Program areas at Hispanic Unity of Florida
Language & education program: Unity 4kids (u4k) early learning center: 5-star rated, nationally- accredited, licensed pre-k & vpk for 3- to 5-year-olds - 85 children and parents served. Unity 4teens (u4t) program: year-round afterschool & summer-school program for youth ages 11- to 18 - 2,624 youth and parents served. English for speakers of other languages (esol) (in partnership with broward public schools) - 622 individuals served. Family strengthening program: research-based parent-education program that teaches parents the importance of engaging in nurturing behavior promoting healthy physical and emotional development in children. 418 children and parents served.
Civic engagement: the civic engagement department builds personal self-sufficiency through civic participation, encourages involvement in the voting process and shapes community capacity. The department supports residents in the process of learning about their new country, how to get involved, advocates for their needs and leads them onto the pathway of citizenship. The department provides various immigration services to the community. Its mission has expanded with the department of justice recognition and accreditation from the department of homeland security. Pathways to citizenship program provides a comprehensive series of classes where clients use a mix of engaging activities to acquire information, knowledge about the naturalization process and skills they need for the interview. It covers eligibility, benefits, rights, and responsibilities of citizenship, finding legal help, avoiding immigration fraud, and prepares them for the oral portion of varies exams. 1,981 students served, and 665 applications submitted. Other immigration services such as adjustment of status, deferred action for childhood arrivals (daca), employment authorization, family-based petitions, and temporary protected status (tps) 1,090 individuals served. Voter registration and engagement. Legal consultation and referrals (in partnership with legal aid service of broward county and american for immigrant justice).
Economic development: the center for working families (cwf): is a comprehensive approach to advance economic success for hard-working families and their children through workforce development, economic support, and asset building. 252 individuals served. Wealth building services: provide step by step directions to support clients' financial success. It also focuses on supporting clients to start their journey towards self-sufficiency. First-time home buyers services provide housing counseling that helps clients find, finance, maintain, rent, or own a home. The program also addresses homelessness through counseling and assists homeowners in need of foreclosure assistance. 318 individuals served. Emerging entrepeneurs (ee): workshops in spanish for existing & emerging small business owners. 2,050 individuals served e summit: in 2023, Hispanic Unity's 10th annual entrepreneur summit relaunched in-person since 2019 in partnership with nova southeastern university (nsu). The event connected existing and emerging entrepreneurs with a diverse array of resources available in south Florida. Over 250 attendees were provided opportunities to network, get inspired and seek guidance by over 18 exhibitors and other business experts provided presentations and discussions about current business resources and trends in broward and a marketing masterclass. Income support: refers to a range of programs and initiatives designed to provide financial assistance and support to individuals and families with low income or those facing financial hardship but are working towards becoming financially stable. Broward tax pro formerly known as volunteer income tax assistance (vita), is a free tax preparation service for individuals and families with an annual income of 75,000 or less. 3,359 tax returns submitted. Te ayudo offers health insurance application and navigation assistance. 3,432 individuals served. Comprando rico y sano is our snap enrollment application assistance process, which is complemented with nutrition education and live cooking demonstrations. 3,964 snap applications and 1,436 individuals benefited through food distributions. Employment services: is designed to equip individuals with the skills, resources, and support necessary to achieve their career aspirations, enhance their employability, and contribute positively to the local workforce. From career counseling and skills development to job placement and ongoing support, our programs aim to create a seamless pathway toward sustainable employment. Workforce education is done through career counseling and coaching, skills training workshops and development programs. Our dedicated team of career counselors conduct personalized sessions to guide individuals in defining their career goals, identifying strengths, and formulating actionable plans. We cover essential topics such as resume writing, interview techniques, and effective communication in the workplace. Our skill development programs, ranging from computer literacy to vocational training, empowered participants with in-demand skills that enhanced their employability. 299 individuals served. Job readiness and placement service organizes successful job fairs and networking events that connect job seekers with employers from various industries, fostering meaningful connections and potential job opportunities. Through collaboration with local businesses and organizations, we facilitate job placements for clients, ensuring a smooth transition into the workforce. Our services extend to post-employment support, ensuring individuals successfully integrated into their new roles and addressed any challenges they faced. 256 individuals served. Health & well-being: is a program designed to nurture physical, mental, and emotional health, promoting a thriving community that embodies vitality and resilience. Advancing health literacy outreach and education service increases awareness in public health efforts to prevent the spread and lessen the impact of infectious diseases. 4,719 individuals served. Heal empowering all living with trauma (heal) program is a referral program that promotes and facilitates access to mental health and mental health literacy. It also promotes the reduction of substance use, abuse, and dependence. 184 individuals served.