Desarrollo Integral de la Familia. Roughly translated (Spanish is not my mother tongue) means integral family development. They are the social services aspect of the government. They assist low income families as much as they can. The Black and White ball is just that. Very fancy and you only wear black and white. The proceeds are donated to the DIF. Tickets are 120 dollars per couple. I went to one a long time ago and it was very elegant and fun. Oh, the Dif here in Penasco has just opened an orphanage and some of this money will go to the orphanage. Rosie, feel free to correct me if I got this wrong...
You got it right, Chari! I often refer to it as the Family Services organization here. I recently translated some documents for them and am increasingly impressed and in awe of all they do with such limited resources. For example job training for heads of households, physical therapy for adults and children, senior citizen services, children's shelter, outreach and services for the handicapped, school breakfast program, free medical dispensary, supplemental nutrition for the vulnerable, and their very important legal department, advocates for all of the above if they've been victims of abuse, neglect or abandonment. I probably forgot something, but you get the picture.
When the government has no money (like right now), donations to DIF become even more important. I know there are many ways to give, but I like that they make people accountable if they receive help. If there's substance abuse in a family, for example...or unemployment...those issues are addressed, so it isn't just a hand-out.
Hope that helps, Terrigreen!