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Congreso de Latinos Unidos,
Inc
216 West Somerset St.
Philadelphia, PA 19133
215.763.8870
www.congreso.net
Congreso de Latinos Unidos
(Congreso)
located in North Philadelphia, is a very large, community based, non-profit
agency founded in 1977 by Puerto Rican activists “concerned with the social and
economic conditions of the growing Latino community in Philadelphia”. Congreso’s
mission is, “to provide leadership in the development and operation of social,
education, economic and health care services and resources that meet the needs
of Philadelphia’s Puerto Rican and Latino community. All of Congreso’s programs,
services and advocacy efforts are dedicated to empowering members of [the]
community to confront and overcome the myriad of problems facing them, and to
reclaim the future for their families and their children”. Congreso has five
major programmatic divisions: 1) Neighborhood and Family Development 2) Children
and Youth Services 3)Education, Training and Employment 4) Health Promotion and
Wellness and 5) Behavioral Healthcare.
Personnel from the Children and Youth Services and Health Promotion
and Wellness divisions enthusiastically discussed developing a relationship
with the Villanova University community. The Behavioral Healthcare division
explained that, due to confidentiality, volunteers are not possible.
Opportunities with Congreso might be of special interest to Human Services
majors, Education majors, Spanish majors, Sociology majors, Nursing majors
(Mommy Cares Program), Peace and Justice minors, Women’s Studies minors and
anyone interested in learning more about the Latino population of
Philadelphia.
Children
and Youth Services
Congreso’s
Children and Youth Services Division offers many opportunities for after school
homework assistance and mentoring of youth in elementary school through high
school. The programs are very structured and incorporate homework help as well
as cultural enrichment activities, arts, recreation, writing development, and
reading. One on one tutoring assistance for the students is ideal. Bilingual
Spanish capability is not necessary for volunteers, but can be utilized if
available. The sites are close to each other so a large group of volunteers can
come to Congreso and disperse between the programs.
Contact:
Melanie
Rubinson, Operations and Special Projects Coordinator, ext.1406
Volunteer Opportunities
·
Las
Estrellas de Norte del Filadelfai (Philadelphia North Stars) After School
Program – work
with elementary and middle school students incorporating sports, drama, and art
as well as academic enrichment and homework help. There are three locations for
this program.
·
Futuros
After School Program
– is a literacy-based program for middle school
students primarily working to develop the reading, writing
and general
language skills of the students. There are two locations for this program.
·
REAAP
(Reasonable Efforts in Assessment, Access, and Prevention)
– work with Middle School children who are on the fringe of trouble. Two sites
exist for this program.
·
One on
one
high school tutoring possibilities,
for students that were involved with Congreso’s after school programs, but whose
GPAs are currently falling.
·
Summer
Programs – the
after school programs continue through the summer.
When: Each of the
programs takes place Monday through Friday 3 p.m.- 6 p.m.; summer programs run
8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
IMPORTANT:
Congreso requires
child abuse clearance, criminal record check, along with identification
(license, etc). Congreso will pay for the cost of the clearance and background
check, but it is expected that one is committing to at least one semester of
consistent volunteering for the agency to do this. Training and orientation will
be provided at the central office.
Health
Promotion and Wellness
Contact:
Nancy Torrez,
Department Director: Maternal, Infant and Child Health Services
215.763.8870 ext. 1304,
Nancyt@congreso.net
Volunteer
Opportunities
·
Mommy
Cares
This
program requires a high level of commitment and responsibility as well as
Spanish proficiency; Nancy wants to begin with two volunteers initially.
Internships are also available.
Mommy Cares
is designed to serve low-income, high-risk Latina women in North Philadelphia by
offering supportive and educational services to pregnant and postpartum women,
caregivers and their children. Volunteers would participate in an intensive
training, approximately two hours a week for one month and also including
research that could be done at the center or on one’s own. The training would
include mock presentations and would prepare volunteers to present in schools
throughout North Philadelphia and in other community centers. As well,
volunteers may enter neighborhoods to offer education and outreach to pregnant,
postpartum and high-risk women.
When:
flexible, approximately 2 hours a week
·
Alcanza
Teen Co-op
This program “seeks to help
teenagers prevent unplanned pregnancies through the promotion of abstinence and
practicing safer sex and for teen parents to have positive healthy outcomes for
themselves and their families”. The teen co-op of Alcanza offers a place for
local teenagers to support one another, develop friendships and work on
developing themselves through resume building, job searches, college research,
tutoring, and even exchanging baby clothes. Volunteers can serve as mentors and
tutors.
When:
Tuesdays 11 a.m.-1 p.m. and 3 p.m.-6 p.m.
Thursdays 3:p.m.- 6 p.m.
IMPORTANT:
If interested in applying for a volunteer position, send your resume to:
Gloria Miranda
Congeso de Latinos Unidos, Inc
216 West Somerset Street
Philadelphia, PA 19133
Directions to Agency
Back to Opportunities
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Finding a Match
This page was last updated
May, 2005 |
