History:

In 2002, the Latino Vision Council was formed and charged by United Way of Greater Mercer County to conduct an assessment of the assets and needs of Latinos in Mercer County. The Latino Study was a two-year process that included the collection of empirical data, information from key informants, community surveys, and review of census data. The study identified many efforts in the delivery of services to the Latino community; however, agencies were often working in their own silos and not collaborating. The study recommended that LVC support the building of organizational infrastructures that would survive a change in leadership, customize services without duplication through individual and joint strategy planning, and examine lessons learned from models that demonstrated expansion and sustainability.

To view the complete Latino Vision Council Study click here.

Mission:

Latino Vision Council of United Way is a body of leaders committed to innovative strategies that will address the capacity of community leaders and human service organizations to provide cultural and linguistically sensitive services that will build caring communities in Mercer County. LVC has three important goals:

1. to build capacity among Latino CBO and other agencies serving the Latino community;
2. to provide forums on topics of interest including leadership development, human services, health, immigration, education; and
3. to develop and implement strategies that will expand the infrastructure of CBOs to support culturally and linguistically sensitive systems and practices for Latinos in Mercer County.

CBO Initiative:

The Latino Vision Council of United Way of Greater Mercer County launched its pilot CBO initiative for two Hightstown agencies on Monday, April 2, 2007. The CBO Initiative will focus on strengthening the infrastructure of community-based organizations that serve the growing Latino community in Mercer County through building capacity in the agencies so they can become self-sufficient and effective collaborators. The firm of Grizel Ubarry, Inc. has been hired to conduct an assessment, strategic planning and coaching for two agencies in Hightstown, New Jersey (Community Action Service Center, and Better Beginnings Child Development Center). Both agencies will develop an individual strategic plan and come together through a joint retreat with both agency boards to consider the feasibility of collaboration efforts. A policy brief will be developed with lessons learned from the pilot model that can be replicated with other community-based organizations throughout the county.

To view the policy brief, click here.

Community Events:

Click here to view Latino Vision Council events. To view other United Way of Greater Mercer County up-coming events, please click the calendar tab at the top of the page or click here.

Contact Ely S. Mateo, Assistant Vice President Resource Investment, to learn about becoming a Latino Vision Council member at 609-637-4918 or