ABSTRACT
This chapter examines the specific sociocultural, historical, methodological and personal contexts of critical student agency conducted in the Central American and Mexican refugee community of Los Angeles. Siempre Adelante, "Always Forward," is a progressive, community-based solidarity organization that serves a predominantly Salvadoran, Guatemalan and Mexican political and economic refugee community in Los Angeles. Siempre receives its revenue from fund raising events throughout the city and from foundation grants and other sources. The services are crucial to the political and economic survival of the immigrated Central American community specifically, and the larger Latina/ o community more generally, in Los Angeles—especially given current demographic and political trends in the city and state. Guillermo Linares, the students' first teacher, had taught grades kindergarten through eight for fifteen years in his native El Salvador before moving to Los Angeles. He reported being forced to leave his country as a result of his leftist and pro-human rights political views and activities.
