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Congreso de Latinos Unidos, Inc. (Congreso)

Congreso

It's a shame tIt's almost inconceivable to imagine what it's like for newly immigrated families to have to deal with the many obstacles they face to assimilate into mainstream America. Assimilation problems aside, access to necessary services are a key barrier to moving forward. In northern Philadelphia, Congreso de Latinos Unidos, Inc. (Congreso) has been taking charge in helping Latino families since 1977. Congreso offers a wide range of community services, through education, social, economic, and health initiatives, to leadership training and advocacy, tackling most of the problems that plague America as a whole. Their success is evident in the numbers: over 60,000 people have benefitted from the work of Congreso in 2005 alone and they continue to grow in staff. It's no wonder they are this week's Non-Profit Spotlight.

Non-Profit

Congreso de Latinos Unidos, Inc. (Congreso)

Founded

1977

Website

www.congreso.net

Location

Philadelphia, PA

Ethnicity

Latin

About the Non-profit

Congreso de Latinos Unidos, Inc. (Congreso) is one of the leading community-based, not for profit organizations in Philadelphia. Founded in 1977, Congreso began as a grassroots organization providing health services to the surrounding Puerto Rican community. Over the past 28 years, Congreso has responded to the community's changing demographics and evolving needs by growing into a multifaceted, comprehensive provider of health, social, economic, and educational services. Today, Congreso serves the diverse population of North Philadelphia that includes individuals from over 20 Latin American countries.

Most notable milestones

"Congreso Comes Home"
Congreso officially opened the doors to the "Family and Workforce Development Center" on Friday, January 25, 2002. Located in the heart of North Philadelphia, the new headquarters is a one-stop-shop for social services and a new landmark facility in the community.

"A Beacon of Light in North Philadelphia"
In June 2002, Congreso was awarded a city-funded Beacon program at the Julia de Burgos School. The Beacon offers a comprehensive approach to prevention and intervention services on the individual, family, and community levels.

"Celebrating 25 Years of an Ever-Widening Circle of Friends"
From its humble beginnings in 1977, to a multicultural staff of over 300 people comprising 40 programs in 2005, Congreso continues to expand its ever-widening circle of friends.

What's the niche?

Congreso has five multicultural and bilingual divisions (Behavioral Health, Children and Youth, Workforce Development, Health Promotion and Wellness, and Neighborhood and Family Development Services). The agency employs over 300 staff and volunteers to provide more than 50 individual and family-oriented programs. The organization provided direct services to over 23,000 customers and touched the lives of over 60,000 people through outreach and education during fiscal year 2005.

What's the biggest challenge?

Congreso operates with the philosophy that each individual and family has strengths and talents that can be used to their advantage. We believe that, with appropriate guidance and opportunities any family can prevail over challenges, satisfy needs, and most importantly achieve self-sufficiency. We guide our work by a constant reciprocal teaching and learning interaction between Congreso's staff and their clients. This dynamic relationship leads to the identification of valuable lessons that we share with policy makers, partners and the city at large.

The perspective of the Latino community, proud of its cultural, traditional and linguistic heritage, is reflected in Congreso's unique approach to social service.

If you would like to contact Congreso, you can reach them at (215) 763-8870

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