Casa Latina, Inc.

Casa Latina 2011 Re-Encuentro

Amidst a cacophony of children’s laughter and the wonderful aroma of Latino food, provided by C Town Supermarket in Holyoke and courtesy of Casa Latina, members of the Latino community, Casa Latina staff and board members, as well as other members of the community at large came together to catch up socially at the annual re-encuentro which was held on Thursday, December 1 at the Florence Community Center.

Heather Warner, Board Chair, distributed arts and crafts supplies to each table as Lillian Torres, Director, opened the gathering with a warm “bienvenida.” The propose of the gathering was to give the community an update on the work and services that CL staff members have been providing for the community as well as an update on CL’s standing as a non-profit organization. The re-encuentro is also an opportunity for members of the community to relate their concerns and wishes for the upcoming year.

Lillian requested that families register their children for the annual Día de los Tres Reyes Magos (Three Kings Day), which has been scheduled for Saturday, January 7 at the Florence Community Center from 1:00 to 5:00 pm. The event is a highly anticipated, as well as well-loved and well-attended, event with food and entertainment. Toys are distributed to children of all ages who are in attendance.

Luz Enieda García, Co-Director, then took the floor and reported on Casa Latina’s current financial standing and the challenges the organization is facing. She impressed upon those in attendance the importance of participating in the annual appeals campaign. Every amount is welcomed regardless of size and/or quantity. She also reminded all present to spread the word about our organization, relating how vital and instrumental the organization has been in her own personal life. Casa Latina provides educational programming, community activities, access services (medical interpreting), and an information and referral program. Attending CL’s events is another way of supporting our organization.

Eneida mentioned an upcoming workshop for parents sponsored by Families with Power, a Jackson Street School parent-run organization that helps “empower low-income families of color to take action to help [their] children succeed in school” (Mary Cowhey, http://www.mcowhey.com/learning_to_roar_91299.htm).

Lillian and Eneida then raffled off $15 gift certificates from Walmart, followed by an invitation to partake of the food and socialize.