IADC Proves Community Shaping Goes Beyond Four Walls & a Roof
By: MMM Editorial Team, Keirah Chen
As the Ibero-American Development Corporation (IADC) marks its 40th anniversary this year, leadership is making their message very clear: building strong Latino communities requires community development, local safety, and investment within the economy.
At a media huddle that took place Sept. 14 hosted by IADC's Eugenio Marlin and Ibero President and CEO Angelica Perez-Delgado, the organization's leaders shared updates on projects, neighborhood initiatives, and an exclusive preview of their upcoming annual State of the Latino Community Luncheon.
Focusing on Community Ecosystems
While IADC remains a vital force in addressing upstate New York's low-income housing crisis, the Ibero team reinforced how physical housing is only one component of a thriving neighborhood. The agency is honing their focus on commercial, cultural, and gathering spaces, pointing to hubs like La Plaza and the El Camino neighborhood to lead by example.
Within the housing realm, IADC continues to advocate for multi-family residential developments that accommodate growing families while keeping neighborhood safety and stability at the center.
"The bottom line for us is the people." - Eugenio Marlin.
Reclaiming Neighborhoods
While talking to the press, IADC addressed the historical challenges faced by local neighborhoods. For years, the area wrestled with open-air drug markets and served as a space widely used for opioid abuse.
However, today, IADC's strategy centers on a dual approach: ensuring individuals experiencing addiction get access to necessary recovery resources while actively transforming the neighborhood so it is no longer viewed as a space for drug dealing.
Both Perez-Delgado and Marlin noted that over the past five years, IADC's consistent physical presence and boots-on-the-ground advocacy have reshaped the area's trajectory. This engagement has restored safety, raised community spirit, and attracted a steady stream of outside developers and funding into the local economy.
"We're so connected to the people that live here that they are always the first gauge of how progress is being made and, although, there are challenges...people still choose to stay." Perez-Delgado said.
Celebrating 40 Years of Impact
To commemorate IADC's four decades of service, the State of the Latino Community Luncheon will be held and the team gave press a sneak peek at what to expect. While the majority of attendees will join via a virtual broadcast, a select group of 150 special guests and close Ibero partners will attend in person. The feature speaker for the event will be New York State Housing and Community Renewal Director of Capital Development Leonard Skrill.
As IADC reflects on 40 years of progress, its focus remains on the future: expanding opportunities, protecting neighborhood safety, and ensuring local Latino families have the platform and infrastructure to thrive.
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