Mission Statement

"The El Centro Volunteer Initiative connects Oberlin students, faculty, and community members to Lorain County through direct service. Through one-on-one tutoring and relationship building, El Centro Volunteer Initiative supports Lorain County residents by preparing them to take the Civics Exam, apply for college, and enhance their English Language Skills."

"El Centro Volunteer Initiative conecta a estudiantes, docentes y miembros de la comunidad de Oberlin con el condado de Lorain a través del servicio directo. Utilizando la tutoría individualizada y el establecimiento de relaciones, nuestra organización apoya a los residentes del condado de Lorain preparándolos para presentar el examen de civismo, solicitar el ingreso a la universidad y mejorar sus habilidades en el idioma inglés."

Our History

Founded by Jesús Martínez ’19 and Belkis Moreno ’22, El Centro Volunteer Initiative was established to meet the growing demand from students wanting to connect with nearby organizations in Lorain.  

The Bonner Center, founded in 1998 by Daniel J. Gardner, serves as Oberlin College’s hub for students seeking opportunities in non-profits, NGOs, and community-based research and learning. It also provides scholarships for students engaged in community-focused programs designed in partnership with local organizations.  

El Centro de Servicios Sociales, located in South Lorain, is a nonprofit organization that connects the community of Lorain to resources through partnerships with other nearby organizations. El Centro originally sought volunteers to teach free English and citizenship classes to Lorain residents. In response, Bonner Scholars affiliated with Obies for Undocumented Inclusion designated ECVI as a daughter organization of OUI. Today, ECVI operates as an independent organization but maintains ties to OUI through its budget. By OUI’s bylaws, ECVI must always have at least one program coordinator serving on OUI’s board to ensure continued funding from OUI’s semesterly budget.