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From Puerto Rican Cultural Center & Programs

Roberto Clemente Community Academy Graduation

"Dig Deep into your history of struggle"

By Matt McCanna, Roberto Clemente Community Academy

On June 8th more than 1,000 people gathered in Moody Bible Church to celebrate Roberto Clemente Community Academy's graduating class of 2015. The atmosphere was electric, showcasing the young talent in Humboldt Park from Jasha Jackson performing an outstanding rendition of the 'Star Spangled Banner' to the steel drum band playing Guajina to graduate Matthew Young reciting an original poem. The first and loudest to applaud the talent and distinguished speakers were the graduates, so Principal Marcey Sorenson was honest to say the one word to describe class of 2015 was "alive".

The defining moment during the ceremony came when Keynote speaker Dr. Jose Lopez took the podium. As a graduate of Tuley High School (before it became Roberto Clemente High School) he addressed the graduates on an intellectual level and spoke to the importance of digging deep into you culture, and history to discover who you really are. Asking African Americans to dig deep into their history, defining them as "the most resilient people in this country". Asking Puerto Ricans to dig deep into their history of struggle. Mexicans to dig deep into their rich cultural history, and many more. He then asked the graduates to look critically at gentrification in Humboldt Park. "The newcomers believe they are bringing prosperity into this community, but it is you who will bring prosperity into this community." It was a powerful moment that neither the graduates nor audience will forget.

As the ceremony concluded the graduates walked back down the aisle with their tassels indicating they have completed high school, there was happy yet somber atmosphere. Many hugging teachers, mentors, and friends for the last time. While proud family members cheer them on. Roberto Clemente Community Academy has competed another year under International Baccalaureate instruction and standards, growing the next leaders in the Humboldt Park community.

Clemente Community Academy Honors Community Partners with Luncheon

By Michael Emmer, Puerto Rican Cultural Center

On Wednesday, June 10, 2015 nearly 40 community partners of Roberto Clemente Community Academy came together during a special luncheon prepared by the Schools Culinary Arts Program.

The luncheon presented a progress report-back by Principal Marcey Sorenson on the incredible achievements the school has made during this past year, including becoming a full fledge wall to wall International Baccalaureate Program (IB Diploma Program).

Principal Sorenson highlighted how the school had made progress in terms of daily attendance, freshman on track for graduation, as well as graduation acceptance for the graduating 2015 class. Through videos and power point presentations the essence of this School's enormous transformation was captured, and the audience was able to get in depth reality check of these changes.

The visitors were also treated to individual student project presentations framed within the precepts of IB Programs. The Schools Culinary Arts Program not only prepared a most delicious lunch, but they also served each table. It was indeed a true community celebration of Clemente's Achievement and Progress.

Puerto Rican Cultural Center (PRCC) and Chicago Chapter of the Translatin@ Coalition will Celebrate the Coronation of the 2015 Paseo Boricua Cacica Queens Yeveah Altieri and Janet Namer.

By Jorge Cestou, Vida/SIDA

On Friday, June 19, 2015, 8:00 P.M. CST, at Circuit Night Club located at 3641 N Halsted St., Chicago, IL 60613, the Puerto Rican Cultural Center and the Chicago Chapter of the Translatin@ Coalition will crown the 2015 Paseo Boricua Cacica Queens.

Founded in 1972, the PRCC is a non-profit, community-based umbrella institution that seeks to serve the social and cultural needs of Chicago's Latino community. Located in the Humboldt Park community, in the North West Side of Chicago, the PRCC's programs are based on the principles of self-determination, self-actualization and critical thought, and an ethic of self-reliance best expressed in the motto, "To live and help to live."

The Chicago Chapter of the Translatin@ Coalition, a project of the PRCC, was founded in January of 2015 to address issues affecting the trans community in Chicago.

2015 Cacica Queen

Jesús Hernández Burgos aka Yeveah Altieri will be crowned as the 2015 Cacica Queen. Jesús was born in Juana Díaz, Puerto Rico and she's also known as Yeveah Altieri, a drag queen performer. Jesús is currently pursuing the degree of Doctor of Public Health in Epidemiology (DrPH) at Ponce Health Sciences University.

2015 Honorary Cacica Queen

Janet Namer will be crowned as the 2015 Honorary Cacica Queen. Janet Namer is known as Madrina and also as La Dama de Cuba (The Lady of Cuba). Janet was born in Cuba and through the Mariel Boatlift in May 16, 1980 exited Cuba. She settled in Miami, FL, and in New York City before making Chicago her home. Janet is the promoter of Miss Latina Continental and the radio host of El Show de Madrina at 1450 AM and at www.planetaXLive.com.

The coronation of the 2015 Paseo Boricua Cacica Queens event is a fundraising event. All funds raised will benefit the Chicago Chapter of the Translatin@ Coalition.

Tickets to the event are $10 pre-sale or $15 at the door. To purchase tickets you may contact Pedro Mercado at (773) 278-6737 or via email at pedrom@prcc-chgo.org.

To sponsor the event, you may fill out the attached sponsorship form and make your check to Puerto Rican Cultural Center. The completed form and check need to be mailed or delivered to Juan Calderon at 2546 W Division St., Chicago, IL 60622.

Vida/SIDA and City of Chicago Collaboration Testing Collaboration

By Ricardo Jiménez, VidaSIDA

During the month of June 5 to July 5, 2015, Vida/SIDA will partake in a City of Chicago Collaboration for testing 5,000 person during the mentioned time. During June, tell friends, family and other to Get Tested.... Know your Status. All VidaSIDA satellite locations will be participating in this endeavor.

Health Education at the

Diabetes Empowerment Center Every Wednesday!

By Leony Calderón

Health Education Every Wednesday, from 12:00pm to 1:00pm.

Manage, Control and Prevent Diabetes. Ask Doctors, Residents, Nutritionist, Pharmacist and Dietitian Your Pressing Health Questions.

Weekly Topics

* Diabetes 101
* Medication Education
* Nutrition Class
* Intro to Diabetes & How the Body Works
* Protecting Your Eyes
* Protecting Your Feet
* Oral Health
* Using The Glucose Meter & Meds
* Heart Health Education
* Physical Activity and Diabetes

Diabetes Empowerment Center, 2753 W. Division St. 773-342-0855

Free and Bilingual.

Educación de Salud todos los Miércoles de 12:00pm a 1:00pm

Manege, Controle y Prevenga la Diabetes. Haga Preguntas a los Médicos, Residentes, Nutricionistas, Farmacéuticos y Dietista Acerca de Su de Salud.

Temas Semanales

* Diabetes 101
* Educación Medicamentos
* Clase de Nutrición
* Introducción a la Diabetes y Cómo funciona el cuerpo
* Proteja sus ojos
* La protección de sus pies
* Salud Oral
* Uso del medidor de glucosa y Medicamentos
* Educación para la Salud del Corazón
* Actividad física y la diabetes

Gratuito y Bilingüe.

Centro de Empoderamiento Contra la Diabetes, 2753 W. Division St. 773-342-0855

On Sale Now

November Chicago Magazine "Why José López Stands Between Gentrification and Humboldt Park"

Be sure to pick up the November issue of Chicago Magazine, which features an interview by Puerto Rican Cultural Center ED José E. López conducted by Elly Fishman.

Los Tequis

Bunkr Gives Your Presentations

Some New Weapons

Bunkr is a fully web-based presentation site. Make presentations the same as you would on PowerPoint or Keynote, but add all sorts of elements - like videos, articles, social media posts, or you can even code something yourself - and it'll show up in your deck.

This has all kinds of cool applications. For example, if you're presenting something that changes over time, like a GitHub repo or Twitter feed, you won't need to update the deck to keep it current. You can even sync Bunkr with slide decks on other services, like

SlideBean.

Access Bunkr

From Our Community Partners

Heritage cooking at Dr. Pedro Albizu Campos High School

By Brenda Torres-Figueroa, Dr. Pedro Albizu Campos Puerto Rican High School

There are probably few things more exciting to a high school student than to learn about history (or any subject) through food. In that sense, the Dr. Pedro Albizu Campos High School curriculum allows students to explore and develop critical thinking skills through concepts of food history, food sourcing, and food justice through their work around urban agriculture and sustainability.

On June 4, 2015, a group of students took over the kitchen of San Lucas United Church for a unique culinary hands-on experience with cooking guru, Roberto Pérez Pérez. As Roberto stated at the beginning of the workshop, "The focus will be the utilization of fresh ingredients, to make something delicious, to talk about the history of these foods, and to go old school: No flavor enhancers, no fake food coloring - just real food."

Roberto has dedicated years to craft and research recipes and flavors using ingredients that are not only common in Puerto Rico, but throughout the Caribbean and Latin America. Through Urban Pilón, he progressed in the creation of culinary experiences in an attempt to diversify and expose the rich and complex culinary history that is a staple of our people. Earlier in the year, he visited the school's Puerto Rican History and Culture class to demonstrate the making of cassava bread, the main source of sustenance for Taíno people. Last Thursday, our students had the opportunity to create a four-course meal that included: salmon and pear ceviche, Caribbean collard greens, fricasé de pollo, mofongo, and finally - toasted coconut and almond fruit salad.

Jeremiah Castro, a junior at the school, whose cooking experience comes from learning at a very young age to feed his eight brothers and sisters, expressed that he was thankful for the opportunity. He shared that this learning experience allowed for new skills to develop, "How to pace myself, how to multitask when I cook, and how to work as a team to make a meal. I also learned about the culture in Caribbean recipes and where they come from. The cooking workshop inspired me more to become a chef."

About the experience, Roberto concluded, "They were eager to get their hands dirty, to cut, chop, taste, blend, and do all the hard work it would take to feed about 40 of us. I was really surprised by the knowledge many of them had - more knowledge than I had at their age. Although there are more and more TV cooking shows, there are less people cooking today - but not at Dr. Pedro Albizu Campos Puerto Rican High School. The kids can cook!!! And it showed as we made a delicious meal."

Thank You for Your Support!

Dear Friends,

For the past 43 years Dr. Pedro Albizu Campos Puerto Rican High School has served as a beacon of hope and possibilities for the diverse communities in the Greater Humboldt Park Community of Chicago. This small, alternative school has truly become what Latin American educational philosopher Paulo Freire called " a critical space for the development of cultural workers" where students are encouraged to engage with the issues of the day, particularly the generative themes of their own lives and the experiences of their community.

Though the school has faced many challenges it has become a sound academic institution serving 180 students a year, graduating 95% of its seniors and ranked as a 1+ school, the highest tier on the CPS school rankings. Our school offers an Urban Agriculture program with three different community gardens and a beautiful green house. Young mothers have an opportunity to finish their high school diploma through the Family Learning Center, which offers their children on-site pre-school services. When students enroll, the school provides them with a counselor to help ease their transition and prepares them for their post-secondary lives.

Recently, steep budget cuts have jeopardized the fiscal future of the school. The School has not been able to find sufficient revenue to meet these gaps. We will need to address a $130,000 shortfall by June 1, or we will be forced to cut services.

Please help by sending your contributions by mail: 2739 West Division Street Chicago IL 60622

or Click here and go to our web site Donate Button.

Thank you in advance for making a donation to our remarkable school and supporting its future.

All donations are tax deductible.

Please send your contributions by mail to:

Dr. Pedro Albizu Campos H.S.

2739 West Division Street Chicago IL 60622

Click here and go to our web site Donate Button.