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Dear LEDC supporter,

How has your life changed over the past year? For many Latinos in the DC region, the downturn in the economy has negatively impacted them in ways they never thought imaginable. Every day thousands of Latinos struggle to keep their businesses afloat, to keep their homes from going into foreclosure because they lost their jobs, and to keep their apartment buildings in good condition as landlords allow their buildings to fall into disrepair.

Although the economy is improving slowly, worsening unemployment reminds us of the job that is still left to do. It is important for LEDC to continue to provide the needed services to ensure that Latinos and other underserved communities can continue to sustain themselves during this economic downturn.

Despite the downturn, LEDC has helped our clients remain resilient and committed to improving their own economic well-being. With LEDC’s help, 55 individuals and families purchased their first home in DC, 70 buildings remained affordable to low and moderate-income families, and hundreds of small businesses prepared to withstand the crisis through better financial management and through LEDC’s microloan program, which lent over $650,000 to 56 businesses in FY09.

Invest in LEDC today so that everyday we can continue to help those still struggling, celebrate those now poised for success, and provide services to everyone to build sustainable, stable communities in the DC region.

As you can see, LEDC is well positioned to help our communities weather this storm. From our homeownership and foreclosure counseling to small business development and affordable housing preservation programs, LEDC works with all segments of our community to ensure that we can continue to achieve economic stability and growth.

We need your support today to continue our work with individuals and families like Lorena, Alexander and his daughter, and Benjamin. Only with the support of people like you who believe in our mission and our work will we be able to continue responding to the needs of the community and provide the high quality bilingual and bi-cultural services that everyone expects from LEDC.

Help us today to meet our goal of $10,000 in gifts and pledges before the end of 2009.

Sincerely,

Manny Hidalgo, Executive Director