Information and Referral Services Below is a list of agencies providing various services to the
local community.These agencies are referrals only; El Centro does not
take responsibility for individual agencies. If the services you are
seeking are not provided below, please call El Centro for individual
assistance.
Food,
Shelter and Clothing BIENVENIDOS VILLAGE FOR CHILDREN FRIENDS IN DEED HOUSE C.H.A.P. CLINIC FOOTHILL FAMILY SERVICES HAVEN HOUSE EMPLOYMENT DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT (EDD) CONSUMER ACTION CENTER Cultural Celebrations
Día
de los Muertos/Dia de los America's
Traditionally, a time when Mexican and Latin American families
celebrate the continuity of life and death through the remembrance of
passed loved ones. The origin of the holiday can be dated back to the
Aztecs, who devoted the 9th and 10th months of their calendar to the
commemoration of the dead. The traditions were altered in 1521 when the
invading Spaniards brought Christianity to the region, fusing the Aztec
ideal of honoring the faithfully departed with that of the Christian
holidays of All Saints’ Day and All Souls Day, November 1st and 2nd.
Día de los Muertos is now celebrated in late October by many
Catholic countries throughout the world, and is characterized by
indigenous beliefs and Catholic ideals. The celebration is a colorful,
joyous occasion that honors the dead while rejoicing in the living.
While regional observances vary, alteras (altars) decorated with
ofrendas (offerings) for the dearly departed are common. These ofrendas
often include bright flowers, candles, pan de muertos (bread of the
dead), photos, and/or anything else favored by the honored family
member. Rather than a morose, bereavement period, Día de los
Muertos brings families and friends together in love, laughter, honor
and tradition.
Although the French occupation continued after the Battle of Puebla,
Cinco de Mayo remained a time to commemorate Mexican’s solidarity and
national pride. The holiday has more widespread festivities in America
than in Mexico, though the celebration in Puebla, Mexico is still
significant. Mexicans and Mexican-Americans usually celebrate this
important day with food, music, dancing and parades.
Día
de los Tres Reyes Magos
Día
de los Tres Reyes honors the arrival in Bethlehem of the
Reyes Magos (3 Wise Men), who presented gifts to the baby Jesus. Part
of the extended Christmas season and celebrated in Mexico/Central
America on January
6th, Día de los Reyes is the actual morning that the ‘good’
children awaken to find gifts and candy. It is customary to leave out
shoes where treasures may be left by the visiting ‘Wise Men’.
Served on this day is the Rosca de Reyes, wreath-shaped sweet bread
decorated with jewel-like candied fruit. Tiny ceramic representations
of the baby Jesus are baked inside the bread. Whoever gets the piece
with the figurine is traditionally obliged to host the Día de la
Candelaria (Day of the Light) celebration on February 2, which marks
the end of the Christmas season.
Food,
Shelter and Clothing
Health
Service
Social
Service
Support
Services for Family
Employment
Legal
Services
183 E. Palm
Altadena, CA 91001
(626) 798-7222
Bilingual: Spanish
8:30am - 5:00pm
Crisis respite care for children. Case management services,
individual/family counseling, access to medical services.
www.bienvenidos.org
CENTER FOR COMMUNITY/FAMILY SERVICES
1040 N. Lincoln Ave. Suite 200
Pasadena, CA 91103
(626) 795-7990
Bilingual: Spanish
Support self-sufficiency for individuals/families.
Administers Head Start/Child Development
Programs. Job training/placement. Low-income
Housing. Emergency food.
www.ccafs.org
SALVATION ARMY SOCIAL SERVICES
960 E. Walnut Street
Pasadena, CA 91106
(626) 795-8630
9:00am - 11:00am
Food/other programs for low-income families.
Proof of low-come status is required. Call for information.
444 E. Washington Blvd.
Pasadena, CA 91104
(626) 797-6072
Bilingual: Spanish
9:00am - 3:00pm, Monday – Friday
Non-Emergency Clothing: 10:00am -12:30pm Mon.,Thurs./Fri
Non-Emergency Food: 10:00am -12:30pm; 1:30pm - 2:30pm Tue., Wed.
Emergency referrals accepted
www.ppc.net/mission/localprograms/homelocal.html#Friends
JACKIE ROBINSON CENTER
1020 N. Fair Oaks Avenue
Pasadena, CA 91103
(626) 744-7300
Bilingual: Spanish
Food every second Friday of the month at 9:00am.
First to arrive-served first.
www.ci.pasadena.ca.us
VILLA-PARKE COMMUNITY CENTER
363 E. Villa Street
Pasadena, CA 91101
(626) 744-6530
Bilingual: Spanish
Food every third Saturday of the month from 10:00am to Noon.
www.cipasadena.ca.us
UNION STATION
412 S. Raymond Ave.
Pasadena, CA 91105
Breakfast at 9:00am; Lunch at Noon
Shelter is based on availability.
www.unionstationfoundation.org
1855 N. Fair Oaks Ave.
Pasadena, CA 91103
(626) 398-6300
Bilingual: Spanish
9:00am - 8:00pm Monday -Thursday
8:00am - 12:00 Noon on Fridays
9:00am - 3:00pm on Saturdays
Charges depend on services provided.
Government funded programs for
qualified patients.
HOSPICE OF PASADENA
100 W. California Blvd.
Pasadena, CA 91105
8:30 am - 5:00pm Mon.-Fri.
In-home supportive care for terminally ill patients. Also provides
individual/family counseling for those facing or experiencing a loss.
(free)
YOUNG AND HEALTHY
37 N. Holliston, Pasadena, CA
(626) 795-5166
Available to students in Pasadena Unified School District. Homeless
shelters and designated day-care centers.
www.youngandhealthy-pas.org
HEALTHY BABIES ALLIANCE
980 N. Fair Oaks Ave. Rm. 24
Pasadena, CA 91103
(626) 296-1000
Support groups, parenting education, workshops.
Mentors for teen moms/mothers of teen moms.
Healthy Fathers/Healthy Men groups for teen fathers.
1pm to 5pm appointment only
CONVALESCENT AID SOCIETY
3255 E. Foothill Blvd.
Pasadena, CA 91107
(626) 793-1696
8:30am - 4:30pm Monday - Friday
Loan of Durable Medical Equipment
www.convalescentaidsociety.org
118 S. Oak Knoll Avenue
Pasadena, CA 91101
(626) 795-6907
8:30am - 9:00pm Mon-Thurs.,
8:30am - 6:00pm Fri.,
8:30am - 2:00pm Saturday
Charges: Varies - call for information.
Professional individual, family/group counseling for all ages. Child
abuse/domestic violence treatment. Parenting classes, youth services.
www.foothillfamily.org
PACIFIC CLINICS
909 S. Fair Oaks Ave.
Pasadena, CA 91105
(626) 795-8471
Bilingual: Spanish
8:00am - 8:00pm Mon.,Wed.,Thurs.,
8:00am - 5:00pm Tues./Fri.
Medi-cal, Medicare, private insurance sliding fee scale. No one is
denied service because of inability to pay. Persons 18 and over with
serious emotional problems.
www.pacificclinics.org
LA COUNTY & USC MEDICAL CENTER
Information: (323) 226-2622
Make and Cancel Appointment: (323) 226-5111
www.ladhs.org
LAS ENCINAS HOSPITAL
2900 E. Del Mar Blvd.
Pasadena, CA 91107
(626) 795-9901
24 hours. Translation available.
Treatment services are covered by most health insurance plans. Acute
psychiatric/chemical dependency facility with 138 beds. Offers a full
continuum of inpatient and outpatient services for children,
adolescents, adults, seniors.
www.lasencinashospital.com
PACIFIC CLINICS
66 Hurlbut Street
Pasadena, CA 91105
(626) 441-4221
Bilingual: Spanish
8:00am - 8:00pm Mon.,Wed.,Thurs.
8:00am - 5:00pm Tues./Fri.
Children, youth, families, outpatient treatment services.
PASADENA MENTAL HEALTH CENTER
1495 N. Lake Ave.
Pasadena, CA 91104
(626) 798-0907
9:00am - 9:00pm Mon.-Thurs
9:00am - 5:00pm Fri. 9:00am - 1:00pm Sat.
Sliding Scale from $5-$35.
Counseling for a wide variety of personal/family problems.
www.pmhc.org
MIRIAM MENDEZ
(626) 794-4401
Pasadena, CA
Bilingual: Spanish
Parenting classes.
Anger/Domestic workshops.
(626) 564-8880
Hot Line: (323) 681-2626
Bilingual: Spanish
Shelter program for battered women and their children. Counseling for
women. Free support group for teens. One time fee $15.
www.itsnotok.org
GRACE CENTER
Pasadena, CA 91117
(626) 355-4545
Mon.-Fri. 9:00am - 5:00pm
Bilingual: Spanish
Provides emergency response/crisis counseling, evaluation, advocacy,
referrals/resources to battered women/their children.
www.gracecenter.org
FOOTHILL FAMILY SERVICE
Teen Families Program
118 S. Oak Knoll Ave.
Pasadena, CA 91101
8:30am - 9:00pm Mon - Thurs.
Bilingual: Spanish
Arrangements for access to all available services for teenager parents,
17 and younger.
www.foothillfamily.org
MOTHER'S CLUB COMMUNITY CENTER
526 E. Orange Grove
Pasadena, CA
(626) 792-2687
Bilingual: Spanish
Social support for low-income mothers, with infants toddlers;
pre-school care for the children.
FREE
www.mothersclub.org
FRIENDS OUTSIDE IN LA COUNTY
464 E. Walnut
Pasadena, CA
(626)795-7607
Bilingual: Spanish
Monday-Fridays 9:00am - Noon/1:00pm - 4:00pm
Social Services for family members affected by incarceration.
FREE
PASADENA UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT
FAMILIES IN TRANSITION
325 S. Oak Knoll
Pasadena, CA
(626) 683-9355
Bilingual: Spanish
Educational support for families who reside in shelters, motels/or live
"double-up" with another family.
Services: school supplies, physicals for children, immunization,
medical care, after school tutoring, referrals for food - the "Kids
Kloset". FREE Wheelchair accessible.
www.pasadena.k12.ca.us
TEEN HORIZONS CLINIC
1845 N. Fair Oaks Ave.#2130
Pasadena, CA 91103
(626) 744-6125
1:00pm - 4:00pm Thurs.
Counseling/prenatal Services for teenagers.
Pasadena Job Service
1207 E. Green Street
Pasadena, CA 91106
(626) 304-7922
8:00am - 5:00pm Mon-Fri.
Job placement and unemployment insurance applications.
State Agency
www.edd.cahwnet.gov
FOOTHILL EMPLOYMENT/TRAINING CONNECTION
1207 E. Green Street
Pasadena, CA 91106
(626) 584-8381
Job seeking services to adults/dislocated workers. Also provide
education/training services to youth through contract with local
school/community based organizations.
www.ci.pasadena.ca.us
URBAN LEAGUE
PASADENA FOOTHILL BRANCH
1200 N. Fair Oaks Ave.
Pasadena, CA 91103
(626) 398-6155
8:30am - 5:00pm Mon. - Fri.
Job listings, referrals, self-directed resource center, vocational
training programs available for youth and adults.
www.edd.ca.gov
COMMUNITY EDUCATION CENTER
3035 E. Foothill Blvd.
Pasadena, CA 91107
(626) 585-3000
8:00am - 4:00pm Mon.-Fri.
6:00pm - 10:00pm Mon.-Thurs.
ESL classes. Short-term vocational training for adults. Call for
Information: (626) 585-3180
www.paccd.cc.ca.us
NATIONAL ASSOCIATION FOR HISPANIC ELDERLY
234 E. Colorado Blvd. Suite 300
Pasadena, CA 91101
(626) 564-1988
9:00am - 5:00pm Mon.-Fri.
Bilingual: Spanish
Provide social services employment training program for seniors age 55
and over.
WOMEN AT WORK
50 N. Hill Ave., Suite 300
Pasadena, CA 91101
(626) 796-6870
10:00am - 7:00pm Wed
10:00am-4:00pm Mon., Tues., Thurs.,
Closed Fri.
Career and Job resource Center
www.womenatwork1.or
Jackie Robinson Center
1020 N. Fair Oaks Ave.
Pasadena, CA 91103
626) 744-7339 or 744-7341
8:00am - 5:00pm Mon. - Fri.
Bilingual: Spanish
Assistance with consumer problems, landlord/tenant disputes, legal
difficulties. Assistance with filling out legal and non-legal forms.
www.ci.pasadena.ca.us
LAWYER REFERRAL SERVICE
221 E. Walnut Street, Suite 102
Pasadena, CA 91101
(626) 795-3233
VICTIM WITNESS ASSIST PROGRAM
300 E. Walnut, Suite 107
Pasadena, CA 91101
(626) 356-5715
8:00am - 4:30pm Mon.-Fri.
IMMIGRATION
Questions: Esther Partida
Villa-Parke Community Center
(626) 744-6530 with appointment
EL CALVARIO COMMUNITY CENTER
Immigration Questions
El Monte, CA (626) 441-4541