Community Service Organization

The Community Service Organization (founded 1947) was an important California Latino

civil rights Civil and political rights are a class of rights that protect individuals' freedom from infringement by governments, social organizations, and private individuals. They ensure one's entitlement to participate in the civil and political life ...

organization, most famous for training

Cesar Chavez Cesar Chavez (born Cesario Estrada Chavez ; ; March 31, 1927 – April 23, 1993) was an American labor leader and civil rights activist. Along with Dolores Huerta, he co-founded the National Farm Workers Association (NFWA), which later mer ...

and Dolores Huerta. It was founded in 1947 by

Fred Ross Fred Ross may refer to: * Fred Ross (community organizer) * Fred Ross (American football) * Fred Ross (artist) Frederick Joseph Ross (1927 – 2014) LL. D. was a New Brunswick based Canadian artist best known for his figurative drawings, painting ...

, Antonio Rios and Edward Roybal and was a source of political support for Roybal during his long political career. Ross had been hired by

Saul Alinsky Saul David Alinsky (January 30, 1909 – June 12, 1972) was an American community activist and political theorist. His work through the Chicago-based Industrial Areas Foundation helping poor communities organize to press demands upon landlor ...

and was employed by his

Industrial Areas Foundation The Industrial Areas Foundation (IAF) is a national community organizing network established in 1940 by Saul Alinsky, Roman Catholic Bishop Bernard James Sheil and businessman and founder of the '' Chicago Sun-Times'' Marshall Field III. The ...

. Community Service Organization, no
Centro CSO
remains active. The group based in Boyle Heights is fighting agains
police killings of Chicanos
the environmental cleanup of Exide