Rally in support of the Peace Agreements at McArthur Park. FMLN rep. Gladys Sibrian addresses crowd.

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 1992
Two major events impact CARECEN’s direction: the Peace Accord between the Salvadoran government and the democratic opposition, FMLN, and the Los Angeles civil unrest of April 29.
      CARECEN legal services continue to expand. With the assistance of hundreds of pro bono attorneys, the legal department offers legal education seminars (charlas) and prepares work permit requests and extensions. In total, CARECEN serves 27,620 community members in 1992.
      In recognition of CARECEN’s central role during the civil unrest, ARCO donates $800,000 toward the purchase and development of the first Central American community center in Los Angeles.
      Following the Los Angeles civil unrest, many community-based organizations, including CARECEN, receive new government funds for youth leadership programs and economic development in the community. CARECEN launches a summer youth employment and leadership development program, "Nueva Generación." In the nine months since its beginning, nearly 100 youth contribute to building civic responsibility and leadership skills and are employed at MALDEF, the office of Councilmember Mike Hernandez, Rebuild L.A., La Opinion, the Center for Non-Profit Management and various labor unions. CARECEN youth organize a multi-ethnic youth conference with youth from the African-American and Asian-American communities to help create understanding between ethnic communities.
      CARECEN publicly denounces human and civil rights abuses perpetrated by INS, LAPD and the National Guard during the civil unrest. Attorney General William Sessions, the Reverend Jesse Jackson and other national figures visit CARECEN. CARECEN becomes an active member of several post-riot coalitions including Rebuild L.A., the Coalition of Neighborhood Developers, the Latino Coalition for a new L.A. and others.
      CARECEN, in coordination with the Association of Salvadorans (ASOSAL), launches an international campaign for the extension of Deferred Enforced Departure (DED), which expires on June 30,1993. CARECEN and ASOSAL mobilize Salvadorans for dozens of demonstrations at the Los Angeles Federal Building. CARECEN staff meet with members of the U.S. Congress and Senate and representatives of the State and Justice Department to build support of the extension. CARECEN organizes several delegations to El Salvador to build support for the campaign.
      CARECEN and other community groups organize a festival celebrating the signing of Peace Accords in El Salvador. More than 10,000 Salvadorans celebrate the end of the twelve-year civil war (1980-1992). In recognition of their contributions to peace, CARECEN staff attend the historic signing of Peace Accords at the Chapultepec Castle in Mexico City. Post-war search for organization and community identity begins within CARECEN and in the Salvadoran community in Los Angeles.
      CARECEN monitors the implementation of the Peace Accords in El Salvador. In August of 1992, CARECEN coordinates a delegation with representatives from the offices of Congressmembers Connie Morella (R-MD), Edward Feighan (D-OH) and Howard Berman (D-CA) to urge the thorough reform and reduction of the Salvadoran Armed Forces.