Our Team
Lorena Soto | Executive Director
Ms. Soto has been in the field of child development and at Centro for over 30 years.
"What makes Centro great is that we strive to serve our community by providing information on topics that are current such as immigration rights, COVID-19, health fairs, census, environmental issues, and food baskets for those in need"
Leticia Santos-Cuevas | Program Director
Ms. Santos-Cuevas comes to us from The Country School in Los Angeles where she taught elementary school for sixteen years. Previous to that, she worked at the Center for Community and Family Service in Pasadena developing and implementing age-appropriate lessons in all areas of child development She also spent ten years in the classroom at Pacific Oaks Children's School working with students from preschool age to third grade students. Ms. Santos-Cuevas has over twenty five years of experience in the field of early childhood education, including time spent at Azusa Head Start.
Ms. Santos-Cuevas holds a Bachelor's and Masters degree from Pacific Oaks College with an emphasis in Human Development/Education. She also received special training at the Reggio Emilia School in Italy, a method that is world renowned for its approach to child centered learning and experiences.
"What makes Centro great is the involvement and the input of the staff, parents, board members and the community which makes the center a program that is safe, nurturing and interactive. Also, with an amazing hands on curriculum with the emphasis on STEAM. A place where children can develop a strong sense of community."
Lizbeth Renova | Site Supervisor
With 15 years of dedicated experience in the Early Childhood Education field, Lizbeth brings both depth and versatility to our team. She has served in a variety of roles—from Teacher Assistant to Classroom Teacher to Site Supervisor—gaining a well-rounded perspective in supporting young learners and leading early education programs.
Lizbeth holds a B.A. in Family and Consumer Sciences with a concentration in Child Development and Family Studies from California State University, Long Beach (CSULB), three A.A.s from East Los Angeles College (ELAC) - Child Development, Liberal Arts, and General Studies with a concentration in Social and Behavior Sciences, and a Director’s Permit from the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing. Her approach blends professional expertise with a heartfelt commitment to nurturing the growth and development of every child they work with.
Grounded, knowledgeable, and passionate, Lizbeth is a valued contributor to our mission of high-quality, compassionate care.
Contact: sitesupervisor@centrodeninos.com
Maria Luisa Ramirez | Administrator Assistant
Mrs. Ramirez has been at Centro de Niños for 50 years.
"Centro is a place that provides opportunities for families to better themselves by attending school, and work. Centro is a safe place where families can leave their children and is also a place not only for children to learn but are introduced to nutritious meals."
Armando Alfaro | Office Aide
Armando brings a well-rounded and people-centered perspective to our team, grounded in over a decade of diverse professional experience. With six years of administrative service with the Department of Justice as an Administrative Assistant, he developed a strong foundation in organization and operational support. He went on to serve as a Site Coordinator at LA’s BEST Afterschool Enrichment Program for two and a half years, where he honed his management skills while supporting youth development in Echo Park and Philipino Town in Los Angeles. Most recently, Armando contributed in a hybrid role as Lead Fulfillment and Client Support Specialist at Fulgent Genetics for two years, demonstrating thoughtful leadership and a commitment to client care during the COVID-19 epidemic.
He holds Associate of Arts Degrees in Psychology, Sociology, and General Studies with a concentration in Social and Emotional Behavior from East Los Angeles College (ELAC) with Presidental and Dean’s Honors.
Armando is driven by a genuine interest in supporting others, building structure, and fostering positive, collaborative environments.
Contact: hello@centrodeninos.com