Santa Ana's Evergreen-Cedar Community Center in jeopardy of closing

SANTA ANA, Calif. (KABC) -- Some families worry about the fate of a popular community center in one of the toughest neighborhoods in Santa Ana.

Authorities credit the Evergreen-Cedar Community Center for helping reduce crime by more than 30 percent since it opened two years ago. But residents are concerned crime may rise if the center, unable to pay its rent and utilities, has to close its doors by the end of the month.

At least 75 children regularly come to the center, which is inside a two-bedroom apartment and spills out into the common area of the apartment complex.

Cristina Jose-Kampfner, a clinical psychologist and university professor, co-founded the center in 2012 and says the nonprofit teaches children such things as math, science, life skills, good nutrition and problem-solving. It also offers after-school programs aimed at keeping kids out of gangs.

"This center is really like a place for them to feel safe, so the kids come in here, we have movie nights, we have arts and crafts," Jose-Kampfner said.

Police say the center not only helps keep kids out of gangs, but the neighborhood is safer.

"Because of the community center, I think the people feel more comfortable in bringing up any criminal activity to the police department and so we're able to address those problems," Santa Ana police Cpl. Gonzalo Garcia said.

The center is run by volunteers and operates through donations.

Jose-Kampfner says she has been using part of her own salary to run the center and fears they will have to close if they can't come up with nearly $4,000 for such things as rent and utilities.

She fears kids will resort back to gangs. She's hoping for a miracle by the end of the month to keep what they've gained from being lost.

If you would like to help donate, visit www.civiconline.org