La Plaza, Inc.
As a trusted liaison between Latinos and the larger community in Central Indiana, La Plaza empowers Latinos by providing and increasing access to essential social, education, and workforce development services.
About La Plaza, Inc.
| As Central Indiana’s oldest and most established Latino-serving nonprofit, La Plaza, Inc. has served as a vital bridge to opportunity since its founding in 1971. The organization provides a comprehensive “continuum of care” designed to foster self-sufficiency and economic mobility for Latino families. By integrating education, workforce development, and essential social services, La Plaza ensures that the community’s most vulnerable members—98% of whom are low-income—have the tools to build their own legacy and contribute to the region’s prosperity.
Current Funding Needs Despite its long-standing presence and proven track record, the demand for La Plaza’s services consistently outpaces its available resources. The Latino population in Central Indiana continues to grow rapidly, bringing both vibrant energy and unique challenges that require culturally competent solutions. To maintain its trajectory of community transformation, the organization seeks funding to address three critical pillars: Scaling the Latino Opportunity Center (LOC): As the hub for workforce development, the LOC requires sustained investment to scale its job coaching, financial literacy programs, and industry-recognized certification pathways. Educational Support for First-Generation Students: With Indiana’s Latino high school completion and college enrollment rates often trailing other demographics due to language and financial barriers, additional capital is needed to fund intensive year-round mentoring and STEM-focused workshops. Crisis Advocacy & Victim Services: Increased funding is required to sustain the rising costs of housing stability, food security, and legal advocacy for survivors of domestic violence and other crimes. Strategic Use of Funds Contributions to La Plaza are strategically deployed across a holistic framework that addresses both immediate crises and long-term success, ensuring every dollar maximizes community impact. In the realm of education, funds support the Tu Futuro and Leadership Institute for Latino Youth (LILY) programs, which provide 9th–12th graders with essential tutoring, college visits, and STEM enrichment. To drive economic mobility, investments fuel one-on-one career coaching, financial literacy classes, and tuition assistance for industry-recognized certifications in high-demand fields like healthcare and construction. Simultaneously, social services funding provides a critical safety net through emergency assistance for rent and utilities, food pantry supplies, and bilingual case management for families navigating complex healthcare systems. Finally, the organization prioritizes crisis advocacy by sustaining the Victims of Crime Act (VOCA) program, which offers confidential safety planning and vital legal referrals for Latina survivors of domestic violence. The Impact of Your Support By investing in La Plaza, donors are not just providing temporary relief; they are fueling a proven model of systemic change. Over the past year alone, La Plaza’s interventions have led to a marked increase in high school completion rates among its participants and improved English language proficiency for over 60% of adult learners. Investing in La Plaza is an investment in the future of Central Indiana. By providing the Latino community with the resources to thrive, we create a more equitable, vibrant, and economically stable city for everyone. |