The organization was created in 1968 by Ana Maria Rodriguez, teacher of English as a Second Language at an elementary school, after observing the impoverished conditions of her Latino students. Since its foundation, its main goals have been to support the needs of Spanish speaking immigrants with a low income—mainly those that live in Roxbury. In 1970, it became a community-based non-profit organization, funded by Boston's Model Cities Program, and in 1975 La Alianza became a United Way affiliate to diversify funding. In 1981 Nelson Merced became the director of La Alianza, improving the organization's financial standing.
Objectives
To accomplish its mission goals, La Alianza manages five program areas, serving 5,000 people a year. It has also developed a financial and budget management system in order to keep track of each program's record of financial activity by conducting monthly computer program based financial reports. Through the Finance Committee, the Agency's Board of Directors creates policies and supervises staff operations. The organization has collaborative agreements with other institutions such as Roxbury Community College, Project AFRIC and the University of Massachusetts. Although the these partnership have influenced and helped disadvantaged and homeless women, none of these address the importance of literacy training to clients. So the adult illiteracy education program through La Alianza Hispana fills a significant gap in services.
Programs
La Alianza Hispana is a complex service agency that functions in a decentralized manner. Units that focus on particular topics in order to achieve the organization's overall goals organize it. The programs are administered under four units: The Youth Center, Counseling and Advocacy, Adult Education, and Mental Health. Youth Development Unit was established in 1978 with the aim of expanding and focusing on youth programs. Programs have included children's services, recreation, tutoring, and involving Spanish-speaking youth in educating their friends about substance abuse and prevention. The Latino Family Counseling Center offers group and family counseling as well as behavioral health services to Latino communities. The Elderly Services Program consist of providing services to Latino elders age 60 and up.
Funding Resources
La Alianza has tripled its operational budget since its founding. Currently, about 5,000 clients are seen per year. The majority of the programs do not charge any fee for the services provided due to clients who suffer from extreme poverty. However, there are a combination of sources that fund La Alianza Hispana's programs. For example, the Department for Social Services and the Department of Public Health provide funding for the Youth Center Unit. Besides public sources, the Alianza is also funded by private sources. United Way of America is a non-profit organization that works throughout the country in partnership with charitable organizations in an effort to increase fundraising and support, provides 18% of their current funding while others provide 6-7% of the current operating costs.
