On September 14, I attended the grand opening of the new El Centro building located in building 700, right across from the Financial Aid and Admissions. CARNAL (Creating Academic Readiness Network for Aspiring Latinos) and CLEA (Chicano Latino Education Association) decided to create a new environment for students to seek advice about FAFSA, applying for college, counseling support and a place to lounge in between classes.
El Centro will have events and festivals throughout the semester, celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month and Raza College Day. El Centro is not only for our Latino students, other students on campus are more than welcome to come and join.
The grand opening consisted of an array of Mexican foods such as nachos, rice, and beans. Before seeing a festival, a huge crowd gathered around the local Mariachi band and two women in extravagant and colorful dresses.
The women explained that their particular style of dance was commonly seen in Mexico and is preformed mostly with Mariachi bands. I got a chance to also observe the inside of El Centro. Inside held booths for people to talk about financial aid and counseling.
El Centro will be open from 7 p.m. — 9 p.m. Monday through Thursdays and Fridays 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. They can help students having trouble learning Spanish and English and are also open during the summer (9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Thursday).
Feel free to check out El Centro’s links on the Chabot College website for more updates and upcoming events during the semester and summer.