|
Three of LARASA's original founders (Mrs. Lena Archuleta [bottom left], Mr. Charles Tafoya [bottom right] and Mr. Bernie Valdez [top right] join the President and Executive Director of the United Fund to sign the first agreement between the Fund (now Mile High United Way) and LARASA.
The Latin American Research and Service Agency (LARASA) was founded and organized on March 13, 1964. With the first grant from Mile High United Way (formerly known as the United Fund), the Founders' early mission focused on education and youth incentives, job development, training and employment, health and welfare, housing and the development of community resources.
Twenty seven community leaders undefined including a judge, a social worker, a priest, a medical doctor, a state government employee, a union organizer, several businessmen, a school teacher, a sheriff, and a Denver Public School board member undefined created LARASA to articulate a vision of working together for the betterment of Latinos.
|
About our Legacy
As the country’s first Latino, community-based 501(c)3 agency, LARASA is one of the most reputable Latino organizations in the nation. As an active and vital participant in community and human service coalitions and partnerships, we serve the Latino community proudly.
In the 70s there was a political movement known as La Raza Unidos.
In Spanish, la raza can mean "the race" however it is also defined as "the community".
LARASA's Original Founders
| Mrs. Lena L. Archuleta |
Mr. Levi J. Beall |
Mr. Benjamin Bezoff |
| Hon. Roger Cisneros |
Rev. Eutimo Duran |
Mr. Bert Gallegos |
| Dr. James Galván |
Mr. Rodolfo “Corky” Gonzales |
Mr. Joseph Herrera |
| Mrs. Helen Lucero |
Mr. Cletus Ludden |
Mr. Robert Lucero |
| Mr. Isaac Moore |
Ms. Rachel Noel |
Mr. Don Pacheco |
| Rev. James Prohens |
Mr. Herrick S. Roth |
Mr. George Roybal |
| Ms. Betty Salazar |
Mr. John Sanchez |
Mr. Sheldon Steinhauser |
| Mr. Charles Tafoya |
Mr. Eduardo Terrones |
Mr. Phillip Torres |
| Mr. Moses Trujillo |
Mr. Bernard “Bernie” Valdez |
Mr. Charles Vigil |
.jpg?t=1312416287255)