Founded in 1968, Sociedad Latina is a community-based, 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization providing a comprehensive, community responsive, array of programs designed to empower Latino youth and their families. Our mission is to enhance the overall well being of the Latino community by delivering programs that encourage community leadership through educational attainment, cultural identity, and continuation of traditions. Sociedad Latina fulfills its critical mission by combining direct service and advocacy with information/referral assistance – providing a human service resource center for Boston's Latino youth, particularly those of Mission Hill/Roxbury.
Sociedad Latina has demonstrated its commitment to individuals and the community as a whole by providing constructive after-school programs counteracting unhealthy behaviors by helping countless young people recognize their inherent capabilities and instilling a sense of self-confidence and responsibility, showing them they can succeed despite overwhelming statistics that say they cannot. With staff guidance, Sociedad Latina's youth education and outreach programs are predominately led by teen peer leaders who, in turn, reach thousands of other teens through presentations on television and radio shows, at health fairs and at other public health events.
With a stellar reputation, Sociedad Latina received an award for its "Contribution for Advancing Latino Health" in 2002 from the National Latino Council on Alcohol and Tobacco, which has also requested the publishing rights to the Tobacco Prevention and Advocacy Program booklet prepared by our youth leaders. Sociedad Latina received an award from the Mayor's Office in October 2000 for our Jovenes Latinos Pro Salud summer career development/training program, and was recognized by the United Way for its integrity and innovation with an award for Excellence in Community Capacity Building. Beginning our fourth decade of service, we continue to work toward full access to resources and opportunities for the Latino community, to combat racism, and to foster respect and appreciation for diverse cultures.
