The Lower East Side (LES) of Manhattan has always been a neighborhood rich in history, culture, and activism. From its roots as a working-class, immigrant community, it has seen waves of transformation shaped by the resilience and unity of its residents. At the heart of this community-driven activism is a legacy that begins with CHARAS – El Bohio Community Center and continues today with organizations like the Dorill Initiative.
The Birth of CHARAS: A Beacon of Hope
Founded in the early 1970s by former members of the Young Lords, a Puerto Rican nationalist group, CHARAS was a radical response to the needs of the LES community. The acronym “CHARAS” comes from the founders’ names: Chino Garcia, Humberto Crespo, Angel Rodriguez, Roy Battista, and Sal Becker. At a time when the city had largely abandoned the LES, CHARAS stepped in to offer a space for self-determination, culture, and community organizing.
They transformed an abandoned public school building into El Bohio (the hut in Taíno), a multi-purpose community center that offered everything from arts programs to housing advocacy. CHARAS was more than just a physical space—it was a hub of activism, where cultural identity and community empowerment were intertwined. For decades, CHARAS- El Bohio was the beating heart of the LES, providing sanctuary for those most affected by systemic neglect and gentrification. Through theater, music, youth programs, and social services, CHARAS helped cultivate a generation of LES residents who believed in the power of grassroots activism to enact change.
However, despite its monumental impact on the community, CHARAS-El Bohio was forced to close its doors in 2001 when the city sold the building to a private developer. The closure marked the end of an era but not the end of the spirit of grassroots resistance in the Lower East Side.
The Legacy of CHARAS: Roots of the Dorill Initiative
Although CHARAS-El Bohio is no longer physically present in the LES, its legacy lives on through organizations that continue to prioritize the community’s cultural and social needs. One such organization is the Dorill Initiative, a grassroots arts and cultural institution that, like CHARAS, places the needs of overlooked communities at the center of its work.
Founded in 2018, the Dorill Initiative grew out of the same necessity that birthed CHARAS: the need for brave and safe spaces for youth and families in the LES. With a commitment to arts education, youth development, and social emotional learning, Dorill has stepped into the void left by CHARAS’s closure by offering rigorous arts programs that provide At-Promise Youth with the tools to envision and create a brighter future. Like CHARAS, Dorill’s mission is not just about providing services but creating a culture of disruption and innovation that challenges the status quo and emboldens communities to reimagine their futures.
Since its founding, the Dorill Initiative has experienced tremendous growth, expanding from 7 to 25 employees and growing its initiatives from 1 to 10 unique programs. These include youth leadership programs, arts-based entrepreneurial studies, family engagement efforts, and cultural initiatives—all rooted in the belief that creative expression is a powerful tool for social change.
Bridging Generations: Standing in the Gap
The connection between CHARAS-El Bohio and the Dorill Initiative is not just historical—it’s philosophical. Both organizations were born from a recognition that the Lower East Side’s youth and families need more than just services; they need spaces where they can dream, create, and lead. CHARAS empowered a generation through art and activism, and today, Dorill is standing in the gap by continuing that work with the next generation.
At the heart of Dorill’s mission is a commitment to “being and doing in the arena” alongside the youth and families it serves. This means addressing the real issues facing the LES community—from gentrification and displacement to the ongoing struggle for access to quality education and opportunities for creative expression. Like CHARAS, Dorill recognizes that the most effective way to make change is by investing in the people who live in the community and by amplifying their voices and their stories.
The Journey Continues
The Lower East Side has always been a place where grassroots organizations thrive, and the spirit of CHARAS-El Bohio lives on through the Dorill Initiative. While the community has changed, the challenges remain familiar: access to affordable housing, cultural preservation, and the need for spaces where marginalized voices can be heard and celebrated.
Dorill continues the journey that CHARAS began, reminding us that communities are strongest when they are equipped with the tools to create their own solutions. The legacy of CHARAS-El Bohio is more than a memory; it is a founding blueprint for grassroots leadership and cultural preservation in the LES. The Dorill Initiative’s work is a testament to the enduring power of that legacy, ensuring that the future of the Lower East Side is one where creativity, activism, and community are at the forefront of change.
In honor of the pioneers who came before and the young leaders emerging today, the Dorill Initiative is proud to continue the work that began with CHARAS-El Bohio, ensuring that the LES remains a place where all can thrive.
As we look to the future, the journey from CHARAS-El Bohio to the Dorill Initiative-Conservatory In The Hood serves as a reminder of the importance of grassroots movements in shaping the cultural and social fabric of our communities. The Lower East Side, with its rich history of resistance and resilience, remains a beacon of hope for what can be achieved when communities come together to stand in the gap and reimagine their futures.
