The Dolores Mission Women's Cooperative began in April 1988 when a concerned group of local mothers formed the neighborhood's first child care cooperative. In response to the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986, DMWC was formed as a means for Amnesty-eligible women to seek employment and relinquish their public assistance. The first location, on the stage of the Dolores Mission Parochial School, was a makeshift home at best, but through many challenges the women dedicated themselves to the loving care of the community's young children.

Since then, the Cooperativa has remained true to its origins by promoting cultural pride, reinforcing home language, and encouraging parents to play a proactive role in their children's education through volunteer opportunities in the classroom, leadership positions on the parent committee, and for some, training as preschool teachers. The DMWC services include two child care centers and mental health resources.

The DMWC child care centers are La Guarderia Preescolar and the Centro de Alegria. La Guarderia was established in 1993 as the first DMWC child care facility, providing a home for the original cooperative. The center, which stands as a vibrant reminder of the potential for community initiative, cares for thirty children, ages 3 to 5 years. The Los Angeles Community Development Department and the Los Angeles County Office of Education provide funding support for La Guarderia.

Centro Alegria was established in 2001 as the culmination of a four year development project to provide toddler-aged child care, the remarkable new center is housed in a historic Boyle Heights building. The California Department of Education supports two levels of service at the Centro de Alegria: General Child Care for Toddlers, ages 18 to 36 months and State Preschool for children ages 3 1/2 to 5 years. The Centro de Alegria will soon be home to the Adelante Learning Room, an adult education classroom that will host classes as well as family outreach and mental health services.

La Guarderia PreSchool
157 South Gless Street * Los Angeles, CA 90033
Leticia Ponce, Site Supervisor
Phone: (323) 881-0010

Centro de Alegria
420 North Soto Street * Los Angeles, CA 90033
Phone: (323) 446-0066