Familia Unida Living With Multiple Sclerosis

What it reported doing in 2024

For over 30 years, Familia Unida Living with MS has proudly partnered with Los Angeles County, beginning with the support of Supervisor Gloria Molina who first welcomed us into County space. With that foundation, we were able to grow into a trusted hub for people living with multiple sclerosis and other disabilities, serving thousands of residents across diverse communities. The COVID-19 pandemic forced us to pause in-person programming, but our commitment to our community never wavered. We are now in the critical process of rebuilding re-engaging volunteers, students, and families who depend on us. As we move forward, we respectfully request that the County waive rent for our licensed space during this rebuilding phase. This support is vital: it will determine whether we can successfully relaunch programs and continue our legacy of service, or face the difficult reality of closure. We want to ensure that the investment the County made in us decades ago continues to benefit the families who rely on us today. Founded over 30 years ago, Familia Unida Living with MS is the first bilingual, nonprofit organization in the nation dedicated to supporting individuals living with multiple sclerosis and other disabilities. With roots established through the leadership of Supervisor Gloria Molina, Familia Unida became a trusted hub for thousands of families across Los Angeles County recognized for its innovative programs, strong community partnerships, and a deep commitment to inclusion, equity, and dignity. Pre-COVID Community Impact Before the pandemic, Familia Unida was seen as a beacon of strength and trust in the disability and immigrant communities. Our work was rooted in collaboration, advocacy, and direct service. Highlights include: -Monthly Bilingual Support Groups -Consistently hosted for over 25 years without interruption until COVID.-Attendance ranged from 50100 participants per month. - Included food pantry distribution and emergency support. - Case Management Services - Provided in partnership with UCLA and USC masters level social work students through cooperative agreements, offering high-quality case management while supporting professional licensing requirements. - Community & Volunteer Engagement -Longstanding ties with the Kiwanis Club and local high schools for student volunteer programs. -Annual Wheelchair Wash & Celebration hosted on County grounds an Abilities Expo bringing nonprofits and government programs together to serve hundreds of families. -Civic & Government Partnerships -Collaborations with Mayor Eric Garcettis office, Supervisors Gloria Molina and Supervisor Hilda Solis, Congresswoman Judy Chu, and many others. -Partnerships with organizations such as Mexican American Legal Defense & Educational Fund (MALDEF), Community Technology Foundation, First 5 LA, and Homeboy Industries & countless others -Media & Recognition -Regular coverage by KTLA 5, ABC 7, Univision, and other outlets. -Hundreds of commendations and certificates of recognition from elected officials across Los Angeles County and the State of California. Through these efforts, Familia Unida became widely regarded as a trusted, established organization with deep reach and credibility. COVID-19 Impact & Program Pause When COVID-19 struck, the individuals we serve primarily people with disabilities and multiple comorbidities became among the most vulnerable. For safety, our County office closed, and all in-person programs were suspended. -Community events halted due to health risks. -Funding significantly reduced, forcing us to conserve resources. -Maintained online presence, website, and social media to stay connected with the community. This period brought unprecedented challenges, raising the question of how families living with disabilities could safely re-engage in public life. Current Rebuilding Efforts (20242025) Familia Unida is now focused on strategic rebuilding: - Conducting a Community Needs Assessment to understand post-COVID challe

Financial Efficiency

• Mission deployment rate: 55.5%; rating input score 55
• Program expense ratio: 86%; rating input score 86

Transparency & Controls

• Consistency checks: 100%; rating input score 100; 52nd percentile among comparable filings
• Major donor itemization: Limited

Sustainability

• Operating margin: 35.5%; rating input score 85; 85th percentile among comparable filings
• Total-asset coverage ratio: 0.69; rating input score 37; 37th percentile among comparable filings
• Liabilities to assets ratio: Limited
• Officer compensation ratio: 0%; rating input score 56; 56th percentile among comparable filings

Growth

• Program expense growth: -8.9% per year; rating input score 0; 29th percentile among comparable filings
• Revenue growth: -13.2% per year; rating input score 0; 20th percentile among comparable filings
• Asset growth: 0.6% per year; rating input score 100; 41st percentile among comparable filings