On Saturday, August 1, 2015, the same day Puerto Rico was unable to meet its bond repayment of 58M$, the Puerto Rican Agenda held a lively, interactive, engaging discussion of a possible response by the Puerto Rican diaspora to the island's economic crisis. A response which has to be rooted in the historical responsibility which the US government has over the island.

 

It was clear, during the discussion, that the economic woes the island faces are a consequence of its subordinate relationship to the US. One which was defined by the US Supreme Court (Belzac vs The People of Puerto Rico, 1922) "Puerto Rico belongs to, but is not a part of the United States."  As Congressman Luis V. Gutiérrez pointed out, on the floor of the US Congress that, the US owns Puerto Rico and therefore it has a moral responsibility to respond to this budget/fiscal crisis.

 

Similar conversations have been held with Puerto Rican leaders in Washington DC, Florida, New York City, Philadelphia, and Cleveland. These discussions will culminate with a gathering of a representative group of the Puerto Rican national leadership, including elected officials, in Orlando, FL in mid-October. For more information, please contact Cristina Pacione-Zayas (pacionezayas@gmail.com) or Jessie Fuentes (jlfuentes2@cps.edu), co-chairs, Puerto Rican Agenda.

El sáb. 6 de sept. el padre Raul Morales Berrios celebrara la ya tradicional Misa Jibara coincidiendo con la celebración de la 22da Fiesta Boricua.

Misa Jibara combina elementos culturales y musicales enraizados en nuestro quehacer boricua con un mensaje profundo de contenido social, enmarcado dentro los ritos de una misa catolica. Durante los ultimos 6 años centenares de personas han participado de este encuentro cultural/espiritual borincano. La misa se celebrara de 3:30 a 5:30pm. Para más información contactar a Hilda Frontany al hilda.frontany@yahoo.com.

"We (The Humboldt Park Community) will benefit tremendously from this appointment," said Judy Vázquez, a parent at José de Diego Elementary School, upon learning that Jacqueline Menoni was appointed as the new interim principal of de Diego for the incoming school year. The Local School Council worked closely with the Network office to assign a interim principal. Ms. Menoni has been a participant in many of the efforts of Community as a Campus. Congratulations!

Muévete is celebrating its 10th anniversary (Aug. 2005- Aug. 2015). What started as a walking group twice a week around Humboldt Park has evolved into a community based physical activity program. Muévete provides classes of Dance-aerobics, Zumba, Pilates, Tai Chi, Yoga, seasonal walking and biking and the once a year Move for Life! season kick-off event.  Classes are held Monday through Saturday, and at three different locations, free of charge and open to adults 18 and over. All classes are accessible to all fitness levels to encouraging movement for all and support an active lifestyle. 

 

On Saturday, August 22nd 2015 we will celebrate the 10th anniversary with a 10,000 steps around Humboldt Park.  Free of charge and for the entire family. There will be prizes for every 5,000 steps an individual takes. Music, heart screenings, snacks and refreshment will be provided. Please call or visit to register at the Diabetes Empowerment Center, 2753 W. Division St. 773-342-0855.