Centro De Familia / Familia Center
711 East Cliff Drive
Santa Cruz, CA 95060
(831) 423-5747

Mission: Familia Center is the only Latino community-based family resource center serving low income residents of northern Santa Cruz County. The mission of Familia Center is to promote a sense of empowerment to those who struggle with poverty, exclusion, and racism. We assist families and children to meet their human needs through advocacy, crisis intervention, enrichment, information, referral, and follow-up.

Bilingual and Bicultural Services: Familia Center is extremely responsive to the needs of low income Latinos and functions as a "one-stop-shop" of services for local families. In addition to providing families with a number of direct services at the site, Familia Center offers information and referral to facilitate its clients' access to other community resources. The Center works closely with other community organizations specializing in nutrition, hunger, housing, prenatal care, domestic violence, immigration, and employment.

Our services are both community and education based:

Community --->

  • Community Information & referral
  • Case management
  • Food and clothing distribution
  • Neighborhood improvements clean ups, mural project
  • Cultural events
  • Assistance with citizenship applications
  • Summer lunch program
  • Annual health fair
  • Spanish language interpretation
  • Home visitation program
  • Field trips- nature trips, holidays
  • Leadership, education, art, and sports activities for youth
  • English literacy program for youth
  • English as a Second Language (ESL) classes
  • Education and empowerment workshops
  • After-school tutoring
  • Parent education

    • <--- Education

    Who Do We Serve?
    Familia Center serves about 3,000 people (1,000 families) in Northern Santa Cruz County. Eighty-two percent of Familia Center's clients are Latino and very low income, with 95% of average households of six earning less than $15,000 annually. The families are primarily immigrants from Mexico who come to the United States to work. The employment available to them in the service industry and agriculture does not provide them a livable wage or health benefits.

    Who Are We?
    Familia Center has six staff members all of whom are bilingual and bicultural. Our 60 active volunteers are also an integral part of providing critical services to the community.

    How is All This Possible?
    The annual budget of Familia Center is $242,063. Support comes from Santa Cruz City and County grants, foundation and corporate grants, as well as donations from community members and businesses. Interested?

    To volunteer or for more information contact:
    Ana Espinoza, Executive Director (831) 423-5747
    Monday-Friday, 9-12, 1-5

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