Congreso de Latinos Unidos has established itself over 48 years as a beacon of empowerment in Eastern Philadelphia. Its President and CEO, Jeanette Díaz, explained that the organization was founded in 1977 by a group of Puerto Rican activists seeking economic justice, well-being, and greater opportunities for Latino families.

Díaz, who grew up just a few blocks from the organization’s headquarters, says her motivation to lead Congreso stems from her personal commitment to the community where she was raised. Congreso provides comprehensive services in education, workforce development, health, housing, and family programs, serving primarily women, children, and Latino families though their doors are open to anyone in need.

The community accesses their services through multiple channels: referrals, social media, in-person visits, their website, and partnerships with other organizations. Among their many programs are federally qualified health center, primary care services, domestic violence prevention programs, support for crime victims, after-school educational programs, GED preparation, and multiple professional certifications such as CDL and EMS. They also offer homebuyer workshops, housing loss prevention support, and financial counseling.

Díaz emphasizes that the most significant impact comes from Congreso’s holistic approach: meeting multiple needs simultaneously from obtaining a credential to ensuring stable housing. Congreso also responds to challenges such as food insecurity by partnering with food banks and running initiatives like “El Mercado,” where they distribute culturally relevant foods during special seasons such as Thanksgiving.

Community engagement, partnerships, and future vision

Congreso encourages community engagement through volunteer opportunities, donations, and events such as their annual gala, where they thank donors, share results, and strengthen fundraising efforts that sustain their programs. The organization also offers a monthly “care giving” program that allows individuals to contribute on an ongoing basis. You can contact us at 215-763-8870 and visit us at 216 W. Somerset St, Philadelphia, PA 19133 or at www.congreso.net.

Díaz highlights that maintaining and expanding partnerships is essential to increasing their community impact. Congreso is always open to collaborating with organizations that share their mission of supporting families and promoting collective well-being.

Looking ahead to 2026, their main goal is to increase flexible funding to meet unexpected needs that arise as participants move through their programs. These resources will allow Congreso to support personal and economic growth more fully and more responsively.

Philly Gives: recognition, gratitude, and new opportunities

The executive director shared that receiving the news of support from Philly Gives was a pleasant surprise. Although she never doubted the value of Congreso’s work, the announcement came amid the daily routine and reaffirmed that the organization’s results are both visible and significant.

For Díaz, this recognition is an honor and a validation of Congreso’s impact in Philadelphia. The funds do not have a predetermined project attached, which will allow them to reinvest directly into essential services and priority community needs.

This kind of support is crucial given the financial challenges many nonprofits face. Congreso relies heavily on government funding, which limits their flexibility in responding to situations that require quick and innovative solutions.

Díaz also noted that in recent months the organization faced a state budget impasse and a federal shutdown situation that affected many community organizations. Thanks to financial reserves and the support of partners and donors, Congreso was able to maintain 100% of its services without staff or program cuts. This experience reinforced the importance of diversifying funding sources and strengthening an emergency fund to ensure operational continuity during critical times.

In her closing message, Díaz thanked partners, donors, and community members for their ongoing commitment: “Thank you for your support, especially over the past few months. Congreso was able to maintain 100% of its services because of you. Please continue thinking of Congreso and the work we do when considering your community contributions. We are here for you and want to continue serving for many decades to come.”

Congreso has been selected to participate in this year’s Philly Gives campaign, which will run from November 1 to December 31, 2025. All donations made through phillygives.org will go directly to the 10 nonprofit organizations chosen, ensuring that 100% of the funds raised support essential programs.