OUR MISSION
The mission of the East Los Angeles Women’s Center is to ensure that all women, girls and their families live in a place of safety, health, and personal well-being, free from violence and abuse, with equal access to necessary health services and social support, with an emphasis on Latino communities.

OUR HISTORY
The East Los Angeles Rape and Battering Hotline officially opened its telephones lines to serve the community of the Greater East Los Angeles area on February 13, 1976. It became the first Spanish language, a 24-hour crisis hotline for survivors of sexual assault in Southern California.

In the months preceding this date, a group of tireless volunteers spent countless hours formulating an operation plan for this important community service. It all began with Irene Mendez- Banales and Connie Destito, women independently providing crisis counseling for Latina victims of sexual assault. Realizing that community and counseling services for Latina victims and their families were virtually non-existent, they resolved to recruit and train other women to become volunteer hotline counselors and advocates.

TODAY
So much has happened at ELAWC since we accepted our first hotline call in 1976. We’ve grown from a small, all-volunteer organization to the thriving, comprehensive agency we’ve become today. 

The East Los Angeles Women’s Center is proud of its long-standing commitment to providing culturally competent services tailored to meet the unique needs of Latino families and build safer healthy communities throughout Los Angeles County. 

Our services include a 24-hour bilingual rape crisis hotline, Sexual Assault services, Domestic Violence services, Mental Health and Therapeutic Parenting Programs, HIV/AIDS Prevention Services, Testing & Therapeutic Services for HIV+ Women and Community Mobilization through Promotora Programs.

24-Hour Bilingual Rape Crisis Hotline: (800) 585-6231

ELAWC Office: (323) 526-5819

Consumer

Health Care

Humanitarian

Non Profit

Services

Social Impact

East Los Angeles Women's Center

Barbara Kappos

Zulibeth Inda - Lara

Vanessa Marroquin

Valerie Beltran

Thelma Garcia

Stephanie Ortiz

Sonia Rivera

Sandra Ibarra

Osvaldo Cruz

Monique Diaz

Minerva Tovar

Melissa De Leon

Mary Casillas

Martha Gonzalez

Maritza Marquina

Maria Sanchez

Lucy Vega

Lisa Vargas

Laura Gallegos Sanchez

Karla Jimenez Teran

Jennifer Martinez

Gabby Orozco

Fernanda Ramirez

Estela Ituarte

Elizabeth Peraza

Cynthia Martinez

Cynthia G. Aguilar

Cynthia Esparza

Claudia Villanueva

Claudia Ruvalcaba

Carmen Lorenz

Carinna Gomez

Arminda Trujillo

Alejandra Aguilar - Avelino

Adrian Lugo

The Health and Social Services Team at the East Los Angeles Women’s Center provides comprehensive support and resources designed to promote the safety, health, and overall well-being of women, girls, and their families, focusing primarily on the Latino community. Their services include mental health therapy, advocacy for victims of sexual assault and domestic violence, youth engagement through social media, health education, HIV/AIDS prevention and treatment, restorative justice initiatives, and community mobilization via Promotora Programs. This diverse team ensures culturally competent, bilingual support is available around the clock.

Health and Social Services Team

Executive Management

Data and Fiscal Team

Health and Social Services Team

About

Team members

Other teams at East Los Angeles Women's Center

Executive Management

Data and Fiscal Team