February 2007 English La Voz

La Voz Spotlight on
Puerto Rican Pioneers:
Paseo Boricua Joins
Free
Roberto Clemente
“Retire 21” Campaign Bilingual
“Monstrocity”
page 4
page 6
Gratis
- Senator Willie Delgado to
Convene Health Summit
Election Day:
Ways to Vote in
the 26th Ward
page 10
page 12
Addressing Diabetes
La Voz del Paseo Boricua
www.prcc-chgo.org
lavoz@prcc-chgo.org
February 2007
Vol. 3 • No. 9
Informing and Advocating for the Preservation of our “Pedacito de Patria” in Chicago
Latino Elected Officials Host
Community Celebration in
Honor of Alderman Billy Ocasio
Latino Congressman, Aldermen, State Representatives,
and State Senators publicly endorse Alderman Ocasio
in 2007 Re-Election Campaign
Our Culture in El Barrio:
Three Kings Day
on Paseo Boricua
On Friday, January 12, 2007 Congressman
Luis Gutiérrez, City Treasurer Stephanie
Neely, State Senators Iris Martínez and
Willie Delgado, State Representatives
Cynthia Soto, Toni Berríos, Susana
Mendoza and Luis Arroyo, and Alderman
Manny Flores hosted a community
celebration in honor of Alderman Billy
Ocasio at the Puerto Rican Parade
House.
El Trio Casino from “Las Moradas” Senior
Housing Residence on North California
Avenue entertained approximately 300
attendees as they made their way from table
to table enjoying various exhibits
highlighting
different
community
accomplishments such as the Institute
of Puerto Rican Arts and Culture and
the “Paseo Boricua” Senior Housing
Apartments on Division and Campbell.
The event also served as an endorsement
Celebration for Ocasio... continued on page 7
Paseo Boricua Community Gives Warm Welcome:
Norwegian American Hospital
Recruits Nurses and Technicians
from Puerto Rico
Melissa Cintrón
Two major factors were at hand in the
decision. First, there is a deficit of 192,000
nurses here in Illinois, and second 78% of
the patients at Norwegian are Puerto Rican.
“We want to be able to touch the souls of
our patients. We are aware of the language
barriers that exist at many hospitals and we
want professional people that are able to
communicate with the same passion and
intensity that our patients have. We want
to focus not only on the clinical aspect but
also the cultural,” Torres said.
Three Kings Day... continued on page 2
Maritza Vargas, who was instrumental
in coordinating the project, stated, “I
Credit: Carmen Negrón
At a recent welcoming
reception for nine new
nurses
from
Puerto
Rico who have come to
Humboldt Park to live
and work at Norwegian
American
Hospital,
Maribel Torres, Vice
President of Patient Care,
asked the question “Why
bring in Puerto Rican
Nurses?”
feel honored that Maribel gave me the
opportunity. During the process, I have
learned so much about our culture that
I didn’t know before and it feels great to
give back to the community. It’s been a
wonderful experience and I hope we will
continue with more programs like this.”
Community building owners like Mildred
and Angel López, Ruth Peña and our own
La Voz staff member Saul Meléndez, played
a large role in making this initiative come
to fruition by making housing available and
ensuring these nurses would have a home
set for them when they got here. “If all goes
Puerto Rican Nurses... continued on page 7
Boricuas Return
to El Barrio:
Families Move
into La Estancia
Xavier “Xavi” Luis Burgos
Many times the everyday personal
experiences, that define our collective
reality–the human side of life–are
overlooked. A human face must be
masked with vague justifications
in order for a horrible attack on a
community, such as gentrification,
to take place. The Puerto Rican
community in Humboldt Park has
thousands of stories to be told, most
of which shall never be recorded for
subsequent generations. Here, there
Returning to El Barrio... continued on page 5
Exercise your Right to Vote on Tuesday, February 27 – Vote for the Future of El Barrio
Three Thousand Children and Families Come out to Celebrate Paseo Boricua Tradition:
Three Kings Winter Festival a Huge Success
Melissa Cintrón
“Boricua!” An excited little boy yelled as he
waited in line to receive a gift from the Three
Kings on a cold January 6 afternoon. Despite
the cold weather, over 3,000 people came out
to celebrate an old Puerto Rican tradition,
sharing it with new generations.
The Three Kings Winter Festival made Paseo
Boricua come alive. Community residents
packed into trolleys, walked alongside the
horse-drawn carriage with Los Tres Reyes
Magos, or stood under the streetlights, adorned
with jibaras and jibaros, to sing and watch, not
wanting to miss a thing. Plena pounded from
the marching musicians’ tambores, Vejigantes danced, and the
Paseo Boricua float was packed with more talented musicians.
Many came back to El Barrio for this yearly event, which
would not be possible without the efforts of Alderman Billy
Ocasio (26th Ward), and the coordination of the Division
Street Business Development Association and the Puerto
Rican Cultural Center. One teary-eyed woman
retold stories of her time in Humboldt Park as
a young girl, explaining to Executive Director
of the Puerto Rican Cultural Center, professor
José E. López, how important this day was to
share with her grandchild. This was not the
only story shared with him. It seems that the
spirit of unity and culture and of realizing our
community is a gift in itself, moved many.
The parade led to the Humboldt Park Field
House where L.A.M.A. (Latin American
Motorcycle Association) prepared to give
thousands of gifts to eager children, while Trio
Casino played beautiful Aguinaldos from Puerto Rico. A young
Puerto Rican girl and her father decided not to step in line
to collect a gift and instead helped the La Voz staff hand out
our community newspaper. To say the least, the Three Kings
Winter Festival was a grand success and was covered by every
major news station in Chicago.
Another Tradition Resurrected in Puerto Rican Chicago:
“Las Octavitas” Celebrated in El Barrio
Melissa Cintrón
This year’s Holiday season
ended as it would in Puerto
Rico with the celebration
of Las Octavitas. This event
is yet another tradition
being recreated here on
Paseo Boricua by Chicago’s
Puerto Rican community.
Lily’s Records initiated this
event with the support from Master of Ceremonies, Miguel Medina
the Puerto Rican Parade
Committee of Chicago, and
the Division Street Business
Development
Association
(DSBDA) to bring together
the community to pass on
our cultural traditions to the
younger generation.
Winners of the First “Octavitas”
1st Place: Mario Carrasquilo,
Twelve
years
later
people are now not only
remembering January 6,
but also Las Octavitas.
On Sunday, January 14,
residents gathered to hear
traditional aguinaldos and
trova, and to see a parranda
enter the building led by
Lily’s Records. The night
also featured a controversia
of trova with the winner
receiving a round trip ticket
to Puerto Rico.
Paseo Boricua restaurants
like Nellie’s, La Bruquena,
Latin
American,
and
Borinquen provided food.
The Puerto Rican Parade
Committee donated the space
and sound.
Twelve years ago, on January
2nd Place: Jorge Rodríguez,
3rd Place: Carlos Luis Ruiz
6, 1995, Ald. Billy Ocasio
solidified the presence of the
Three Kings Day tradition here in Chicago
when he inaugurated the two monuments This entire event was free to the public,
to the Puerto Rican flag that now demarcate clearly showing the generosity that was
Paseo Boricua. Today one can come to present in this event. Event sponsors have
Humboldt Park and see that holiday talked about making this an annual event
tradition in full swing not only in a full ensuring that it will become yet another
fledged parade and toy giveaway, but with tradition here in our Pedacito de Patria,
family celebrations, business specials and Paseo Boricua.
events, and decorations all paying homage
to the Three Kings.
La Voz del Paseo Boricua
La Voz del Paseo Boricua
is a grassroots newsletter of the Juan Antonio Corretjer Puerto Rican Cultural
Center. We work in collaboration with various community organizations to
stabilize and strengthen the Puerto Rican community in Humboldt Park.
During this historic moment, our objective is to provide our community with
regular and reliable news and updates on community programs.
2
Contact us at: lavoz@prcc-chgo.org
The views expressed in the pages of La Voz del Paseo Boricua do not
necessarily reflect the views of the Juan Antonio Corretjer Puerto Rican
Cultural Center and/or the editorial board of La Voz del Paseo Boricua.
Annual Chicago
International Salsa
Congress to Honor
Community
Leaders
From February 15-18, the city
of Chicago will be pulsating
with the sounds of guiros and
trumpets as the 6th Annual
Chicago
International
Salsa
Congress knocks on its doors once
again. The 2,500-3,000 attended
event will be featuring 50 dance
workshops, 7 dance shows, and 4
world-renowned bands including
the Spanish Harlem Orchestra
and Puerto Rican Power. On the
opening night of the Chicago
International Salsa Congress
several longtime Puerto Rican
leaders will be honored with a
Chicago Cultural Alliance Lifetime
Achievement Award. Honorees
also include U.S. Congressman
Luis V. Gutierrez, 26th Ward
Alderman Billy Ocasio, José E.
López, Executive of the Puerto
Rican Cultural Center and Paseo
Boricua long-time business owner
Carmen “Lily” Martinez of Lily’s
Record Shop.
¿Qué
Pasó?
in Boricua History
Saúl F. Meléndez
February 2, 1885:
Birth of Bernardo Vega in Cayey, Puerto Rico. As
a young worker, he related economic, emotional,
and psychological aspects to the migration
experience in his work, Memoirs of Bernardo
Vega: A Contribution to the History of the Puerto
Rican Community in New York.
February 15, 1898:
Explosion of the USS Maine Battleship in Havana
harbor. This event ended the Spanish-American
War and as a victory for the U.S., Puerto Rico,
Guam, the Philippines, and Cuba become U.S.
territories.
February 16, 1830:
Birth of Francisco Mariano
Quiñones in San German,
Puerto Rico. He was active
in the movement to abolish
slavery along with Segundo
Ruiz Belvis and Jose Julian
Acosta and was a strong believer in the selfdetermination of Puerto Rico.
February 17, 1914:
Birth of Julia de
Burgos in Carolina,
Puerto Rico. She
is
considered
to be one of the
most important
Puerto Rican/Latin
American poets. De
Burgos was known
for her strong
political ideologies. Her poetic subjects included
workers, political militants, black Puerto Ricans,
and even herself. She was the Secretary for the
Nationalist Party . Julia de Burgos will always be
remembered for her poem, Rio Grande de Loíza.
February 19, 1971:
The President of the Puerto Rican Independence
Party, Rubén Berríos Martínez, and other leaders
are condemned for their solidarity act with the
Puerto Rican island of Culebra in their struggle
against the U.S. Navy. Six years later the Culebra
movement gets the US Navy out.
February 23, 1936:
Death of Elías Beauchamp and Hiram Rosado.
In retaliation for the deaths in the Río
Píedras Massacre, the Nationalists Rosado
and Beauchamp kill Colonel Riggs and after
their capture are shot to death in the police
barracks.
Editor: Michael Rodríguez Muñiz
Production Manager: Jodene Velázquez
Photography Coordinator: Jonathan R. Lizardi
Advertisement Coordinator: Saúl F. Meléndez
Designers: Michael Rodríguez Muñiz and Alejandro L. Molina
Staff: Xavier Burgos, Saúl Meléndez, Melissa Cintrón, Nilmari Donate Ruíz,
Jonathan Rosa, José Rivera, Vanessa Claudio, Juanita Garcia, Manelik Gutiérrez
Translations and proofing: Norma Torres, Agnes Justiniano, Ingrid Rojas,
Madeline Troche-Rodríguez, Claudia Segura, Andreea Smallberger, Maria Ramos,
Gloria Ortiz, Michael Hannan
Ald. Billy Ocasio Secures $1 Million for
Institute of Puerto Rican Arts and Culture
Funding helps clear final obstacle towards a Summer 2007 opening
On Wednesday, January 10, 2007
Alderman Billy Ocasio stood before the
city’s Committee on Finance to request the
allocation of $1 million to the Institute of
Puerto Rican Arts and Culture (IPRAC).
The Alderman testified to the Committee
on the importance of the Institute to
our community reminding members
that IPRAC would tell the story of the
contributions of Puerto Ricans in the
making of this city and of this nation.
Selection speaks to continued
progress of Humboldt Park
Michael Rodríguez Muñiz
In a move meant to recognize the steadfast progress of the
Humboldt Park Community and the example it sets for other
flourishing Latino neighborhoods across Chicago, Mayor
Richard M. Daley and his campaign team chose the Humboldt
Park Community to host the Mayor’s Latino Endorsement
Rally.
Located in the Humboldt Park Stables,
the Institute of Puerto Rican Arts and
Culture will be the only self-sustaining
cultural institution in the nation devoted
to showcasing and preserving Puerto Rican
arts and historic exhibitions year-round.
The entire building will be renovated and will include
a large contemporary exhibition space, a theater and
performance space, classrooms for studio arts and
workshops in the creative arts, a museum store, a
central courtyard for public and private events, a
photography classroom with a lab and a curatorial
department.
After Alderman Ocasio’s compelling testimony, the
Committee on Finance voted unanimously to allocate
the funding to the Institute. These funds will allow
construction to continue in time for an expected
grand opening late summer of 2007.
A joyful Alderman Ocasio thanked the members
of the Committee, adding, “The Institute of Puerto
Rican Arts and Culture is about the past, present
and future of our community. It will provide a space
where we can all preserve and express the richness
and vibrancy of the Puerto Rican culture and its
relevance and place in the making of the United
States.”
On Saturday January 6, 2007, Mayor Richard Daley joined
teammates, City Treasurer Stephanie Neely, City Clerk Miguel
del Valle, and several Latino Alderman, State Representatives,
and State Senators at Humboldt Park’s longstanding service
provider Casa Central for this exiting event.
Alderman Billy Ocasio, who only moments earlier had led
the annual Three King’s Day Parade down Division Street,
presided over the event and began by introducing Reverend
Wilfredo De Jesús from Humboldt Park’s own New Life
Covenant delegation for the invocation.
Alderman Ocasio would like to invite all members
of the community to attend an open house of the
Institute of Puerto Rican Arts and Culture on
Saturday, February 10, 2007 from 10am to 2pm.
Come take a tour of the Institute and preview the
construction of this state of the art Puerto Rican
Museum. Alderman Ocasio, the Project Manager,
Architects, and IPRAC’s Executive Director will
be on hand to give personal tours and to answer
questions. For more on IPRAC see page 4!
Cooperativas from Puerto Rico
Given Green Light to Expand Overseas:
Chicago Branches to Open First
Jodene Velázquez
In a groundbreaking move, Governor of Puerto
Rico, Anibal Acevedo Vila signed into law, a bill
of the Puerto Rican legislature to allow for credit
unions (better known as cooperativas) in Puerto Rico
to establish overseas. For years, credit unions were
unable to open up overseas due to an existing law
restricting the cooperative sector to expand.
It also appears that the Cooperativa de Servicios
Multiples, an insurance credit union, will probably
begin operations soon in the city. Prominent Puerto
Rican leaders from the Puerto Rican Agenda,
particularly Eliud Medina, Executive Director of
Near Northwest Neighborhood Network, Maddi
Elga Amill, Midwest Regional Director of the
Puerto Rican Federal Affairs Administration, and
Enrique Salgado, Executive Director of Division
Street Business Development Association, have been
actively involved in facilitating a dialogue under the
guidance of Alderman Billy Ocasio.
Clearly this is one of the major achievements for the
Puerto Rican diaspora, which again places Puerto
Ricans in Chicago at the forefront.
Alderman Ocasio then proceeded to introduce City Treasurer
Stephanie Neely and City Clerk Miguel Del Valle who both
spoke of the wonderful accomplishments of Mayor Daley and
the exciting plans they had for Chicago’s future.
“As City Clerk, I welcome the opportunity Mayor Daley
has given me to continue our work on education reform,”
said Miguel del Valle. “The biggest challenge we face is to
make sure that every child has access to a quality education.
Through our shared commitment, I look forward to ensuring
that more students attend college and achieve success.”
Alderman Ocasio then took the podium and spoke of the
important issues he and the Mayor had tackled during his
14-years as Alderman.
“Mayor Daley’s unwavering support has been instrumental
in revitalizing all neighborhoods in my ward,” said Alderman
Billy Ocasio. “He has listened and responded to our concerns,
not shying away from immigration, affordable housing and
other issues that deeply impact the Latino community.” Ocasio
added, “Together we have celebrated many accomplishments
which include building new schools and reducing crime in all
Police Districts to improve residents’ quality of life.”
Finally to the delight of all his supporters, Alderman Ocasio
introduced Mayor Richard M. Daley, who thanked the elected
officials and community members in attendance before laying
out a comprehensive plan to reform the city’s educational
system and enhance economic opportunities for every city
neighborhood.
Daley concluded by saying, “And, looking to the future,
I hope we continue to work together to keep our progress
going and make Chicago even better for all the people of our
city.”
La Voz del Paseo Boricua
According to Luis A. Feliciano, the general manager
of the Cooperativa de Ahorro y Credito de Aguada,
and one of the leading proponents of this law, 2700
of the 25,000 member-clients in the Cooperativa de
Aguada live outside of Puerto Rico, 600 of which are
in Chicago. Acknowledging the importance of the
Puerto Rican population in Chicago, and specifically
the economic development on Paseo Boricua, the
Cooperativa de Aguada is planning to establish its
first branch in Chicago.
Mayor Richard M. Daley
Chooses 26th Ward
to Host Latino
Endorsement Rally
3
Spotlight on Puerto Rican Pioneers in Chicago
More than Just a Radio Host, A Barrio Activist: “El Mostro-Kallejero”
Jonathan R. Lizardi
Being born and bred on Division Street in the 70’s and
80’s, a time when it was rough to grow up, didn’t stop
Miguel Angel Vazquez –a.k.a. “El Mostro-Kallejero”–
from going places he never thought he would go.
of the streets among his colleagues. Noticing there was a market
with this new musical expression, Univision bought radio stations
in all the major cities of the U.S. This move made Viva 103.1 FM
what it is now: La Kalle 103.1 FM, playing pure urban music.
Although his listeners know him as a humble, highenergy, in your face, gritty DJ from “La Kalle”, 103.1
FM/93.5 FM, one thing that stands out in the minds of
the people who live in Humboldt Park is his relentless
sense of giving back to his Barrio. Though many
radio personalities exchange their communities for
downtown living, “El Mostro” has chosen to remain
in Humboldt Park. Since the late 90’s when Marilyn
Santiago (program director of the now cancelled XTropical 1200 AM) made a bold move and gave a “kid” from Division Street
something to value, Paseo Boricua has benefited greatly.
Although his success has been in part due to his support of
reggaeton, his overall vision has been to contribute to building a
stable community in Humboldt Park for years to come.
Santiago hired “Mostro” to gain ratings among Chicago’s Latino youth. Boy,
did her gamble pay off when “El Mostro” was given the green light to go
ahead and experiment with music genres other than Salsa and Merengue.
Given this opportunity, he flipped the switch and introduced a format that
targeted Puerto Rican and Latino youth with sounds desperately hooking
youth all over Latin America. Noticing this, he introduced Reggaeton to the
Chicago radio waves. This musical explosion grew to a citywide level and
a couple of years later, the station was changed to Viva 103 FM from Xtropical 1200 AM in order to target a wider Latino audience.
The raw lyrics and hypnotizing beats of Reggaeton were exciting a whole
generation, forcing more and more radio hosts to play the new musical form.
“El Mostro,” already leading the pack, was being recognized as the voice
IPRAC hosts Phone-A-Thon
on Telemundo
In an effort to fundraise for the development of the Institute of Puerto Rican Arts and
Culture (IPRAC), Telemundo Chicago provided a five-hour slot in their Phone-AThon for IPRAC to promote the “Commemorative Brick Program,” an initiative that
provides an opportunity for those interested to purchase a brick that will be placed
in IPRAC.
The personalized bricks will become part of IPRAC’s main walkway and courtyard
including a Circle of Honor that will encircle an original, commissioned work of art in
the center courtyard to be unveiled at the opening.
The contribution from purchasing a brick(s) will support the only self-sustaining
cultural institution in the continental United States dedicated to showcasing Puerto
Rican arts and historic exhibitions year-round. When completed, IPRAC will be
a cultural center for all people including residents of Chicago and visitors from
throughout the country and the world.
La Voz del Paseo Boricua
By purchasing a commemorative brick, community members have an opportunity to
become a part of IPRAC. Regular bricks are $150, larger bricks are $300 and Circle of
Honor bricks are $500. For more information, visit www.iprac.org or call 773-486-8345.
4
Get Your Paseo Boricua 2007
Calendar at Lilys Records
Lily’s Record Shop, the longest standing record shop
on Division Street, created a one of a kind 2007
calendar featuring photos of Paseo Boricua from
the past to the present. It can be yours with
a $10 donation. This calendar will only be around
for a limited time because it has become a hot
commodity for all the Puerto Ricans in Chicago
who love pictures of El Barrio and cherishing
the memories our people have made before us.
When asked why he feels the need to give back, he replied, “My
community is who I am. Without it, my identity is lost. Although
we are a small community and still fighting adversity, we have
heart. That is why it is my obligation to utilize my experience
on the street to guide the youth in not making the mistakes that
I made, and the way I connect with them is through Reggaeton. Through this form of
music I can make sure that they will know of all the wonderful things my hood offers
them. Together we will build a community for them, for they are the next phase.”
According to Enrique Salgado, Executive Director of Division Street Business
Development Association (DSBDA), “El Mostro has become the radio ambassador
of Paseo Boricua. By promoting, through La Kalle, the cultural, art and affirmation of
Paseo Boricua, he has influenced the status of Chicago as the “Boricua Mecca of the
US.”
Over the years, El Mostro has served the vibrant community of Paseo Boricua in a
variety of ways. He has utilized his resources at La Kalle radio station by organizing
toy drives for the Three Kings Day Winter Festival on Paseo Boricua for last three
years, (where thousands of toys were distributed this year) and having the radio station
donate resources in order to purchase candy for “Haunted Paseo Boricua” (an outlet
that provides a safe Halloween for the children and families in Humboldt Park).He has
hosted the celebratory Fiesta Patronales (a 6-day cultural extravaganza in Humboldt
Park) and the one-day family-centered Fiesta Boricua, attended by over 250,000 last year.
And the list doesn’t stop there. El Mostro was chosen to be the Master of Ceremonies
in last year’s annual banquet for DSBDA, and he also highlighted Paseo Boricua when
he was interviewed for the Reggaeton DVD documentary, Chosen Few II.
By reclaiming his Barrio through the radio waves, Miguel Angel Vázquez – “El MostroKallejero” – has continued the long tradition of Puerto Rican radio personalities with
his commitment to empower the community. That is why La Voz del Paseo Boricua
would like to thank, salute and honor him for his vast support of building our “Pedacito
de Patria.”
Editor’s Note: El Mostro can be heard on “La Kalle” on Fridays and Saturdays from 7 p.m. to
2 a.m. Also, he was recently awarded the Illinois Hispanic Media Award. Congratulations to
Mostro, you worked hard for it!
La Voz del Paseo Boricua would like to welcome two new staff
members: Vanessa Claudio, a Dr. Pedro Albizu Campos High School
senior and staff writer, and Manelik Gutiérrez,
an artist and new cartoonist.
Puerto Rican Breakfast & Lunch Restaurant
2458 W. Division Street • 773/252.5520
Tues-Fri, 7:30am-3pm • Sat, 7:30am-3:30pm • Sun, 9am-2pm
Enjoy a Special Night
St. Valentine’s Day
Dinner at Nellie’s
Sunday, February 14
5pm-9pm
• Experience the only Puerto
Rican Breakfast buffet in Chicago
(Every Sunday from 9am – 2pm)
• Delicious, daily lunch special
(Delivery now available, call for details)
• Space available for
private parties
Housing in Humboldt Park
Organizational Spotlight:
Spanish Coalition for Housing
History & Mission of Organization
The Spanish Coalition for Housing (SCH) is the lead
agency helping Latino families with their housing needs
in the greater Chicago-land area. Spanish Coalition for
Housing was created in 1966. The mission of Spanish
Coalition for Housing is to provide comprehensive
counseling, education and housing resources necessary
for families to develop competence and responsibility in
meeting their financial and housing needs; provide the
necessary information and assistance to renters and
homeowners, enable them to avoid rent delinquencies,
mortgage defaults and foreclosures; aggressively market
available resources to all Spanish speaking persons and
others who require advocacy which ensures that they
have equitable opportunity to access resources.
No matter where you are in the path to homeownership,
SCH can help you become mortgage ready and
realize your dream of owning your own home. SCH
Homeownership Centers can help you to develop a
plan that is customized for you to succeed. If you have
good credit scores with low income, SCH can assist by
closing the price gap by layering financing with available
resources and down payment and closing-cost assistance.
If you have good income with damaged credit, SCH
will provide credit restoration with a work plan that is
realistic for your situation: short term plans will address
minor credit problems (3-6 months), intermediate term
credit problems (6-12 months) or long term more
serious problems (13 mos. - 2 yrs.).
Humboldt Park Redevelopment Area Program (HPRA)
is a program designed to assist LMI buyers become new
homeowners in the Humboldt Park area. SCH is a key
component of the Humboldt Park Redevelopment Area
(HPRA) partnership with the Fannie Mae American
Dream Initiative. The HPRA working group is made up
of the Congressman’s and Alderman’s office as well as
other community based organizations and developers.
SCH provides the housing counseling services to prepare
local residents to become mortgage ready and matches
them up with affordable condo units in the Humboldt
Park area. To date we have counseled a total of 809
families, of which 76 have purchased homes, 105 are
ready to purchase if they can identify the home of their
choice that is affordable and meets the their needs in
terms of space and bedrooms, larger 2 bedroom and/or
3 bedroom condos.
Community Outreach - Camino A Su Casa Annual
Housing Fair
Camino A Su Casa is a free-to-the-public annual housing
fair coordinated by SCH. Camino is the means by which
SCH mounts educational outreach efforts to acquaint
more Latinos and other potential homebuyers with its
services. SCH is able to bring together all the key players
in the home buying process to educate and inform those
seeking information. In all, 50-60 resources participate
through booths and educational workshops. In 2006,
3,000 people attended the Camino A Su Casa housing
fair. Consistent high turnout has made this event the
largest annual housing fair not only here in the Chicago
area but for the entire Midwest. This years Camino A
Su Casa will be on March 31, 2007 at West Side Tech
Institute, 2700 S. Western Ave. from 9:00 am – 4:00
pm.
For more information call 773 342-7575.
In collaboration with 26th Ward Alderman Billy Ocasio, the
Division Street Business Development Association, and
the Near Northwest Neighborhood Network/ Humboldt Park
Empowerment Partnership
Join Bickerdike in Celebrating an Open
House for La Estancia
Mixed-Used Development
Thursday, February 15, 2007
3:00 pm (Program at 3:30 pm)
3248 W. Division St. (West of Kedzie)
Please RSVP by calling 773-278-5669
Returning to El Barrio... continued from front page
are families struggling to survive, adding
to the tragedy that partially defines our
experience, but there are also many
stories of hope. One such story of hope
is that of María Pérez and her two sons
who recently settled into one of our
community’s emblems of resilience – La
Estancia housing development.
María Pérez, 47, a slim, dignified, and
outgoing woman came to Chicago with
her son Gabriel 11-years ago from Puerto
Rico’s famed urban community, Villa
Palmeras, Santurce. With little English
proficiency, María and her children
faced racism on many levels, but now
María works at a medical center and
Gabriel, 21, is in college with sights set
on the music industry. Nonetheless, as a
single, working mother, rising rents were
another obstacle to overcome.
If you would like to live on Paseo Boricua –
Humboldt Park, there are still apartments
available in La Estancia. Contact:
Bickerdike Redevelopment Corporation
at (773) 278-5669 or go to their website
at http://www.bickerdike.org.
Want to Live
in el Barrio?
1255 N. Rockwell
3bedrooms
$900
Comes with appliances, hardwood floors, tenant pays utilities
773-563-6229
2717 W. Potomac
1bedroom
$800
Newly remodeled w/appliances, tenant pays utilities
773-563-6229
2729 W. Evergreen
Tenant pays Utilities
2.5 bedrooms
$900
773-510-2210
2636 W. Division
Tenant pays Utilities
3bedrooms
$800.00 773-415-4353
2547 W. Division
Tenant pays Utilities
2bedrooms
$600.00 773-805-9509
2648 W. Division
2bedrooms
$650.00 Tenant pays Utilities
773-520-5035
For more information, or if you would like to announce
your apartments for free, please contact: 773/384-7695.
¡Regresa al Barrio!
La Voz del Paseo Boricua
To combat such challenges to families
in Humboldt Park, Alderman Billy
Ocasio, the Bickerdike Redevelopment
Corporation, and the Puerto Rican
Agenda developed La Estancia, a
massive project of affordable housing.
Although the project was first threatened
by condominium developers, who are
rumored to be supporting of Ald. Ocasio’s
opposition in the upcoming elections, La
Estancia became a reality through the
tireless efforts of the community with
the Alderman’s full support.
Just a few months ago, the construction
of one of the three building project was
completed on Division and Spaulding
streets. María Pérez, and her sons are
among the first families to move into the
beautifully spacious apartments. They
entered with surprise and joy. “I’m moving
in!” was the euphoric reaction of María’s
8-year-old son, Joshua. La Estancia’s
location on busy-and-noisy Division
Street led María to pleasantly reminisce
about Villa Palmeras, “the sounds of
the buses and the people.” For Gabriel,
living in La Estancia also symbolizes
the history of Puerto Rican resistance
in Chicago. “They gave [Puerto Ricans]
the most run-down part of the city, but...
we put the [Paseo Boricua] flags up,
we made it home.” Now this family has
joined the thousands of Boricuas found
in our Barrio in Humboldt Park.
5
Boricuas in Chicago Join Campaign to Retire 21
Julio Pabón
I just completed a 3 day trip to the windy
city of Chicago to muster up additional
support for the Retire 21 Campaign to
retire Roberto Clemente’s #21 from all
of Major League Baseball. Chicago,
with the second largest Puerto Rican
population in the country, was a logical
city to introduce the campaign and get
it into the streets in full force as we
have been doing in New York.
I am happy to report that my experience
in Chicago was beyond my expectations.
We surpassed our goals in this one trip
to levels that would have taken us
much more time in any other city. The
main reason for this is that the Puerto
Rican community in Chicago is very well
organized in one concentrated, geographic area
known as “Humboldt Park.” This is ironic because
it was in this same park approximately 30 years
ago that riots broke out where the Puerto Rican
community had to fight for its right to exist as a
community in Chicago.
This same area that was once the “Puerto Rican
Ghetto” is today the epicenter of a Puerto Rican
renaissance and power not just in Chicago, but
I dare say in the entire Mid-West. As an activist
that has fought so much to guarantee respect for
our community, I was proud to experience what
the Puerto Rican community in Chicago has
accomplished in the Humboldt Park area.
The resurgence that the community has embarked upon and to
a greater degree accomplished in Chicago manifested itself in
full force to support of the Retire 21 Campaign. The economic
engine of the community is known as “Paseo Boricua,” a strip of
about 10 city blocks that lie on Division Street and that is home
to approximately 80 businesses. This Boricua Mecca, which I term
their “Liberated Zone,” is marked off for everyone to see between
two towering Puerto Rican flags made of metal that resemble a
new vogue art form at each end of the strip that also serves as a
beacon to all that this is truly a “Paseo Boricua.”
Upon my arrival on Saturday afternoon, I immediately went to
a meeting set up by Professor José López, a respected scholar,
but more important, a loving individual that demonstrates his
devotion to his community by working to help unite the community
and empower its youth.
The meeting was a “who’s – who” of the Puerto Rican community
in Chicago. Everyone from Alderman (their version of our City
Councilman), Billy Ocasio to the
different leaders and organizational
heads were present to hear why
Professor López invited them to hear
my presentation on why we want to
retire #21.
The presentation was very well
received, and we followed it up with
viewing the trailer of the film, The
Legacy of #21. As has been the case
when we have made our presentation,
everyone
present
committed
himself or herself to support the
campaign; however, unlike the other
communities, here they went from the
highest level of support to the streets
where the people live and shop.
Alderman Ocasio committed himself to
introducing a resolution to the Chicago City
Council to urge Major League Baseball (MLB)
to retire #21. He went further and volunteered
to take the message to Congressman Luis
Gutiérrez and have him do the same in
Congress and to the Puerto Rican mayor of
East Chicago, Indiana.
The support continued, as the majority
of the businesses that I visited after the
great welcome that I
received on Saturday
were overwhelmingly
supportive of the
campaign. They immediately signed on
to place our petitions on their counters.
Ricky Salgado Jr., the young and effective
Executive Director of the Division Street
Business Development Association was on
me like “white on rice” making sure that
I was introduced to many of the business
owners. I have no doubt that the petitions
will probably circulate more in this business
district than any other business district in
the country, including Puerto Rico.
On Sunday, I was invited by Mikey Sánchez,
the President of La Casa Puertorriqueña (a
cultural institution that serves as a base for
many cultural community events) to attend their first “Octavitas
Festival” (the last festival of Las Navidades celebrated eight days
after three Kings day in Puerto Rico and almost extinct in most
Puerto Rican communities in the US). This is proof that these
“Alderman Ocasio committed himself
to introduce a resolution into the
Chicago City Council to urge
Major League Baseball (MLB) to retire #21.”
Chicago Boricuas are not just cruising on accomplished laurels
but are aggressively defining and defending the Puerto Rican
culture every day.
Well over 250 people, the majority being seniors who were treated
to an evening of music by a trovadores competition, attended the
event. I was asked to say a few words, and as I had experienced
throughout all my other presentations, everyone was supportive.
Many came up to me afterwards to “thank me” for what I was
doing for Clemente. That was a first for me but then again, that
is the value that our elders have for our history; they are not just
satisfied to have lived it, but respect when others today try to relive
it. Perhaps no other sector of our population can appreciate the
impact that Clemente had on our community in the 1960’s and
1970’s than those who lived it under a sense of extreme racism
and discrimination. Clemente was a positive beacon for many
and these individuals will not forget that, that is why they were
thanking me.
My final day was on Monday, and it was just as meaningful as the
previous two. It was full of additional meetings with other businesses
in Paseo Boricua that also included savoring the rich Boricua
cuisine offered by many. The final group meeting was back at Casa
Puertorriqueña where Mikey Sanchez was
conducting a meeting with the managers
and organizers of the various softball
and Little Leagues. All the leagues and
teams present committed themselves
to support the Retire 21 Campaign. One
interesting note was that several of them
had already retired Clemente’s #21 from
their leagues and in a way showing Major
League Baseball that if they as Puerto
Ricans can do this in their leagues, then
Major League Baseball needs to step up
to the plate and do the correct thing,
Retire 21 y Ya!
Post Notes
Many thanks to all the Boricuas in Chicago
who helped make this trip a successful
experience for the Retire 21 Campaign.
Special thanks to Edwin Mendez for your
hospitality, Grisel “Gigi” Miranda for your tireless assistance with
all my meetings and to Amy Vega from Casa Puertorriqueña for
your data.
Paseo Boricua to Support “Retire 21” Campaign:
La Voz del Paseo Boricua
Ald. Ocasio and Mikey Sanchez
Host Special Reception with
New York entrepreneur Julio Pabón
6
Jonathan R. Lizardi
The president of Latino Sports in the Bronx, NY, Julio Pabón, made
a whirlwind tour in Chicago during the weekend of January 13-16
to launch, in this city, the “Retire 21” campaign. According to Julio
Pabon, the “Retire 21” campaign was initiated in Pittsburg during
the 2006 All Star festivities in order to create a national movement
that will bring Clemente fans of all nationalities together and
make their opinion known. Although the Pittsburg Pirates retired
Clemente’s number, this effort seeks to retire his number from the
Major Leagues, which to date has only retired Jackie Robinson’s
number 42.
On Saturday January 13, a welcoming reception was held for Julio
Pabon at La Bruquena Restaurant (2726 W. Division) hosted by
Alderman Billy Ocasio and Mikey Sanchez. They were joined by
other prominent personalities including, Hector Molina, Spanish
sports broadcaster for the Chicago Bulls, Maddi Elga Amill,
Regional director of PRFFA, Pablo Medina, City of Chicago’s Human
Relations Department, and José E. López, Executive Director of
Puerto Rican Cultural Center, among others.
At the reception, Pabón stressed the importance of retiring
Clemente’s number by recalling some of his major career
achievements on the field (.317 average in 13 seasons, winner
Continued on next page...
Celebration for Alderman Ocasio... continued from front page
session as elected official
after elected official
took to the podium to
praise the important
work and significant
accomplishments
of
the 26th ward under
Alderman
Ocasio’s
leadership.
“When it comes to the
important issues that
affect our community,
specifically affordable
housing and economic
development, Alderman
Ocasio has set a standard
in the City Council. I look
up to him as a leader, as a
colleague, and as a friend,
and am proud to support
him any way I can in this
upcoming Aldermanic
Election,”
declared
Alderman Manny Flores.
Puerto Rican nurses... continued from front page
well, and it will, our hospital will continue
bringing more nurses from Puerto Rico on
a yearly basis.” Torres said. All nine nurses
are currently living on Paseo Boricua.
“I have never seen such a nice welcome
for people the community didn’t even
know. This is very special for us and
we are very thankful. We already feel at
home, like we are family, and when I saw
the flags I said ‘Are those Real?’ I couldn’t
believe it!” said Lourdes Collazo at the
reception. The dinner was held at Nellie’s
Puerto Rican Restaurant, and included a
welcome from Maribel Torres, Dr. Angela
Valdes of the Wound Treatment Center
for Diabetes, Alderman Billy Ocasio of
the 26th Ward, and the passionate poetry
of Judy Diaz of Batey Urbano.
“Critical thinking with your heart.” The
Diabetes Center, which has the mission
“to save limbs,” is especially important to
our community since one in three Puerto
Ricans in Humboldt Park have diabetes.
After Alderman Ocasio, who was born at
Norwegian, addressed the new residents
of Paseo Boricua, Luz Bonilla, one of
the new nurses’ stated her surprise,
“The Alderman is very active in the
community, so intelligent, and really loves
his community.”
Norwegian American Hospital has been
providing quality care to this community
for over 110 years, constantly challenging
themselves to move the community
forward by setting new standards of
health care.
Dr. Angela Valdes emphasized that
they are striving towards keeping a
high standard of comprehensive care
that holistically nurtures their patients’
physical, emotional, spiritual as well as
psychosocial needs. She describes it as
La Voz del Paseo Boricua and the Juan Antonio Corretjer
Puerto Rican Cultural Center would like to extend our deepest
condolences to Batey Urbano’s Michael Reyes, on the passing of
his beloved grandfather, Humberto Reyes. Our sympathies are
with the entire Reyes family.
Because of Alderman
Ocasio’s
commitment
to
women’s
issues
State
Representative
Cynthia Soto took the
opportunity to formerly
announce
that
she
would put together and
led the “Women for
Ocasio” committee. This
Committee will bring together a group of dedicated women from throughout the 26th
ward who support Alderman Ocasio’s efforts and positions and will work towards the
Alderman’s reelection in February.
Congressman Luis Gutiérrez introduced Alderman Ocasio- not without saying a few
words of praise beforehand. “I have known and respected Billy Ocasio for many
many years. He was back then and continues to be now a person who arduously and
tirelessly stands up for what he believes in. Think of all the lives Billy Ocasio has
helped make better. We must make sure we send that fighter back to the Chicago City
Council. Our community needs his leadership.”
Finally Alderman Billy Ocasio took the stage and, after thanking the previous speakers
and those in attendance, shared with the crowd of his supporters various stories of
their community’s struggle. He recalled the good times and bad and ended by saying
“Here we are in 2007 and look at what we have been able to accomplish together. No
community has been able to do what we have done. So thank you but most importantly
thank your parents, who lived through the worst of our community’s struggles, who
when the odds were stacked against them rolled up their sleeves and said it’s time to
fight. Their dreams continue to be the force that drives this community.”
Retire 21 Campaign... continued from previous page
of four batting titles, 12 consecutive gold glove s for fielding,
MVP 1966, Rifle-armed defensive star, set N.L. mark by pacing
outfielders in assists for five years and member of an exclusive
3,000-hit club).
Clemente, similar to Robinson in the Black community, impacted
the Latino community. However, there is an element that makes
this campaign more sustainable in that Clemente exemplifies the
ultimate sacrifice that great humanitarians give for their beliefs-
Following Pabón’s engaging presentation, several commitments
were made, including one by 26th Ward Alderman Billy Ocasio,
who is committed to introducing a resolution at the Chicago
City Council urging the Major League Baseball to retire number
21. He went further and volunteered to take the message to
Congressman, Luis Gutierrez, and have him do the same in
Congress, and to present the “Retire 21” campaign to George
Pabey, Mayor of East Chicago, Indiana.
The campaign in Chicago will begin with a petition drive in local
businesses and local community organizations. In collaboration
with the “Retire 21” campaign, a film titled, The Legend of
Number 21 will be previewed on Sunday, June 10, prior to the
Puerto Rican Festivities in Humboldt Park (June 12-17 2007).
SUPPORT “RETIRE 21” CAMPAIGN:
There are numerous ways to support. To become a supporter and
participant in the “Retire 21” campaign can visit http://www.retire21.
org/. A list of businesses and community-based organizations carrying
petitions will be available in the next issue of La Voz. Donations collected
will help go to the national newspaper ads printed on the “Retire 21”
campaign. Those who donate will get credit in these newspaper ads.
Suggested Amounts are the following:
$ 2.10 = Single
$ 21.00 = Double
$ 210.00 = Triple
$ 2,100.00 = Home Run
$ 21,000.00 = GAND SLAM
Clemente’s accomplishments on and off the field, and the example he set
for millions of Latinos, deserve an equal honor. Lets Retire 21!
La Voz del Paseo Boricua
Clemente was also known for commitment to helping countries
and individuals in need; from donating time and charity work
in Latin America, to conducting baseball clinics in Pittsburgh.
Often sportswriters quoted him phonetically, and made fun
of his accent. As players were harassed, refused service and
threatened with violence, a consciousness awoke in Clemente.
Understanding the discrimination players of color and Latinos
faced, he became the spokesperson and a staunch defender for
the players.
he gave his life to helping others. In 1972, en route to deliver
relief supplies to Nicaraguans after a particularly devastating
earthquake, he died in a tragic plane crash.
7
Pick up La Voz del Paseo Boricua
at the following locations:
Division Street (Paseo Boricua)
Pagan Liquor • 3251 W. Division
Sabana Grande • 3217 W. Division
Humboldt Park Auto and Tire • 2823 W. Division
Yauco Foods • 2744 W. Division
Latin American Restaurant • 2743 W. Division
Noble Realty • 2734 W. Division
Lily’s Records • 2733 W. Division
Best Sub • 2729 W. Division
Bruquena Restaurant • 2726 W. Division
The Dance Academy of Salsa • 2725 W. Division
Coco’s Restaurant • 2723 W. Division
Tropical Hair Design • 2721 W. Division
Banco Popular • 2720 W. Division
Jayuya Barber Shop • 2719 W. Division
Salon de Belleza de PR • 2714 W. Division
Paseo Boricua Grocery • 2706 W. Division
Galeria Cuca • 2701 W. Division
Family Dollar • 2700 W.Division
Joe’s Ace Hardware • 2659 W. Division
Sportz Kutz • 2653 W. Division
Bubble Land • 2650 W. Division
Windy City Comics • 2649 W. Division
Shoe Fetish • 2647 W. Division
XcluXive DeXign • 2646 W. Division
San Pablo Medical Center • 2641 W. Division
Café Colao • 2638 W. Division
Division Oral Surgery • 2632 W. Division
Mario’s and Cesar’s Jewelry • 2629 W. Division
Mi Cantina • 2628 W. Division
Café Teatro Batey Urbano • 2620 W. Division
Pan American Movers • 2612 W. Division
Floristeria Flores de Amor • 2611 W. Division
La Municipal Supermarket • 2559 W. Division
Vino Fino Liquors • 2558 W. Division
Luquillo Barber Shop • 2552 W. Division
El Quijote • 2546 W. Division
Mas O Menos • 2539 W. Division
Montalvo Electric • 2531 W. Division
Pa Pa’s Cache Sabroso • 2517 W. Division
Latina Soul • 2515 W. Division
Botanica Victoria • 2510 W. Division
YGO Salon • 2508 W. Division
La Nueva Borinquena Foods • 2500 W. Division
Nellie’s Restaurant • 2458 W. Division
El Paisano • 2429 W. Division
Luz a la Familia • 2425 W. Division
La Voz del Paseo Boricua
North Avenue
8
Northwestern Deli • 2349 W. North
La Junquena • 2501 W. North
Ibis Restaurant • 2509 W. North
Kosmic Food Mart • 2525 W. North
Family Health Center • 2556 W. North
Yabucoa • 2600 W. North
Las Villas Bakery • 2608 W North
El Mamey Lounge • 2645 W. North
Wright Wood Auto Parts • 2647 W. North
Ricky’s General Store Botanica • 2657 W. North
Tip Top Liquors • 2700 W. North
Family Dollar • 2720 W. North
Cermak Produce • 2731 W. North
J. Discount Pharmacy • 2735 W. North
T & C Meat Market • 2812 W. North
Migdalia’s Beauty • 3134 W. North
La Fama • 3207 W. North
Roeser’s Bakery • 3216 W. North
Fascination Hair Salon • 3250 W. North
Latino Food Produce & Grocery • 3312 W. North
Tropical Taste Restaurant • 3330 N. North
Disco Sound • 3332 N. North
San Jose Bakery • 3335 W. North
Botanica Yemaya • 3505 W. North
Lissette Flower Shop • 3511 W. North
El Vigia • 3612 W. North
Latin Grocery and Liquor • 3800 W. North
Sabor Latino • 3810 W. North
La Isla Pequeña • 3910 W. North
La Centra • 3911 W. North
Armitage Avenue
El Mundo Travel • 2904 W. Armitage
Joe’s Hair Studio • 3005 W. Armitage
Plaza Food Mart • 3011 W. Armitage
Humboldt Liquor • 3013 W. Armitage
A+M Television • 3047 W. Armitage
Center for Changing Lives • 3051 W. Armitage
San Juan Star Travel • 3066 W. Armitage
La Bomba Restaurant • 3221 W. Armitage
Armitage Family Practice • 3224 W. Armitage
Ace of Fades • 3231 W. Armitage
Caribe Funeral Home • 3314 W. Armitage
Pan De Vida • 3333 W. Armitage
Armitage Produce • 3334 W. Armitage
Tianguis Grocery Store • 3552 W. Armitage
New Utuado Barber Shop • 3741 W. Artimage
Arco Iris • 4007 W. Armitage
Music Express • 4048 W. Armitage
Ace of Fades • 3231 W. Armitage
Fullerton Avenue
Cocina Boricua • 2420 W. Fullerton
Hector’s Barber Shop • 2547 W Fullerton Ave
Albany Foods • 3048 W. Fullerton
Sabor Latino • 3400 W. Fullerton
Chicago Style Music • 3442 W. Fullerton
Dimartino’s Restaurant • 3503 W. Fullerton
Ideal Furniture • 3635 W. Fullerton
Tania • 3704 W. Fullerton
Botanica • 3715 W. Fullerton
Milwaukee Avenue
Margaritas Hair Design • 1925 N. Milwaukee
Los Cuatro Caminos • 2303 N. Milwaukee
China Buffet • 2531-39 N. Milwaukee
Boricua Barbershop • 2545 N. Milwaukee
Disco City • 2632 N. Milwaukee
The Pump Room • 2634 N. Milwaukee
Da Hot Zone • 2636 N. Milwaukee
Kedzie Boulevard
Puerto Rico Cafeteria • 1532 N. Kedzie
PAI Barber Shop • 1608 N. Kedzie
Nieves Food Mart • 2501 N. Kedzie
Banco Popular • 2525 N. Kedzie Blvd.
Interested in advertising your business in the pages of
La Voz del Paseo Boricua?
Contact: 773.342-8023 or lavoz@prcc-chgo.org
Western Avenue
El Rinconcito Sabroso • 1304 N. Western
LuckyFood & Smoke Shop • 1358 N. Western
Carlos Food & Liquor • 1401 N. Western
El Jibaro Comida P.R • 1432 N. Western
Margaritas Hair Design • 1925 N. Western
Quizpes Fashion • 2242 N. Western
California Street
A & D Unisex Salon • 1001 N. California
Gonzalez Tire Shop • 1011 N. California
Silvia Grocery • 1026 N. California
Maiz Restaurant • 1041 N. California
Adams and Son • 1057 N. California
T & J Enterprise • 1133 N. California
Garcia Tire and Auto • 1211 N. California
Parkview Dollar and Mini Mart • 1618 N. California
Manna for Life • 1664 N. California
Borinquen Restaurant • 1720 N California
Mini Foods & Liquors • 1900 N. California
Soto Tire Shop • 1901 N. California
Los Artistas Food & Liquor • 2001 N. California
noFriction Café • 2023 N. California
Metro. Financial Solutions • 2023 N. California
California Grocery • 2058 N. California
Pancho Cafeteria • 2200 N. California
Digame • 2504 N. California
Kimball Street
La Palma Restaurant • 1340 N. Kimball
El Secreto Escondido • 1656 N. Kimball
Food Mart • 1700 N. Kimball
Amigos Food • 1859 N. Kimball
Brisa Foods • 2156 N. Kimball
Otros negocios
Loss Leader • 1000 N. Mozart
Homan Food • 3358 W. Lemoyne
La Nueva Puerto Rico • 2559 W. Augusta
Diana’s Food Restaurant • 1000 W. Francisco
Lucy’s Food Store • 3500 W. Hirsch
Urban Cuts • 5344 W. Diversey
Frank’s BarberShop • 2405 W. Homer St
La Voz Hispana • 2514 N Laramie
Organizaciones comunitarias
Bickerdike Redevelopment • 2550 W. North
DSBDA • 2459 W. Division
Puerto Rican Cultural Center • 2739-41 W. Division
Casa Puertorriqueña • 1237 N. California
Casa Central • 1343 N. California
Las Moradas • 1307-25 N. California
Association House • 1116 N. Kedzie
Hispanic Housing • 1402 N. Kedzie
McCormick YMCA • 1834 N. Lawndale
Humboldt Park Field House • 1400 N. Sacramento
Humboldt Park Libary • 1605 N. Troy
YMCA H.P. Head Start • 1626 N. California
Universidades
Humboldt Park Vocational Center
University of Illinois at Chicago
Northeastern Illinois University
University of Chicago
DePaul University
Malcolm X College
Dr. Pedro Albizu Campos
High School insert
Countries are strong to the extent they
love their children... Countries are free to
the extent they respect their children.
Dr. Pedro Albizu Campos
Puerto Rican High
School Highlights
Dr. Pedro Albizu Campos High School students
graduate from HPVeC CNA Program
by Adriana rosales
by matthew rodríguez
We were privileged enough to attend
Swedish Covenant Hospital and St.
Joseph’s Nursing Home to care for
patients. I wasn’t really interested
or excited to take on my priority as
a nurse aid, but the more I saw the
patients and residents, the more
it made me care for them as if they
were my relatives.
Four mid-year graduates have
successfully transitioned to higher
education and are currently
enrolled in Humboldt Park
Vocational Education Center
(HPVEC).
There was one resident in particular
who pulled my heart into my work.
Her name was Alice Hong, and I was
assigned to be her nursing assistant.
She was a cute and very kindhearted
individual. Seeing her from one day
to the next made me realize that in
order to be successful in the medical
field as well as any other fields, one
must care and love what one does.
Fifteen students are dually enrolled
in high school while taking college
level courses at the HPVEC, thanks
to the help of our newly elected
City Clerk of Chicago, Miguel Del
Valle and the Dean of the HPVEC,
Madeline Roman-Vargas.
Six amazing students graduated
with a Certified Nursing Assistant
certificate from the HPVEC.
Four additional students have
successfully participated in the
Pipelines to Healthcare Careers, a
collaboration between the HPVEC
and UIC’s School of Public Health
thanks to the help of our State
Representative Cynthia Soto.
Two
more
students
have
been selected to be “Health
Ambassadors” in the Community
of Wellness’ Consortium to Lower
Obesity in Chicago Children
(CLOCC) internship program.
Throughout the program, my peers
and I attended classes Tuesday
through Thursday from 6-9 pm, and
we also had to do clinical hours on
Saturday and Sunday. We learned the
basics of nursing care, and we learned
how to care for people physically as
well as emotionally. The class was
tiring but well worth all of the time.
So, I guess it’s okay to say that she
was what motivated me to pursue
becoming a Certified Nursing
Assistant. She helped open my eyes
to see that there are people who need
other people’s assistance in providing
for them. The sad thing about it is
that many of those people don’t have
anybody who’s willing to do so.
PACHS staff attends winter work retreat Staff Defeat
By gloria ortíz
Students in Annual
On the weekend of January 13, Dr. staff of the school decided they will
Pedro Albizu Campos High School focus their attention on enhancing B-Ball Game
had its annual winter work retreat.
This retreat provided the staff of
the school time to step back and
reflect on the academic and social
performance of the school in relation
to its longstanding mission. More
specifically, the retreat provided an
opportunity to assess the progress
made since the beginning of the
school year to develop goals and
strategies for the remainder of the
academic year. The instructional
team, composed of the teachers of
the school, set the goal to continue
the process of courses’ development
in accordance with Illinois state
educational standards. This team
also agreed in continuing their efforts
to increase reading and writing skills
throughout all the classes.The support
their mentorship efforts. The idea
More specifically, the retreat provided
an opportunity to assess the progress
made since the beginning of the school
year, and developed goals and strategies
for the remainder of the academic year.
is for teachers to become more
proactive in their interactions with
students. In addition, they will focus
on improving students’ transition to
college and/or employment. Also,
this team will continue to encourage
students’ participation in community
building events. Finally, the director
and administrative staff of the school
will concentrate on bringing the
necessary resources and funding to
preserve the school.
By matthew rodríguez
The court was set and tensions were
high after one full week of trash
talking. Who would live up to their
word? Who would leave the court
victorious? The PACHS staff took
the court with a confident calmness
about them, as the students bounced
with excitement. The students
started the game off strong. Their
efforts, however, had no impact on
the composure of the staff. Students’
shots were blocked, ankles broken,
and faces dropped off. It was an
amazing sight to see, older, often
considered “elderly” staff slowly
pulling away. In the end, the staff
had a resounding victory of 124-to78! The staff will be ready for the
rematch next year.
Dr. Pedro Albizu Campos Puerto Rican High School (PACHS) 2739-41 W. Division Street • 773-342-8022
A member of Youth Connections Charter Schools (YCCS) and the Alternative Schools Network (ASN)
La Voz del Paseo Boricua
Our after school program is in place
to service nearly forty students
until the end of the school year. This
program has several components,
each of which provides students
with skills and a stipend of
money each month. Some of the
skills include: learning computer
software in the production of
music and radio programming;
learning technological applications
for design, layout and newspaper
production; acting for communitybased theatrical productions, and
more!
On Saturday, January 6, five Dr. Pedro
Albizu Campos High School students
graduated from the Wilbur Wright
College Humboldt Park Vocational
Education Center’s Certified Nursing
Assistant Program. I was one of the
students who participated in the twomonth class. I must admit it was a
very challenging task to accomplish,
but it was an intriguing experience!
9
February 2007 Update: CO-OP Humboldt Park
Community of Wellness
Contact: Miguel Morales • CO-OP Humboldt Park • 773.278.6737 • 2703 W. Division Street
What is Diabetes?
Miguel Angel Morales
FARM – CITY
MARKET BASKET
PROGRAM
on Paseo Boricua
In collaboration with Growing Power
Rainbow Farmers Cooperative,
CO-OP Humboldt Park will launch
a program that allows residents to
buy an affordable assortment of
fruits and vegetables on a weekly
basis throughout the fall, winter
and spring seasons. We know how
important fresh produce is to our
health and fighting disease, so we
urge residents to subscribe to this
service. You can choose one of the
following baskets.
Link Card is accepted!
Choose The Program
That Works For You!
• Farm-City Market Basket
For $15 a week, we guarantee your home
access to safe, healthy produce. Our basket
contains a variety of fruits and vegetables to
feed a family of 2-4 for a whole week.
• Junior/Senior Market Basket (Singles)
For $8 a week, we offer a basket of fresh,
healthy fruits and vegetables that is half the
size of the Farm-City Market Basket and is
senior-friendly.
La Voz del Paseo Boricua
• Sustainable Box (Organic)
10
For $26 a week, enjoy a combination of certified
organic, sustainable and eco-friendly produce
grown by members of our farmer’s co-op. Take
care of the earth and experience a culinary feast
each week.
• Chicken Dinner (Organic)
For $16 add an Amish pasture raised organic
chicken to your order! Just $30 for a market
basket with Chicken or $41 for a sustainable box
with chicken. Last month, La Voz reported that a recent study found
that 21% of Puerto Ricans in Humboldt Park have been
diagnosed with diabetes. This and other alarming findings of the study reveal the highest recorded rates of
the diabetes in the entire United States. The death
rate due to diabetes for Humboldt Park Puerto Ricans
is three times the average of the US population. This is
another indicator of the growing rates of obesity in the
US, which affect all populations. Obesity is a risk factor
for metabolic syndrome, heart disease, breast cancer,
colon and diabetes. So, what exactly is diabetes?
Senator William Delgado Convenes
“Entre Nosotros,
Latino Statewide
Initiative on Diabetes”
Discussion on Diabetes public policy and
how it affects Latinos in Illinois
Friday, March 16, 8pm - 4:30pm
Let’s begin by explaining how your body processes fuel.
When you eat food that contains starches or sugar such
as potatoes, fruit, or rice, you are consuming carbohydrates. Your body breaks down carbohydrates into
simple sugar called glucose during digestion. The body’s
cells use glucose as fuel. What allows cells to absorb
this fuel is insulin, a hormone produced by the pancreas. The pancreas is part of the endocrine system in your
body that produces hormones (chemical messengers) in
order regulate body functions.
Iglesia Rebaño Compañerismo, 2435 W. Division
Sponsored by Senator William Delgado, Alderman Billy
Ocasio, CO-OP Humboldt Park, Puerto Rican Cultural Center,
Norwegian American Hospital, Sinai Health System,
the Community of Wellness, HPEP, CLOCC,
University of Illinois School of Public Health, American
Diabetes Association, National Kidney Foundation of Illinois,
and Rush University Medical Center.
Diabetes Resolution in City Council
Type 1 diabetes, or juvenile diabetes, represents about
10% of all cases of diabetes in North America and occurs
when the pancreas stops producing insulin.
Type 2 diabetes, or adult onset diabetes, is the most
common form of diabetes and is becoming more common among children. Type 2 is most associated with
obesity. In fact, 90% of those who have it are also obese.
In type 2 diabetes, either cells become resistant to insulin or the pancreas doesn’t produce enough insulin.
As a result, glucose builds up in the blood instead of
being absorbed by cells. As a result, your cells may be
starved for energy. Over time, high blood glucose levels
may hurt your eyes, kidneys, nerves or heart.
In the next few issues of La Voz, CO-OP Humboldt Park
will address diabetes and other illnesses related to obesity, treatments and interventions in the community
that address kidney disease, and metabolic syndrome.
In response to the startling diabetes task force findings,
¡Muévete!
CO-OP Humboldt
Park Aerobics
Aerobics
every
Mon.,
Weds. and
Fri., 6:30pm
– 7:30pm
at the
Humboldt
Park
FieldHouse
(1440 N Sacramento).
For more information,
call Leony at (773) 278-6737.
Alderman Billy Ocasio introduced a resolution to the
Committee on Health of the Chicago City Council on
Monday, January 29 based on the findings from the
Diabetes Task Force Report and Study on the
Diabetes Epidemic, which was published in the
Journal of Community Health.
community allies led by State Senator William Delgado
are holding a summit on Friday, March 16 to provide
a vision for policy that will affect diabetes treatment
and prevention: “Entre Nosotros, Latino Statewide Initiative on Diabetes.” Please join us for this important
event. For more information, contact CO-OP HP at 773
278-6737 or visit the websites listed below.
This information was gathered from the American Diabetes Association website (http://www.diabetes.org/home.
jsp), and Medline Plus article on diabetes type 1 and II
(http://medlineplus.gov/).
FREE PRODUCE
through the PRODUCEMOBILE
You can
receive
March 5 & April 2 • Humboldt Park Field • 10am
One person per household can pick up food!
For more information:
please contact Miguel Morales,
773/278-6737
Additional PRODUCEMOBILES
• McCormick Tribune YMCA parking lot
(1834 N Lawndale Ave)
Every first Tuesday of the month:
This program is
provided to you by:
CO-OP Humboldt Park, Greater
Chicago Food Depository. Space
provided to this program
by the Chicago Park District
(Humboldt Park)
Next Date: Tues, Mar. 6 and April 3, 10:30am
Call 773 235-2525 for more information.
• Humboldt Park Field House
(sponsored by San Lucas Church)
Every third Monday of the month:
Next Date: Mon., Feb. 19 & Mar. 19, 10am
Call Rosa at 773 227-5747 for more information.
National Boricua Human Rights Network (NBHRN) 2739 W. Division Street, Chicago IL 60622
February 2007 • info@boricuahumanrights.org • www.boricuahumanrights.org • www.presospoliticospuertorriquenos.org
Diverse Panel Discusses Race & War
CHICAGO - A diverse crowd of more
than sixty gathered Friday, January
12, at the Puerto Rican Cultural
Center at 2700 W. Haddon to hear a
panel of scholars discuss two closely
related topics, race and war. The
panel included Dr. Ghada Talhami,
Professor, Lake Forest College, Doug
Gills, Professor, University of Illinois
at Chicago, Raja Halwani, Professor,
School of the Art Institute, and José
López, Executive Director, Puerto
Rican Cultural Center. The event was
organized by Peace Pledge Chicago
and hosted by the Puerto Rican
Cultural Center.
Together, the panelists presented
a global picture of race and war.
Each speaker approached the
racist nature of war from his or her
own perspective, bringing both
historical and personal insight to an
understanding of how racist attitudes
fuel conflict and continue to feed the
militaristic foreign policies of the
United States. Doctor Talhami, a
Palestinian, and Professor Halwani,
who is Lebanese, tied racist attitudes
toward Arabs directly to Americans’
perception of the so-called war on
terror. Professor Gillis spoke about
the continued economic isolation
of African Americans and Latinos
perpetuated by the continued
drain of war funding on domestic
programs. Professor López cited the
history of Puerto Rico as an American
colony and tied race and colonialism
together as inseparable forces for
oppression and conflict. The program
ended on an upbeat note with a rap/
poem by Café Batey member Michael
Reyes.
Happy Birthday Oscar!
prison – the only memories she has of
him. Michelle Morales, coordinator of
the National Boricua Human Rights
Network, spoke of the campaign to release
the prisoners and the emphasized the
importance of writing to both prisoners,
Oscar and Carlos Alberto Torres. It was
On Thursday, January 18, the youth
of Paseo Boricua gathered at the
Batey Urbano for an educational yet
competitive game of Jeopardy where
the incentives were not only building
relationships through interaction but
simply to learn about Puerto Rican
culture (not to mention bragging rights
for the winning team).
The topics ranged from Civil Liberties
and Repression to the island of Vieques
to Puerto Rican Political Prisoners. For
many, the Jeopardy game served as
merely a review of previously learned
Puerto Rican history. However, for
others the game was a valuable source of
new knowledge. Not only did our host
provide the correct answer, she shed
further light on the topics by giving
detailed explanations and historical
background for each one.
Friendly competition flavored the
night as teams of five competed
against eachother. Even within this
intimate group of enthusiastic Puerto
Ricans, diversity prevailed as graduate
and undergraduate students, teachers,
Campos high school administrators,
Batey collective members and others
formed two lively teams and shared a
time well-spent.
La Red on the internet:
www.boricuahumanrights.org
www.presospoliticospuertorriquenos.org
a very emotional evening ending with
singing Happy Birthday to a picture of
Oscar and sharing a cake that Lourdes
had baked for him.
For more info: visit the National Boricua
Human Rights Network website at www.
boricuahumanrights.org or email us at
info@boricuahumanrights.org.
New Resources!!!
• NBHRN on MySpace: myspace.com/nbhrn
• View 7 minute video online “Dissent is Not a
Crime” on Puerto Rican PPs produced by Greg
Bozell and NBHRN
• View NBHRN video on Int’l Human Rights
Day 2006 with Elvira Arellano, the Mexican
woman immigrant who has sought sanctuary
in Adalberto United Methodist Church on Paseo
Boricua, Centro Sin Fronteras and the families of
Carlos Alberto Torres and Oscar López Rivera in
Chicago.
imprisonment of Puerto Rican political
prisoners Carlos Alberto Torres and
Oscar López Rivera. This fast received
much media attention in Puerto Rico.
As part of a reflection during the fast,
compañero Oscar wrote the following
article.
At 6:00 AM I began the fast. I had
already been awake for an hour.
During this time, I had stretched,
done abdominal exercises, and had
managed to listen to the National
Radio program of Venezuela. I had also
filled my tank with many hopes and
the desire to live so that the fast would
be a good and profitable experience.
National Radio of Venezuela had a
segment in which Chávez spoke of his
experience in prison, of how the 26
months in prison had strengthened
him and how painful it had been
to part from his compañera, two
daughters, and son. This made me
think about the 26 years that Haydee
and Carlos have spent in prison. I
also realized that the compañero José
Gonzáles has been in prison for more
than 26 months. I hope that the time
that he has already spent in prison has
strengthened him as it did Chávez…
full text of the article available at:
http://boricuahumanrights.org
In Spanish (with news clippings):
http://
presospoliticospuertorriquenos.org
write to the patriots
Carlos Alberto Torres, #88976-024
Born: September 19, 1952
FCI Oxford, PO Box 1000,
Oxford, WI 53952
Oscar López Rivera, #87651-024
Born: January 6, 1943
USP Terre Haute, PO Box 12015,
Terre Haute, IN 47801
La Voz del Paseo Boricua
January 6th is the day that Puerto
Ricans celebrate Three Kings Day. It also
the birthday of political prisoner Oscar
Lopez Rivera. On Saturday, January 6,
2007 several dozen members of Chicago’s
Paseo Boricua community gathered
together to celebrate his birthday and to
share memories of Oscar. His younger
brother, José López – Executive Director
of the Puerto Rican Cultural Center
– shared childhood memories he had
of Oscar as well as Oscar’s work in the
independence movement.
Lourdes
Lugo, Oscar’s niece and Director of the
Dr. Pedro Albizu Campos High School,
shared memories of visiting Oscar in
NBHRN and Batey Urbano The Fast of November 22-23
face off in Puerto Rican
Oscar López Rivera
Political Prisoners On November 22-23, the Comité ProDerechos Humanos sponsored a one day
Jeopardy Game
fast to bring attention to the continued
11
Alderman Billy Ocasio
26th Ward
Represents the Very Best in Our Community!
Endorsed by Mayor Richard Daley, Congressman Luis Gutierrez, Fraternal
Order of Police, IVI-IPO, City Clerk Miguel del Valle, Commissioner Joe
Berrios, Commissioner Roberto Maldonado, State Representative Cynthia
Soto, Chicago Federation of Labor, SEIU-Illinois Council.
Ways to Vote
in
th
Ward
the 26
1
Early Voting
Early Voting Place in the 26th Ward:
Humboldt Park Library (North & Troy)
February 5 – 22
Mon. – Fri: 9am – 5pm • Sat. & Sun: 9am - 12pm
Other Locations:
1st Ward - Goldblatts Building, 1615 W. Chicago Ave.
27th Ward - Union Park, 1501 W. Randolph St.
31st Ward - Blackhawk Park, 2318 N. Lavergne Ave.
35th Ward - Logan Square Library, 3030 W. Fullerton Ave.
Election Board Headquarters, 69 W. Washington, Lower Level
La Voz del Paseo Boricua
2 Absentee Ballots!
12
3
Election Day
(6am-7pm)
Tues. Feb. 27
For more information on the upcoming elections, please contact:
Board of Elections- (312) 269-7900 or www.chicagoelections.com.
Stand up for your community.
Vote Billy Ocasio February 27, 2007
To help Billy fight for the 26th ward, call 773-235-2459.
www.billyocasio.com
Paid for by the Friends of Billy Ocasio