San Fernando : UPS Grant a Boon to El Centro’s Services

A grant from United Parcel Service to El Centro de Amistad in San Fernando will allow the nonprofit agency to purchase a building and expand the outreach services it provides to San Fernando Valley residents.

This week, UPS awarded its annual $100,000 district/region grant to El Centro, citing the group’s “overwhelming . . . ability to make a critical difference in the community it serves with limited funding resources.”

Angel Perez Jr., program director of El Centro’s satellite office in San Fernando, said the money would be used to buy a building that will house a multipurpose service center and educational resource offices.

“It will be a one-stop center where all kinds of services will be offered,” Perez said. Programs would include computer literacy, tutoring and homework assistance for youths, group parenting classes, counseling and health clinics.

“We run these kinds of programs right now, but on a very small scale,” Perez said. “We’d like to buy the building we’re leasing space in right now,” which is located at 568 S. Brand Blvd. El Centro’s current San Fernando offices have about 1,400 square feet of space. Purchasing the building would give the agency about 5,400 square feet, Perez said. “It will result in an immediate ability for us to service more clients,” he said.

The satellite center currently aids about 100 people per week.