1993-2010
In 2001, the Institute is on the front lines responding to the needs of the victims and families of the World Trade Center attacks with increased crisis and counseling services. In 2002, the Institute expands its Head Start Program with the opening of three new centers in isolated and poor regions of Puerto Rico. In 2005, the Institute assumes management for an additional 22 Head Start centers in San Juan, Puerto Rico, significantly expanding the Institute’s presence on the Island. The Institute has grown to serve over 25,000 individuals annually with a budget of $34 million dollars.

In New Jersey, the Institute expands prevention and education services for people living with HIV/AIDS, and establishes a program for mentoring children of prisoners. In New York City, the Institute expands to meet other urgent areas of need including, a clinic to serve children ages 0 to 5 experiencing emotional problems, mental health and case management services for Latino seniors, increased services for victims of child abuse and neglect, and a school-based initiative to reduce high school drop-outs are implemented.

Six years of tremendous growth to meet the needs of an increasing Latino population, the Institute forges new alliances and moves into other uncharted grounds in mentoring, advocacy, promoting healthy marriages/healthy relationships in addition to fund and resource development with the increased support and presence of the Institute’s corporate partners.

1993-1999
The Institute moves into the educational field and opens its first Head Start Program, a program of excellence serving under-served Latino children in Brooklyn. Half of the children and families served by the Brooklyn Head Start Program are Mexican, and the other children served are Puerto Rican, Dominican, Ecuadorian, and Colombian.The Institute moves into the national arena. With the leadership and support of Merck & Co., the Institute opens a mental health clinic in Jersey City, New Jersey.

1989-1992
In 1989, the Puerto Rican Family Foundation was established to serve as the title holding corporation for any capital assets that the Institute may acquire, and to develop funding initiatives to enhance and strengthen the Institute’s programs and services. The Queens Mental Health Clinic was opened in 1989 to further expand services. In response to the growing HIV/AIDS crisis, in 1990 the Institute becomes the lead agency for the Bronx HIV Care Network providing leadership and guidance to HIV/AIDS service providers. In 1991, the Foundation purchased the building where the Institute is now housed and launched a $2.1 million capital campaign for renovations.

1986-1988
The changes in governmental priorities from the human service agenda of the 1960’s to a defense and business agenda of the 1980’s had a significant impact on low-income families. The Institute responded to this shift by expanding its programmatic focus to deal with the multiple crises confronting Hispanic families including, homelessness, mental illness, substance abuse, child abuse and neglect, and family violence.

1981-1985
With rapid social and political changes taking place, the Institute looked at ways to solidify its accomplishments, diversify its funding streams, and continue to expand. Corporate partnerships were established aligned with a strong fundraising effort and stringent fiscal monitoring. Three service components were added: the Bushwick Child Placement Prevention Program, the Brooklyn Mental Health Clinic, and the Program to Prevent Educational Gaps, based in Manhattan.

1975-1980
The Institute’s commitment to serve other geographical areas heavily populated by Hispanics led to the development of the citywide Placement Prevention Program for Juveniles on Probation and the Manhattan Mental Health Clinic. The Willowbrook decree provided the Institute with an opportunity to serve the developmentally disabled. The first of three intermediate care facilities was opened in the Bronx.

1971-1974
The Institute’s bilingual and bicultural service model becomes an essential component in service delivery to Hispanic families. It is the Institute’s distinguishing hallmark attracting the attention of founders and allowing for the development of new programs. The Manhattan Child Placement Prevention Program and its first outpatient clinic treatment program, the Bronx Mental Health Clinic were established.

1966-1970
The Economic Opportunity Act of 1964 opened the doors to public funding for organizations to develop programs and services. The Institute became one of the first citywide agencies to start serving the Puerto Rican community. During this period, paths were forged to broaden service delivery to other Hispanic groups..

1963-1965
Twenty volunteer social workers recruited a group of well-adjusted migrant families to the New York City community. These families helped in the delivery of counseling and concrete services to newly arrived families.

1960-1962
The Puerto Rican Family Institute was established as a volunteer effort by a group of twenty Puerto Rican social workers concerned with the plight of Puerto Rican migrant families in New York City. Under the leadership of the late Agustin Gonzalez, the Puerto Rican Family Institute was incorporated in 1962 as an anti-poverty program.