It was recently reported by the United States Bureau of the Census that Latinos constitute the largest minority group in the country - five years earlier than projected. This population is growing at an unprecedented rate of 5.7% each year. Part of this expansion is an increasing population of Latino elderly. In 1970, there were 50,000 Latinos age 60(+) in New York City, and in 2000; this segment grew fourfold to 210,000.
Not only is the Hispanic elderly population the most rapidly growing segment in the city, it is also the neediest. According to the New York City Department for the Aging, two thirds of all Hispanic elderly live below the poverty line, many of which live in isolation and suffer from malnutrition.

The Latino Gerontological Center (LGC) is working relentlessly to improve the quality of life of these seniors. It conducted 10 Community Education Seminars throughout New York City that were specifically designed to help the elderly cope with feelings of depression resulting from the terrorist attacks in New York. LGC testified on two occasions before the Committee on Aging of the New York City Council on behalf of the Latino elderly. LCG further supported the rent freeze for the living quarters of the underprivileged elderly. In addition, the Latino Gerontological Center articulated the urgent need for more nutritional programs targeting the fastest growing Latino elderly. This was of particular consequence given that two out of three Latino elderly retire into poverty.Internationally, LGC shared its knowledge in several conferences held in Chile, Paraguay and Mexico. LGC is working in conjunction with the University of Nuevo Leon at Monterrey, Mexico on a soon to be published book that will contain the principal works from the LGC's Inter-American Conference on Gerontology which took place in México, Costa Rica, Argentina and Puerto Rico during the years 2000 and 2001.Also in 2002, LGC published two issues of The Community Star, which was distributed in New York, and Washington, D.C., USA; Monterrey, México; and Asunción, Paraguay.

In June 2002, LGC held its Tenth Anniversary Golden Age Awards recognizing leaders that have served the Latino elderly with distinction.On Thanksgiving Day, LGC opened 10 community centers in New York, New Jersey, Washington, D.C. and Florida, to provide a traditional Thanksgiving meal to thousands of seniors without families.On Christmas, thanks to the workers of Altria Group Inc., LGC provided gifts to the elderly in East Harlem, New York.

The Latino Gerontological Center begins 2003 with a renewed commitment towards improving the quality of life for the Hispanic elderly. This is a significant undertaking, which requires many partners. Together, as public and private entities, as well as individuals, we share a belief in the social pact to help our Latino elderly who have already contributed their talents and energies before us to build our society.The Latino Gerontological Center will continue leading the way on addressing the needs of our cherished Latino elderly population.