CARECEN is firmly committed to meeting the direct needs of the immigrant community through direct service, and to addressing the root causes that create the need for service through advocacy and organizing. The two main issues CARECEN continually engages in are the need for national immigration reform and local education reform.

CARECEN utilizes its extensive network of service as the portal for further understanding of the issues impacting the immigrant community and as a way to heighten the level of individual and family engagement in community and movement building. It utilizes advocacy, forums, family nights, workshops, campaigns, trainings, issues analysis and convivios as tools to achieve systemic change.