Advocacy
Looking for community organizers
LULAC Lambda is proud to continuously work on various community development and social justice projects. If you’re interested or have a passion to volunteer for any of LULAC Lambda’s projects, please come join us!
Prioritizing Youth Development
LULAC Lambda helped fund initiatives at the Latin American Youth Center, Columbia Heights Education Campus and E.L. Haynes High School Public Charter School where LULAC mentors visit with teens on a biweekly basis to discuss their well-being, professionals goals, handling conflict, and using technology wisely.
Welcoming Migrant Arrivals
DC LULAC makes multiple donations to assist Migrants arriving on buses being sent from Texas without any resources. Sanctuary DMV directed DC LULAC to donate to Outrage on 14th St NW and the Quaker Center. Supplies assist individuals and families during their transition from DC to their next destination. In total, more than 4,000 items have been collected, which included soap, shampoo, diapers, toothpaste, toothbrushes, deodorant, tampons, pads and hand sanitizer.
Honoring Vanessa Guillen
LULAC Lambda joined forces with DC LULAC and National LULAC to support the family of Army Specialist Vanessa Guillen, who was harassed and ultimately murdered by a fellow soldier in the U.S. Army. We gathered at the Vanessa Guillen Mural located at 3552 14th St NW to rally ahead of our visit to Congress to lobby for more protections of women in the military. We also gathered on the grounds of U.S. Capitol to support the I Am Vanessa Guillen Act.
Providing Pandemic Relief
LULAC Lambda supported local organizations that were providing pandemic relief. Members volunteered to assemble emergency food boxes at the Capital Area Food bank. LULAC Lambda received a grant and donated $2,000 worth of household goods to Ayuda, a local immigrant services organization. We took part in demonstrations to support our African American/Black siblings. We also helped promote the 2020 Census in DC’s Latinx neighborhoods and continue to register voters in DC and neighboring counties.
Promoting U.S. Citizenship
LULAC Lambda hosts Citizenship Workshops during the summer. LGBTQ+ permanent residents qualified to become U.S. citizens are invited to presentations from immigration attorneys discussing the U.S. Citizenship application process and common issues experienced by LGBTQ+ immigrants. Classes are free and available in Spanish at various locations within the district.
Eliminating College Debt
LULAC Lambda continues to invest in youth in several ways. LULAC Lambda launched its annual scholarship with a goal of increasing access to education and equity. The scholarship committee looks at academic performance as well as the applicant's work in social justice and community service accomplishments in the Latinx and/or LGBTQ+ community. LULAC Lambda hopes its now $2,500+ scholarship assists DC applicants achieve their dreams. Ongoing mentoring sessions at area schools are also central to our youth investment efforts.
Uplifting Our Neighbors
Members of LULAC Lambda, alongside local partners, hold drives for shampoo, soap, toothpaste, blankets, combs, deodorant, socks and other items for the unhoused in DC. In addition to material items, we partner with other LULAC councils in the area to make monetary donations to organizations working to uplift neighbors experiencing poverty. More than half of the population served by community partners are Latinx and immigrants who are also often undocumented with little to no access to social services.
Combatting HIV
DC is one of the nation's areas hardest hit by HIV, with an epidemic on par with some developing nations. Roughly 2.7 percent of DC's population is living with HIV according to the CDC. DC has the highest AIDS diagnosis rate of any state. In response, LULAC Lambda DC partners with The DC Center to assemble free safe-sex kits that are distributed at local bars, lounges, and night clubs. Annually, LULAC Lambda hosts a table at DC Pride to promote safe sex and advocate for community involvement and partners with Whitman-Walker Health to administer testing.
Fighting for LGBTQ Equality
LULAC Lambda continues to advocate and fight for Equality for All. On June 26, 2015, LULAC Lambda was on the steps of the U.S. Supreme Court rallying the day the Court voted in favor marriage equality. LULAC has a long history of supporting LGBTQ equality. Several initiatives have been voted into LULAC’s legislative platform thanks to overwhelming support from its membership at National Conventions: Supporting the Equality Act, Lifting Transgender Military Ban, Relief for Transgender Asylum Seekers, Opposing Conversion Therapy, Affirming and Protecting Transgender and Gender Non-Conforming People’s Rights, Support for Marriage Equality, Support for Employee Non-Discrimination Act, and Repeal of Don’t Ask Don’t Tell.
state and national Conventions
LULAC Lambda Members attend State and National Conventions to help shape the policies of our National Hispanic Agenda.