El Centro of Topeka, established in 1972, is a nonprofit organization dedicated to improving the lives of families and individuals through education and empowerment. Founded by Father Ramon Gaitan, a Catholic priest with a passion for serving low-income and immigrant communities, El Centro has become a respected resource for culturally sensitive assistance to Hispanic families in Topeka. 

For many, we are the welcoming face of the City of Topeka and that is our greatest strength as an organization. 

We work to ensure that each individual understands and feels that our community is inclusive and open-hearted. Our focus on welcoming the stranger among us has allowed us to establish a foundation of trust that strengthens our relationships with new residents.