April 11th, 2013 the College Pipeline at Roberto Clemente Community Academy will be hosting a Shadow Day at three different schools: Northeastern Illinois University, Columbia College Chicago, and the University of Illinois at Chicago. 52 high school students will be shadowing college students in their daily experience. Through this process our students will receive an organic experience that will shape their their perception of post-secondary education. The pipeline is meant to prepare our students both academically and mentally for post-secondary education.

Dear Friends and Colleagues,

As many of you know, three years ago Tato Laviera found himself homeless after undergoing brain surgery. At that time, the community stepped forward to help him. With your support, the community was able to secure the necessary living conditions for him to continue his work. He has been productive and produced the play The King of Cans and completed a draft of the novel El Barrio.

Over the last two and a half months Tato has been in intensive care. His physical condition has been deteriorating rapidly, and the doctors have not been able to identify the Illness. Doctors, family, and loved ones are doing everything humanly possible to help him. At this time, we once again reach out to the literary and cultural groups, friends, and colleagues and ask for your assistance in the form of donations. 

Tato Laviera is an amazingly talented and influential major poet. He is truly one of our community's treasures and has given so much to us.  We ask that you please pray for him and give generously.

Send your contributions to:

Bank

Jesus A. Laviera

North East Community Bank

1751 2nd Avenue

New York, NY 10128

Routing 226072511

Account 00400396530531

Or Home Address:

2253 Third Avenue Apt. 1102

New York, N.Y.

Sincerely

Stephanie Alvarez, University of Texas-Pan American

Juan Flores, New York University

William Luis, Gertrude Conaway Vanderbilt Chair in Spanish, Vanderbilt University 

Norwegian American Hospital CEO José Sánchez welcomed Governor Quinn to the 3rd annual legislative luncheon held on Wednesday March 27th. He was joined by a group of prominent state legislators including Senators Muñoz and Delgado and State Representative Berrios and Soto. CEO José Sánchez and Billy Ocasio, the newly elected Chair of the Norwegian American Hospital Board of Directors, thanked the Governor for his continual support of the Hospital and his commitment to affordable healthcare. 

The packed luncheon included some of the community's most important leaders as well as the heads of several of the safety net hospitals. The community leaders included Paul Roldán, CEO of Hispanic Housing, Rev. Wilfredo De Jesús, Senior Pastor of New Life Covenant Church, Veronica Ocasio, Chief of Staff for Rev. De Jesus, Jaime Delgado, Director of the Greater Humboldt Park Diabetes Empowerment Center, the Puerto Rican Cultural Center's Chief Operating Officer, Juan Calderón and Jose E. López Executive Director of the Puerto Rican Cultural Center, among others. The Norwegian American Hospital Foundation, headed by Tim Egan, sponsored the event. 

Trailer Park Proyects Inauguration Weekend

This past Friday the Institute of Puerto Rican Arts and Culture (IPRAC) held the inauguration event for its collaboration with the Trailer Park Proyects (TTP) at IPRAC. TTP is a mobile alternative exhibition space that runs out of the back of a 14-foot trailer. IPRAC will be hosting TPP from March to September 2013. The exhibition will take place throughout the greater Humboldt Park community. 

TTP will highlight the work of young artists working in Puerto Rico and along with local artists and artisans will provide monthly artist workshops, film screenings and events. The inaugural exhibition featured the work of TTP co-founder Jorge Rito Cordero. In attendance at the inauguration on Friday were TTP's co-founders Alexis Figueroa and Jorge Rito Cordero and Suzy Connor, Senior Program Officer for Arts and Culture of the Chicago Community Trust. On Saturday, TTP held its first workshop of the season at La Casita de Don Pedro on Division Street. The Mask Making Workshop was led by artist Jorge Rito Figueroa and was attended by adults, children and families. Participants were taught not only how to make Neo-Taino Masks but also the origins of these masks.

Do you qualify for rental assistance?

• Homeless?
• About to be homeless?
• Falling behind in rent?
• Need a security deposit and first month's rent?

Eligibility for Assistance:

• Resident of Humboldt Park or Logan Square
• Seeking housing in the Humboldt Park and Logan Square community
• Behind on rent

For more information, please contact Melissa Rodríguez at 773.227.7794.

Edwin Diaz, a senior at Roberto Clemente Community Academy (RCCA), has been rewarded the Open Doors Scholarship upon acceptance into Columbia College Chicago, for his academic excellence. He will receive a renewable $7,000 a year, totaling $28,000 for four years. This scholarship, accredited to CPS high school seniors that have earned a minimum cumulative high school grade point average of 2.5 or higher on a 4.0 scale, is one of many Edwin has applied for as a part of the College Pipeline Project at RCCA. A project where seniors interested in attending Columbia College Chicago, Northeastern Illinois University, or University of Illinois at Chicago are mentored by students at these institutions. At the end of this years Pipeline project, Edwin will have a portfolio consisting of a resumé, five year plan, scholarship applications, and much more to take into college. Along with being a student, Edwin is frequently engaged in the Humboldt Park community, being a part of BACCA (Barrio Arts Culture & Communications Academy) and its youth led Anti-Underage Drinking Campaign. As he pursues his dream of becoming a filmmaker, Edwin practices as a videographer for many of the PRCC events.

  'FRAME-UP! -Unjust Incarcerations' featuring Felix Masud-Piloto  (Cuban-American and DePaul professor), Mark Clements (Campaign to End Torture -himself tortured, framed-up,  and unjustly imprisoned for 28 years), and Nancy Kurshan (author, 'Out of Control: The 15 Year Battle against Prison Control Units') and José E. López, Executive Director of the Puerto Rican Cultural Center and brother of Oscar López Rivera. 

April 24, Wednesday 6pm, Casa de Cultura Calles y Suenos, 1900 S. Carpenter

• *    Sat, April 6th-Muévete! Move for Life! Season Kick Off from 12-4pm

  Zumba, Dance-Aerobics, yoga, Biking, Bomba, Self-Defense, Raffles, DJ, Live Music, Cooking Demos, Refreshments, and Much More!

  Humboldt Park (corner of Division and California)

   

  *    Fri, April 12th at 6pm- Caricatura Urbana Exhibit Opening

  Institute of Puerto Rican Arts and Culture, 3015 W. Division

   

  *    Sat, April 13th Fight For Your Future Youth Congress

  Undocumented Youth Summit

  8 to 9 am: Sign in

  9am to 11:30am: Opening Remarks in Auditorium

  11:30am to 1:00pm: Break Out Sessions

  Roberto Clemente Community Academy, 1147 N. Western Ave

   

  *    Fri, April 19th at 6:30pm- Chicago Film Premiere of "Who is Pedro Albizu Campos" with Film Director Michael Torres and presentation on Puerto Rican Nationalist Women by Dr. Margaret PowerRoberto Clemente Community Academy, 1147 N. Western Ave

   

  *    Wed, April 24th at 6pm- 'FRAME UP!-Unjust incarcerations' Panel featuring Jose Lopez (Director, Puerto Rican Cultural Center, brother of Oscar López Rivera),Felix Masud-Piloto (Cuban-American and DePaul professor),Mark Clements (Campaign to End Torture & Chicago Alliance against Racist and Political Repression, tortured and unjustly imprisoned for 26 years),and Mary L. Johnson (mother of Michael Johnson, Burge torture survivor). Calles y Sueños, 1900 S. Carpenter, Chicago, IL