精東影業

精東影業 Affiliate: Los Sures

精東影業 Affiliate: Los Sures

In June 1972, in the urban landscape of Williamsburg, Brooklyn, New York, a small group of community residents embarked on a remarkable journey of determination and purpose. Faced with the daunting challenges of landlord abandonment, the withdrawal
of vital city services, and the scourge of illegal evictions aimed at reshaping the neighborhood鈥檚 ethnic fabric, these individuals rallied together under the banner of Los Sures.

鈥淢uch of our community鈥檚 resilience stems from a shared struggle to nurture what exists today,鈥 says Juan Ramos, Executive Director. 鈥淧uerto Ricans, alongside other communities like Dominicans and Mexicans, opened doors and forged bonds. Despite
our diverse origins, unity became our strength. When faced with challenges, we rallied together, fighting for our identity and representation. In time and through initiatives like our community art gallery, we have come to celebrate our heritage, ensuring our
story endures and inspiring the present and future generations,鈥 adds Ramos.

With only a handful of volunteers and minimal staff, they took on the monumental task of rebuilding their beloved Southside community. Their vision was clear: reclaiming control over their housing and future. It was a fight not just for physical buildings but for the very soul of their neighborhood.

鈥淕rowing up in a struggling community, I witnessed firsthand the impact of gentrification and the challenges faced by seniors and victims of violence,鈥 recalls Ramos. 鈥淭oday, my personal experiences drive my commitment to this work. Our organization stands as a beacon of resistance against displacement. Despite our community鈥檚 transformation, we refuse to be priced out. We fight
to preserve our presence and advocate for our right to remain in our neighborhood.鈥

Fast-forward 51 years, and the landscape
of Williamsburg has undergone a profound transformation. What was once an affordable haven has become a magnet for a burgeoning artistic community, driving up rents and leaving longtime residents struggling to make ends meet. In the face
of this gentrification tsunami, Los Sures is a bastion of hope and support for those in need. Ramos expresses gratitude for the vision and actions of earlier advocates. 鈥淗istory grounds us, anchoring our organization and me in this community鈥檚 journey,鈥 he states. 鈥淥ur predecessors鈥 resilience birthed our existence, providing a foundation of purpose. As torchbearers, we must advance their legacy, fostering resistance and guiding future leaders. We鈥檙e entrusted with empowering others and ensuring our community鈥檚
ongoing evolution. It鈥檚 a cycle of resilience and progress, a testament to our collective strength,鈥 he adds.


The organization has evolved to meet the changing needs of its community, offering a diverse array of resources and services. From affordable housing and tenant organizing to senior residential and recreation centers, a hydroponic farm, and a local food pantry, Los Sures is a lifeline for countless individuals and families facing economic hardship. At the core of its mission, the Real Estate
Development Department tirelessly acquires and develops low-income housing, breathing new life into neglected buildings. With over 5,000 units rehabilitated and constructed, they pave the way for affordable living, empowering local families to thrive.
Their funding sources, from governmental entities to financial institutions, underscore their dedication to accessible housing.


鈥淟os Sures faces unique challenges as a nonprofit management and development company. We lack the same opportunities as for-profit developers, and maintaining affordable housing becomes increasingly difficult with rising costs. Balancing affordability while covering expenses requires creativity and accessing subsidies for tenants. We鈥檝e learned that offering affordable housing
isn鈥檛 enough; wrap-around services are essential. Residents shouldn鈥檛 have to choose between basic
needs and housing.鈥

Meanwhile, the Tenant and Community Organizing Departments form the backbone of grassroots advocacy, rallying residents
around vital issues. From tenants鈥 rights to civic engagement, these departments foster solidarity, ensuring that the voices of the South Side are heard. Through education and empowerment, they cultivate a sense of ownership and agency within the community.


In tandem, the Social Services Department offers a lifeline to those in need, employing a holistic, community-based approach. From individual case management to crisis intervention, they provide comprehensive support, guiding formerly homeless tenants toward stability. With its innovative Hydroponic Farm, the bustling Los Sures Food Pantry nourishes over 800 individuals monthly, addressing food insecurity at its root.


Amidst this tapestry of support, the Los Sures 鈥淒avid Santiago鈥 Senior Center stands as a vibrant hub of companionship and care. Here, eighty seniors find nourishment for both body and soul daily, enjoying hearty lunches and engaging in social recreation.
鈥淏eing recognized by a national organization of committed Latinos is an honor, acknowledging our agency鈥檚 efforts to empower our community. It underscores our unity and the importance of sharing opportunities and camaraderie among Latino leaders and organizations. This exchange of information fosters collective progress and strengthens our bonds.鈥


United in purpose, the departments of Los Sures exemplify the transformative power of community-driven initiatives. Together, they weave a safety net of support, empowering residents to build brighter futures in the heart of Brooklyn鈥檚 South Side.


鈥淟ooking ahead, the next phase involves welcoming new community members and ensuring our developments cater to their needs,鈥
says Ramos. 鈥淐ompleting projects like housing 94 low-income senior units with adequate social services is just the beginning. Our efforts in the next years will shape the legacy of Southside United for the next 51 years. Inspiring young leaders ensures our organization鈥檚 continued impact and relevance,鈥 he says.

精東影業 Affiliate: Multicultural Career Intern Program

精東影業 Affiliate: Multicultural Career Intern Program

In the vibrant heart of Washington, DC, a dynamic spirit of learning and achievement ignites the Multicultural Career Intern Program (MCIP) corridors. More than just a family, MCIP has cultivated an entire community鈥攁 tapestry woven from its members鈥 diverse voices, backgrounds, and experiences. In this bustling hub of ambition and collaboration, individuals unite in a shared pursuit of academic excellence and personal growth.

MCIP is where dreams take flight, barriers are shattered, and lives are transformed for the betterment of oneself and the uplifting of all touched by its profound influence. Welcome to MCIP, where the journey of discovery knows no bounds. 鈥淥ur focus is on preparing young people to succeed in academics and to be leaders in their community,鈥 says Maria Tukeva, MCIP Founder. 鈥淭his also means becoming leaders in the quest for social justice, and we do this through providing them with educational experiences that help them become designers of their future,鈥 she adds.

The year was 1979 when a beacon of hope first emerged on the educational horizon 鈥 the inception of MCIP. Founded with a noble purpose, MCIP aimed to cater to the overlooked potentials of promising students, many of whom hailed from low-income backgrounds and belonged to linguistic minority groups. 鈥淔rom the beginning, we had a long-standing commitment to college and career success for not only Latino young people but all young people of color and that as a school and its associated foundation, they were and are today our number one priority,鈥 she says. Yet, Tukeva saw that these bright minds were slipping through the crevices of the 精東影業 America 路 Spring 2024 16efficient model where the school does instructional services during the day. MCIP does enhanced and extended instructional services after school through the evening. Our efficiency benefits every student because we have different grants that complement what the school does. It perfectly complements the instructional vision and the idea of 100% college attendance preparation and resilience. If college is not attainable, we endeavor 100% career viability, so no child is left behind.鈥 conventional public schooling system or had already been discarded from its confines. Maria identified many factors contributing to this educational exodus: an absence of cultural and linguistic sensitivity, systemic apathy, and a deficiency in teacher training and support. Moreover, low expectations existed for student achievement, inadequate curricular offerings, and a heavy reliance on punitive measures like suspensions and expulsions.

Maria saw a better way, and so did the community that joined her. To combat this educational injustice, they embarked on a journey over three decades ago, initially welcoming 40 students who had either been pushed out or had willingly dropped out of the District of Columbia public schools. By the close of a decade, in 1989, MCIP had blossomed into a full-fledged alternative school, serving a daily cohort of 600 students. This marked the genesis of BMHS 鈥 Bell Multicultural High School 鈥 born from the merger of MCIP鈥檚 core instructional program with the Bell Career Development Center.

Despite many challenges, MCIP surged forward, adapting its methodologies to meet the evolving needs of the BMHS student body. A significant milestone was reached in 2008 with the merger of BMHS and Lincoln Multicultural Middle School, giving rise to the Columbia Heights Educational Campus (CHEC), a groundbreaking institution spanning grades 6 through 12 鈥 a first in Washington D.C. history.

Along the way, Kapindi Kroma joined MCIP and helped Maria and the leadership team expand services to fulfill the mission. Today, he serves as Executive Director of MCIP. 鈥淥ur programs are run as an efficient model where the school does instructional services during the day. MCIP does enhanced and extended instructional services after school through the evening. Our efficiency benefits every student because we have different grants that complement what the school does. It perfectly complements the instructional vision and the idea of 100% college attendance preparation and resilience. If college is not attainable, we endeavor 100% career viability, so no child is left behind.鈥

For Maria and Kapindi today, inclusiveness at MCIP is more than just a word. 鈥淥ne thing that we realized when students returned from the pandemic was that engagement was never what we wanted it to be,鈥 says Maria. 鈥淎fter the pandemic, it was even more challenging, and students had decided to do other things. So, we realized we had to change how we were doing things. We needed to know what they wanted, so we鈥檝e focused on student voice and choice over the past two years. We are incorporating what students wish to do in everything from the cafeteria food to the curriculum to how we do the master schedule for the day.鈥

Kapindi echoes those sentiments and speaks of the strength that comes from a united effort. 鈥淰oice and choice are powerful, and the MCIP board has always had student representation. Our bylaws call for at least three student representatives. Now, the school is incorporating that voice and choice philosophy into its strategies and structures. We instill in all of our students that if they take the work seriously, there is nothing that they can鈥檛 do. This belief is why we have a delinquency intervention program plus targeted literacy intervention. During the school day, we ask struggling students to come to one-on-one sessions where they can counsel and instruct so they know we care and we鈥檙e here to help them succeed.鈥

This union has broadened MCIP鈥檚 outreach and diversified its efforts to encompass middle school education. Today, MCIP stands as a beacon of educational equity, offering myriad evidence-based instructional and support services to bridge the achievement gap for the 1400 students and families comprising CHEC. MCIP continues to pave the path toward a brighter future for all through unwavering dedication and innovative approaches.

鈥淚t is wonderful that 精東影業 recognizes MCIP, but mostly because that鈥檚 how we started,鈥 recalls Maria fondly. 鈥淲e would not be here if it weren鈥檛 for 精東影業. We go back to 1979 when I first worked on the proposal for the school with a team of people from 精東影業. Seeing how far this initiative has gone and can continue for many years is exciting and personally rewarding to experience,鈥 she adds.

Kapindi speaks of the ambitious opportunities beyond the horizon that MCIP is also working to realize. 鈥淲e are on a journey to create the nation鈥檚 first youth-run community development corporation, or CDC, where students come to school and learn the tools to solve problems within their community. Their education is no longer something that they must wait ten years to start applying. Now, reading makes sense, and math makes sense. So do negotiation debates and understanding contracts. All these types of things are relevant and important right now. When we create the CDC, it will be student led and a component to really refining public education that rarely ever changes.鈥

What does Maria see ahead? The path is promising for her and closely linked to those who will help shape it. 鈥淚 see us becoming even more of a youth-oriented agency where we incorporate youth voices, not just like a little committee here and there, but everywhere because they are our future. I see us as an organization incorporating them into everything we do and create for tomorrow. What we can achieve is limitless and exciting.鈥

精東影業 Affiliate: Casa San Jose

精東影業 Affiliate: Casa San Jose

In Pittsburgh, a city steeped in the history of America鈥檚 industrial boom and change, a new collective of voices is being heard. The sound is different, reflecting a tapestry of fresh cultural experiences, and its source is Casa San Jose. There, Latino families and individuals are coming together and creating an opportunity to infuse Pittsburg with a new vitality for the future.

Established in 2013 by the Sisters of St. Joseph of Baden, Casa San Jose was born out of a deep-seated commitment to uplift and empower the region鈥檚 burgeoning Latino population. The richly faceted social services agency embodies the resilience and empowerment that define the organization鈥檚 mission.

Monica Ruiz, Executive Director of Casa San Jose in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, readily acknowledges the challenges and growth of the Latino community. She states, 鈥淚 think that for us here in Pittsburgh, PA, Latinos are less than 2% of the population, but we have grown more than 80% in the last ten years. Before, Latinos came for work and then left to return to their homes, returning seasonally. But then, they began to settle here and stayed to raise their families.鈥

As the city witnessed an influx of newcomers, Casa San Jose emerged as a lifeline, filling in the gaps for services that the community desperately needed but were unavailable. Monica鈥檚 vision extended beyond immediate aid; she aimed to create bridges within institutions and processes that have seen little change in decades.

Monica laments, recounting the countless instances where community members were stranded because of a lack of linguistic support in crucial institutions. 鈥淟anguage access remains a significant barrier,鈥 Ruiz states. 鈥淟anguage access must be our greatest barrier at present. You go into a city or county office, and they have nothing in Spanish for residents. Even healthcare services lack language and cultural accessibility. For example, we only have two Spanish-speaking pediatricians,鈥 she says.

The organization鈥檚 staff reflects the community they serve. Ruiz notes, 鈥淲e have a staff of 27, and out of these individuals, maybe six or seven were born here in the United States. Everyone else is from somewhere else or has received services from us. Their lived experience is invaluable as they now help others. We have a great mix of people,鈥 Monica beams, highlighting their shared experiences as immigrants and their dedication to the cause.

鈥淐asa San Jose fills gaps in services for the community,鈥 Ruiz emphasizes. 鈥淗owever, we want people to acquire the skills and knowledge to learn how to navigate the services themselves in this city. This is a very complex process, but we鈥檙e building resiliency within folks as they experience success,鈥 she adds.

Casa San Jose is a resource hub for Latino immigrants seeking assistance and guidance from weekly clinics and food pantries to Know Your Rights sessions and summer camps. Its comprehensive programs encompass social services, emergency aid, community advocacy, English language classes, mental health support, housing assistance, and specialized programs for children with autism.

As importantly, Casa San Jose champions amplifying inclusion at every level within the larger community, ensuring that the voices of those they serve are heard and elevated. 鈥淩epresentation is essential,鈥 emphasizes Monica. Particularly important is pushing for inclusivity in decision-making processes in programs and services that impact the Latino population. Ruiz explains, 鈥淩epresentation means having people with a voice and viewpoint authentic to the issue or need we are addressing in our city.鈥

One central area of focus of Casa San Jose is working with local youths through several of the organization鈥檚 programs: J贸venes Con Prop贸sito fosters a vibrant community of Latino youth, championing immigrant rights and igniting social change. With a firm belief in the current leadership of today鈥檚 youth, the program meets weekly during the academic year, nurturing empowerment and activism.

Puentes Hacia el Futuro, tailored for ages 6-14, cultivates cultural identity and leadership skills through trust-building activities, discussions, and educational pursuits, preparing youth for a dynamic future blending Latino and American cultures.

Campamento Sonrisa offers an enriching summer experience for youths aged 7-14, blending education, outdoor adventures, and sports. Participants enjoy nutritious meals throughout the structured camp, including breakfast, lunch, and snacks. The elementary session runs from June to July, while the middle school session spans from mid-July to August, providing an inclusive opportunity for all applicants at no cost.

Casa San Jose serves multi-generational families in tangible, practical ways every day. For its stakeholders, it is both about the here and now and the future of the Latino comunidad. 鈥淲e are learning from other larger cities with decades of experience working within significantly bigger Latino populations,鈥 says Ruiz. 鈥淎t the same time, I hope that we can offer smaller communities near and around us an example of how to build resilience and help our people not just survive but thrive for years to come,鈥 she adds.

Leading with Power in Our Nation鈥檚 Capital

Leading with Power in Our Nation鈥檚 Capital

Mission of Love Opens the Way Through Service

Every successful organization has a driving force behind it. At Mission of Love Charities located in Capitol Heights, Maryland, just minutes from the nation鈥檚 center of political power, that catalyst is Deborah 鈥淒eb鈥 Martinez. Yet, this seasoned community advocate known by a who鈥檚 who of Washington leaders quickly credits her parents when asked about the source of her positivity and energy. She adds that they instilled in her pride in her identity, a fearlessness in life, and the constant determination to make every moment count.

鈥淓ach of us has something good to contribute, and I believe that when we find that purpose in our lives, we have the duty and the joy to share it with the people we can help through our actions, our words, and our support,鈥 says Martinez. 鈥淚n my case, my mother worked hard and sacrificed for her children so that we could go to college. She held several government jobs so we could attend Howard University tuition-free. She told us if you want to go somewhere else, you pay for it, but I am who I am today, in part, because I attended Howard and appreciate what my mother did for us.鈥
That upbringing has shaped Martinez鈥檚 vision for the work she does leading Mission of Love Charities. The organization offers various services and delivers vital everyday social assistance to the community throughout the immediate region. From rent and utility assistance to job training and workforce development, Martinez says the role of the Mission of Love Charities is to help people in practical ways that recognize the challenges they are facing.

鈥淒uring the pandemic, our students cannot always access the internet, which impacts them disproportionately,鈥 says Martinez. 鈥淪o, if helping a family with their internet service is needed, we try to be there to ensure that the children can stay connected to their educational lifeline. It is that real and immediate. Or, if I meet a young person who needs a job sooner rather than later, I encourage them to consider a trade or a program like Certified Nursing Assistant because CNAs are in high demand due to COVID. We don鈥檛 believe every person has to incur massive college debt to become employable in a good-paying job and be successful. However, I also encourage people to stay curious, learn everything they can every day, and read a book as often as possible. Whether it is the Bible or some other book that interests you like Before the Mayflower, the point is to stay open to improving yourself as a person.鈥

That can-do spirit of looking for genuine, practical, and immediate solutions is what Martinez teaches her staff. The Mission of Love Charities team meets weekly, and Martinez says people make the gatherings uplifting and more successful because of the respect and interpersonal relations. 鈥淭his is not home; we are a place of business, and it is important to keep our work separate from our personal lives. Still, our goal is to make each other feel appreciated, listened to, and that we are all working towards making our jobs better and more effective for the people who rely on us.鈥
Mission of Love Charities stays in constant communication with state, county, and local leaders who seek Martinez鈥檚 and her team鈥檚 input on local issues impacting the increasingly diverse community. Whether working-class Latino, Black, Caucasian, or more recently, Afghani and Central American immigrants in need, the problems they need help with require that the agency partner with many different individuals and organizations. The starting point may be learning English, but their needs grow exponentially, and no one organization has all the solutions.

鈥淲ithout partnering, the civil rights movement would not have happened,鈥 reminds Martinez. 鈥淲e would not be here as an organization without partnering, and after the last four years, we are better today because we are partnering now, so I think that looking back and blaming the past administration and grieving all that is a waste of time. We are blessed to be here now and need to focus on where to go from here. This fact becomes abundantly clear when you travel to see what conditions are like in other countries. Also, when people complain to me about their situation, I tell them change starts with education, and if we do not do that for ourselves, we have no one else to blame. Also, we need to become informed and stay engaged in our civic duty to vote in the mid-terms, which are just as important as elections during presidential election years. So too, in working with our school systems, even if we don鈥檛 like everything they are doing, we must stay involved in what is happening to our children in the public schools.鈥
Martinez says Mission of Love Charities will soon be relocating into a newer facility. Seven will be dedicated to education training, the lifeline for participants seeking to make a significant change in their lives. She adds that among her education goals is to continue mentoring women to strive for leadership roles and says the non-profit sector has served to open many doors for women to succeed. 鈥淭his is an exciting time in my life because I am ready and eager to pass on the knowledge and what I have learned over the years to the next generation woman who wants to lead a community-based organization. The notion of giving back to our community is something that my mother instilled in me, and when I am ready to step away, what will give me the peace of mind needed will be knowing that I did it the right way, preparing a successor who can step in,鈥 she said.

Numerous awards affirm that Mission of Love Charities is getting the job done and doing it right. The organization has been recognized as one of the Essence Essential Heroes. Also, the agency was selected among the nation鈥檚 Top 100 by Charity Navigator. Plus, its work was profiled by the ABC7 Helping Hands series and received the Community Crisis Service鈥檚 Hero Award. Even CNN featured Missions of Love Charities during nationwide coverage of the COVID-19 pandemic鈥檚 impact. Martinez concludes by saying that she owes her success and Mission of Love Charities to her board of directors and its chairperson. They support and endorse the daily decisions she has to make in running the organization. 鈥淭hey agree with me nine times out of ten and work hard to help find the money for us to carry out our programs. This is all I could ask for, and without them, we would not be where we are today. I accept this recognition from 精東影業 on behalf of all the men and women who work tirelessly every day to keep doing the
work of Mission of Love Charities. As the name says, what we do for others is not for gain for ourselves but an expression of our love for others,鈥 she adds.