top of page

About Us

Strengthening, Empowering, & Uplifting the pipeline of Latino and bilingual social workers

Mission
 

To increase the number of culturally and linguistically competent Latino and bilingual social workers serving low income and underserved communities. We support social work students and professionals in achieving their academic and professional goals by providing:

  • Scholarships

  • Community Outreach and Networking Opportunities

  • Mentorship

  • Continuing Education and Professional Development Opportunities

_DSC2520.jpg

Our Story

In 2000, the Puerto Rican Family Institute (PRFI), and the New York City Chapter of the National Association of Social Workers (NASW-NYC) began a collaboration to address the shortage of Latino social workers in New York City. Both organizations had become aware that more culturally and linguistically competent professionals were urgently needed to address the complex needs of New York’s diverse, largely immigrant, low-income, and rapidly-growing Latino community.

 

As part of that collaboration, in 2002, the two organizations convened a well-attended public policy forum entitled “Pa’lante” (Moving Forward) which identified key issues including the service needs of Latino community, social policy and social action issues, and the components of social work training and education. The forum led to the formation of the Latino Social Work Task Force (and now the Latino Social Work Coalition and Scholarship Fund -LSWC). 

Board of Directors

Luisa Lopez Headshot_edited_edited.jpg

Luisa Lopez, MSW

President

Director of Social Services & Communications, Urban Outreach Center NYC

Ruby_edited.jpg

Ruby Burdiez, PMP

Vice President

Director of Projects, 3 Story Software

Yurilka Hernandez_edited.jpg

Yurilka Hernandez, LCSW

Secretary 

AVP, Acacia Network

Screenshot 2023-08-01 at 8.34_edited.jpg

Monika Estrada Guzman, LMSW

Chair, Education  

Psychotherapist, New York Presbyterian Hospital 

Tania Vargas_edited.jpg

Tania Vargas, LCSW

Board Member

Program Director, ICL

Emilia Leon headshot_edited.jpg

Emilia Leon, LCSW

Director of Outreach & Engagement

Clinical Inpatient Social Work, Mt. Sinai Hospital

Maria Girone_edited.jpg

Maria Elena Girone, MSW

President Emeritus

bottom of page