By Stephanie Marin, Advocacy Assistant
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| Altars and decorations from the Day of the Dead Celebration |
In an old public school building
just outside the link light rail station in Beacon Hill, El Centro de la Raza
hosts an abundance of programs for the surrounding community. Two weekends ago, they held an El Dia de los
Muertos or Day of the Dead celebration.
Bright colored streamers and ornate altars still fill the hallways! The
organization takes advantage of every little space in the building for these
special events and their programs.
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| Veterans' Altar |
Each
twist and turn brings you to a new program from employment to veteran’s services
to after school programs. In addition
to hosting two meal programs and a food bank in the facility, they even keep
two portables originally used during renovation in their parking lot to allow
even more space for daycare services!
Tuesday
through Friday, approximately 40 seniors come to El Centro de la Raza between
10 am and 1 pm. They enjoy breakfast and
coffee in the dining room and then walk over the he Salvador Allende room for
activities. Program staff and volunteers
keep the senior activities energizing with dance and other exercise classes
during the week. Seniors also have
access to computers including tutoring through the program, making it much more
than just a meal program.
After
seniors exit the dining room, El Centro de la Raza hosts a Latino hot
meal. This meal feeds approximately 45
people daily from 12 pm to 1 pm and is open to anyone who wants to come. The organization also offers a food bank for
residents in zip codes 98108 or 98144 and all
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| Food Ready for Sorting |
Latinos regardless of their zip
code. To help make sure everyone has an
equal chance at food, the food bank opens to different populations at separate
times. Wednesday afternoons are reserved
for working peoples, while Thursday mornings are for seniors 60+ only. Thursday and Friday afternoons, however,
anyone can come in. Visitors receive a
ticket based on family size and then shop with the help of volunteers.
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| Construction outside El Centro de la Raza making the facility even better! |
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