In October of 2004, former Council member Margarita Lopez called a Town Hall on the former CHARAS / El Bohio, P. S. 64. ;with former District Leader now Council Member Roise Mendez, District Leader Anthony Feliciano and with the support of our local elected officials, including Congress woman Nydia Velasquez and Senator Martin Connor.

At that meeting, committees were formed to come up with a structure and proposal for the former CHARAS/El Bohio P.S. 64 and in April of 2005 at the next Town Hall, the Mission & Goals of the Armando Perez Community Center, (APCC), were voted in.

Since that time, we have incorporated The Armando Perez Community Center, Inc. as a not for profit corporation (with 501(c)(3) pending), and are putting together a stellar Board of Directors and have created a draft proposal for the APCC.

The Armando Perez Community Center will provide the Lower East Side community and the larger New York area with crucial low cost and free:
* Office space for community based not-for-profits
* Artists incubation and studio space
* Job training Programs
* Educational Workshops
* After School Programs
* Rehearsal Space
* Gallery Space
* Theatre Space
* Community Space

The Armando Perez Community Center will provide services for Lower East Side residents, community groups and community based not for profits with a special emphasis on at risk youth and seniors in accordance with the mission and goals of the organization.

The Center is named in honor of Armando Perez, beloved Lower East Side District Leader, community activist, community board member and former Artistic Director of CHARAS / El Bohio Community & Cultural Center.

While the building that once housed our community center sits vacate and deteriorating, we have been making plans to bring it back. Please join us and lend your support!