El Centro Del Pueblo CEO Honored by Gloria Molina

Los Angeles County Supervisor Gloria Molina honored El Centro del Pueblo CEO Sandra Figueroa-Villa as the First District “Woman of the Year" at a luncheon Monday.

The nonprofit is located in .

The luncheon was organized by the Los Angeles County Commission for Women and took place at the Biltmore Hotel downtown.

Molina is quoted in a statement from her office as saying:

For over 30 years, Sandra Figueroa-Villa has fought for social justice –and under her thoughtful guidance, El Centro del Pueblo has become a beacon of hope for generations of families...Yet despite the relentless demands on her time, Sandra never fails to lend her talents to other emerging non-profit agencies. She is a true role model and inspiration to all of us, and we proudly honor her today.

Now an Eagle Rock resident , Figueroa-Villa took over El Centro del Pueblo in 1980. She grew up in South Los Angeles and attended California State University at Los Angeles.

According to the release from Supervisor Molina's office:

When Figueroa-Villa assumed the helm of El Centro del Pueblo, the agency was in thousands of dollars of debt with no solution in sight. Under Figueroa-Villa’s strong management, the organization’s finances steadily improved and El Centro del Pueblo evolved into a highly respected, comprehensive resource for Northeast Los Angeles families.

By 2003, El Centro del Pueblo was financially stable, and the agency renovated a 30,000 square foot facility–formerly a public parking garage–into a recreational building for local youth. The $4.8 million project was paid off two years later. In 2007, El Centro del Pueblo embarked on a second successful capital campaign by renovating their Children, Youth and Families Center for a $3 million total cost.

Says Figueroa-Villa of the honor:

I feel so overwhelmed being honored by Supervisor Molina. She is the pioneer. She is the one who broke barriers to make my work easier to do. So to be recognized by someone who was at the forefront is just so special to me.”

is located at 1157 Lemoyne Street in Echo Park.