HispanicBusiness

PHILADELPHIA, Pa., June 28 /PRNewswire/ -- Comcast and the National Council of La Raza (NCLR) today announced a $75,000 capacity-building grant to Congreso de Latinos Unidos, Inc., a Philadelphia nonprofit organization, for its advocacy work on behalf of the Latino community of Pennsylvania. Congreso de Latinos Unidos, Inc. is one of eight community-based organizations -- chosen from NCLR's Affiliate Network of nearly 300 organizations throughout the nation -- to be recognized with a NCLR/Comcast grant.

The grant announcement came on the heels of Philadelphia Safe and Sound's 2007 Report Card regarding The Well-Being of Children and Youth in Philadelphia, which was released by Mayor John Street last week. The category of "Children and Youth Live in Safe and Supportive Communities and Environments" received the lowest possible rating. During a press event held Thursday, Congreso outlined the important work they plan to undertake with the advocacy grant to address issues raised in the report, such as violence and poverty.

"This grant is not only good for our community, it's good for Philadelphia and Pennsylvania, and we're so pleased to be recognized by Comcast and NCLR," said Nicholas Torres, President of Congreso. "Although the report highlighted areas that need improvement, local community groups, such as Congreso, are working with corporate partners, such as Comcast, national groups such as NCLR and state and city initiatives to give Latino youth the skills and confidence they need to serve as catalysts within their own communities."

"This grant, in partnership with NCLR, is an excellent example of Comcast's ongoing commitment to providing opportunities for the Hispanic community in Philadelphia," said David L. Cohen, Executive Vice President and Co-Chair of The Comcast Foundation. "Congreso is a vital organization to the well-being of our community and is very deserving of this capacity-building grant."

As part of the grant announcement, Congreso officially introduced a new Children and Youth Services program, the Youth Advocacy Council, which will receive financial support from the Comcast and NCLR grant. Congreso's advocacy work is focused on building coalitions and increasing Latino participation on major issues that affect the community, from education to economic opportunities and health. The NCLR/Comcast grant will allow Congreso to expand its advocacy work, through educating and mobilizing the community, providing advocacy training and working to strengthen community coalitions.

"Congreso, and the young leaders participating in the Youth Advocacy Council, are an essential and visible part of the Hispanic community here in Philadelphia and throughout the state," said City Councilman Juan Ramos. "Thanks to this grant, the Youth Advocacy Council will have the ability to expand leadership development and increase outreach and civic engagement."

NCLR/Comcast capacity-building grants were awarded in the categories of community development, education, health, workforce development and advocacy. One grant was also given in the "Next Generation" category to recognize young or newly established organizations in communities that have experienced the emergence of new Latino populations. The other awardees include: Association House of Chicago, IL; Del Norte Neighborhood Development Corporation, Denver, CO; Latino Memphis, Inc., Memphis, TN; Mujeres Latinas en Accion, Chicago, IL; Spanish American Civic Association, Lancaster, PA; Tiburcio Vasquez Health Center, Union City, CA; and Youth Development, Inc. and Albuquerque Hispano Chamber of Commerce, Albuquerque, NM, who submitted a joint proposal.