The Spanish Community of Wallingford (SCOW), or Comunidad Hispana de Wallingford, Inc., was founded in 1972 by a small group of Latinos in Wallingford, Connecticut, who experienced difficulties finding translators, interpreters, employment, and medical assistance within the community. The founders envisioned the organization to be the leading agency to help develop and involve the Hispanic community. To this day, it has been successful in implementing its mission. SCOW offers a wide range of services and programs, most of which are free of charge, dedicated to fulfilling this mission. These include computer and office skills training, employability skills training, health education, assistance in interacting with the public education system, English as a Second Language classes (provided by Literacy Volunteers of Meriden), citizenship education, various after school programs, translation and interpreting services, assistance in obtaining legal advice, and transportation to medical and other social service appointments. On an annual basis, the agency provides service to approximately 500 mainly Latino families. The Hispanic Community in Wallingford represents about over eight percent of the population and includes people from Puerto Rico and various Latin American countries including Colombia, Ecuador, Mexico and more. "Our mission is to respond to the needs of the Latino Community by assisting them to succeed in U.S. society, and to enable Latinos to maintain and share their rich varied cultures with the broader community."