Ruby Corado standing in front of Casa Ruby. (Washington Blade photo by Michael Key)

The D.C. Office of Latino Affairs last week awarded a $25,000 grant to Casa Ruby, an LGBT community center in Columbia Heights that reaches out to the Latino and transgender communities, Casa Ruby CEO Ruby Corado announced on Facebook.

She said the one-year grant would enable Casa Ruby to hire one new employee and four consultants with expertise in mental health issues to provide services and direct assistance to clients, including walk-in services. Corado said the services under the grant would be available to clients six days a week from noon to 8 p.m. and will include employment related services to help clients find jobs and become self-sufficient.

Although the grant is targeted to the Latino LGBT community, Corado said Casa Ruby remains open to “anyone regardless of who they are.”