CONGRESO NAMED NCLR AFFILIATE OF THE YEAR

Camila Gallardo, cgallardo@nclr.org, (305) 215-4259

Philadelphia-based nonprofit honored as exemplary service provider

LOS ANGELES—Yesterday evening, NCLR (National Council of La Raza) presented the 2014 Affiliate of the Year Award to Congreso, a multiservice organization with an expert focus on the Latino community based in Philadelphia. The group was honored at the 2014 NCLR Annual Conference Awards Gala held in Los Angeles on July 22, 2014.

Each year NCLR recognizes one Affiliate in its national network that has demonstrated its effectiveness in serving the Latino community and being a strong partner to NCLR. Since 1977, Congreso has grown into one of the nation’s 25 largest Latino-led nonprofit organizations and is a recognized leader in using evaluation tools to demonstrate that its programs are changing the lives of Latinos. Through its health, education and workforce development services, Congreso has served more than 56,000 individuals over the last five years. At the core of its success is its Primary Client ModelTM (PCM), which promotes greater client self-sufficiency by approaching each service in a client-centered, data-informed and culturally appropriate way.

“We are delighted to recognize Congreso as the NCLR Affiliate of the Year. Congreso’s efforts have helped to open the doors to opportunity for thousands of Latinos in Pennsylvania. In particular, Congreso’s willingness and commitment to growing the NCLR Affiliate Network’s collective impact by sharing their experience and expertise with other Affiliates has been most outstanding,” said Janet Murguía, President and CEO, NCLR.

The Affiliate of the Year Award, sponsored by Ford Motor Company Fund, is the highest honor bestowed on an NCLR Affiliate for its exemplary work in empowering the Latino community and advancing the mission of NCLR.

“In its 37-year history, Congreso has consistently worked to strengthen and improve its service model. It has aligned its resources and programs, achieved a high level of quality service delivery for its community and shown that community-based organizations do make a difference in strengthening our cities and our country,” continued Murguía.

“Congreso is honored to be recognized as NCLR Affiliate of the Year. Our mission to strengthen Latino communities is executed through our data-driven, client-centered approach to social services. In addition to providing direct client services, we work with corporate, government and nonprofit sector partners from throughout the nation to further the dialogue around measurable community impact. Many of these doors were first opened by NCLR and the work that it has done in advocating on behalf of Latino communities everywhere,” said Cynthia F. Figueroa, President and CEO, Congreso.

In addition to honoring Congreso with a $25,000 cash award, NCLR also recognized regional awardees from its Affiliate Network. Each honoree was presented with a $5,000 cash award on July 21, 2014 at the Affiliate Leadership Breakfast. The 2014 regional awardees included:

– Centro Latino for Literacy (Los Angeles), California Affiliate of the Year

– Valle del Sol, Inc. (Phoenix), Far West Affiliate of the Year

– Enlace Chicago (Chicago), Midwest Affiliate of the Year

– Ayuda, Inc. (Washington), Southeast Affiliate of the Year

– Houston Gateway Academy (Houston), Texas Affiliate of the Year

“Congreso’s work in the areas of workforce development, education, health care and housing is critical to improving the quality of life for more than 14,000 of its members in Philadelphia,” said Joedis Avila, Community Outreach Manager, Ford Motor Company Fund. “Congreso’s mission is in alignment with Ford Motor Company Fund’s long-standing commitment to strengthen Latino communities across the country. It is an honor to present the NCLR Affiliate of the Year award to Congreso for making such a meaningful difference.”

NCLR—the largest national Hispanic civil rights and advocacy organization in the United States—works to improve opportunities for Hispanic Americans. For more information on NCLR, please visit www.nclr.org or follow along on Facebook and Twitter. About Ford Motor Company Fund and Community Services Ford Motor Company Fund and Community Services works with community partners to advance driving safety, education and American heritage and community life. The Ford Motor Company

Fund has operated for more than 60 years with ongoing funding from Ford Motor Company. The award-winning Ford Driving Skills for Life program teaches new drivers through a variety of hands-on and interactive methods. Innovation in education is encouraged through programs that enhance high school learning and provide college scholarships and university grants. Through the Ford Volunteer Corps, more than 25,000 Ford employees and retirees each year work on projects that better their communities in 30 countries. For more information, visit http://community.ford.com.