Economic Development Programs

El Centro de la Raza believes that economic development in poor and working communities is essential for progress and survival in our city...our nation...and our world. As a result, we are committed to developing programs that create real opportunities for our community. Our economic development programs provide a base for small business enterprises that can train and employ people, create financial resources to stabilize families in the community and provide resources for our programs.

Economic Development:

El Centro de la Raza's economic development activities include predevelopment analysis and small venture development, as well as advocacy and planning for the Chicano/Latino community and local neighborhoods. Our projects have made important contributions to the Chicano/Latino community, as well as the areas surrounding El Centro de la Raza-the minority and low-income communities of Beacon Hill, Rainier Valley, Georgetown and South Seattle.

Our goals for all economic development programs are to:

• Meet the needs of businesses and families in our community:
• Create jobs and training
• Generate income to support El Centro de la Raza's activities
• Participate in the city and regional planning for overall community development

Present developments in operation at El Centro de la Raza include:

• Community kitchen (La Cocina Popular) with meal programs for low-income people and catering services
• Museum store
• Office leasing
• Printing business
• Gallery

El Centro de la Raza helped create a printing business that has since become independent.

Future developments under consideration include:

• For-profit child development center
• Festival market
• Permanent market
• Espresso Cart
• Imports of crafts and fine art

Capital Improvements:

Over the years we have made significant capital improvements to our property allowing us to expand our services and bring us closer to our goals.

Our goals are:

• Develop and affirm cultural identity of El Centro de la Raza, the Latino community and our surrounding neighborhoods
• Provide indoor and outdoor recreation areas for children and families
• Preserve the distinctive design and landscape of our 1904 Beacon Hill School building
• Respond to the changing needs of our building and property
• Renovate existing office space for better provisions of programs
• Provide space for business development

At this time we have completed the following improvements:

• Senior/multipurpose room
• Sports court
• Elevator
• Kioskp and plaza
• Frances Martinez Community Service Center renovation
• Jose Martí Child Development Center renovation
• Third floor office renovation
• International Relations/Community Outreach Department renovation
• La Cocina Popular renovation         

• Additional office space
• Classroom for English As A Second Language Classes

Future Capital improvements include:

• Market infrastructure
• Multipurpose building (gym/auditorium)

Seniors, youths, individuals and families have benefited from the capital improvements and community economic developments of El Centro de la Raza. Our senior room provides ample meeting space for seniors who might otherwise have no comfortable common place to gather. La Cocina Popular (The People's Kitchen) provides hot meals for people who have no other means of getting a nutritional meal every day. The English As A Second Language classroom and other training rooms are used by many students to acquire the skills necessary to be productive citizens in their community. Because our community is generally under developed in parks and recreation space, we built a sports court, kiosko and plaza to provide outside recreational areas for our youth and families. The Frances Martinez Community Service Center and Jose Marti Child Development Center have served thousands of individuals and families since their renovation and expansion.

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Revised: March 1, 2004.
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