El Centro is a non-profit
organization that is dedicated to serving today's youth by providing
after-school and summer care for children who are at risk of becoming homeless or are already homeless. Perched on South
Washington Street, El Centro appears to be nothing more than a weathered, old
house. 
It aims to provide not only a shelter but a stable
family setting for children that may not have a good home life and acts as a
free after-school program helping those families who cannot afford
childcare. Upon entering the facility,
one is greeted with the hubbub of movement, roaring laughter, and the smell of
any home that contains young children.
The purpose of this site is
to inform the general public about how a group of students can help shape the
future of a younger generation. Without
this inspirational program, many children would have no place to go after
school. 
El Centro is a safe haven for over 30 local Gettysburg
elementary and middle school students that strives to
teach the children moral values and daily skills necessary to survive in
society.
Gettysburg College offered freshman an
opportunity to participate in a first year seminar called Tryin' to Find a Way Back Home: The Literature of
Homelessness in America to
increase awareness and understanding in college students today about the
relationship between society and homelessness.
A large component of this class was participating in a service-learning
project and reflecting on the
service each week. Five students were
chosen to volunteer weekly at El Centro as mentors for at-risk children in the
Adams County area.
El Centro works hand in hand
with Gettysburg College and The Center for
Public Service. Each semester,
between 90 and 100 college students volunteer their time to helping children at
El Centro learn and grow. During the
fall 2003 semester, Gettysburg College students committed over 1,000 hours of
service to the program. In addition,
various fraternities, sororities, and other groups have prepared special
activities for the students such as a theatrical production, a festive
Halloween party complete with games, and a Christmas party.
Learn
more about our responsibilities at El Centro and their daily routine.
Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful committed citizens can
change the world;
indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has.
~ M. Mead
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