National Wildlife Federation

09/12/2024 | News release | Distributed by Public on 09/12/2024 21:58

TCTAC Partner Spotlight: Centro de Apoyo Familiar’s Transforming Communities Conference

For those based in the Mid-Atlantic area, here is an organization that you might want to keep an eye on: Centro de Apoyo Familiar (CAF). Founded in Massachusetts in 2006, this organization has spent almost twenty years supporting low-income and immigrant families, providing essential services like housing counseling, food distribution, workforce development, and environmental health initiatives.

Their goal, in their own words, is to " empower underserved families through economic, social, and educational opportunities, ensuring that no community is left behind." Since their establishment, they have expanded to Maryland, Northern Virginia, Washington, D.C., and Puerto Rico, helping communities meet their needs and build thriving communities.

Walkiria Pool, President and Founder of Centro de Apoyo Familiar, who has over 15 years of experience in community development. Credit: Centro de Apoyo Familiar

This is one of the reasons why CAF became a partner in the Region 3 Thriving Communities Technical Assistance Center (TCTAC) project, co-directed by Dr. Adrienne Hollis of the National Wildlife Federation and Dr. Sacoby Wilson of the University of Maryland's Environmental Justice Lab, and why we are excited to spotlight their work and upcoming event. Through their Community Transformation Model, CAF supports over 25,000 families annually, and their success is culminating in an end-of-the-year event this December.

Join CAF for their Transforming Communities: Empowering Leaders & Strengthening Families Conference and their 18th Anniversary Celebration. According to the team, "our 18th Anniversary Celebration is not only a reflection of our journey but a call to action for the next chapter of community transformation. Together, we're building a stronger foundation for the future of our families and neighborhoods, creating a legacy of positive and lasting changes." This free event will bring together leaders from diverse backgrounds to discuss innovations in environmental justice, community leadership, and other important topics aimed at creating healthy, transformed neighborhoods.

The event will take place on December 12, 2024, from 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM at the Lubber Run Community Center in Arlington, VA. Register here!

For those interested in volunteering with CAF, please learn more here. If you're interested in donating to their organization, visit this site. If you're interested in receiving services or connecting with CAF to share their services, they are open to partnerships.

Community-based organizations like Centro de Apoyo Familiar are vital for ensuring that underserved communities get the support and resources they need to create sustainable futures, and the National Wildlife Federation's Environmental Justice, Health, Community Resilience and Revitalization team is proud to partner with them.