About
PRAB's mission is to provide services that improve the quality of life of the low income population of central new jersey in a bilingual and bicultural setting, and to continue its historic role as advocates for the latino community. The puerto rican action board's (PRAB) humble beginnings consisted of modest volunteer efforts in 1969 to provide english classes to recently arrived latinos. When necessary, clients were also assisted with securing a high school equivalency diploma. Two years later, PRAB was incorporated, and by 1974 began to receive funding from the new jersey state department of education for its e.s.l. And g.e.d. Programs. Shortly thereafter, funds were secured to establish the first full time, bilingual/multi-cultural day care center for children, AGES 2 to 5 in new jersey funded by the department of community affairs (DCA) providing a unique and much needed multicultural curriculum. PRAB has intensified its efforts to improve neighborhoods and currently delivers daycare and preschool programs; youth development; immigration and counseling, job training and placement opportunities; housing counseling; case management; home energy and weatherization assistance; community advocacy; and community development activities. These services are provided to economically disadvantaged individuals and families throughout the central new jersey AREA with the goal of ameliorating impediments to the pathway to self sufficiency. PRAB currently provides services throughout the central new jersey AREA with offices in middlesex and mercer counties. Additionally, the middlesex county office provides many services to neighboring somerset county residents. Programs are currently operating out of twelve (12) facilities providing quintessential grassroots prevention, intervention, and assistance amidst the communities served. Over the years, through grants and merging with other providers, PRAB has morphed into a comprehensive human services organization structured into four (4) departments: early childhood services, youth services, family services, and community services: social services and energy conservation. Through this growth, PRAB has become the primary service provider in central new jersey that effectively provides bilingual/multicultural diversity in its services. Through this bilingual and multicultural approach, PRAB serves as a proactive agent for individuals and families whose needs may otherwise GO unmet due to language barriers, discrimination, and LACK of cultural competency. ALL activities and programs are designed and developed to ensure sensitivity to the values and cultures of the community and the families being served. As a result, PRAB has developed the expertise to serve ALL people regardless of AGE, race, creed, color, national origin, ancestry, familial status, SEX, sexual orientation or functional impairment. An overwhelming example of this reality is PRAB's level of service breakdown by ethnicity, 30% white, 20% african american, 37% latinos, 4% asian, 9% others. PRAB has a 52 year history of engaging families, residents, businesses, and local organizations. To further strengthen its capacity to serve the community, in 2009 PRAB competed and was awarded the community action agency designation for middlesex county WEST by DCA. In that same year, PRAB also acquired three additional early childhood centers. Through these service expansions and departments PRAB has now recruited nearly 125 trained multi-cultural, BI-lingual, interdisciplinary, and socially conscience staff to deliver programs and services to over 30,000 individuals on an annual basis.childhood centers. Through these service expansions and departments PRAB has now recruited nearly 125 trained multi-cultural, BI-lingual, interdisciplinary, and socially conscience staff to deliver programs and services to over 30,000 individuals on an annual basis.
In care of JOEL Torres
Donations are tax-deductible