Congreso Staff Graduate from PSU Abington's Nonprofit Management Essentials Program 

Felicidades to 20 Congreso staff members who recently graduated from Penn State Abington's Nonprofit Management Essential Certificate Program! This is the first group to complete this certification and we couldn't be prouder! 

The program began in April with staff completing four core courses consisting of personal leadership, practical project management, finance fundamentals, and emotional intelligence. Four additional electives were also required which are designed to further nonprofit skill growth. 

"I had an overall great experience. The professors did a great job instructing the class and including interactive activities which were engaging. I learned so much in this course. I would definitely recommend it," said Diana Sabater, Truancy and Community Coordinator. 

A special gracias to Randy Ingbritsen, Assistant Director at PSU Abington, for teaching and supporting our staff! ¡Pa’lante! 

Congreso and PSU Abington's Dual Enrollment Program - Students from Kensington Health Sciences Academy

As part of an ongoing publication series highlighting our new dual enrollment program in partnership with PSU Abington, Generocity’s latest piece focuses on two students from Kensington Health Sciences Academy. 

Arlene Montesino and Yamilet Alvarez, among 12 others, are in the final stages of the dual enrollment program and will be the first student cohort to complete this program.  

“Around this area, there are a lot of things going on. In Kensington, there’s the opioid epidemic. There's violence in the city of Philadelphia. Programs like this offer people a way out,” said Arlene. 

This collaboration between Congreso and PSU Abington enables students in the Northeast Philadelphia community a chance to acquire college credits and a Penn State certification in rehabilitation and human services – all for free. 

Read the full story below.

¡Gracias, Ab! Our Board Member Abelardo Lechter is stepping down from Congreso's Board of Directors after serving 10 wonderful years. 

Throughout his term, Ab has supported Congreso’s mission by bringing with him his expertise in governance as an international businessman. He also provided leadership decisions through both of Congreso’s theories of change – the first in 2010 and the most recent in 2018. 

Born and raised in Colombia, he has always been passionate, deeply rooted, and committed to support the Latino community. We are grateful for your service and dedication to Congreso! 

Census Discussion

On July 8th, Congreso partnered with the U.S. Census Bureau, HUNE, and la Asociación de Cosmetólogas de Pennsilvania for Tu Communidad y El Censo, a virtual census conversation in Spanish. 

The objective of this discussion was to answer the community’s concerns and questions about the census, while reviewing census questions and census privacy policies. As of now, only 51.2% of Philadelphians have responded to the census. 

Gracias to District Representative Danilo Burgo, and Lorena Acevedo and Sammy Rosario from the Office of Census Bureau, for making sure the Latinx community is counted! 

Canvass el Barrio

On Saturday, July 25th, volunteers from Congreso and the U.S. Census Bureau joined Philly Count’s efforts by canvassing el barrio in Fairhill to hang bilingual door knockers reminding community members about the Census and sharing why it’s important and how to be counted.  

Have you been counted? Fill out the Census today at 2020census.gov!  

On July 21st, Congreso hosted a bilingual Q&A with Dr. Cheryl Bettigole from the Philadelphia Department of Public Health. Dr. Bettigole serves as the Director of Chronic Disease & Injury Prevention, and leader in COVID-19 guidance for City. 

Bettigole began the online discussion by recapping the most recent data concerning COVID throughout Philadelphia and shared what at-risk factors to look out for when leaving your household. Staff, clients, and community members were also reminded of the valuable resources the city is offering: testing site information at phila.gov/testing and home cleaning tips at phila.gov/COVID. 

Missed the webinar? Here were 3 key takeaways from Dr. Bettigole: 

1. Maintain 6 feet of distance and wear masks. 

2. Have conversations about health and safety guidelines in your circle.

3. Use resources provided by the city. 

“The more you know and the more you can share with other people, the better off we are. We will defeat this pandemic together!” shared Dr. Bettigole.  

Gracias to Dr. Bettigole and the Philadelphia Department of Public Health for you time and knowledge!