User:Rockero/Casa de la Raza

Casa de la Raza is a non-profit organization in Santa Barbara, California. It offers social, recreational, and educational services to the Santa Barbara community. While the services are targeted to low-income, Spanish-speaking residents, they are also available to the community in general. Throughout the years, La Casa, as it is known to locals, has also been the site of Chicano Movement activity, a venue for weddings, quinceañeras, community fora, cultural celebrations, and workshops, as well as an important performance venue on the California punk scene.

History
Casa de la Raza was founded in 1970 when Warren Coleman sold a building materials warehouse on Santa Barbara's east side to Chicano activists. The terms of the sale stipulated that the building be used as a community center, and was made possible by an initial loan from Bank of America, as well as financial contributions from Kit Tremaine, Sam and Dorothy Liponi, and Gilbert and Joy Robledo. The mortgage was paid off in 1987.

Reference
Category:1970 establishments Category:Santa Barbara County, California