Community Cultural Center Has New Location and Larger Facility
Tara A. Spears
The Community Cultural Center (CCC – Centro Cultural Comunitario) has moved three streets south of the La Penita main avenida. The new facility boast seven large rooms and two full bathrooms besides a spacious kitchen. Although it is a jumble of boxes at the moment, the center will be able to provide the children, teens, and adults of the community better service and more classes shortly. The telephone and internet are installed so you can contact director Viky Robelo to volunteer or make donations: office telephone 327-107-0523, or email her: robelo66@live.com.mx
~DESPARATELY NEEDED ITEMS: Working refrigerator and full size stove with oven for the cooking classes as well as preparing food for children~ the previous ones have died. Other important needed items are working sewing machines and new tooth paste/tooth brushes for children’s workshop.
As you return to the area and unpack, please think of the CCC if you have extra shelves, kitchen items, or furniture that could be used for classes or meetings.
The back story of the development of the CCC concept had its foundation in a meeting between Los Amigos, Ejido La Peñita and Rotary Club of Jaltemba in 2010. It took a couple of years of planning and a couple of temporary locations before the community center moved to Rueben Jaramillo #9 in November 2012. The Jaltemba Bay community center is a project of Los Amigos supported by Rotary clubs from across North America. The full range of programs began operating January, 2013 and continues to expand as volunteers and community members develop ideas.
The Los Amigos’ CCC presently provides assistance to the government run adult education programs by offering classrooms and computers free of charge, There are adult literacy classes for the primary (grades 1-5) and secondary (grades 6-8) levels. In addition to literacy, there are job training classes that lead to certificates in computing, English, and sewing. The CCC is currently in the process of trying to get more certified instructors for other skilled trades.
The community center had to apply in order receive the official government sanction to hold both types of classes on site. Using the CCC facility is a big advantage to the local people who previously would have had to travel out of town in order to further their education. 
The following list of current training workshops that are offered:
Children/youth group, Telpochcalli, folk dancing
Beautician Training: Monday Tuesday and Wednesday from 9 to 1 pm
Professional Sewing Lisc: Tuesday Wednesday and Thursday from 9 to 1 pm
Various baking: Monday and Tuesday from 4 to 8 pm
Massage: Friday 4 to 8 pm
Painting: Wednesday 3:30 to 5:30
Guitar lessons: Thursday 7:30 to 9: 30
INEA adult education Thursday from 9-4 pm.
School support for children (homework tutoring:) 3 to 6 pm Monday through Friday.
Please call the CCC’s Director, Vicky Robelo, at (327) 107-0523 to volunteer or just to see what so many hands and hearts have accomplished. You can also go to www.losamigosdejaltemba.com for more information.
Pop in the new location, Calle Lázaro Cárdenas #15 to see the center in action!
