Barrio Action Youth & Family Source Center

In 1977, Sister Emmanuel Barragan created Barrio Action, hoping to help gang members in the El Sereno community learn to read and write. Thirty-nine years later, from its first home in an old fire station to now providing programs and activities from our new 9.2-million dollar, 22,000, square-foot building, Barrio Action continues to create community bridges and positive changes for youth and thei

r families. Although Barrio Action has traditionally targeted high-risk and at-risk youth, our new facility allows for programs for youth from all economic and cultural backgrounds. We have gone from providing services to 300 families a week to over 900 families. Our new space affords us the ability to provide more programs, partnering with numerous nonprofits and the local elementary, middle and high schools. Our league sized basketball court hosts many activities, not just basketball. The gym has enabled us to seat 250 community members and feed over 700 at our holiday events. Our success is due to the community and the 10 years of focus and collaboration successfully complete a 9.5-million-dollar capital campaign to create Barrio Action’s new Youth and Family Center in El Sereno. The facility was based on a community vision and collaborative effort with the City of Los Angeles, County of Los Angeles, State of California and supporting private foundations to better serve the El Sereno and Northeast Los Angeles community. The majority of stakeholders longed for a “safe place.” With gratitude and passion, that is what we provide.