By Ian Salzman

After completing my Community Engaged Learning Day at El Centro in Trenton, New Jersey, I felt like I needed to know more about this community center. My friends and I raked up trash, and leaves with some of the workers of El Centro to improve the streets of downtown Trenton and to help those who live there.

Several of the leaders of the community service said they have been volunteering there for many years, and are familiar with some of the guests that come in. I was inspired by their effort to really help the community.

Founded in 1999, El Centro has been a great and supportive resource for the Spanish-speaking community. With locations in Burlington, Mercer, Ocean and Monmouth County, this center helps with job training, immigration assistance and many other basic needs.

Briana Sosa-fondeur, a senior at The College of New Jersey, has worked with El Centro for two years.

“Anybody can walk in their doors and say ‘I need help’ and they will find the resources they need,” Sosa-fondeur said.

No appointments are required and most services are free for anyone in need of help. El Centro can prepare some in need of a job. The community service center is connected with a lot of businesses throughout the county.

“They try to build up the economy within Trenton by helping people get jobs,” Sosa-fondeur said.

In addition to getting people jobs, El Centro can help immigrants pass their citizenship test. There are evening classes to prepare consumers for naturalization in the United States as well as other accredited immigration services. These services help them adjust to American traditions.

“In this country they value being American,” said Sosa-fondeur.

English as a Second Language (ESL) Classes are also available for non-English speaking immigrants. The students that attend these classes are mostly adults who aspire to benefit themselves and their families.

“They come from having two to three jobs and still are dedicated to take these classes,” explained Sosa-fondeur. “They are dedicated for their kids as well.”

El Centro is a very special place that is trusted within the Latino community. Teaching basic needs and job training techniques for immigrants it has played an important role for many within the community.

“It is a little family.”

 

For more information about El Centro please call (609) 394-2056.