Lack of information, health care and resources are major obstacles in low income areas. The Edgewood Family Network [EFN] is located on the west side of San Antonio and serves a community of 148,000, mostly Hispanic residents. The community is ranked as the 11th poorest community in the country. EFN members all come from the local area and tend to be working poor, immigrant and/or retirees.

Martha Castilla has headed the Edgewood Family Network for 4 years. Under her direction, EFN believes that many of the problems of low-income areas can be solved at the community level, and EFN guides residents towards opportunities to overcome economic disadvantages and become leaders in their community.

Through a number of community-based volunteers, EFN has created programs that provide the west side residents with the ability to overcome social and economic hardships. They provide residents access to education, services, and resources that will help them improve quality of life and become self-sufficient.