En Camino con la Communidad

The Latino Ministry in Langley Park, MD is a mission project of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, with over three years of experience in accompanying the Latino community of Langley Park in defending housing rights of apartment dwellers, improving educational opportunities for children, creating jobs and providing legal counsel on immigration issues.

Langley Park, Maryland is located on the outskirts of Washington, D.C. It has a population of approximately 20,000 residents within an area that is less than one square mile making it one of the most densely populated neighborhoods in the metro area. There is a very diverse immigrant population comprised of Latino, African and Asian nationalities. However, the most prevalent group is the Salvadoran community, which accounts for 23% of the population. Poverty is part of the reality of this community. Nine out of ten families qualify for the subsidized meal program at the local elementary school.

Our children come from homes where the primary language is Spanish. Most of our parents have very limited English skills so even when there is a great desire to assist their children with homework they have difficulty in doing so. The tutors will be matched with one or two students to help them with homework assignments as well as assist our program director with community-building games along with arts and crafts. A Spanish language ability is helpful but not necessary to volunteer. The program is held in the Community Room of University Landing Apartments (1007 Merrimac Drive, Langley Park, MD). Volunteers will meet at the chapel lounge at 3 P.M. The van for volunteers will leave the Chapel at 3:15 p.m. To volunteer as a tutor through En Camino please contact Lutheran Campus Ministry, lutheran@mail.umd.edu , (301) 405-8448, for a volunteer form. Also please contact the En Camino peer minister, Lauren Salisbury, at lsalisbu@umd.edu.