CentroNYC (ESL, English, Spanish, Citizenship)

CentroNYC, formerly known as El Centro, is an all-volunteer non-profit organization serving today’s immigrants through affordable English, Spanish, and citizenship classes. Our evening education and advocacy programs and cultural events help students develop the skills to navigate the challenges of living and working in the US and New York City. CentroNYC is a warm and welcoming community that promotes cross-cultural understanding and support.

Centro offers affordable evening classes in English (ESL,) Spanish, and preparation for the USCIS citizenship test and naturalization interview. Our language classes are offered at beginning, intermediate and advanced levels. Our teachers are native speakers and bring both a passion for teaching and a love of language into every classroom.

Intercambio is an interactive class for native English and Spanish speakers to practice language skills in a fun, informal environment.

Additional programs are developed in response to the needs of our community and have included computer and Mandarin classes, and a weekly free Legal Clinic staffed by volunteer attorneys. Class break times and end-of-term fiestas bring our community together to share food and friendship.

An all-volunteer teaching and administrative staff makes classes available at very low cost. Our volunteer Coordinating Committee meets monthly to discuss programming and budget issues, and to plan upcoming classes and special events. Volunteers find a real sense of community at Centro, often staying for many years, and bringing their friends, family, and coworkers to join us. Volunteers are welcome to take our classes free of charge.

El Centro de Educación de Trabajadores was founded in 1978 by and for Latino and Hispanic newcomers, and now we welcome immigrants from all over the world. For over twenty years we were located at the Hartley House Community Center and Settlement House in Hell's Kitchen. In 2018 we joined the Goddard-Riverside family and now host our programs at the Lincoln Square Neighborhood Center, another historic settlement house, at 250 West 65th Street in Manhattan.