Centro de Formación Integral La Salle of Tijuana, Mexico has been named a recipient of the 2014 Silver Angel State Award for Altruism. The award was presented by the organization La Gaceta Red Social in a ceremony held on November 10 in Tijuana.
Brother Juan Ignacio Alba Ornelas, FSC poses with Red Social Award
According to Centro La Salle instructor Brother Steven Vasoli, FSC of the District of San Francisco New Orleans, La Gaceta Red Social is an association of Mexican non-governmental organizations (ONGs), which includes Centro La Salle. Each year since its founding in 1998, Red Social recognizes various ONGs for their service in addressing the socio-economic needs of the Tijuana community.
Located in downtown Tijuana, Centro began in 1976 as a summer program of English and catechetical instruction. In 1981, it was formally established as a center for free comprehensive instruction and training for persons 15 years of age and older. Today, Centro’s 134 volunteer instructors teach over 270 academic, vocational, cultural, and personal care courses.
Centro Director Brother Juan Ignacio Alba Ornelas, FSC of the District of North Mexico accepted the award on behalf of Centro’s Brothers and Lasallian Partners. Interviewed for the publication, Red Social de Tijuana, Brother Juan Ignacio explained, “The (Centro’s) purpose is to achieve the integrated development of the individual, so when a person is interested in studying any of the courses offered here, the condition is that they also attend a training course in religion or psychology.” He continued, “Here you can come to be the person you desire to be. This center changes lives. ”
Concluded Red Social de Tijuana, “For 33 years, Centro de Formación Integral La Salle has changed lives…People who came here depressed or who felt that they were useless have managed to change their lives through the training that has helped them to have greater spirituality, acquire self-esteem, know themselves, and establish better relationships with their families.”
To learn more about Centro de Formación Integral La Salle, visit its website, www.lasalletijuana.com.
