Our History

Instituto del Progreso Latino, founded in 1977, was established to meet the educational needs of Latino immigrants and their families in Chicago. Our ongoing mission has been to contribute to the fullest development of Latino immigrants and their families through education, training, and employment that fosters full participation in the changing U.S. society while preserving cultural identity and dignity. Since its inception, Instituto has been a story of hope, perseverance, and community triumph, serving over 14,000 participants annually to advance their basic academic skills, obtain high school diplomas, become U.S. citizens, increase their job skills, and explore new career pathways.