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:
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Scholarships
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Community Outreach and Networking Opportunities
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Mentorship
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Continuing Education and Professional Development Opportunities

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, MSW
President
Director of Social Services & Communications, Urban Outreach Center NYC

Ruby Burdiez, PMP
Vice President
Director of Projects, 3 Story Software

Yurilka Hernandez, LCSW
Secretary
AVP, Acacia Network

Monika Estrada Guzman, LMSW
Chair, Education
Psychotherapist, New York Presbyterian Hospital

Tania Vargas, LCSW
Board Member
Program Director, ICL

Emilia Leon, LCSW
Director of Outreach & Engagement
Clinical Inpatient Social Work, Mt. Sinai Hospital

Maria Elena Girone, MSW
President Emeritus