(upbeat music) - My name is Estela Ortega, and I'm the executive director and co-founder of El Centro de la Raza.

El Centro de la Raza began as a response to the defunding of an important English as a second language program in 1972.

It was led by our main organizer, Roberto Maestes.

The program also provided our community with basic needs.

School like the old Beacon Hill School were being abandoned.

Governor Dan Evans at the time said communities should make use of those buildings.

So on October the 11th, 1972, Chicanos, Mexicanos, and other Seattle community members occupied the abandoned Beacon Hill School, demanding a place we could call our own, El Centro de la Raza, The Center for People of All Races.

It's been 50 years and we are still here today.

We provide programs and resources to help the most vulnerable in our community.

We have 43 different programs and reach over 20,000 people assisting with food, employment, housing, education, childcare, emergency services, and the list goes on and on.

It is a long struggle to create a better life for our people.

We believe those who are marginalized need to be a part of the solution.

I grew up in a small town right outside of Houston.

We lived in dire poverty, and I worked in the fields of Texas when I was eight years old.

So it's very personal in terms of being a part of an organization like El Centro de la Raza, creating programs that are gonna bring hope and stability to people's lives.

The heart of our mission is to unite and empower people of all races and the struggle for basic social change.

(Estela speaking Spanish) You are always welcome to El Centro.

(Estela speaking Spanish) - [Narrator] Join KCTS 9 in celebrating our Northwest neighbors.

Visit elcentrodelaraza.org to learn more.

(upbeat music)