Community Agency for Resources Advocacy and Services (CARAS)

The Community Agency for Resources Advocacy and Services (CARAS) provides culture, assistance, and a place of belonging to the Latino community in Santa Clara County.

Community Agency for Resources Advocacy’s acronym spells out the Spanish word “caras,” which means “faces.” The organization wishes to be the face that represents and recognizes others within the Latino community in the city of Gilroy, location in southern end of Santa Clara County.

With a large percentage of foster youth being of Latino descent, CARAS believes in providing resources that help stabilize family life and improve the parent-child relationship. The family services offered by this organization include the following: 

• Cultural Brokers Program—Child Protective Services, Intervention and Prevention of Family Separation

• Legal Services

• Parenting Classes/Program

• Housing Assistance and Programs—Rental, Eviction Prevention, Rental Deposits, Vouchers, Legal Services, and aid with legal paperwork

• Immigration Services—DACA Renewals, Advance Paroles, Driver Licenses

C.A.R.A.S provides services to keep young people on track for a bright future ahead. Some of the programs provided by this organization include these: 

• Youth Justice Advocacy & Services

• School to Prison Pipeline Advocacy & Services

• Leadership Development—Civic Participation & Advocacy

• Internships, Careers and Jobs Services

• Cultural Awareness Programs—Joven Nobles & Xinachtli

• Field Trips & Retreats—Taking the youth to different places to explore, experience, learn, build community, and stay out of the streets.

By focusing on advocacy, education, and culture, C.A.R.A.S brings health and vibrancy to the Latino communities of Gilroy and its surrounding areas. Community services provided by this organization include these: 

• Cultural Events—Cesar Chavez Day Celebration and Award Ceremony, Dia de los Muertos, Annual Tamale Festival and more

• Policy & Law Changing—Education on the laws, rights, and policies that impact the community, or policies that need to be changed

• Forums—Inviting the community to be in conversation with organizations, resources, and politics that affect them

• Advocacy—Participatory Defense Movement, Silicon Valley De-Bug, and more.

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