Centro La Familia
Our Story
Our Mission
Providing services that empower and support families and individuals in our culturally diverse community
Founded in 1972
Centro La Familia Advocacy Services began as a project by students from the Chicano studies class of Fresno City College, who found that many families seeking services by the Department of Social Services were being turned away due to the language barrier and the complexity of government forms.
This vibrant group of students set up a table and chairs outside the offices, and began assisting with filling out the forms and translating for these families. The County of Fresno saw the benefit of this, and began funding the project. These were our humble beginnings.
Over the last five decades, we have grown from a small, urban-centered agency providing direct advocacy and intervention services into a multi-service agency that offers social service and education programs in both rural and urban areas of Fresno County.
Centro La Familia Today
Centro La Familia provides a broad range of services to un-served and underserved residents in more than a dozen different communities. Each week, our experienced and specialized bilingual staff (English, Spanish and Hmong) works in remote areas of Fresno County to assist community members who face transportation barriers.
Growing Client Base
We serve more than 15,000 clients annually and reach more than 150,000 community members through outreach and education programs, presentations, workshops, special events and multi-media.
Executive Director
For more than two decades, I’ve been privileged to work as executive director of Centro La Familia Advocacy Services. I’m honored to partner with a caring and compassionate staff that helps low-income, monolingual/bilingual families facing often-overwhelming challenges and pressures. Each year, our nonprofit organization serves more than 15,000 clients in Fresno County through culturally sensitive programs and interventions that promote health, wellness and economic stability.
The demand for our services has grown over time — and we have evolved and expanded in response. But there is more to do. Every day, we’re working hard to find the funds to support crucial programs. And while the social climate is ever-changing, we continue rising to the challenge of helping the most vulnerable members of our community. We appreciate your support.
Margarita Rocha
Executive Director
Our Funders
Grants support most of the programs offered by Centro La Familia.
Donate to CLFA
You can support our mission of empowerment and hope by giving to Centro La Familia Advocacy Services. Your tax-deductible contribution helps us reach more people, broaden valuable programs and extend our reach in the community.
Our Partners
