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.

$20 Tickets available by calling Casa Latina (413) 586-1569

Also available Northampton Box Office (+ fee) on Main St. or at the door (+ fee).

When: Friday, May 29th at 7pm
Where: The Garden House at Look Park, Florence, MA [map] 
Tickets:  $20 each or $150 for table of 10. Call us at 586-1569.

Food Donated by La Veracruzana
Live Music by Kultura Borikua 
Raffle items donated by local area businesses 
Dance Lessons and a cash bar 

See pictures from last year. 

The guests of honor were the politicians who helped secure the new grants and three Casa Latina board members who stepped down recently after lengthy terms. The former board members, Dalila Balfour, Paul Hyry and Carlos Santiago, helped guide Casa Latina out of a similar fiscal crisis about 10 years ago, and helped shape the organization’s mission since then, Garcia said.   

Last week’s celebration, called El Reencuentro, was also a chance for members of Hampshire County’s Latino community to give feedback. The event has been held every December for eight years.

Garcia said it was the most diverse Reencuentro yet, with people representing Mexican, Salvadoran, Ecuadorian and Colombian backgrounds.

Garcia said state representatives Peter Kocot, D-Northampton, and Ellen Story, D-Amherst, as well as state Sen. Stan Rosenberg, D-Amherst, and Northampton Mayor Clare Higgins, helped Casa Latina find and apply for grants from the state Department of Health and Human Services, Hispanics in Philanthropy, the Western Massachusetts Community Foundation and Highland Valley Elder Services.