Comunidad (Community)

  • Two people sitting at table
  • Three students sitting at table smiling
  • Four students sitting at table in El Centro
  • Three friends sitting on couch

Mission

CREDE and El Centro aim to engage in collaboration with different offices/departments within the Elon University community, as well as local and global organizations with the goal of promoting and educating about the Latinx/Hispanic identity, ensuring inclusivity for all.

About Alamance County

Alamance County is a county in North Carolina, with a population of about 183,040 residents (2024). About 15.4% of Alamance County’s population identifies as Latinx or Hispanic. It is located in the Piedmont region of north-central North Carolina, which was formed in 1849 out of Orange County. The cities and towns of Alamance County are Burlington, Graham, Mebane, Town of Elon, Haw River, Village of Alamance, Green Level, Gibsonville, and Swepsonville.

Elon is part of Burlington, North Carolina, which is home to great restaurants, shops, and live music. Check out some Latinx/Hispanic places below!

Places to Visit

Our Students Suggest …

Restaurants

Supermarkets

  • La Plaza Latina (502 W Elm St, Graham, NC 27253)
  • Guzman’s Market (813 E Webb Ave, Burlington, NC 27217)
  • Hermanos Carbajal Tienda Mexicana (3263 S Church St, Burlington, NC 27215)
  • El Dorado Bakery (801 W Front St, Burlington, NC 27215)
  • Vemd La Sierra (539 N Church St, Burlington, NC 27217)

Iglesias (Churches)

Hair Salons

Community Service

Volunteer Opportunities

At Elon, we are committed to giving back to the community; not just at Elon, but in the greater Alamance area. We have a partnership with the Kernodle Center for Civic Life for a weekly volunteer opportunity, as well as a semesterly donation drive. All students are encouraged to participate.

To participate in any events or for additional information, please contact MJ Larrazabal, Assistant Director, CREDE (mlarrazabal@elon.edu).

CityGate Dream Center

The Dream Center is a hub of activity for the Latinx/Hispanic community within Alamance County. Their dream is to create a sense of belonging within our community so that we can inspire, develop, train, and advocate for Latinx/Hispanic children, students, and families in Alamance County.

Volunteer Opportunities began in Fall 2022 with the CityGate Dream Center as a partnership between El Centro and the Kernodle Center for Civic Life. After school mentoring will be at the Dream Center every Wednesday from 6-8pm.

If you have any questions, or would like to volunteer with the Dream Center, reach out to Kyle Anderson, Associate Director of the Kernodle Center for Civic Life, (kanderson52@elon.edu).

Semesterly Donation Drive

We also have a semesterly Donation Drive for the Dream Center. Each year, donations have looked different (diaper drive, school supply drive, feminine hygiene products drive) but has always been successful!

Alamance County Public Libraries

Every month, students from El Centro visit the Alamance County Public Libraries to read stories to children and families in English and Spanish. These readings increase biliteracy in Alamance County and are a fun way for our students to give back to our community.

SMART Mentoring Program

Established in 1994, the Student Mentors Advising Rising Talent (SMART)SMART Mentoring Logoprogram is a key initiative of Elon University’s Center for Race, Ethnicity, & Diversity Education. SMART is designed to support all first-year and transfer students, particularly those from historically marginalized groups,  in their transition to Elon, fostering social engagement, academic success, and a strong sense of belonging.

The program is open to all students regardless of race and ethnicity and focuses its recruitment efforts on ALANAM (African-American/Black, Latinx/Hispanic, Asian, Pacific Islander, Native American/American Indian, Alaskan Native, and Multiracial) students. SMART is committed to providing an inclusive environment that does not discriminate based on race, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, or any other aspect of a person’s identity.