History and Inspiration

History

Salvadoran exiles and refugees established CARECEN in 1986 to address the needs of Central Americans who fled the region amid the civil wars, political repression, and counter-insurgencies of the 1980s.

Because recently-arrived immigrants required low-cost legal services to help them establish residency or obtain work permits, CARECEN originally focused on providing immigration legal services and advocacy. As CARECEN became more established, our clientele requested additional types of services, with a focus on health and wellness and family support. Throughout our history, CARECEN has always addressed social justice and equity issues through a combination of direct services and advocacy.

Inspiration

CARECEN takes inspiration from the life and work of Monsignor Óscar Romero. As archbishop of El Salvador’s Catholic Church, he witnessed ongoing violations of human rights and spoke out on behalf of the poor and victims of the country's civil war. In 1980, he was assassinated by a right-wing group. During his life time, Monsignor Romero was at the forefront of the Salvadoran social justice struggle. Today, he continues to provide us with inspiration and guidance as we work to build a more just and equitable world.

"Many want the poor to say that it is God’s will for them to be poor. It is not God’s will that some have everything and others have nothing. It cannot be God. It is God’s will that all of
His children be happy."

– Monsignor Óscar Romero, September 10, 1978