El Centro de la Raza or The Center of the People, based in Seattle, is a Chicano and Latino civil rights organization, which provides a variety of services to its community. Established in 1972, it seeks to raise awareness levels of the general public, politicians, business and civic leaders toward the needs of the Chicano and Latino community, and to help it empower itself in the Seattle and King County area in Washington. Its programs include housing and rental assistance, basic health care plan sponsorship, senior citizen support and hot meal program. It has other programs, such as infant mortality prevention, promotion of self-sufficiency and empowerment through education and skill building initiatives. El Centro de la Raza also offers a wide range of child and youth services and promotes community involvement, grassroots organizing, social action, and voter education and registration.