La Casa de la Raza Inc
Our Mission
The specific purpose of the corporation is to establish and maintain a community center, museum and library open to the public, and to provide to the Mexican-American, Latino/a; Chicano/a community a reference service where information and programming concerning, but not limited to, employment, educational opportunities, housing, public assistance, educational, legal and governmental aid, cultural arts, community economic development activities, business development and community wealth-building initiatives, that may be obtained without charge.
About Us
The non-profit organization La Casa de La Raza Inc (La Casa) was originally founded in 1971 by a coalition that grew out of the Chicano and civil rights movements including the United Farm Workers, MEChA, the anti-war Brown Berets, the Crusade for Justice, La Union Civica, La Raza Unida, and Chicano Positive Movement just to name a few.
La Casa purchased a large construction materials warehouse built in 1917, and united the community around its transformation into a new house of the people on Santa Barbara’s lower eastside.
La Casa served the community out of that building for 50 years causing the building’s identity to become synonymous with the organization. In 2020 just months before La Casa’s 50th anniversary the building was designated as a historical landmark by the City of Santa Barbara and officially named “La Casa de la Raza”.
2020 turned out to be a landmark year for La Casa in many ways – also seeing a change in building ownership while serving our community hardest hit by the pandemic – with food, eviction protection, financial aid and other essential assistance to make it through.
In 2021, La Casa ceased operations due to financial constraints. Since that time, an unaffiliated occupant has continued to provide limited community services out of the building while a dedicated group of La Casa volunteers and advisors have been working to preserve the building as a cultural community center into the future and return with quality services and programs as soon as possible.
Today, with local community support, La Casa’s Board is working toward reestablishing the non-profit’s ability to carry out its half-century long mission of “uplifting people through high-quality, culturally rooted services,” regardless of whether the mission is carried out of the historical landmark or in other accessible safe spaces.
Advisory Council
Larry Herrera – Chair
Geraldo Aldana
Malin Alegria
Mark Alvarado
*Frank Banales
*Benji Cheverez
Lanny Ebenstein
Liliana Encinas
Rubayi Estes
Karina Jew
Aaron Jones
Marcus Lopez, Jr.
Mia Lopez
Kurt Magness
*Leo Martinez
Andrea Medina
Marisol Ortiz
MaryEllen Rehse
Josefa Rios
Chely Rodriguez
Alexis Slutzkey
Kai Tepper
Eunice Valle
Dana Wallock
Sage
*Original Founding Family
The Strategic & Operational Plan
The Goal: To create a detailed roadmap for launching and sustaining La Casa de la Raza Inc.
Why it’s Critical: A strong plan is our guide. It ensures we are built to last and attracts the major grants needed to open our doors.
Your Investment Funds:
- Strategic Planning Facilitation to define our vision and objectives.
- Business Continuity & Risk Management Planning.
- Fundraising Plan Development to create a sustainable financial model.
- Legal Guidance to establish our governance structure.
Events
