Center for Life Enrichment (Center for Life) is a faith-based, nonprofit organization devoted to inspiring improvement in the lives of the disadvantaged and the underserved.
Center for Life works with banks and other lending institutions to remove the blight of foreclosed properties from our neighborhoods. Our organization invests in the restoration of these properties to revitalize communities, and to provide a variety of quality housing opportunities for disadvantaged families. The latter include disabled veterans, low-income households and other groups underserved by traditional housing options.
In addition, Center for Life offers mentoring programs that help boys that come from fatherless homes build self-esteem, confidence and life skills, as well as advance their developing faith in God.
Center for Life was founded in 1987 to support the ongoing community revitalization efforts in California. Current Executive Director M. Glen Tenove expanded the organization’s services to include the mentoring programs that now represent its core initiatives.
Mr. Tenove has launched several mentoring efforts in partnership with Mentor ME Ministries and local church organizations. Offered after-school, on weekends and during the summer, these programs help boys break the negative cycles created by absentee fathers, and promote loving, supportive families of faith.
In addition, Mr. Tenove has led the expansion of Center for Life into several affordable housing programs, creating quality housing options for disadvantaged families, low-income individuals, disabled veterans and the underserved. Our organization has increased its commitment to affordable housing by partnering with financial institutions that have foreclosed or distressed properties. By renovating these properties, Center for Life directly invests in the communities it serves, thereby helping to transform them into better places for families to raise children.
RICK is a Vietnam veteran who suffered a permanent disability during combat. He has been a resident in a Center for Life housing unit for the past three years. He has also worked as a property manager and part-time contractor on our properties. Through our organization, Rick has been able to enjoy quality housing, a better lifestyle, and an improved sense of self-worth and personal fulfillment.
ROBERT was a twelve year-old boy from a fatherless home when he first joined our mentoring program. He faced self-esteem and confidence issues created by the absence of a father figure. Over the last two years, Robert has gained the confidence to participate in three high-school sports. For the first time, he is maintaining a solid B+ average in school. What’s more, he has newfound confidence and has become a supportive leader among other boys in the mentoring program. His mother marvels at the positive impact of our program, and sees him display the qualities that will make him a productive citizen and a responsible father. He is once again the joy of her life.