IN THE MIX BY MIC DIAZ
For more than two decades, Carlton Cares has been rooted in a simple mission: helping people through faith, compassion, and community action.
Founded through the vision of Ronson Provido, Carlton Cares focuses on supporting underserved communities through outreach efforts that include feeding programs, clothing donations, care packages for unhoused individuals, and partnerships with grassroots community initiatives both in the United States and the Philippines.
What began in 1999 as small neighborhood gatherings outside Provido’s family home in the Philippines—where children and families were invited to share meals like pandesal and pancit—eventually grew into Paskuhan sa Barangay, a long-running community outreach effort that continues today through the support of his siblings, neighbors, and local volunteers.
Now based in Southern California, Provido continues that same mission through Carlton Cares, which has expanded its focus to supporting unhoused communities in Los Angeles and helping individuals facing hardship, addiction, and instability.
“Faith without action is dead,” Provido shared, reflecting on the biblical principles that guide the organization’s work.
Inspired in part by the teachings of Bo Sanchez, Provido believes real community-building happens through consistent acts of service and human connection.
Supporting that mission is Carlton Group, the parent company behind several businesses in engineering, construction, renewable energy, and real estate development. Through companies like Century Engineers and Chronicle Electric, Carlton Group continues to grow across industries while maintaining a strong emphasis on sustainability, infrastructure, and community impact.
As the company continues to expand, Carlton Group recently celebrated the grand opening of its new headquarters in Cerritos after outgrowing its previous location. The move reflects the organization’s continued growth across its engineering, construction, renewable energy, and real estate ventures.
The grand opening brought together family and friends of employees, members of the Filipino American Chamber of Commerce of Cerritos and Greater Los Angeles, community supporters, and Lynda P. Johnson, highlighting the strong community ties behind the company’s continued growth.
Inside the organization, faith and service remain central to the company culture. Employees regularly gather for prayer, reflection, and conversations centered on personal growth and helping others in their communities.
Looking ahead, Provido hopes to expand Carlton Cares through future housing and community-centered projects that integrate wellness programs, recovery resources, and support systems for vulnerable populations.
For him, success is measured not only by business growth, but by the ability to make a lasting difference in people’s lives.
“At the end of the day,” he said, “we have to ask ourselves why we do what we do.”