HUF History

  • The Founding Years

    The Founding Years

    HUF is born from a grassroots vision to support immigrants. The agency establishes its mission, gains community recognition, and launches foundational services.

    • 1982: HUF is founded by Eugenio Torres and community leaders; hosts its first convention.
    • 1984: Receives first major grant from Florida’s Office of Refugee Services.
    • 1985–1987: First office opens; first gala honors Hispanic community leaders.
    • 1988: First HispanicFest, a cultural fundraiser, takes place and is successfully celebrated with the community.
    • 1989: Launches first English (ESOL) classes.
  • Growth & Community Building

    Growth & Community Building

    HUF expands programming for seniors, legal aid, and language access. It becomes a hub for community services with a new permanent location.

    • 1991: Opens first senior center funded by HispanicFest.
    • 1993–1994: Moves into current Hollywood headquarters with City support; launches ESOL partnership with Broward County Schools.
    • 1998–1999: Offers pro bono legal services; begins HIV/AIDS community research.
  • Expansion & Empowerment

    Expansion & Empowerment

    HUF broadens its reach with education, economic support, and health access programs while becoming a recognized community leader.

    • 2000–2002: Family Success Center launches the new after-school program
    • 2003: Launches Voluntary Income Tax Assistance (VITA) free tax preparation services. Today, HUF leads this coalition in Broward County as Broward Tax Pro.
    • 2004–2005: Begins Citizenship classes, now serving over 4000 individuals annually and launches a comprehensive Needs Assessment Study to better understand and address community needs.
    • 2007–2009: Launches healthcare and foreclosure prevention programs, and opens Unity 4Kids Preschool to support early childhood education.
  • Innovation & Impact

    Innovation & Impact

    HUF launches new centers, receives national recognition, and builds programs in youth development, citizenship, entrepreneurship, and financial stability.

    • 2010–2011: Opens Casa Sanjuan Education Center; launches Center for Working Families and the Entrepreneur Summit.
    • 2013: Coordinates VITA countywide; begins ACA health enrollment.
    • 2016: Launches First-Time Homebuyer program; achieves national preschool accreditation.
    • 2018–2019: Joins Aspen Institute’s Two Generation (2Gen) initiative that supports the whole family by tracking outcomes across generations to foster long-term educational success and economic stability.
  • Resilience & Strategic Growth

    Resilience & Strategic Growth

    Amid the COVID-19 crisis, HUF adapts quickly, strengthens civic engagement, and expands its regional footprint into Miami-Dade.

    • 2020 – 2021: Supports over 1,100 community members with COVID-19 vaccinations; completes 2020 Census outreach.
    • 2022: Felipe Pinzon becomes CEO; co-leads launch of “State of Black Broward” and “State of Hispanic and Immigrant Broward” initiatives.
    • 2023: HUF launched a comprehensive strategic planning process, engaging stakeholders, conducting focus groups, identifying new success metrics, and aligning programs with evolving community needs to drive greater impact.
    • 2024: Received one of HUF’s largest grants enabling us to expand economic opportunity through workforce education that prepares clients for high-demand, sustainable careers; fuel entrepreneurship by supporting both emerging and established business owners; and build generational wealth by helping first-time homebuyers turn the dream of homeownership into lasting assets.
    • 2025: HUF hires a Director Miami-Dade Initiatives, launches “Level UP Center of Entrepreneurship”, and kick-off its first cohort of high-demand career in Miami Dade College, North Campus.