Centro Campesino Farmworker

Programs: 4a. Community development and my home centro campesino farmworker center, inc. (ccfc) prepares families of low to moderate income to become first-time homebuyers through workshops and individualized counseling by hud-certified housing counselors. Homeowners in distress are also guided through financial intervention services, workshops and personal counseling to help them avoid foreclosure or to make the best possible decisions regarding short sales and deed in lieu of foreclosure and to rebuild their credit. In 13 counties in south and central florida, ccfc weatherizes the homes of rural families faced with very high energy bills. Special priority is given to the elderly and the disabled and to families with children under the age of twelve so that their energy bills will be reduced and their comfort at home will be increased. Grants make it possible to offer these improvements at no cost to these families. Ccfc contracts with local contractors to encourage economic development in depressed areas.

4b. Employment / job training and hurricane recovery assistance the employment and job training program assists community members in finding part-time and full-time work at a living wage leading to advancement and benefits, this program addresses the high unemployment and underemployment in the southernmost miami dade county. Hurricane recovery assistance is the result of hurricane irma. Ccfc mobilized volunteers for the distribution of ice, water, food and some level of comfort to a community in dire need ( even while our staff and many volunteers did not have power at their own homes). The ccfc "call to action" resulted in our staff and over 100 volunteers, and many support agenecies providing donations and serving over 13,500 people with some level of support. This service was implemented at ccfc's florida city office, in neighborhoods in homestead and florida city, key largo, in lee county and in immokalee. Ccfc is currently providing disaster recovery assistance and services in south florida and monroe county with funding from various sources.

4c. Youth & family service- this program provides after school and summer camp services to approximately 150 unduplicated children and youth ages 5- 14. The youthpride program, a tutorial-based enrichment experience, targets positive outcomes for children who attend low performing schools. Ccfc's outcome-based program focuses on literacy, math & science skills and pacer's physical fitness requirements. Services are provided from 2 sites located at ccfc and the evergaldes community association. While academic achievement is highliy valued, the development of self- esteem is equally important. Classroom instruction is provided by certified miami-dade county teachers with assistance from americorps members who provide tutorial and mentoring.

rental community (palm villas)- in miami-dade county, 91 units of affordable rental housing for low to moderate income families was built and managed by ccfc. This development called palm villas provides pre- homeownership counseling to the residents which has increased their capacity to become a homeowner. Centro campesino owns and serves as property manager. In addition ccfc also manages biscayne sr. Housing which consists of 31 units for the elderly and disabled. Ccfc developed this hud 202 housing program. Ccfc also designed, constructed and leased a 10 single family homes that are leased out to low income families in florida city. Other accomplishments: social services and advocacy: ccfc provides families a referral system that connects needs to services available at other partner agencies and community services. Ccfc gets involved in issues which negatively impact the low income community, particularly the farmworker community. Advocacy issues include fair housing, homelessness,disaster relief, voter registration, and equal access to services. Ccfc also supports the development of other types of organizations whose services will improve the conditions of families and the communities which centro campesino farmworker center serves.