Latino Family Services (LFS)is a community-based 501C-3 non-profit organization serving the primary area of Southwest Detroit, has from its inception, sought new solutions to the challenges facing children, youth, and families. The primary goal was and continues to be, to develop a service system which assists and supports families in their efforts to improve their social, health and educational functioning; enhance their community environment; and increase economic self-sufficiency. This is accomplished by providing bilingual, culturally competent health and human resources and collaborating with other partners and services providers to improve outcomes for children and families.

Description:
Since 1971, Latino Family Services has been an established and trusted resource in the community, with long-standing relationships that facilitate collaboration with local schools, hospitals, businesses, and government agencies. Each month, over 1,000 residents of Southwest Detroit and Wayne County access resources and services through any of the three focus areas offered by LFS: Clinical, Prevention and Adult Education.

LFS offers a broad range of services, from HIV testing and counseling, to bilingual childcare and parenting classes. Programs and activities are offered through the agency's three main areas: Clinical Services (Developmental Disability Case Management, and Outpatient Substance Abuse Treatment). Prevention Program (HIV/AIDS testing and education, Parenting Program, Senior's Program, and Youth Programs aftereschool and all day summer, court mandated highway safety classes). Adult Education (Instruction of English as a Second Language, civic and citizenship classes, Survival English for new immigrants, guitar lessons for children with cancer or parents with cancer, child car seat installation classes). Emergency food distribution and THAW Screening, Financial literacy classes. Latino Family Services is fully accredited by the Joint Commission for Accreditation of Health Organizations (JCAHO).

History:
In 1971 two groups, the Latino Mental Health Task Force and La Casa, recognized and acknowledged the urgent needs of the children and families living in poverty in Southwest Detroit, and that their agencies provided services to many of the same families. As collaborative partners they also agreed on the importance of understanding the resources each agency provided, while identifying service gaps in the community. Aware of the limited financial resources available to them, these initial conversations grew to a commitment to refocus and restructure their programs to not only leverage those limited resources, but also to expand activities and facilitate more quality and effective services to the families in the areas. The two groups merged and Latino Family Services, Inc. was established.

Contact people:

Alicia Villarreal, President, (313) 841-7380, (email) Mitzi Cortes, (313) 841-7380, (email) Maria Thacker, Program Coordinator, (313) 841-7380, (email)

Office fax number: (313) 841-3730

Address:

3815 W. Fort St Detroit, MI 48216 (See a map)

Web Site: http://latinofamilyservices.org

Directions:

On W. Fort street and West Grand Blvd.   Nearest Metro/Subway Stop: n/a   Nearest Bus Stop: 3815 W. Fort, 1 minute minute walk