BLW Center transforms lives.

Sometimes that means helping a parent attain a family-supporting job, or tutoring a child to earn straight A’s in school. Other times that means connecting a community member with a volunteer opportunity that brightens the lives of others. Regardless of what brings you to BLW, everyone is welcome.

Since 2004, BLW Center’s mission has been to support its community in addressing the needs identified by its residents.

View our Annual Report

View our strategic plan

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"BLW is an extension of the home. When you enter our doors, you become part of our community’s family."

- Art Ambriz, Center Director

Read more stories about the lives that have changed at the BLW Center in our annual report.

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OUR VISION:
​​A community that supports individuals in both strengthening their own lives and strengthening the lives of others.

To that end, BLW provides more than 5000 residents a year with services to improve their education, employment, and overall wellbeing. BLW also believes that a strong community is built by the community members themselves, not solely programs or services. Therefore, BLW strives to not only link community members with services, but also with opportunities to give back.

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OUR VALUES
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Celebrate Diversity. BLW is proud to serve as the joyful and festive gathering space for residents from all walks of life. Regardless of your age or cultural background, you are an important part of the BLW community.

Take Ownership. You have the potential to make a lasting impact on your community and those living in it. We invite everyone to give back and help strengthen the future of our community.

Be Part of Something Bigger. BLW is more than a place to vote or receive one-time services. BLW is a place to grow, to connect, and to belong.

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OUR AGENCY

BLW is one of two organizations within the umbrella agency Vera Court Neighborhood Center, Inc. The agency as a whole aims to strengthen our community and improve lives by providing quality programming in the areas of education, employment, and well being. You can learn more about the other organization, Vera Court Neighborhood Center in our agency’s Annual Report. Vera Court Neighborhood Center, Inc. is an independent 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.

BLW and its agency partners make a difference. Our most recent accomplishments include:
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- Providing 25,000+ healthy meals annually for our residents, plus a food pantry
- 91% of our bilingual early childhood participants are proficient at math
- 87% of our bilingual early childhood participants are proficient at reading once in elementary school
- Our literacy program for elementary school students below grade level boosted reading proficiency by ½ grade to 1½ grades within a year
- 70% of the middle and high school students that participated in the college preparatory program boosted their GPA to 3.0, or maintained a GPA of 3.0 or higher
- 53 Latino adults obtained employment and 125 participants obtained a technical skills certification
- 73 students are on track to receive their GED and 25 students successfully enrolled into Madison College to start their technical careers
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Thank you for your support of Vera Court Neighborhood Center, Inc. and our agency partners!

Special thanks to Alisa Buckingham, who provided the photography for this site.