September is Hispanic Heritage Month
The Washington, D.C. metro area has a growing and vibrant Hispanic community, but it is one that is often underserved. However, there are several local organizations that work to help this community continue to grow and thrive.
The Latin American Youth Center (LAYC) is a nationally recognized youth development agency that provides low-income youth in Washington and Maryland with the skills and opportunities they need to become successful adults. LAYC offers social services, arts and media programs, workforce training, and educational enhancement programs for children, teens, and young adults. Their Arts and Media House uses art as a means of self-expression and a tool for exploring community issues through instruction in photography, radio, video, music production, drawing, painting, and mixed media. Their Educational Enhancement program offers year-round enrichment opportunities to low-performing elementary and middle school students, as well as college preparation and healthy fitness programs. All programs work to educate, support, and help Latin American teens transition into a successful adulthood.
Mary's Center for Maternal and Child Care is a bilingual federally qualified health organization that provides primary care and enabling services to low-income, immigrant families whose linguistic and cultural needs would otherwise go unmet by public or private health care systems. Support groups and medical programs help pregnant women and their infants who are unable to afford healthcare elsewhere; all services are provided regardless of an ability to pay. Family medical programs include adult, pre-natal, pediatric, adolescent, mental health, and dental care. The organization provides support in the form of multicultural family literacy and tutoring, family social services, resources and referrals, home visitation, and early intervention for children with special needs. Mary's Center is committed to building thriving communities by helping families to be their own advocates and move up the economic ladder.
For more information, contact:
Latin American Youth Center
1419 Columbia Road, NW
Washington, DC 20009
202.319.2225
info@layc-dc.org
Mary's Center for Maternal and Child Care
2333 Ontario Rd. NW
Washington, DC 20009
202.483.8196
info@maryscenter.org
