Washington, DC—The National Council of La Raza (NCLR), the largest national Hispanic civil rights and advocacy organization in the U.S., today announced the recipients of the fifth annual Anne E. Casey Foundation Family Strengthening Awards (FSA).  NCLR presents these awards in partnership with the Annie E. Casey Foundation, a national foundation that works to meet the needs of vulnerable children and families in the United States.

 

The following three NCLR Affiliates were recognized for their model programs that help strengthen Latino families:  El Centro de La Raza of Seattle, Washington; Instituto del Progreso Latino of Chicago, Illinois; and Valle del Sol, Inc. of Phoenix, Arizona.  

 

“These Affiliates and their programs are clear examples of the work that community-based organizations can do to reach out to, educate, and empower hundreds of Hispanic American families,” stated Janet Murguía, NCLR President and CEO.  “It is an honor to work with these NCLR Affiliates and I am proud to see that their hard work is recognized by the Annie E. Casey Foundation.”

 

El Centro de La Raza, the Instituto del Progreso Latino, and Valle del Sol, Inc. have exhibited their commitment to families in their communities by providing educational, health, and youth assistance.  These Affiliates will be honored at the National Affiliate Luncheon on Saturday, July 12, 2008, 12:30–2:30 p.m., at the NCLR Annual Conference in San Diego, California.  Each organization will receive $16,500 to support their award-winning program and will showcase their best practices to other community-based organizations at the NCLR Annual Conference on Sunday, July 13, 9:00–10:30 a.m.

 

·         El Centro de La Raza is a civil rights organization that uses grassroots organizing, cultural promotions, and human services to empower children and their families.  The award-winning program is the José Marí Child Development Center (JMCDC), which has offered culturally relevant child care for Latinos since 1972 and has grown to become the first on the West Coast to provide accredited bilingual/bicultural childhood education.

·         Instituto del Progreso Latino is a leading city, state, and regional education institution that offers quality programs in workforce development, youth and adult education, youth development, and citizenship. The award-winning program is Carrera en Salud: A Chicago Bilingual Healthcare Initiative—a career-pathways program that addresses the shortage of bilingual health care professionals.  Carreras en Salud helps English-proficient individuals become Licensed Practical Nurses. Since the program first started in 2005, more than 700 individuals have enrolled in the program and 85 have completed it to become licensed nurses.

·         Valle del Sol, Inc. is one of Arizona’s largest nonprofit, community-based organizations that provides behavioral health, human services, and leadership development programs. The award-winning program is the Community Resource Centers; it empowers families to become self-sufficient and develop healthy lifestyles. Participants learn skills to handle issues they may face such as abuse, violence, peer pressure, decision-making, and family relations. Family caregivers receive GED, English as a Second Language (ESL), and parenting classes.