Gándara was established in 1977 by a doctor named Jose Gándara, of Puerto Rican descent who sought to provide mental health services to the growing and largely Hispanic community in Holyoke, Massachusetts. Recently the Gándara Center expanded services to include residential, substance abuse treatment, and preventive services for children and families. We currently serve almost 8,000 families from all backgrounds annually at more than 40 locations throughout the state of Massachusetts.