Latin American Community Center Inc

TO EMPOWER THE LATINO COMMUNITY THROUGH EDUCATION, ADVOCACY, PARTNERSHIPS AND EXCEPTIONAL SERVICES

EARLY CHILDHOOD SERVICES (ECS) - LACC PROVIDES A COMPREHENSIVE PROGRAM THAT MEETS THE HIGHEST ACADEMIC STANDARD TO 181 CHILDREN AGES SIX-WEEKS TO 5 YEARS OLD FROM LOW-INCOME FAMILIES MOSTLY LATINO BACKGROUND LIVING IN URBAN COMMUNITIES. OF THOSE 181 CHILDREN, 27 WERE ENROLLED IN EARLY HEAD START PROGRAM, AND 60 CHILDREN WERE ENROLLED IN THE STATE FUNDED EARLY CARE AND EDUCATION (SFECE) PROGRAM. LACC STRIVES TO PROVIDE AFFORDABLE AND NEIGHBORHOOD BASED EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMMING IN A SAFE, SECURE AND ENRICHING ENVIRONMENT THAT ALLOWS FOR PHYSICAL, SOCIAL- EMOTIONAL, COGNITIVE AND LANGUAGE DEVELOPMENT OF THE CHILDREN. OUT OF THE 181 CHILDREN, 8 CHILDREN WHO HAVE DIAGNOSED DISABILITY WERE SERVED. IN ADDITION, MORE THAN 90% OF THE PRE-K STUDENTS DEMONSTRATED KINDERGARTEN READINESS BASED ON TEACHING STRATEGIES GOLD ASSESSMENTS SYSTEM. ALL PARENTS SURVEYED WERE SATISFIED OR VERY SATISFIED WITH THE PROGRESS OF THEIR CHILDREN. THE INFANTS AND TODDLERS SPEND THEIR DAY IN A SPANISH LANGUAGE IMMERSION ENVIRONMENT. PRE-K STUDENTS TRANSITION TO A DUAL LANGUAGE MODEL SCHOOL WITH BOTH SPANISH AND ENGLISH USED AS THE LANGUAGE OF INSTRUCTION. THE CHILDREN LEARN THROUGH PLAY AND EXPLORATION USING THE CREATIVE CURRICULUM. PRESCHOOLERS INVESTIGATE VARIOUS SCIENCE AND SOCIAL STUDIES TOPICS WHILE BUILDING THEIR SKILLS IN LANGUAGE, LITERACY, MATH AND COGNITIVE DEVELOPMENT. ECS IS ALSO IMPLEMENTING THE CONSCIOUS DISCIPLINE PROGRAM TO ASSIST CHILDREN IN DEVELOPING THEIR SELF-REGULATION AND PROBLEM-SOLVING SKILLS. NUTRITIONAL SERVICES WERE A CRITICAL COMPONENT OF THE HEALTH OFFERINGS OF ECS. DURING 2023, A TOTAL OF 23,168 MEALS WERE SERVED. DURING THAT YEAR, 26,000 WERE PROVIDED TO FAMILIES FOR TUITION RELIEF THROUGH SCHOLARSHIPS AND SLIDING FEE DISCOUNTS. ON APRIL 21, 2023, LACC, CELEBRATED A SIGNIFICANT MILESTONE WITH THE OPENING OF ITS NEW INFANT AND TODDLER CENTER, LOCATED AT 402 N. VAN BUREN ST. IN WILMINGTON, DELAWARE WITH A CAPACITY OF 108 CHILD CARE SLOTS.

FAMILY SUPPORT SERVICES: LACC OFFERS COMPREHENSIVE CASE MANAGEMENT SUPPORT TO INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES THROUGH HOLISTIC WRAPAROUND SERVICES IN A BILINGUAL, SAFE AND CULTURALLY-APPROPRIATE ENVIRONMENT. FAMILY SUPPORT SERVICES INCLUDE LONG AND SHORT-TERM CASE MANAGEMENT, BASIC LIFE NEEDS (FOOD, CLOTHING AND SHELTER), BREASTFEEDING ASSISTANCE, VICTIMS SERVICES AND WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT ASSISTANCE TO HELP CLIENTS THROUGH CRITICAL PERIODS OF SURVIVAL, RE-ESTABLISHMENT OF SELF-SUFFICIENCY AND EVENTUAL INDEPENDENCE. LACC ALSO HAS PARTNERSHIP WITH THE DELAWARE STATE HOUSING AUTHORITY TO PROVIDE HOUSING ASSISTANCE TO CLIENTS. LACC HAS ACCREDITATION FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE TO PROVIDE FAMILY IMMIGRATION SERVICES. THE SERVICES INCLUDED CONSULTATIONS TO INDIVIDUALS SEEKING IMMIGRATION SERVICES AND REPRESENTING CLIENTS IN FILING THEIR CASES. DURING THE YEAR 2023, APPROXIMATELY 3,554 INDIVIDUALS WERE SERVED IN THE ABOVE FAMILY SUPPORT SERVICES PROGRAMS. INCLUDED IN FAMILY SUPPORT SERVICES IS THE LOS ABUELOS PROGRAM WHICH SERVED 80 SENIORS WHO LIVE IN LOS JARDINES AND THROUGHOUT NEW CASTLE. AMONG THE ACTIVITIES PROVIDED UNDER THE PROGRAM ARE MEDICAL CHECK-UPS, NUTRITIONAL SERVICES, EDUCATIONAL SESSIONS, RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES, FIELD TRIPS, ZUMBA CLASSES, AND ARTS & CRAFTS. ALSO INCLUDED IN THE FAMILY SUPPORT SERVICES IS THE ADULT BASIC EDUCATION. LACC SERVES ADULTS WHO HAVE LIMITED ENGLISH PROFICIENCY AND POSSESS A DESIRE TO ACHIEVE COMPETENCE IN THE ENGLISH LANGUAGE. LACC PROVIDED FREE CLASSES IN ENGLISH AS A SECOND LANGUAGE(ESL), ENGLISH LEARNER CIVICS, GED PROGRAMS, AND BASIC COMPUTER LITERACY SKILLS TO 270 HISPANIC ADULTS. THESE NUMBERS INCLUDED 82 CITIZENSHIP/CIVICS STUDENTS PREPARING FOR THE US CITIZENSHIP EXAM, AND 102 ADULTS DIGITAL LITERACY (ADL) STUDENTS.

YOUTH DEVELOPMENT SERVICES DEPARTMENT: THE HOURS IMMEDIATELY FOLLOWING THE END OF THE SCHOOL DAY ARE CRITICAL FOR CHILDREN AGES 5 - 12. LACC PROVIDES A YEAR-ROUND QUALITY BEFORE AND AFTER SCHOOL ENRICHMENT PROGRAM, COMMUNITY CENTER LEARNING HUB, YOUTH ACHIEVEMENT CENTER, AND A SUMMER-CAMP IN A SAFE AND ENGAGING ENVIRONMENT WHERE CHILDREN LEARN AND GROW, EAT HEALTHY MEALS, AS WELL AS RECEIVE ACADEMIC ENRICHMENT ACTIVITIES INCLUDING DANCE, ARTS, JOURNALISM AND ATHLETICS. IT SERVED 210 CHILDREN WHILE THEIR PARENTS ARE AT WORK, AND 156 CHILDREN IN SUMMER CAMP. THE PROGRAM ENHANCES THE CHILDREN'S KNOWLEDGE OF STEM AND HELPS THEM UNDERSTAND THE POSSIBILITIES OF WORKING IN STEM-RELATED CAREERS. THIS IS DONE THROUGH ANNUAL LEGO MINDSTORM TEAMS, AND PARTNERSHIPS WITH LOCAL SCIENCE AND ART-BASED PARTNERS FOR THE INTEGRATION OF THE ARTS AND THROUGH THE READING IS FUNDAMENTAL PROGRAM. THE INTEGRATION OF THE ARTS INTO THE STEM PROGRAMMING SHOWS STUDENTS THE CLOSE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN ART, DESIGN, AND ENGINEERING. DURING 2023, 21,000 WERE PROVIDED TO FAMILIES FOR TUITION RELIEF THROUGH SCHOLARSHIPS IN BEFORE AND AFTER SCHOOL AND SUMMER CAMP. THE EVENING ENRICHMENT PROGRAM PROVIDES STUDENTS WITH HOMEWORK HELP AND ASSISTANCE WITH COLLEGE, JOB, AND SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATIONS. STUDENTS PARTICIPATE IN ACTIVITIES THAT ENHANCE THEIR ACADEMIC SKILLS AND THEIR LIVES, INCLUDING ATHLETICS, THE ARTS, SUBSTANCE ABUSE PREVENTION, AND STEM. THE PROGRAM ALSO PROVIDE YOUTH WITH CAREER AWARENESS, JOB SHADOWING, INTERNSHIP OPPORTUNITIES AND JOB SKILLS DEVELOPMENT. THE HIGH SCHOOL CREDIT RECOVERY PROGRAM HAS MADE IT POSSIBLE FOR AT-RISK STUDENTS TO REMAIN IN SCHOOL, MAKE UP CREDITS, AND BE PROMOTED TO THE NEXT GRADE AND GRADUATE. A TOTAL OF 34 STUDENTS PARTICIPATED IN THE PROGRAM. THE MINERVA MARRERO HISPANIC SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM (MMSHP) RECOGNIZES HIGH- ACHIEVING STUDENTS STATEWIDE AND INSPIRES PRIDE IN THE LATINO COMMUNITY. MMSHP ENCOURAGES FAMILIES AND COMMUNITIES TO SUPPORT STUDENTS WHO ARE IN PURSUIT OF GREATER OPPORTUNITIES. DURING 2024,THE MMSHP PROGRAM AWARDED 25,000 OF SCHOLARSHIPS TO SEVEN HIGH SCHOOL SENIORS FOR THEIR COLLEGE EDUCATION. THE YOUTH ACHIEVEMENT CENTER SERVES STUDENTS AGES 12-18. PARTICIPANTS RECEIVE HELP WITH HOMEWORK AND WITH COLLEGE, JOB, AND SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATIONS. THEY ALSO RECEIVE MENTORS AND PARTICIPATE IN ENRICHMENT ACTIVITIES SUCH AS SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY, ENGINEERING, AND MATH (STEM) ACTIVITIES, SUBSTANCE ABUSE PREVENTION PROGRAM, ART,COOKING, COSMETOLOGY, BASKETBALL, OTHER SPORTS, AND COMMUNITY SERVICE ACTIVITIES. IT SERVED 26 STUDENTS DURING 2023. THE YOUTH PREVENTION PROGRAM OFFERED A PROGRAM WITH ACTIVITIES TO MEET THE STUDENTS' UNIQUE SOCIAL EMOTIONAL NEEDS. IT SERVED 38 STUDENTS DURING THE YEAR.

PREVENTION AND ADVOCACY SERVICES. LACC PROVIDES INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES WITH THE TOOLS TO HANDLE MANY FORMS OF ADDICTION, INCLUDING DRUGS AND ALCOHOL, TO CREATE A POSITIVE AND HEALTHY HOME AND LIVING ENVIRONMENT. PROGRAMS INCLUDE ALCOHOL AND OTHER DRUGS PREVENTION, HIV EARLY INTERVENTION SERVICES, HEALTHY FAMILIES AND HEALTHY HOMES ASSISTANCE AND FINANCIAL LITERACY AND THE CONEXIONES HEALTH PROGRAM. WITHIN THE PREVENTION PROGRAM, 75 PARTICIPANTS COMPLETED THE EDUCATION SESSION AND INCREASED THEIR KNOWLEDGE ABOUT DRUGS AND ALCOHOL. THE PROGRAM HOSTED A TOTAL OF 5 ALCOHOL OR DRUGS FREE EVENTS TO PROMOTE ALTERNATIVE ACTIVITIES TO SUBSTANCE ABUSE WITH 186 PARTICIPANTS. THE PROGRAM CONDUCTED OUTREACH EVENTS AND REACHED 1,634 INDIVIDUALS. THE HIV EARLY INTERVENTION SERVICES PROGRAM SERVED 439 CLIENTS WITH HIV AND AIDS TESTING AND COUNSELING SERVICES. THE FINANCIAL LITERACY PROGRAM SERVED 456 CLIENTS WITH THEIR CREDIT REPORTS, DEBT REDUCTION, CREDIT IMPROVEMENT AND DEVELOPMENT, BUDGET DEVELOPMENT, AND HOME OWNERSHIP. THE HEALTHY HOMES PROGRAM PROVIDED SERVICES FOR 430 CLIENTS WHO COMPLETED THEIR HOME RISK ASSESSMENTS. THE PROGRAM ALSO CONDUCTED 12 EDUCATION SESSIONS AND 33 OUTREACH EVENTS. IT ALSO DISTRIBUTED CHILD SAFE CLEANING AND HOME SUPPLIES TO 86 FAMILIES. THE CONEXIONES PROGRAM ADVOCATES FOR RIGHTS OF THE LATINO COMMUNITY BY PROVIDING COVID-19 CARE, TESTING, VACCINE DISTRIBUTION, EDUCATION, AND OTHER RESOURCES THAT WILL EMPOWER THEM. DURING 2023, THE PREVENTION AND ADVOCACY DEPARTMENT ADMINISTERED 444 COVID 19- TESTS, HELD 2 COVID WORKSHOPS AND CONDUCTED 13 VACCINATION EVENTS. 219 OF COVID VACCINE DOSES AND 167 FLU VACCINES DOSES WERE ADMINISTERED TO INDIVIDUALS BY MEDICAL PROVIDERS WHO WORKED WITH LACC. 42,090 INDIVIDUALS WERE ENGAGED THROUGH OUTREACH ACTIVITIES AND COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT EVENTS HOSTED BY PREVENTION AND ADVOCACY DEPARTMENT. LACC BELIEVES IN PREVENTION AS A WAY OF LIFE AND ALL OF THE PREVENTION AND ADVOCACY PROGRAMS COMPLEMENT EACH OTHER TO CREATE WRAP-AROUND PREVENTIVE CARE SERVICES.