The Latino Intelligence Center COLUMBIA ROAD and 14TH STREET NW This blo ck is home to some of the largest Latino organizations in the city, all founded as migration from Central America and the Carib- bean increased in the 1 97 0 s. Several began with a boost from Calvary United Methodist Church at 1 4 5 9 Columbia Road. Since 1 974 the Latin American Youth Center, now at 1 4 1 9 Columbia Road, has supported youth and their families with education, employment, and social services. LAYC s Art & Media House is around the corner at 3 0 3 5 15 th Street. CentroNía, in the former C&P Telephone Company building at 1 4 20 Columbia Road, emphasizes early education, and the Central American Resource Center (CARECEN ) has offered legal, housing, education, and citizenship assistance since 1 98 1 . La Clínica del Pueblo at 2 83 5 11 th Street provides affordable medical care. Most of the neighboring schools and churches offer bilingual or multilingual programs. Almost 100 years before Latino groups made this their “intelligence center,” renowned German immigrant Emile Berliner lived here. Berliner invented a microphone that proved crucial to the Bell telephone’s operation. In 1 883 he built a large house and laboratory at 1 4 5 8 Columbia Road, where he also invented the gramophone (record player). With an interest in public health, Berliner founded the Bureau of Health Education and built its headquarters at 1 46 0 Columbia Road (now CARECEN offices). The Fernwood apartments replaced Berliner’s house in 1 9 2 6. In 2000 Fernwood tenants faced eviction when the DC government condemned the building. Led by six Latinas, all named Maria, residents bought, renovated, and created Las Marias Condominiums.
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