Congreso Nationally Recognized by The Kresge Foundation for Innovative Approaches to Human Services

Congreso highlighted for its unique ability to measure and enhance program impact and will participate in a two-year Next Generation cohort.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

MEDIA CONTACTS
Julia Rivera, riveraju@congreso.net
Christina Karas, cmkaras@kresge.org

November 20, 2017 (Philadelphia, PA) – Congreso de Latinos Unidos was honored to be selected by The Kresge Foundation as one of 13 path-breaking human services organizations for an inaugural Next Gen cohort that will continue to develop innovative approaches to human services across the Nation. The initiative is part of Kresge’s Human Services Program focused on the advancement of human services to accelerate social and economic mobility for people with low incomes in America’s cities.

During the two-year program, Congreso will receive a $500,000 grant to enhance Congreso’s trademarked Primary Client Model (PCM™) service delivery methodology which serves as the foundation of Congreso’s client centered work. In addition, Congreso’s leadership will participate in a national learning and collaboration network with the wider human services field.

“This is a dynamic group of organizations who are setting the pace of evolution for human services with a focus on advancing and accelerating mobility,” said Raquel Hatter, deputy director of The Kresge Foundation’s Human Services Program. “Families and communities across the country continue to struggle with the daily realities of living in poverty and the challenges of moving forward. Congreso is reimagining our support systems by co-creating solutions with people to best help them achieve their goals and dreams. We are thrilled to have this group join a movement that is transforming the human services sector to have an unrelenting commitment to successful outcomes.”

The initiative supports The Kresge Foundation’s Human Services Program’s efforts to foster the next generation of human services organizations. Kresge defines next generation human services organizations as organizations or local networks that are setting the pace of evolution in the social services sector by delivering supports that are responsive to client needs, adopting a data-driven approach and embracing a stance of risk taking.

After learning of Congreso’s selection to this elite cohort, DiGiorgio shared “This recognition serves as a testament Congreso’s evolution and long standing commitment to sophisticated service delivery with long term impact. We are humbled at the opportunity to parnter with the Kresge Foundation and learn alongside the other 12 impressive organizations in the cohort as we continue to evolve to meet the needs of our community in the best way possible.” Congreso stands committed to thinking innovatively about how the Agency continues to strengthen our community in Philadelphia.

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About The Kresge Foundation
The Kresge Foundation is a $3.5 billion private, national foundation that works to expand opportunities in America’s cities through grantmaking and social investing in arts and culture, education, environment, health, human services, and community development in Detroit. In 2016, the Board of Trustees approved 474 grants totaling $141.5 million, and made 14 social investment commitments totaling $50.8 million. For more information, visit kresge.org.

About Congreso de Latinos Unidos
Founded in 1977, Congreso is celebrating its 40th Anniversary in 2017. The organization’s mission is to strengthen Latino communities through social, economic, education and health services; leadership development and advocacy. Congreso served 19,384 individuals in FY17 through its education, employment, health and social services.