Archives and Special Collections
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Boston, MA 02115
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Archives and Special Collections Finding Aids

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Collection Overview
Title:Sociedad Latina, Inc. records
Dates:1968-2007 (bulk 1985-1999)
Location: 58/2, 57/2
Call Number:M136
Volume:10 cubic ft.
Scope and Content Abstract:The collection documents the efforts of Sociedad Latina to strengthen, educate, and empower Latino youth living in the Mission Hill neighborhood. Records date from 1968-2007 and document such topics as AIDS awareness and prevention, substance abuse prevention and treatment, and domestic violence prevention, pregnancy prevention, peer leader training, and tobacco use and its effects. The types of material found in this collection include proposals, grants and contracts, correspondence, program descriptions, meeting minutes, and strategic and progress reports. The collection contains no annual reports.
Historical Abstract:Sociedad Latina de South Boston, a cultural, social, and recreational organization, was founded in 1968 by Jorge Rivera, David Rideout, John Carroll, and Lynn Minna to promote cultural, social, and recreational activities of the small Latino population in the South Boston neighborhood. In 1981, the organization changed its name to Sociedad Latina and moved to Tremont Street in the Mission Hill neighborhood. Since its inception, Sociedad Latina has worked with Latino youth to promote self-sufficiency, community leadership, and personal development.
Arrangement:Organized into four series: 1. Governance; 2. Executive Directors; 3. Grants and Contracts; and 4. Programs
Subjects and Contributors:
  • William Meinhofer
  • Julia Ojeda

  • Sociedad Latina de South Boston, Inc.
  • Sociedad Latina, Inc.

  • Hispanic American youth -- Ethnic identity
  • Hispanic American teenage girls
  • Youth and violence -- United States -- Prevention
  • Drop outs -- United States -- Prevention
  • Youth -- sexual behavior
  • Hispanic American youth -- Mental health services
  • Hispanic American youth -- Education -- Massachusetts -- Boston
  • Hispanic American youth -- Drop outs -- Massachusetts -- Boston
  • Teenage girls -- Sexual behavior
  • Teenage pregnancy -- Massachusetts -- Prevention
  • AIDS (Disease) -- Massachusetts -- Boston
  • AIDS (Disease) -- Massachusetts -- Children and youth
  • Family violence -- Massachusetts -- Boston
  • Safe sex in AIDS prevention
  • Teenagers -- Tobacco use -- United States -- Prevention
  • Youth -- Tobacco use -- Prevention
  • Youth -- Employment -- United States
  • Hispanic American teenage girls
  • Substance abuse prevention
  • Recreation -- Massachusetts -- Boston -- Children and Youth
  • Occupational training -- United States
  • Hispanic Americans -- Services for -- Massachusetts -- Boston
  • Community development, Urban—Massachusetts -- Boston
  • Peer leading counseling -- United States
  • Achievement motivation in youth
Restrictions: The collection is unrestricted.
Related Materials:

La Alianza Hispana (M55), Inquilinos Boricuas en Acción (M116)
Processor: Finding aid prepared by Kimberly Reynolds with the assistance of Gena Pliakas and Tamara Gaydos, June 22, 2007. This collection was processed with funding from the National Historical Publications and Records Commission.

Scope and Content Note

The collection documents the efforts of Sociedad Latina to strengthen, educate, and empower youth of all ethnicities living in the Mission Hill, Roxbury, Dorchester, and Jamaica Plain neighborhoods of Boston. Records date from 1968-2007 and document topics such as AIDS awareness and prevention, substance abuse prevention and treatment, and domestic violence prevention, pregnancy prevention, peer leader training, and tobacco use and its effects. The records specifically document programs that were designed to foster self-esteem in young men and young women (Boxes 2-3, 4, 5-7, 10, and 14) to develop leadership skills (Boxes 4, 5-8, and 9), and to explore careers in the health professions (Boxes 3-5, and 9). Also documented are programs focused on the awareness and prevention of AIDS, substance abuse, teen pregnancy; smoking prevention (Boxes 3-5, and 9); and job skills training (4, 5-8, and 9-10). Records include proposals, grants and contracts, correspondence, program descriptions, meeting minutes, and strategic and progress reports. The collection contains no annual reports.

Historical Note

Sociedad Latina de South Boston was founded in 1968 by Jorge Rivera, David Rideout, John Carroll, and Lynn Minna to promote cultural, social, and recreational activities of the small Latino population in the South Boston neighborhood. Volunteers coordinated baseball, basketball, and volleyball leagues, which were sponsored by local businesses and community residents. In 1981, the organization changed its name to Sociedad Latina and moved to Tremont Street in the Mission Hill neighborhood. Since its inception, Sociedad Latina has worked with Latino youth to promote self-sufficiency, community leadership, and advancement.

Programs in the 1980s focused on sports and recreation, adult office skills training and placement, the Hispanic Youth Coalition, and intervention counseling for youth and adults. Other programs included substance abuse prevention and education, adult basic education, and English as a Second Language classes. Day care, housing assistance, and advocacy services were also offered.

In the 1990s, substance abuse and disease prevention programs for youth became the agency's priority. The Jovenes Latinos en Accion Program targeted problems such as AIDS, substance abuse, and domestic violence. Professional counselors, youth workers, and trained peer leaders ran educational groups and workshops, provided mediation services, and were involved in community activism. The Latino Stay in School Program provided drop-out prevention services, which included tutoring and mentorship, counseling, and parent involvement. The Mission Hill Career Development Program was a collaborative program with local agencies, including Action For Boston Community Development and the Boston Housing Authority, which provided career readiness classes, office skills training, internship placement, and personal development to underemployed males.

Other programs implemented during the 1990s sought to increase self-esteem in young girls, promote cultural awareness between youth and adults of different ethnicities, and teach safe and responsible sexual behavior to young men and women. The Peer Leadership Development and Advocacy Program trained teenagers to become role models. Peer leaders worked as counselors, participated in community outreach activities, and provided counseling and education on health, social, and educational issues. In 1994, Sociedad Latina began a collaborative venture with Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center Hospital to employ 15 Latino youth during summer vacation. Jovenes Latinos Pro Salud (Latino Youth For Health) was designed to provide hands on work experience with classroom teaching for the students while addressing the hospital's need to become more culturally competent. In addition to these programs, detoxification and half way house referrals, case management, and group support counseling services were offered.

During the early 1990s, Sociedad Latina experienced severe funding cuts made by the City of Boston and the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, and unstable leadership. The organization responded by forming a committee comprised of Board and staff members, and consultant Alan Brickman of Levine Associates, who was appointed Interim Director. This group created a long-term strategic plan whose goal it was to strengthen and develop Sociedad Latina through organizational restructuring, focusing on services to youth, board development, and hosting special fundraising events. With limited funding and resources for developing new programs, Sociedad Latina turned to collaboration and referral services to expand its ability to provide services directly to its clients. The establishment of these strong collaborations became an integral part of Sociedad Latina's delivery of an array of services to meet the diverse needs of its community.

In 2002, Sociedad Latina's work with the Jamaica Plain Parent Organizing Project, led to the preparation and mobilization of over 400 people to oppose the UNZ Initiative (Ballot Question 2), which sought to eradicate bilingual education. Although the question was voted down statewide, it won in Boston, sending a strong message to the School Committee. The Boston Tobacco Advocacy Project, a collaboration founded by Sociedad Latina with the Hyde Square Task Force and the Whittier Street Health Center, worked to bring attention to tobacco advertising aimed at youth and the availability of tobacco to youth. Youth Community Organizers mobilized Boston youth and families to advocate for tobacco policy change and the reinstitution of tobacco control programming. In 2004, the Youth Community Organizers authored an amendment that was passed by the City Council, and in 2005, they received the Public Health Hero Award.

In 2007, Sociedad offers programs in Workforce Development, Education and Career exploration, Arts and Culture, and Community Organizing and Civic Engagement. It also provides parents with training and education on topics such topics as MCAS, college application procedures, and positive parenting skills. 
Chronology
1968Sociedad Latina de South Boston, Inc. is founded.
1981Changes name to Sociedad Latina, Inc. and moves to 1552-1556 Tremont Street in Mission Hill.
1991Sociedad Latina, Inc. is closed for non-payment of taxes.Board of Directors hires consultants Levine Associates to conduct strategic planning process and Sociedad Latina, Inc. reopens under an Interim Director.
Executive Directors
Apr 81-Nov 92William C. Meinhofer
Nov 1992-1993Alan Brickman, Interim Director
Jul 1993-Nov 1995Stephanie Xochitl Smith
Nov 1995- May 1996Gail Deckker, Interim Director
May 1996Felix Arroyo, Interim Director
May 1996-1999Julia Ojeda
2000-presentAlexandra Oliver-Dávila
Bibliography

Sociedad Latina, http://www.sociedadlatina.org/. (Accessed June 19, 2007).

Then, Jose, "Grantee Profile: Sociedad Latina," Boston Parent Organizing Network. http://www.bpon.org/grants/profilessociedad.asp (accessed January 18, 2007).

"Sociedad Latina Collaborates Through the Boston Youth Services Network," Boston: After School and Beyond.http:www.bostonbeyond.org/feature/featured_program_sociedadl.php (accessed January 18, 2007).

"Sociedad Latina Strategic Plan", 1992 (Box 2).
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Series:
1. Governance, 1968-2007 (bulk 1985-1999)
Volume:2 cubic ft.
Arrangement:

Alphabetical
Summary:

This series documents the activities of the Board of Directors and its committees in collaboration with the Executive Directors to establish goals, objectives, policies, and to raise funds. The series consists of annual meeting minutes, minutes of the Board of Directors (from 1984-2000), and minutes of the Executive, Fundraising, and Strategic Planning committee meetings. The minutes of the Board of Directors and standing committee meetings were assembled from minutes that were located throughout the collection. The minutes are copies and are incomplete. Board records include by-laws, organizational charts, agendas and meeting minutes. Also included is correspondence to and from board members, executive directors, consultants, and funders, and Board retreat minutes. There are no annual reports.
BoxTitleDate
Board of Directors
1Agendas n.d., 1984-1998
1Annual Meetings (2 folders)1994-1998
1Articles of Organization1968
1Audit1997
1Board of Directors and Executive Director Responsibilitiesn.d.
1Board of Directors Manualn.d., 1993
1Alan Brickman: Meeting Notes1992
1Budgets (2 folders)n.d., 1992-2001
1Calendar1995
Committees
1Advisoryn.d., 1994-1996
1Executive (3 folders) n.d., 1990-1999
1Finance 1995-1998
1Fundraising (4 folders)n.d., 1995-1997
1Nominating (2 folders)n.d., 1992-1997
1Program (2 folders)1992-1995
1Reports (6 folders) (1 restricted)n.d., 1995-2001
1Search (2 folders)n.d., 1992
1Strategic Planningn.d., 1994
1Community Development: Report1986
1Correspondence (3 folders)n.d., 1984-2001
1Day Care Costs1990
1Deficit Reduction Plan1993
1Development (2 folders)n.d., 1997-1998
1Evaluation and Program Update: Executive Director Self-Evaluation1993
1Financial (12 folders)n.d., 1981-2001
1Founding Documents (2 folders)n.d., 1979-1983
1-2Meeting Minutes (8 folders)n.d., 1984-2000
2Meeting Notes (2 folders)n.d., 1984-1996
2William Meinhofer (3 folders) (Restricted)n.d., 1991-1993
2Member Listsn.d., 1983, 1994-1998
2Nomination Formn.d., 1995
2Recommendationsn.d., 1995
2Recruitment (3 folders)n.d., 1995-1999
2Retreats (5 folders)n.d., 1994-2001
2Strategic Plans (3 folders)n.d., 1991-1997
2Transition Planning Process: Agenda1992
2Treasurer Reports (2 folders)1992-1995
2United Way: Site Visit2000
2Fundraising (10 folders)n.d., 1992-2000
2Grants and Contracts (2 folders)n.d., 1984-1985
2Organizational Assessment1995
2Organizational Chartsn.d., 1981-1994, 2007
2Staff (4 folders)n.d., 1997-2000
2Workplans1999-2000
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Series:
2. Executive Directors, 1977-2001
Volume:3.5 cubic ft.
Arrangement:

Chronological by executive director's tenure; alphabetical within subseries.Organized into five subseries: A. William Meinhofer; B. Stephanie Smith; C. Gail Deckker; D. Julia Ojeda; and E. Alexandra Oliver-Dávila.
Summary:

This series documents the activities of the Executive Directors, including program development; fundraising and resource development; and collaborative efforts with such organizations as the Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, La Alianza Hispana, the Whitter Street Health Clinic, and the Consortium of Black Health Directors.

Records include staff meeting minutes, staff lists, job descriptions, and correspondence to and from funders, consultants, and directors of collaborating organizations. Proposals, grants and contracts, budgets and financial statements, program progress reports, and consultant reports are also included. More complete grant and contract information is found in Series 3. Grants and Contracts.

A. William Meinhofer (.5 cubic ft.), 1981-9992, includes correspondence, proposals, grants and contracts, and consultants' reports.

B. Stephanie Smith (.5 cubic ft.), includes correspondence and Mission Hill Healthy Boston meeting minutes.

C. Gail Decker (0.25 cubic ft.), includes correspondence.

D. Julia Ojeda (1.5 cubic ft.), includes proposals, grants and contracts, staff meeting minutes, budgets, and consultant reports.

E. Alexandra Oliver-Dávila (.0 ft.), includes newspaper clippings.
BoxTitleDate
A. William Meinhofer
2Boys and Girls Club1983-1984
2Brochuren.d.
2Budgets (2 folders)n.d., 1988-1992
2Clients Rights and Responsibilities n.d.
2Consultants (3 folders)n.d., 1991-1992
2Correspondence (2 folders)n.d., 1982-1991
2, 10Department of the Attorney General, Division of Public Charities: Form PC, Annual Report (3 folders)1987-1993
2Francis and Marie Fabiano: 1552-1556 Tremont Street Lease (2 folders)n.d., 1987-1989
2Fundraising: Correspondence n.d., 1988
2Future Projectsn.d., 1981
2-3Grants and Contracts (5 folders)n.d., 1988-1993
3Internal Revenue Service: Audit (2 folders)1988-1992
3Mission Hill Community Center: Building Program and Proposed Design1977
3Mission Statementn.d.
3Newspaper Clippings n.d., 1982-1990
3Northeastern University, Cooperative Education Program: Student Youth Worker (Restricted)1990
3, 10Office Renovations (2 folders)n.d., 1987
3Programs (2 folders)n.d., 1990-1991
3Staff (3 folders)n.d., 1988-1992
3Tobin Gym: Schedules1981-1987
3Maurice Tobin Municipal Building: Leasen.d., 1983-1986
3United Way: Site Visit1991-1992
3Yawkey Associates: Park Leaguen.d., 1982
B. Stephanie Smith
3Audit1994
3Casino Night Fiscal Report1995
3Correspondence1993-1995
3Federation for Children with Special Needs1992-1993
3Management Consulting Services1993-1994
3Mauricio Gaston Institute: Capacity Building and Technical Assistance Project1994
3Mission Hill Healthy Boston Coalition (2 folders)n.d., 1994-1996
3Newspaper Clippingsn.d.
3Programs (2 folders)n.d., 1994-1995
3Space Search 1994
3Staff (4 folders)n.d., 1993-1994
C. Gail Deckker
3Correspondence1995-1996
3Mission Hill Healthy Boston Coalition: Environmental Health Education Project1995
3Staff (3 folders)1995-1996
D. Julia Ojeda
3Agencias Latinas Unidas (2 folders)1994-1997
3Audit1996
3Bank of Boston1997
3Blueprint for Prevention (2 folders)n.d., 1991-1992
3Board of Directors (2 folders)n.d., 1997
3Boston Foundation, Boston Community Building Curriculum Developers: Meeting Minutes1998
3Boston Red Sox: Little League1997
3Brochuresn.d., 1997-1998
3Budgets n.d., 1993-1999
3Children's Hospital (3 folders)1991-1997
3Chinatown Substance Abuse Prevention Training: Meeting Notesn.d., 1992-1993
3Client Services: Statistics1998
3Codependency Workshop Materialn.d., 1985-1989
3Common Ground Project (2 folders)n.d., 1996-1997
3Community Advisory Board: Meeting Minutes1998
3Community Partnership: Meeting Notesn.d., 1986-1993
3Concerned Citizens Committee: Mission Statement1998
3-4Consultants (7 folders)n.d., 1996-1998
4Correspondencen.d., 1996-1998
4Donahue Institute: School to Work Diversity Training1996
4Fundraising (3 folders)n.d., 1996-1998
4Grants and Contracts (22 folders)n.d., 1994-1999
4Latino Political Task Forcen.d.
4Latinos United for Preventionn.d., 1997
4Lawrence Community Partnership: Training1993
4Massachusetts Prevention Center (2 folders)1994-1995
4Mission Hill Issues Group1995-1997
4Newspaper Clippingsn.d., 1999-1999
4Oral History Project1996-1997
4Organizational Profilen.d.
4Programs (14 folders)n.d., 1993-1998
4The Quality Improvement Collaborative: Board Development and Fiscal Management Forum1997
4Betsy Rigby: Proposals and Meeting Notesn.d.
4Roxbury Community College Foundation1996-1997
4Roxbury Entrepreneurs Club1997
4Roxbury Future Search Planning Committeen.d., 1997-1998
4Speeches (2 folders)1997
4Staff (9 folders)n.d., 1995-1998
4United States Department of Commerce: Economic Census1997
4United Way: Executive Director Orientation1996-1997
4Urban League: Mobilization for Academic Excellence / Community Academic Support Committee1997
4Voto Latino1996
5YouthBuild National Conference and Awards Ceremony1997-1999
E. Alexandra Olivier-Dávila
5Newspaper Clippings2000-2001
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Series:
3. Grants and Contracts, 1981-1999
Volume:5 cubic ft.
Arrangement:

Alphabetical by funder.
Summary:

This series documents the efforts of Sociedad Latina to raise funding for its operations and programs from government and private sources. Government sources include the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, including the departments of Public Health and Social Services as well as the District Attorney of Suffolk County. Local government sources include the City of Boston's Economic Development and Industrial Corporation, the Office of Jobs and Community Services, the Community Building Block Grant, and the Community Development Building Grant. Private funders include the Annie E. Casey Foundation, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, and the United Way.

Records contained in this series are agreements, proposals, grants and contracts, correspondence to and from executive directors and funding agencies, progress reports, program descriptions, program audits, program descriptions, curricula material, and program schedules. The United Way allocation packets contain agency impact reports that summarize the programs' statistics, community assessments, and the impact and results of the program on the target population and community. Additional proposals, grants, and contracts are located in Series 1. Governance and Series 2. Executive Directors.
BoxTitleDate
5General1990-1998
5Agreements (13 folders)n.d., 1981-1999
5AIDS Action Committee1994
5La Alianza Hispana1998
5Associated Grantmakers of Massachusetts, Inc.1992-1993
5Paul and Edith Babson Foundation1993-1997
5Frederick A. Bailey Trust1981-1983
5Bank of Boston Charitable Foundation1992-1995
5Bank of New England Corporation Foundation1988-1989
5Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center (3 folders)1994-1999
5Big Brother Association of Greater Boston1992-1993
5Boston Asian: Youth Essential Service: Correspondence1991-1993
5Boston Community AIDS Partnership1994
5Boston Company1993
5Boston Foundation1991-1997
5Boston Gas1989-1995
5Boston Globe Foundation1990
5Boston Healthy Start Initiative (2 folders)n.d., 1995-1996
5Boston Private Industry Council (2 folders)1990-1993
5Boston Red Sox1993-1994
5Boston Women's Fund: Latinas Health Education Projectn.d., 1994
5Budgets1985-1992
5Annie E. Casey Foundation: Roxbury United for Families and Children (2 folders)n.d., 1994-1996
5-6City of Boston (45 folders)n.d., 1986-1999
6Clipper Ship Foundation1991
Commonwealth of Massachusetts
6Bureau of Family and Community Health (7 folders)1991-1997
6Department of Education and Trainingn.d.
6Department of Procurement and General Services1994
6-7, 10Department of Public Health (40 folders)n.d., 1988-1998
7Department of Public Welfare (5 folders)n.d., 1986-1989
7Department of Social Services (10 folders)1985-1990
7District Attorney of Suffolk County (2 folders)n.d., 1994-1996
7Office for Children1990
7-8Rate Setting Commission (3 folders)1987-1989
8Correspondencen.d., 1990-1995
8Fidelity Foundation1988-1989
8First Mutual Foundation1989
8Fleet Bank1992-1995
8Foundations: Revenue1990-1992
8From All Walks of Life 19951994
8Funding Fact Sheet1996
8Funding Sources1991-1992
8Gannett Foundation (2 folders)1989-1992
8Gillette Company (2 folders)1989-1995
8John Hancock Mutual Life Insurance Company (3 folders)1989-1995
8Harvard Universityn.d.
8Charles Hayden Foundation1992
8Hyams Foundation (3 folders)1990-1996
8Information Technology Strategic Plan1999
8Job Placement Program: Budget1991
8Lechmere, Inc.1993
8Lend a Hand Society1991-1992
8Millipore Foundation1995
8Mission Hill Walk for Health1999
8National Coalition of Hispanic Mental Health and Human Services Organizations1981-1983
8New England Telephone1992
8Neworld Bank1989
8Nonprofit Computer Connection1993
8Northeastern University1999
8Old Colony Charitable Foundation1988-1992
8Oficina Hispana de la Comunidad1988-1989
8Polaroid Foundation1989-1992
8Proposal Material1988-1992
8Prospective Foundations1996
8Putnam Investments Youth Initiative1993
8A.C. Ratshesky Foundation1995
8Shawmut Charitable Foundation1989-1990
8State Street Foundation (4 folders)1989-1998
8Stop and Shop Foundation1989
8Tobin Community Center1993
8Tobin Schooln.d.
8Trustees of Charitable Donations for Inhabitants of Boston1991-1992
8-9, 10United Way (20 folders)n.d., 1989-1999
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Series:
4. Programs, 1983-2001
Volume:1 cubic ft.
Arrangement:

Alphabetical by program.
Summary:

This series documents implementation of Sociedad Latina's programs, particularly Soul-N-Salsa, Employment and Training, Jovenes Latinos Pro Salud, Mission Hill Career Development, and Peer Leaders. Records include program descriptions, meeting notes, reports, and training material.
BoxTitleDate
9Generaln.d., 1993-1995
9Advocacy 101: Descriptionn.d.
9Baseball Campn.d., 1982-1983
9Baseball League (3 folders)n.d., 1982-1983
9Boston Initiative for Teen Pregnancy Prevention (2 folders)n.d., 1990-1995
9Brochures: Sociedad Latinan.d.
9Community Outreachn.d., 1995-1997
9Day Care (3 folders)n.d., 1988
9Descriptionsn.d., [1993?]
9Employment and Training (15 folders)n.d., 1988-1997
9Event Flyer1994
9Goals and Implementation Objectivesn.d.
9Latino Male Support Groupn.d.
9Leadership Education and Prevention Service for Youth: Descriptionn.d.
9Jovenes Latinos Pro Salud (5 folders)n.d., 1997-2000
9Mission Hill Against Drugs / New Startn.d., 1992
9Mission Hill Career Development (4 folders)n.d., 1996-1997
9Mission Hill Youth Services: Report1994
9Parenting Training: Workshop Evaluationsn.d., 1994
9Peer Leaders (9 folders)n.d., 1994-2000
9Program Participant Rights and Responsibilitiesn.d.
9Project Urban Pride: Youth Council Meeting Minutes1991
9Prudential Ranger: Participant Listn.d., 1997
9Retreats (3 folders)n.d., 1994-1997
9Soul-N-Salsa (4 folders)n.d., 1993-1995
9Smoking Interventionn.d., 1997
9Staff Meeting: Notesn.d., 1991
9Teens Giving Options[1998?]
9Three Kings Day Celebration (2 folders)n.d., 1997-2001
9Tobacco Prevention Youth Rallyn.d., 1994
9Training (2 folders)n.d.
9Viva la Cultura (4 folders)n.d., 2001
9The Workplace: Meeting Notesn.d., 1996
9Young Men's Support Groups: Rulesn.d.
9Youth Development Council: Meeting Minutesn.d., 1983
9Youth Outreach Training: Manual1994
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