Site Based Team:

Nicole Addesso (SBT Leader)

Kyle Collins

Abby Kaeser

Chris Johansen

Tresure Borde

 

 

El Centro Description/Mission

El Centro de Recursos para Familias (Family Resource Center) is a sub-unit of Catholic Charities Diocese of Trenton. With a valued mission to meet the varied needs of the growing Latino community in the greater Trenton area and beyond, El Centro provides a number of services to the community. These services include: individual and family counseling, a women’s support group, a men’s support group, a youth program, basic adult education classes, computer classes, medical services, English as a Second Language (ESL), supportive services for families with children up to three years of age, assistance to expectant mothers with information on pregnancy and health insurance, seminars on handling immigration issues, home buying and how to open a bank account.

 

 

Mission of Catholic Charities

Catholic Charities, Diocese of Trenton, inspired by the Scriptures as reflected in Catholic Social Teaching, alleviates human suffering and improves the quality of life of individuals and families, especially the poor and vulnerable, through service, advocacy, and community building.

 

 

What is El Centro?

El Centro is an after-school program started by Rider University students with Catholic Charities for children of Latin-American background living in the Trenton area who have a basic knowledge of the English Language. The program offers tutoring and fun activities for the children (ages 7-15) to participate in and keep them occupied and safe during the hours after school and before their parents return from work.

 

 

Bonner and El Centro

El Centro after school program is run solely by Bonner students from both Rider University and The College of New Jersey.  Those who work there spend time tutoring and mentoring the children with their homework as well as provide a fun and safe environment to keep the children entertained and interested.

 

 

What if I don't speak Spanish?

One of the goals we work toward at El Centro is accustoming the children with a primarily English-speaking environment.  Because they are there to learn and use the English language, it is not necessary that you as a volunteer are fluent in Spanish.

 

 

Off-Site Activities

In addition to all the tutoring activities done at El Centro, we also like to take the children out for educational and entertaining field trips including: The Philadelphia Zoo, The Camden Aquarium, and Ice skating.

 

 

Contact Information:

If interested in volunteering with the El Centro After School Program, please contact Nicole Addesso.

 

 

 

 

Rider Community Scholars/Bonner Leaders

Nicole Addesso, Site-based Team Leader

Email: addesso@rider.edu

 

 

 

 

 

El Centro Catholic Charities

383 West State Street

Trenton, NJ 08618

Phone:  (609) 394-5181