Julio and Florentina Ledesma Foundation, Inc. (JFLFI) is a private, non-stock non-profit corporation which was oganized in May 1974 to assist the sugar industry through research and development activities. In response to the sugar crisis of the 1980s, the institution in 1985 shifted its focus to community development and other service-delivery activities. In the 1990s, it again redirected its thrust towards "..integrated community-based small enterprises with biases in community organizing, under the framework of sustainable development and people empowerment." Its development programs include institution building, training and consultancy, employment center, resource mobilization, fund assistance, housing development, special projects; and, development enterprises. On the other hand, partner clientele are the following groups: subsistence fishermen, marginal farmers/agrarian reform beneficiaries (ARBs), upland farmers, urban poor, displaced sugar workers, indigent children, unemployed and underemployed professionals, women's group, rural poor, and, unemployed youth. With its area of operations based n the milling district of the now - defunct San Carlos Milling Co., Inc., the JFLFI-covered areas include Escalante City, Toboso, Calatrava, and San Carlos City in Negros Occidental, and Vallehermoso, Guihulngan, and Libertad in Negros Occidental