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 The majority of the Latino-service providers in D.C. serve clients with common characteristics: families with heads of households who have few marketable skills, low levels of education, remedial or no English skills, no health insurance, and little awareness of how to access the system. Most come from war-torn and poverty-stricken countries in Central America and have suffered deep trauma, family separation, and great loss. This makes adaptation and acculturation to American society even more difficult. Few have a support network in place that they can turn to in times of need. The majority of our clients have a wide variety of obstacles to overcome which have left them homeless or on the brink of homelessness.
In 2002, slightly more than 50 percent of our clients were women and approximately 70 percent of our total population were members of a family household. Ninety percent were Latino. Close to 30 percent had substance abuse and/or mental health problems and more than 90 percent were unemployed. Twenty percent were either in a transitional or subsidized housing program or in need of immediate placement into shelter or housing. Almost all of those we serve are between the ages of 26 and 50.
On average, 5-10 families in poverty seek help in obtaining
affordable housing, vocational skills training and job placement,
and emergency financial assistance with rent, mortgage, utilities
and prescription drugs each week.
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