El Centro de la Raza

Unsettled Territory: Community Grows From Seattle’s Civil Rights Movement In Seattle’s welcoming Beacon Hill neighborhood, El Centro de la Raza, the “Center for People of All Races,” has functioned as a vibrant community hub for over fifty years. Amidst the organizing fervor of the 1970s, and in response to funding cuts to a beloved English as a Second Language program, activists from Seattle’s growing Latino community and a diverse network of supporters staged a peaceful three-month occupation in the abandoned Beacon Hill School building with the dream of converting the space into a center for mutual aid and cultural exchange. Hear from Co-founder and Executive Director Estela Ortega about how the building became a catalyst for change. Next door, visit The Station coffee shop to hear from co-owner Luis Rodriguez about how he found welcome at El Centro de la Raza as a teenager and went on to start his own community space. Today, El Centro de la Raza continues to unite and empower people across Seattle. Produced by: Atlantic Re:thinkEdited · 20m

"Everyone involved is invested in the mission of providing housing that allows families of all incomes to remain part of the Seattle community. It’s this shared passion and commitment that has enabled us to stay on budget, while making choices that will provide a beautiful and sustainably-built place for folks to call home." - Beacon Pacific Village team member and Associate, Stephanie Farrell, AIA To kick off the Housing Development Consortium of Seattle - King County's (HDC) Affordable Housing Week, we hosted a tour of Beacon Pacific Village with the HDC and Marpac Construction. The upcoming AHW tour on May 17th is sold out. However, you can read about the project's cutting-edge design and sustainable architecture, which supports affordable, family-sized housing and vital community services, in the recent blog post recapping last week's tour from Communities of Opportunity. https://lnkd.in/guKqRVF3 Overview of the project: - Beacon Pacific Village, developed by SCIDpda, will bring 160 homes affordable at 50% and 60% of Area Median Income to North Beacon Hill. - A significant portion of the units are family-sized, with 3- or 4-bedrooms, creating critical housing for multi- and intergenerational families at risk of displacement. - The development also integrates essential childcare and elderly care facilities, supporting the community’s needs and helping to preserve its cultural and social fabric. - The first phase includes a 24,000 square foot facility for a Program for All-inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE) managed by International Community Health Services, and a 10,000 square foot Jose Marti Child Development Center operated by El Centro de la Raza. (Photos courtesy Communities of Opportunity, Catherine Hinrichsen, APR) #affordablehousing #affordablehousingweek #seattlearchitecture #sustainablearchitecture

Be a part of something special! From May 7 - 8, your generosity can power our crucial initiatives here at El Centro de la Raza. Let’s spark that spirit of giving and drive meaningful change hand in hand. Experience the fulfillment of giving back and transform lives with El Centro de la Raza. Visit bit.ly/ELCDRGiveBIG to contribute. #GiveBigWA #SupportLocal #FeelGoodGiving

We're thrilled to announce significant progress at our Four Amigos - Beloved Community project in Columbia City! Named after the Four Amigos, this affordable housing development commemorates Roberto Maestas' enduring partnerships with Larry Gossett, Bob Santos, and Bernie Whitebear. Construction Update: The building structure is complete, and Walsh Construction Co. is focused on the exterior weather barrier, scaffolding, cladding, and roofing. We're proud to aim for a February 2025 finish, bringing affordable housing to our community. Gratitude: Many thanks to our neighbors for their patience and support, and to the Church of Hope, SMR Architects, Beacon Hill Development Project, and Walsh Construction Co. for their collaboration. Edited · 2w

On Thursday, February 22, we convened at our Business Opportunity Center to rally behind over 40 Latina women entrepreneurs in our community. Our aim was clear: to equip them with the tools and resources essential for igniting and nurturing their business ventures. But the impact didn't stop there! We delved into pivotal programs offered at El Centro de la Raza like the Unidos at Work Program, offering crucial technology job training. Additionally, our discussion on the Unidos in Finance Program illuminated pathways in financial management, including our Lending Circles Program, which provides safe methods for building credit and savings, among other vital services. Our Business Opportunity Center took the spotlight, shedding light on the comprehensive support we offer, from obtaining business licenses and permits to navigating banking and marketing strategies. Our dedication to fostering the success of Latina-owned small businesses remains unwavering. They are the backbone of our community's economic prosperity. 

Free Bilingual Legal Clinic: Making Legal Assistance Accessible Join us for our upcoming Free Bilingual Legal Clinic, proudly presented by the @Latino/a Bar Association of Washington, King County Bar Association, and El Centro de la Raza. This initiative aims to bridge the gap in access to legal services, ensuring everyone in our community has the opportunity to seek justice and uphold their rights. Date: April 10, 2024 Time: Registration: 4:00 - 6:00 PM | Attorney Consultations: 6:00 - 8:00 PM Venue: El Centro de la Raza - 2524 16th Ave S, Seattle, WA 98144, 3rd Floor At our Free Bilingual Legal Clinic, individuals facing legal challenges can receive invaluable assistance from dedicated bilingual attorneys and interpreters, all on a pro bono basis. Services offered include limited free legal advice, bilingual assistance, and expert guidance from volunteer attorneys. Please note: Our Free Legal Clinic operates on a first-come, first-served basis. Early registration is encouraged to secure your spot. El Centro de la Raza's commitment to serving the community extends beyond this clinic. As a cornerstone institution, El Centro de la Raza has been instrumental in uplifting and empowering individuals and families in Seattle for decades through various programs and services, including educational workshops, social services, and advocacy initiatives. Join us on April 10th and be a part of this transformative initiative. Together, we can ensure that everyone has equal access to justice and legal assistance. For more information or to register, please contact [contact information]. Let's stand together in support of justice for all.

Estela Ortega, Executive Director of El Centro de la Raza, speaks to @Kcts9 about our mission. ____ #REPOST @elcentrodelaraza provides programs and resources to help the most vulnerable in our community, with 43 different programs that reach over 20,000 individuals. Join us in celebrating El Centro de la Raza, one of our Northwest Neighbors! #NorthwestNeighbors #LookForTheHelpers

We're still buzzing with excitement, and we want to extend our heartfelt thanks for your participation in 'Building the Beloved Community. 📸: Hadley Plett

We're delighted to announce that El Centro de la Raza's 'Building the Beloved Community' gala has raised $649,674.00, and the total continues to grow! Our annual Building the Beloved Community Gala, which took place on Saturday, October 14, 2023, was a remarkable success, thanks to your support and commitment to 'Building the Beloved Community.' The gala was a night to remember, with attendees coming together to raise crucial funds for 43 programs and services that positively impact over 20,000 individuals and families across our region. Thank you for contributing to the success of the evening. Mil gracias!

In a world where talk is cheap, actions speak volumes. Our recent collaboration with El Centro de la Raza, Treehouse, and the invaluable support of AT&T have allowed us to distribute 300 laptops to the Seattle/King's County Latino Community. This initiative is a testament to what can be achieved when the private and public sectors come together in a genuine commitment to shared values like digital inclusion and social responsibility. It's a collective effort that proves businesses and organizations really CAN be catalysts for meaningful, lasting change. #digitalinclusion #digitalequity #techforgood