The original bill co-sponsors included city council-members Marion S. Barry, Polly Shackleton, and John A. Wilson The original draft of the law was crafted by Latino community activist Jose Gutierrez, Sonia Gutierrez, founder of the Carlos Rosario Charter School and Bruce C. French, legislative counsel, D.C. City Council.
Some of its duties include addressing social or economic needs with strategic alliances between public and private sector, increasing Latino community participation through training and knowledge dissemination in government procedures and practices, increasing government and Latino community public relationships, and fostering civic compromise.
OLA has helped thousands of Latino individuals and families gain access to governmental and public non-profit services through its advocacy and grants programs.
[1] The OLA provides funds for community organizations, technical assistance and economic support to NGOs, and programs for improving knowledge and skills which serve Latino residents.
The OLA also organizes events including job fairs, workshops, and communitarian meetings with major leaders in the D.C area.