named programs · 7 · from sources
What they call their work
Basic Education in Spanish
Literacy, elementary (grades 1-6), and secondary (grades 7-9) certification in Spanish, offered in partnership with Mexico's Ministry of Education (SEP) and INEA, enabling students to strengthen skills and support their families.
Computer Classes
Introductory computer skills course covering mouse and keyboard basics, Office Suite, internet, and social media for individuals with little or no computer experience.
Cultural Space
Monthly virtual sessions exploring topics such as astronomy, ancient philosophy, the Roman Empire, Mexican journalism, and contemporary art to promote creativity and dialogue.
English as a Second Language
Basic and intermediate ESL classes for non-native speakers to gain confidence in speaking, reading, and writing English.
Reading Club
Biweekly gatherings where 10–15 participants discuss assigned readings, exchange ideas, and engage in ideological dialogue to build community and critical thinking.
TASC/GED Preparation
Classes preparing students for the TASC exam to obtain a high school equivalency diploma from the New York State Education Department, covering math, reading, writing, science, and social studies.
Workshops
Community workshops on topics including migration, finances, depression, domestic violence, self-esteem, leadership, empowerment, sexuality, nutrition, and small business management.
activities · 10 groups
What they do
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Adult Literacy and ESL Tutoring 1 activity
- Basic education in Spanish for adult immigrantsProvides literacy, primary (grades 1–6), and secondary (grades 7–9) level instruction in Spanish for adult immigrants, using curricula from the Mexican Ministry of Education (SEP) and INEA. Serves over 250 students across New York City.
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Self-Sufficiency Empowerment Workshops 1 activity
- Community workshops on civic and personal development topicsConducts workshops on migration, financial literacy, mental health, domestic violence, leadership, and environmental stewardship to support personal growth and community engagement among adult learners.
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Digital Literacy Training and Technology Access 1 activity
- Computer literacy trainingOffers computer literacy classes covering basic skills, Microsoft Office Suite, internet use, and social media for individuals with little or no prior computer experience.
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Food Distribution and Hunger Relief 1 activity
- Emergency food assistance distributionDistributes emergency food bags and hot meals to families in need, including 360 emergency food bags and 2,000 hot meals delivered during recent outreach efforts.
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ESL and Citizenship Instruction 1 activity
- English as a Second Language (ESL) instructionOffers ESL classes for adult immigrants with little or no prior knowledge of English, focusing on building speaking, reading, and writing skills for beginners and intermediate learners.
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High School Equivalency Preparation 1 activity
- High school equivalency (TASC/GED) preparationProvides TASC exam preparation courses in Spanish to help adult students earn a high school equivalency diploma recognized by the New York State Department of Education, with testing conducted at authorized centers.
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Youth Leadership Development Programs 1 activity
- Leadership development and student support servicesProvides leadership development, individual counseling, peer-to-peer support, and referrals to social services to support student success and post-secondary education planning.
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Immigration Legal Services 1 activity
- On-site consular and citizenship support servicesPartners with the Consulate General of Mexico in New York to provide on-site consular services, including passport and ID assistance, and supports families in securing dual citizenship for children.
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Literary Events & Workshops 1 activity
- Reading and cultural discussion programsHosts a biweekly reading club and virtual Cultural Space sessions that engage 10–15 participants in critical discussions of historical literature, current issues, and interdisciplinary topics such as astronomy, philosophy, journalism, and art.
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Volunteer Engagement and Capacity Support 1 activity
- Volunteer engagement programOperates a volunteer program that includes roles in classroom support, educational trips, administrative tasks, marketing, multimedia management, and production of weekly videos highlighting student and community stories.
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financials · form 990EZ · fy2025
revenue
Total revenue$129K
Contributions & grants$116K90%
Program service revenue——
Investment income——
Other revenue$2K
expenses
Total expenses$188K
Program expenses63%
Admin / overhead18%
Fundraising20%
Salaries & benefits—
Grants paid out—
Largest expense lineProfessional Fees
balance sheet
Total assets$143K
Cash$183K
Investments$0
Liabilities$5K
Net assets$133K
Liquid reserves11.7 mo
6 years on record · 2020–2025 · YoY revenue -44.0%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2025
Who runs it
board members · 10
- DONNA CONROY — DIRECTOR
- DOROTHY CALVANI — DIRECTOR
- ISELA HERRRERA — DIRECTOR
- MARGUERITE LUKES — DIRECTOR
- MARIA GUADALUPE MARTINEZ — FOUNDER AND EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
- NANCY MURPHY — DIRECTOR
- NORMA BENITEZ — DIRECTOR
- PAT HAYES — DIRECTOR
- PAULINA CONCHA — DIRECTOR
- SEBASTIAN PEREZ — DIRECTOR
relationships · 12
Who they work with
- Consulate General of Mexico in New York Partner — Partnered to provide on-site consular services including passport and ID assistance.
- Department of Health Partner — Hosts CREA's literacy, TASC/GED, ESL, and Reading Club classes at its facility on East 115th Street.
- East Harlem Neighborhood Health Action Center Partner — Hosts CREA's weekly classes, workshops, and community resources.
- Instituto Nacional de Educación de Adultos Partner — Partners with CREA to offer primary and secondary level coursework for adult learners.
- Luis Ramirez Partner — Member of the CREA reading club who contributes book reviews.
- Mexican Ministry of Education Government — Recognizes CREA as a Plaza Comunitaria for adult basic education in Spanish.
- Mexican Ministry of Education (SEP) Partner — Collaborates with CREA to deliver basic education programs in Spanish, including literacy and elementary and secondary level studies for adult immigrants.
- Mexican National Institute for Adult Education (INEA) Government — Developed the curriculum used in CREA's Basic Education program.
- National Institute for Adult Education (INEA) Partner — Partners with CREA to provide adult education courses in Spanish that support literacy and completion of elementary and secondary level studies.
- New York State Education Department Government — Issues official high school equivalency diplomas to students who pass the TASC/GED exam.
- Secretaría de Educación Pública de México Partner — Collaborates with CREA to deliver basic education programs in Spanish for adult immigrants.
- Settlement Health Clinic Partner — Hosts CREA's literacy, TASC/GED, and ESL classes at its facility on East 106th Street.
strategies · 4
How they approach the work
Named approaches extracted from this org’s sources. Where others share an approach, follow it to see the full set of orgs running it.
- Holistic Support Model for Immigrant Advancementmethodology: holistic adult educationBy combining formal education with leadership development, counseling, and social service navigation, the organization promotes long-term academic and personal advancement because addressing non-academic barriers such as mental health and systemic disconnection increases program retention and real-world applicability of learning.
- Intergenerational Education Empowermentmethodology: intergenerational education supportBy educating adult parents in their native language, the organization strengthens their capacity to support children’s academic success, creating a multiplier effect across generations because empowered adult learners become active participants in their children’s education, fostering family-wide engagement with schooling.
- Native-Language Academic Foundationmethodology: native-language-academic-foundationBy providing formal academic instruction in Spanish while building English proficiency, the organization supports immigrant integration and academic advancement because literacy in a first language strengthens cognitive foundations for learning a second language and promotes dignity through cultural continuity.
- Self-Paced, Individualized Learning for Adult Literacymethodology: self-paced literacy developmentBy using a flexible, self-paced format in native-language instruction, the organization improves educational outcomes and facilitates English acquisition because adult learners with interrupted schooling benefit from personalized pacing that accommodates work and family responsibilities while rebuilding foundational skills.