Toys Donations

Please Donate New Toys for CRECE’s 21^st Annual Christmas Party

With your generous contributions of toys, CRECE volunteers will be able to provide 800+ low-income children of Latino immigrant parents with toys at our eagerly anticipated special Christmas celebration on December 22.  Popular gifts are musical instruments, educational games, building toys and school supplies, clothing, shoes, and soccer balls or any soccer materials (please, no war toys).  Also needed are cash donations for gift wrapping supplies and party refreshments.

To make a cash donation… schedule a time to drop-off gifts… or to have a CRECE volunteer pick up your toy donation between December 15and 22…

Contact CRECE at (510) 533-8140 or cell at (510) 393-9546

About CRECE

The Central American Refugee Committee (CRECE) was founded in 1990 by refugees from El Salvador who settled in the East Bay after escaping violence in their homeland.  Initially, CRECE responded to the needs of Central American refugees by establishing a food distribution program, organizing a youth group, and providing employment referrals.

By the late 1990s, CRECE began assisting immigrant families from other Latin American countries, especially Mexico, and added many Latino volunteers to its programs.  In 2000, CRECE initiated an ambitious effort to increase its organizational capacity to better assist Oakland’s growing Latino immigrant community.  Currently, CRECE sponsors:

• Food Distribution Program

Every Friday morning at Oakland’s St. James Episcopal Church and average of 180 families receive bags of food.  Collaborative activities such as health screenings and social service referrals are often scheduled in conjunction with CRECE’s Friday Food Distributions.

The First Wednesday of each month CRECE volunteers distribute USDA food commodities to an average of 225 ethnically-diverse families.

• Youth Programs

CRECE’s Soccer League sponsors 11 soccer teams engaging 150 Latino youth who practice twice a week and play competitive games on weekends.  This program helps the youth build self-confidence and discipline as well as teamwork and socialization skills.  Plus, the strenuous activity helps prevent childhood obesity, which is a serious health problem among Latino youth.

Friday Night Youth Group, organized by and for Latino youth, mixes recreational and educational activities plus leadership skills in a safe environment as an alternative to gang activities for youth.

For more information…

Contribute to CRECE programs or learn more about CRECE’s programs by calling

(510) 533-8140 or emailing creceoakland@sbcglobal.net.

A Message From the Director

Dear Friends:

During these last years of working with CRECE, we have taken on the overwhelming task of bringing hope to those most in need.  We work in communities of extreme poverty in Oakland, California and in rural communities in El Salvador.  We have created and expanded opportunities for children and youth.  This work could not have been possible without the support and contribution of good Samaritans, who do not forget the needs of the poor. 

Our organization brings hope to those in need by providing immediate needs such as food, clothing and friendship.  We have also expanded our work with youth by developing alternative positive venues to the streets and gangs.  We have established strong youth development programs that include sport teams, youth groups, and job development opportunities. 

I wish to conclude the 2009 year by thanking and honoring the many people who believe in CRECE and in me.  With the help of each other and God, I will continue to do my best to help those in need.

Sincerely,

Tulio Serrano