Published: September 1, 2026
Hundreds of job seekers are searching for opportunities in this tough economy. Often, it’s more of a challenge when English is a second language.
Many have found guidance, support, and a team that believed in their potential at the La Familia Center, in South Sacramento.
La Familia Center, in partnership with EDD as part of the America’s Job Center of California network, has been a mainstay for the Sacramento community since it was founded in 1973. “It was created by two amazing leaders who were trying to help our Latino community,” according to Mayda Arce, director of programs.
With the expansion to two community centers, La Familia has been able to amplify and diversify services for thousands of residents in the southern area of the Capital City, according to Susie Alcala, site supervisor for La Familia Center. “So La Familia, as Sacramento, has grown, not only in numbers but in diversity. So before when it was a Latino name, and people thought we only serve the Latino community, now we serve various communities. Our cultures are varied, Russian, Ukrainian, Hmong, Latino, we have a large Afghan community.”
“We are going to do our very best to advocate for them. To either get into the school, to get into the training, to get into the employment that they need,” says Alcala.
When life gets tough, La Familia steps in to help real people. Like Alex Betancourt who highly recommends the support he received from La Familia. "Don’t be scared if you don’t speak the language, they will help you. If you don’t speak any English, they will help you in Spanish.”
The future looks bright for La Familia Center. Another expansion to a bigger space is already in the works, but what makes the center special is what it represents for both customers and employees like Arce. “La Familia has always been my home, my family.” For Alcala, it’s more than business. “We are not in it for the money, at all. We are here to help those around us and our community.”
For more information about La Familia or to find an America’s Job Center of California office near you, use our Office Locator. We’re here with the support you need, when you need it most.
