II - Boston's Latino Community History - Northeastern University

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Inquilinos Boricuas en Accion 

Table of Contents 

~ Agenda ~ 

~ IBA Mission Statement ~ 

~ Finance Report ~ 

~ Youth Report ~ 

~ IBA Elder Care Report ~ 

~ Arts and Culture Report ~ 

~ Escuelita Boriken's Report ~ 

~ Juntos Luchamos Family Support Program's Report ~ 

~ V olunteers/Board ~ 

(Media Clippings and Board Information) 

~ IBA Board of Directors List and Organizational Chart ~

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V. 

Inquilinos Boricuas en Acci6n 

. United Way Site Visit 

Thursday, December 9, 1999 

2:00 p.rn. - 2:45 p.m. 

"Teamwork is the fuel that allows common people to produce uncommon results. " 

-Unknown 

Welcome and Introductions 

Jolanda Tubens, IBA Board President 

Willie Rodriguez, IBA Board Member 

rnA's Turnaround and Re-building Phase 

David J. Cortiel/o, Transitional Manager 

Finance Report 

Ron Holman, Finance Administrator 

Program Presentations 

~ Resident Services, Yvette Rodriguez, Resident Services Director 

~ Technology, Jason Bressner, Volunteer 

~ Arts and Culture, Alex Alvear, Performing Arts Director 

Wrap-up 

David J. Cortiel/o, Transitional Manager 

5 Minutes 

10 Minutes 

5 Minutes 

17 Minutes 

2 Minutes

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Inquilinos Boricuas en Acci6n 

lnquilinos Boricuas en Accl6n , a private, nonprofit and 

community-based organization was established 31 years ago to 

develop and empower the Villa Victoria community in Boston's 

South End. The organizatron is dedicated to (a) fostering the 

human, social and economic well-being of Villa Victoria 

residents, (b) promoting and advocating for Latinos citywide, 

and (c) perpetuating the rich Latino cultural and artistic 

heritage. 

IBA was established in 1968 largely by the Puerto Rican 

residents of Parcel 19, a South End community whose 

existence was threatened by Urban Renewal. Rallying to 

the cry, "No nos mudaremos de la Parcela 19" (We shall 

not be moved from Parcel 19'), the residents conducted a 

multi-year campaign that won them the right to control 

the redevelopment process of their community. The result 

was the creation of Villa Victoria, an 884 unit low-and 

moderate-Income neighborhood which today houses more 

than 3,000 residents. IBA is proud to hold the 

distinction of being one of the most successful community 

development models in the United States.

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FINANCE DEPARTMENT 

Purpose: The accounting/finance department provides financial, treasury, 

budgeting and personnel service to the programmatic components of IBA. 

We provide accountability and feedback to the Board of IBA, management 

and individual programs. A final purpose is to convey this information to outside 

sources accurately and on time. 

ACTIVITIES > Adapted the existing accounting system to meet 

the needs of a social service agency, 

> Automated the financial statements, 

> Established a bottom up budgeting process, 

> Established an accounting manual for most major 

aspects of the agency, and 

> Hired and trained new personnel. 

OUTCOMES ~ IBA improved its financial stability. 

~ We have begun a budgeting process that involves 

planning by departments and ultimately more 

accountability . 

~ Fully automated all transactions. 

~ Created accounting procedures and corrected 

general ledger. 

~ Obtained clean financial audits. 

NUMBER OF VOLUNTEERS 

3 Volunteers were incorporated into the activities of 

the department during the Summer. In addition the 

IBA Board's Finance Committee has three additional 

volunteers involved. 

December 9, 1999

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October 28,1999 

The Board of Directors of 

Inquilinos Boricuas en Acdon (IBA) 

405 Shawmut Ave. 

Boston, MA 02118 

Paul Damiano, CPA 

Kevin Burk, CPA 

In planning and performing our audit of the financial statements of Inquilinos Boricuas en Accion, Inc. (IBA) for 

the year ended June 30, 1999, we considered the organization's internal controls to plan our auditing 

procedures for the purpose of expressing our opinion on the financial statements and not to provide assurance 

on internal controls. 

However, during our audit, we noted certain matters involving the internal controls and other operational matters 

that are presented for your consideration. We previously reported on the organization's internal control structure 

in our report dated October 28, 1999. This letter does not affect our report dated October 28, 1999 on the 

financial statements of IBA. 

We will review the status of these comments during our next audit engagement. Our comments and 

recommendations, all of which have been discussed with appropriate members of management, are intended to 

improve with internal control structure or results in other operating efficiencies. We will be pleased to discuss 

these comments in further detail at your convenience, to perform any additional study of these matters, or to 

assist you in implementing the recommendations. Our comments are summarized as follows: 

Contract Compliance: 

During our testing of compliance with the contract from the Office of Child Care Services (OCCS) for Income 

Eligible Child Care Services, we found that one out of eight child's files did not contain a birth certificate. 

Although this is a minor oversight, all files should contain birth certificates as required by OCCS. 

DMH Contract: 

During our audit we noted that program costs relating to the mental health program and the contract with the 

Department of Mental Health (DMH) were not properly allocated to the program through the general ledger. 

This proper allocation is important because the DMH contract is a cost reimbursement contract and is subject 

to a possible pay back to DMH if all funding received was not spent. We recommend costs be allocated 

monthly to this program to accurately reflect costs to date. 

6 Blackstone Valley Place • Suite 109 • Lincoln, RI 02865 • Tel.: (401) 333-2880 • Fax: (401) 334-0261

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Prior Year Management Letter: 

As part of our audit, we reviewed the status of the prior year management letter comments with 

management. Based on our observations and discussions with management, IBA has greatly improved its 

internal control over operations. With few exceptions as noted above, management has implemented our 

recommendations and the controls appear to be working effectively. 

We wish to thank Ron Holman and his staff for their support and assistance during our audit. 

This report is intended solely for the information and use of the Board of Directors, management and others 

within the organization. 

Paul Damiano, CPA

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Paul Damiano. 

Certified Public Accountant, P.c. 

INQUILINOS BORICUAS EN ACCION, INC. 

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 

For the Year Ended June 30,. 1999 

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6 Blackstone Valley Place Suite 109 Lincoln, RI 02865 Tel.: (401)333-2880 Fax: (401) 334-0261


CONSOLIDATED STATEME,NT OF AcnvmEs 

For the Year Ended June 30,1999 

(With Comparative Totals For 1998) 

Total 

Total 

Temporarily All Funds All Funds 

Unrestricted Restricted 1999 1998 

Revenues and other support: 

Contributions 

United Way $ 393,925 $ 393,925 $ 303,882 

Other 16,540 $ 10,775 27,315 105,500 

State and local assistance 275,935 40,312 316,247 61,134 

Federal financial assistance 206,303 206,303 33,409 

Government service fees 168,046 168,046 459,026 

Program service fees 124,897 124,897 72,954 

Investment return 5,070 5,070 2,528 

Rental Income 271,982 271,982 256,643 

Management Fees 180,275 180,275 

Other income 15,460 15,460 13,685 

Net assets released from restrictions: 

Satisfaction of program restrictions 14,661 {14,661 } 

Total resources 1,673,094 36,426 1,709,520 1,308,761 

Program expenses: 

Arte Y Cultura 96,012 96,012 80,999 

Jorge Hernandez Cultural Center 158,701 158,701 159,066 

Development 200,025 200,025 224,788 

Human services: 

. - : 

Outreach 1,722 

Elderly 43,997 43,997 79,262 

Mental health . 148,806 148,806 135,513 

Youth 55,876 55,876 68,685 

DMR 46,832 

Escuelita Boriken 378,814 378,814 322,158 

Total program services 1,082,231 1,082,231 1,119,025 

Supporting services: 

Fundraising 45,377 45,377 19,969 

Administrative and general 526,563 526,563 299;986 

Total supporting services ' 571,940 571,940 319,955 

Total expenses 1,654,171 1,654,171 1,438,980 

Changes in net assets before 

forgiveness of debt 18,923 36,426 55,349 (130,219) 

Forgiveness of debt 166,000 166,000 163,896 

Changes in net assets 184,923 36,426 221,349 33,677 

Balances at beginning of year 558,206 255,076 813,282 779,605 

Balances at end of year $ 743,129 $ 291,502 $ 1,034,631 $ 813,282 

** Balances have been restated (See Note 14) 

See Accompanying Notes 

-4-





















CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF FUNCTIONAL EXPENSES 

For the Year Ended June 30, 1999 

(WIth Comparative Totals For 1998) 

Total Total Total 

Program Supporting All Funds 

Services Services 1999 

Salaries and wages: 

Direct salaries and wages $ 457,283 $ 197,419 $ 654,702 

Salary fringe 79,574 23,214 102,788 

Total salaries and wages 536,857 220,633 757,490 

Operating overhead expenses: 

Professonal fees and contracts 89,027 218,279 307,306 

Program supplies 37,203 18,164 55,367 

Occupancy 102,293 102,293 

Interest 75,182 75,182 

Other 10,516 16,933 27,449 

Telephone 1,934 30,131 32,065 

Equipment rental and repair 18,873 19,288 38,161 

Bar expenses 10,882 10,882 

Travel 4,776 653 5,429 

Utilities 22,141 13,707 35,848 

Real estate taxes 28,567 28,567 

Advertising 2,364 2,776 5,140 

Meals 27,995 1,934 29,929 

Conference and training 4,000 3,901 7,901 

Printing and. publications 1,133 1,839 2,972 

Security 7,421 7,421 

Postage 898 430 1,328 

Bad debt expense 10,685 10,685 

Total operating overhead expenses 445,205 338,720 - 783,925 

Other expenses: 

Depreciation 100,169 12,587 112,756 

Total expenses $ 1,082,231 $ 571,940 $ 1,654,171 

See Accompanying Notes 

-5- 

Total 

All Funds 

1998 

$ 657,575 

109,461 

767,036 

137,552 

36,866 

90,629 

74,695 

31,951 

12,147 

40,228 

7,386 

11,254 

30,253 

36,529 

4,253 

28,688 

7,455 

2,066 

6;573 

829 

4,107 

563,461 

108,483 

$1,438,980

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.' ... -';'. . .:,:;,' 

:IN Q .. U]oLINO ~ H 

" ;j.. . .. 

PARTNERS 

YOUTH DEPARTMENT 

Purpose: The YOUTH DEPARTMENT is dedicated to developing effective 

youth that are intellectually reflective, en route to meaningful work, good 

citizens, caring, ethical and healthy. Weare dedicated to a comprehensive 

and strategic plan for preparing young people for adulthood. 

IDA's youth program has established partnership with 

several agencies and cOnllnunity organizations. 

~ CITY YEAR is a key collaborator for our youth 

program. They assigned 5 core members to work 

with the Villa Kids and Los J ovenes Clubs. They 

assisted the after school coordinator with the 

activities of the program from Monday to 

Thursday. 

~ BLACKSTONE COMMUNITY CENTER: 

assisted with program developing by providing 

swimming pool and gym facilities for the after 

school participants. 

~ BOSTON POLICE DEPARTMENT: numerous 

officers served as resources and trainers for the 

Peer leaders program and escort on field trips. 

~ COOPER COMMUNITY CENTER: Peer 

leaders program sponsored round tables at IBA. 

~ TEEN EMPOWERMENT: assisted with 

program planning. 

~ YOUTH WORKER ALLIANCE: assisted with 

program coordination. 

December 9, 1999

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NUMBER OF 

VOLUNTEERS 

FUNDERS 

ACTIVITES 

NUMBER OF YOUTH 

SEVED 

OUTCOMES 

20 

Boston Police Department, Massachusetts Housing 

Finance Agency, The Private Industry Council (PIC), 

SNAP, Boston Youth Fund. 

During the year the program plans and offers activities 

to support the needs of the participants as well as the 

goals of the program: 

• Round tables to discuss specific issues 

• Community meetings 

• Community work: adopted a green space which 

they cleaned and planted seeds 

• Movie nights 

• Cultural awareness 

• Monthly workshops 

• Recreational activities 

• Field trips 

• Support groups 

• After school programs 

• Tutoring 

• Homework 

• Art and craft classes 

• Twice a week visits to the Library 

• Gym and swimming classes 


• Technology-focus 

During the fiscal year the program served 122 youth 

between ages 6 to 20 years. 

The program: 

• Prepared 47 youth through the Cacique Summer 

Program and the peer leaders program for 

leadership roles in the community. 

• Empowered youth to take control of their futures 

by establishing life goals and career objectives. 

• Provided the youth with more job opportunities 

• Create a drug-free environment in the community 

December 9, 1999

DECEMBER 1999 

Sunday 

Monday 

5 6 

8- IOam CTI 

IO-2pm City Year/CISCO Prgm. 

I-5pm Open Lab 2-3pm Open Lab 

3-5 :30pm After schoo l Prg. 

5:30-6pm Open Lab 

12 13 

8-10am CTI 

I 0-2pm City Year/CIS CO Prgm. 

I-Spm Open Lab 2-3pm Open Lab 

3-5:30pm After school Prg. 


19 20 

8-IOam CTI 

I 0-2pm City Year/CISCO Prgm. 

1-5pm Open Lab 2-3pm Open Lab 

3-5:30pm After school Prg. 


6-7:30pm PowerPoint 97 

EL BATEY TECHNOLOGY CENTER 

CALENDAR 

Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday 

1 2 3 

9-1 pm CY ICisco 9-lpm CTI 8-9am Open Lab 

1-3pm cn 1-3pm Open Lab 9-1pm CTI 

3-5:30pm After School Prgm. 3-5:30pm After School Prgm. 1-5pm City Year 

6:30-9:30pm Web Design 2 

7 8 9 10 

9-1pm CTI 9- I pm CY ICisco 8-9am Open Lab 

I-3pm Microsoft Word 97 1-3pm CTI 9-lpm cn 9-1pm CTI 

3-5:3Opm After School Prg. 3-5:30pm After School Prgm. 1-2pm Intro to Windows 95-98/NT 1-5pm City Year 

5:30-6pm Open Lab 6-8pm Intro to Computer 2-3pm Open Lab 6:30-9:30pm Web Design 2 

6-8pm Excel 97 

3-5:30pm After School Prgm. 

14 15 16 17 

9-1pm CTI 9-1 pm CY ICisco 9-lpm cn 

1-3pm Microsoft Word 97 1-3pm CTI 9-1pm CTI 1-5pm City Year 

3-S:30pm After School Prg. 3-S:30pm After School Prgm. 1-2pm Intro to Windows 9S-981NT 6:3 0-9:30pm Web Design 2 

5:30-6pm Open Lab 6-8pm Intro to Computer 2-3pm Open Lab 

6-8pm Excel 97 

3-S:30pm After School Prgm. 

6~8pm Access 97 

21 22 23 24 

9-lpm cn 9-1 pm CY ICisco 9-lpm CTI 

1-3pm Microsoft Word 97 1-3 pm CTI 1-2pm Intro to Windows 9S-981NT 

3-5:30pm After School Prg. 3-S:30pm After School Prgm. 2-3pm Open Lab 

S:30-6pm Open Lab 6-8pm Intro to Computer 3-S:30pm After School Prgm. 

6-8pm Excel 97 6-8pm Access 97 

CLOSED 

Saturday 

4 

IO-12pm Typing Class 

12-6pm Open Lab 


IO-I2pm Typing Class 

I2-6pm Open Lab 

18 

I O-12pl11 Typing Class 


25 

CLOSED 

26 27 

8-IOam CTI 

IO-2pm City Year/CISCO Prgm. 


3-5:30pm After sc hool Prg. 


28 22 30 J I 

9-lpm CTI 9-1 pm CY ICisco 9-lpl11 CTI 

1-3pm Microsoft Word 97 1-3pm CTI 1-2pm Intro to Windows 95-981NT 

3-5:3Opm After School Prg. 3-S:30pl11 After Scl1001 Prgm. 2-3pm Open Lab 

5:30-6pm Open Lab 6-8pm Intro to Computer 3-5:30pm After School Prgm. 

6-8pm Excel 97 6-8pm Access 97 

CLOSED 

Januarv I 

CLOSED

Introduction To Computers 

An Introduction to the basics of computing - the desktop, files, CPU, the 

mouse, operating system. An essential for the absolute beginner. 

Microsoft Word 97 

Learn how to type a resume, a letter and research paper while gaining marketable 

skills. This class is designed for beginners and intermediate .. 

Microsoft Excel 97 

Learn how to create and edit a spread sheet for home or business use. 

Also, learn hot to integrate a worksheet with the internet. This class is designed 

for beginners and intermediate users. 

PowerPoint 97 

This class is design to go from introduction to intermediate while covering 

practical usage and development of essential skills for making presentations, 

reports, slide shows, etc. 

Access 97 

Learn how to create databases with this introductory class. Develop records, 

form, inventories, etc. This class is designed for the beginner. 

Web Design I 

Introduction to Web Page Design. This introduction course teaches "HTML" the language 

of the internet and Photo Shop software. By the end of the course you are prepared to design 

your own web page, import images into the page and crate a web page portfolio. 

Must 1mow Microsoft Word. 

Web Design 2 

Advanced Classes for web designing. Learn how to do cascading sheets 

and other advanced techniques. Web Design I a must or prior web design 

experiences. 

Typing Class 

Learn how to type with Mavis Beacon Typing Software. This class is a 

must for all users. 

After School Program 

Computer Homework activities programs for youth between the ages of 6 

and 13 years old. 

For information contact: 

Introduction to Windows 95, 98 NT 

Essentially this class takes you through the many differences and similarities 

of some of the most popular Windows Operating system and helps you 

learn tips and tricks on how to use them. This class designed for the intermediate 

user. 

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El Batey Techll0logy Center opens at'Villa Victoria 

A South End place in cyber space 

BY JOHN BRISTER 

CONTRIBUTING WRITER 

For the second time in less than a 

month, a compllter lab is opelling 

ill the SOldh End. 

This one is located at ) 00 \Vest 

Dcdham Street, in the cenkr plaza 

of the Villa Victoria COI1lIl11lllity. A 

dedication ceremony and celebration 

marked its official ~pening last 

Tuesday afternoon. 

The facility, known as EI Batey 

(Hthe meeting place") 'l'echnology 

Center, makes 18 internet-ready 

compllters available to neighborhood 

residents thanks to a donation 

from Cisco Systems, the world's hugest 

provider of internet eqllipment. 

A variety oftra ini ng programs will 

also be offered with hclp from the 

staff and "corps IIlClIlbers" of City 

Year, a non-profit organization dedicated 

to cOlllmllllity service, peer 

education anclleaclership development 

illurb;lIl areas across the COIIIltry. 

"In thiscommllnity, EI Bateywill 

open horizons," said David 

Cortiella, Execlltive Director of 

lnquilillos BoriclJ:Js en Accion, the 

non-profit organization which SllP 

.ports Villa Vicloria. 

According to Corticlla, th e role 

of the center is threefold. \\'itII dcsignated 

after-school hours, stlldents 

ran li se th e compllters to perform 

Instructor Jimmy Allen guides Rayza Jiminian at the EI Batey Technology Center. Ueff Skruck photo) 

research on the internet and to type 

papers. Compllter training ;lI1d job 

development classes, available to 

reside lil s of all ,lges, will introdllce 

computers as taillillg 

vaillable job skills. 

And as th e ce lll"er's namc Sllggests, 

El Batey will fllnction as a 

meeting plate for strengthening 

soc ial tics within th e COlllIllllllity 

itself. 

"The idea ca me from the parents," 

sai d Cortiella. "They wanted 

to get their kids to see computers 

1I0t ollly as cntertainment, which 

thc games providc, bllt also as a way 

tn develop profess iollal skills. \Vith 

classes th,1I ran ge fronl;lll illtrodllct 

iOllto \Vi IIdo\\'s 10 gLl ph ics COllrses 

alld weI> desigll, this iL'chnology is a 

great cqualizer." 

Jimmy All en, all instrllctor at 

1':1 Batey alld a system sllpport specialist 

at Cily Year, agrees. "Given 

the demand for tech-savvy ilidividuals 

in the job markel, the fielcl of 

compllter technology offers a lot of 

opportunity these days," said Allen. 

While he admits thaI the center 

won't instantly creatc "seasoned 

pros," the classes, as well as .1n opportimity 

for interested individuals 

to altcnd the Cisco Networking 

A~ademy, give people a "good start 

toward breaking into the field" alld 

"another path for those who arcn't 

imlllcdiately collcge-bound." 

Obstacles remain. While the 

nearly all of the eqllipIllcllt is a\ 

ready ill place, an

February 18, 1999 ~t~ South End News tA Page 17 

Villa Victoria welcotnes EI Batey rrecllnology Center 

Navigating South End ·cyber space 

Continued (rom 00ge I J 

instructors. Right now, we're open aho\ll 10 

hours a week. Soon, we hope 10 increase Ihal 

to 70-80 hours per week." Pari of the solution 

lies in the "Train the Trainers" ,program, 

whereby Allen and \Vill Livermore, a senior 

at Bentley college, give City Year corps members 

the know-how to flIn the facility and, in 

turn, to instruct EI Baley visitors. 

BlIt corps members alone won't be enough. 

"\Ve'c1 really like to involve as much of the 

community as possible, particularly those of 

a technical background," said Allen. The 

center is in need of volunteer supervisors 

during the hours the lab is open to the public; 

individuals with computer knowlec1ge are 

preferred for tutoring purposes. 

At this stage, the' educational philosophy 

of the EI Batey seerllS largely vocational, 

since many of its classes concentrate solely on 

the acquisition of c011lputer-relatec1 job skills. 

But Corti ella is quick to note that the 

internet, once it is available at the center, is 

an 

important research tool which " ... allows access 

to information frolll all over the world." 

Cortiella stresses that the new compllters 

IlIlIst be seen not merely as game machines or 

as ends in themselves hllt as tools 10 be med 

to accomplish goals. 

"These machines are an inveslment in our 

rlllme," hc insisls. "We mllst \Ise them responsibly." 

For lllorC information about the EI Batey 

Technology Cenlcr, contact Madeline SoLo 

at 927-1703. 

jimmy Allen, system support specialist at City Year, provides instruction to South End residents inter-ested in developing their computer 

literarcy at the newly opened EI Batey Technology Center at Villa Victoria. Uerr Skruck photo)

~ ---- ------ ---------- ----- --- -- - -..-.__ 

.._-- 

August 26, 1999 [Vol. 20, No. 31] 

Leaders in tIle making 

For 22 young adults, the summer meant performing an internship in the "New Cacique Leadership" program, 

to develop the leadership ability in teens in Villa Victoria. Participants in the IBA program are, front row (from 

left) Damon Lewis, Crystal Chevere, Marilyn Mercado, (second row) Hector Ostolaza, Francisco Palmaria, 

IBA Youth Coordinator, third row Orlando Rivera and Ivelisse Saar-edra. (Franklin B. Tucker photo)

------- - 

Page 2 ~-&. Suuth End News 11Th August 26, I ()99 

- - - - - - - - - - 

Youtl') workers bring together kids 

ConnectingSouth End, Lower Roxbury teens to prevent violence 

BY JAMIE BEARSE 

STAFF WRITER 

It's tough to call the place \Vhcre 

you live a !lcighhorhood \Vhen you 

dOll't kilO'" \Vho's living next door. 

That's \Vhat youth workers frolll 

across the South Elld ;1I1d L.ower 

· Ruxbury were saying they \Vant tu 

ch:.l1lge as thcy prepal'e to set lip a 

ne\V $45,000 blldget to promote 

peace among the area's YOllths arid 

hri ng the two ncighhorhoods together. 

"Some kids WOll't cross the street 

to go to a youth cCllter bccause 

they're afraid of it being in someone 

else's Iliff," Holly Lockwood, 

program director of the SOllth End/ 

Lower Roxbury Youth \Vorkers Alliance 

(Y\VA), said. "It's so bad that 

you don't even know who your 

· neighbor is." 

But with Ihe help of grants from 

local agencics such as the Boston 

· FOlllldati(JIl, Haynes FOllndation 

and the Clipper Foundation, the 

YW A will no longer have to scrape 

by ill its fight to bring the kids of 

Lower Roxbury and South End together 

to fight violence. 

I ron ically, the annoullcement of 

the grants cOllles jllst days after an 

alleged Illember of the L.A.-based 

Bloods street gang allegedly sh~shed 

another teen's face with a broken 

beer bollle dllring a confrontation 

in Roxbury. The incident left the 

18-year-old victim blind. . 

"This isn't in reaction to that 

incident," Jorge Palmarian, a YW A 

member fmm Tent City Corp., said. 

". think thai the organizatioll of 

\eell grollps alld advocacy programs 

lllakcs it difficult and will contillile 

to make it difficult for th e Bloods 

and the Crips to [recru,it in the 

are;!.I" 

The YWA, first created in Sep 

Icmbcr of 1

September 24, 1998 [Vol. 19, ~o. 35] 

VILLA PRIDE' Helping to put the shine back into the Hernandez centerwere Ricardo Menez (I. to r.) S~ FranhsiEsco 

Palmarin (nashing . the peace sign) . Ivehsse . Saavedra,Jennller " r G ray an d N ancy Re y es . Not pictured are out n d 

City Year Corps members Angel Montalvo and Maritza ~ray. UEFF SKRUCK PHOTO)

Landmark cultLlral 

center gets facelift 

BY JEFF SKRUCI< 

STAFF WRITER 

Jen Gray showed off a much 

cleaner and newly painted Jorge 

Hernandez Cultural Center like a 

real-estate agent showing a new 

home. 

But Gray, a project mailc;ger for 

City Year, isn't looking to sell allYthing. 

She, along with her South 

End crew of City Year Corps members, 

are jllst filII of local pride. 

"It feels good to make a differ~ 

. cnce in the Villa," said Gray, who 

was born ~.IIld raised in the housing 

development and has worked for 

City Year for several yeCll's . 

Nancy Reyes, also a South End 

resident and City Year Corps mem~ 

bel', is prolld to help in the massive 

week-long renovation effort as hoth 

a mother and an older sister. 

"} have a son and a little sister and 

brother," she said. "I want them to 

be raised. in a hetter commui1ity 

mid a)so to not lose their culture." 

Inqnilinos BoricnJs en Accion, 

_.- 

t he socia I-service agency t hat serves 

Villa Victoria, in partnership with 

City Year spent all last week working 

on t he Hernandez cultural center, 

a South End historic landmark 

in serious need of a faceliff". 

Their hard prep work paid offlast 

Thllfsday as more than a hundred 

\'olllnteers from the marketing firm 

a f 13 r 0 nil er , S los her gall d 

Humphrey came to-the center to 

paillt, clean, lay tile

SepteJuber 10, 1998 [Vol. 19, No.3 3] 

City Year, employees to 11elp 

repair.I-Ienlandez Ce!lter 

As part of Cily Yen's Care Force 

program, the employees of the Boston 

marketing firm of Bronner, 

. Slosberg and HUlll1phrey will devote 

their .time next Thursday to 

help Ihe staffoflnquilinos Boricuas 

en Accion make ph ysical improvements 

10 the Jorge Hernaildez Cenler. 

IBA - the social service agency 

of Villa Victoria homing developnlent 

- is seeking volunteers who 

have special skills such as plumbers, 

electricial1S, carpenters and 

.masons to'volunteer on September 

17 to supervise and assislnoll-professional 

stafr. 

On Monday, City Year volunleers 

will hegin doillg somc of Ih e 

prep work for the Hertl~lIIclez Center. 

The Jorge Hertlandez Center is a 

lOO-year-old church located at 85 

West Newton Street. In 1985, the 

church was rehahilitated i;lto a 

cultural center. The center has been 

home to many events including the 

long-running Latino jazz series, 

Cafe Teatro. 

Those willing to help can call 

Greg Adams, clJltural center manager', 

at 927-1717. At the end of 

Carc ForceD"y, IBA will spollSor a 

Villa Victoria Appreciation Dinner 

for all volunteers. Allyone interested 

in donating food, cooking or 

assisting this part of the event can 

ca ll Maria Robles al 927-1731 .

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ELDERLY DEPARtMENT 

Purpose: The Elder Care program of Inquilinos Boricuas en Accion is 

dedicated to providing critical and cultural services to low-income senior 

citizens of Villa Victoria, the BHA Unity Tower and other elderly residents 

living in and around the Villa Victoria community. Our goal is to foster 

independent living, active in community issues and in personal growth. 

NUMBER OF VOLUNTEERS 

COLLABORATORS 

During the year of June 1998-1999 we had a total of 

20 volunteers that contributed to the resident Services 

Program at the Unity Tower. Their collaboration 

consisted of assisting the residents clean their 

apartments, coordinate special activities, provide 

translations and escort residents to appointments. 

The staff collaborates with several social services 

agencies and medical care providers in and around the 

South End: 

• Boston Visiting Nurse's Association 

• University Home Medical Service 

• Central Boston Elder Services 

• Medical Eye Associates from the Faulkner 

Hospital 

• The Little Brothers Association 

• The Alianza Hispana Adult Care 

• University Hospital and Family Services 

Association 

• Midtown Health Care, Inc. 

• Staff Builders 

• South West Cove Community Health Center 

• AIDS Awareness 

• The Council of Elders ' and the Boston Chinese 

Golden Age Center 

December 9, 1999

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FUNDERS 

ACTIVITES 

ELDERLY DEPARTMENT 

The Boston Housing Authority, Title III and numerous 

foundations. 

The Resident Service Program provided the following 

activities during the year: 

• Birthday celebrations 

• Movie nights 

• Domino tournament 

• Escort services 

• Translations 

• Case management 

• Advocacy 

• Recreational activities 

• Health clinics 

• Home Medical Service 

• Exercise classes 

• Cultural awareness 


• On-site service provided by a podiatrist 

• Weekly blood pressure screening and eye health 

screenIng 

• Daily meal program in the community room 

NUMBER PEOPLE SERVED During the fiscal year the program served 125 families 

OUTCOMES • Enhanced opportunities for independent living by 

Chinese and Latino · frail elderly, and young 

disabled residents. 

• Empowered residents to better care for themselves 

and to advocate for their needs. 

December 9, 1999

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Volunteers 

Dlaldng a 

difference in 

Villa Victoria 

During the year 

hundreds or 

volunteers sign up 

I tor a day or service 

in Villa Victoria 

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Volunteers helped 

elderly residents with 

daily chores. They 

cleaned Roors, ovens, 

washed laundry, 

and JDore.

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!Elli~jB3B¥> .~N~~SE~g~~·1 

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FUNDERS 

ARTE Y CULTURA DEPARTMENT 

Mission~ The ARTE Y CULTURA DEPARTMENT was established to 

further IBA' s mission to promote and preserve Latino arts and culture. 

The arts and culture department develops program with the purpose of 

strengthening pride and community. In addition, the arts program serves as an 

economic vehicle for this agency and community. 

ACTIVITES 

PERSONS 

SERVED 

>- Boston Foundation Fund for Arts and Culture 

>- Mass Cultural Council 

>- Department of Public Health 

>- Boston Globe 

After a two-year hiatus, IBA is once again at the forefront o{pr-omoting 

and creating Latino cultural expression. The Fall '99 CAFE TEATRO.;:, ~

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Cafe Teatro Presentation 

to Children from Escuelita Boriken 

and area Schools

• 

.. . STAFF PHOTO BY MICHAEL SEAMANS 

FEEL THE BEAT: Seemore Johnson, center, and ·Christina Pujol, right, teach sal~a and merengue dancing, which has become popular . 

• Latino culture becoming hot, hot, hot 

- By KAY LAZAR 

• "Hips, hips, hips," chants dance instructor 

Seemore Johnson, a Cambridge physical therapist 

and recent immigrant from Costa Rica. 

It is Friday night in Boston's South End, and 

I the Salsa/Merengue dance lesson at the Jorge 

Hernandez Cultural Center is packed. There 

are as many gringos here as Latinos. .. 

The wild success of Latino pop stars Ricky 

• Martin, Jennifer Lopez and others has sparked 

a Latino craze in Massachusetts and across the 

country. 

"It's like Columbus discovering America. 

• 

America was already here. Latinos have been 

here a long, long time," said Alex Alvear, performing 

arts director for IBA, the Latino tenant~ 

and arts group that runs the cultural center. 

• For years, the center has been sponsoring 

Latin music, dance and theater performances, 

featuring artists from some of the 30 countries 

rhat fall ~under the Y3St umbrclb knO\~-n as the 

I 

Latino culture - from .Argentina, Brazil, and legions of L'ltino youth _ . and that orher cui 

Chile to the Dominican Republic, Mexico and 

Puerto Rico. . 

tures are e.:-.-pected to crave those offerings. 

.''The Latino culture really embodies a lot of 

Yet it is the center's neW Salsa/Merengue values that mainstream America finds attracoffering 

- perfect for the legions of new Rick-y tive," Huff said. "Things like their connection 

Martin. fans - 

tion. 

that has grabbed the most atten- to family, a strong sense of spirtualism, and a 

. real strong emphasis on fun, excitement ~md 

Trend watchers s~y America's saturation passion." . 

from things Latino is just beginning. 

Huff said that while Latinos now -generally 

"I don't think we've seen anything yet," said 

Lois Huff, principal consultant at· Pricewaterhave 

less disposable income than other erhnic 

groups, her company's analysis shows that 

houseCoopers, a global accounting and retail trend starting to change, with more Latinos 

consulting fIrm. 

moving into the middle class and buying 

Huff said that because Latinos are America's . homes. She said that trend is likely to mean 

fastest-growing minority group, and because a grocery stores \vill court Latino customers, 

third of them are still 18 or younger, Latinos are who are more likely to cook at home than ~o 

likely to have a major impact on fashion, enter- out to eat . 

tairunent and culture well past the next decade. "As more people become disconnected from 

For instance, Huff said, manufacturers of in- their workplace and people have a· greater 

fant apparel will likely pay close attention to sense of rootlessness, they will gravitate 

Latino tastes, because of their young and rapid- toward things they crave," Huff said. "And we 

ly growing numbers. She said makers of health are going to see · a lot of people craving what 

and beiury products also are likely to court the the Latino culture represents."

IBA chips in . to boost Hub's . salsa scene 

; ;0 .. .;.; .... ;.;.; ; .... - . night 

LATIN LEADERS: Mangulto will provide music for danc;ing at Inquilinos 

Boricuas en Accion's final tEl Bembe' of the year on Dec~ 17. 

~==:::;:::;:=;;;;;;;:;;;;;;;;:hrim;; .... nr . Ai ____ 

Salsa and merengue . lovers helped fuel the success. of -"EI dience base for the center's culhave 

a new spot in town to keep' · Bembe." . tural programs. 

themselves warm this winter. "Several years ago ' many peo- "The money doesn't go into a 

While you won't hear RIcky pIe didn't even know what salsa club owner's pocket," said AI 

Martin's brand of pop salsa at the ' was except that they ate it with vear, adding that the proceeds 

Jorge Hernandez Cultural Cen- chips," Alvear said. are reinvested in IBA's arts pro- 

. ter's "EI Bembe .... the growing "Now everybody wants to grams. 

crowds at the weekly Friday dance to it. We saw a window of "It's going for a very good 

event aren't being drawn to opportunity with .. all · the big cause, supporting the cultural life 

the South End venue by what's hype." . • of Boston. That's sort of our sub 

"El Bembe" ~ the party, jam or _Jiminal message and people are 

gathering .- was started' to com- starting to get it.". 

I 

Jazz/Warid , · plement and build interest in the Even if they're not especially 

BOB YOUNG . ' center's other programs, such as inteJ;'es,ted in where their $10 adcommercially 

cool these days. the' Cafe Teatro series, presented mission goes, "El Bembe" au- 

. Old school sa.-sa and merengue, by Inquilinos Boricuas en Ac- diences now have a midsized Lacourtesy 

of the house band Man- cion, which means Puerto Rican tin music alternative to large 

guito, have been doing the trick . T~nants in Action. 

rooms such as Wonderland and 

just fine for more than ' two InA still is looking for corpo- the Roxy and smaller venues 

months. ·' . ' rate sponsorship for the event. such as Ryles. 

Still, you won't find the c~, n- But it's now drawing more than Alvear also stresses that, as 

ter's performing arts director, 250 fans of the Cuban son, guara- with many of the programs held 

Alex Alvear, complaining about chas and '70s and '80s Fania All- at the center, "El Bembe" is all 

Ricky Martin or today's broader Stars-type Latin jazz and salsa, inclusive. 

interest in Latin music. They've which is building a solid au- "We don't want to ghetto-ize 

ourselves with programming so 

that only Latinos wilt come," he 

said. "We want to make the center 

a Latino headquarters that's 

. home for everybody. 

"Our audiences are always a 

very nice mix of people, agewise, 

genderwi$e, everything. That's 

one' of our biggest assets." . 

Anyone who has ever taken in 

:l show at the converted church 

knows that multiculturalism is 

alive and -well there. Performances 

ranging from Cuban bass 

star Cachao to an avant-garde 

Chilean troupe interpreting "Pin 

'occhio" have attracted comfortable 

mixes from ' all cultures and 

races. 

"We're still 'celebrating Latino 

arts . and culture," said Alvear, 

;;o;::;;;_;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;::; ... ;;;;;;;;;;o;;:;;:=============================;:;;;:;;;;;;;;;;;;;;iiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiij;;;;;;;;,::. ;;::I.... 

"but ~ we're also creating a culh),ral 

experience. We find richness 

in diversity." 

The year's last "EI Bembe" 

takes place on Dec. 17. The series 

resumes in February. Christina 

Pujol-Jensen and Seem'ore Johnson 

offer salsa and merengue 

dance instruction from 9 to 10 

p.m., with Manguito and a DJ taki~r 

fr~O p.~ 1 a..w.

hen I CaIne to Boston 13 

11'S ago, popular Latin 

lsic was perforlued 

~lusively in Latin clubs. 

w there are Latin nights 

ppening in alInost every 

Ib in the city.' 

ex Alvear 

Ical rn:us'ician, prod:uce'r 

'Usually out of a class of 10 students, 

will become excellent dancers, three 

be mediocre, and two will try and try 

never qUite get it," said Pabon. 

Lessons genel'ally start an hour before 

iug. After learning a few steps, you're 

oose to dance on your own. 

eachers rmml the dance floor through 

Ule night, answeting questions and oconally 

cutting in to help with moves. 

AU the insbllctors have very different 

s," said Suzanne Steele, who leads Ry- 

Latin night on TImrsdays. "It's good 

op arOlmd first for a style that's com 

,able." 

he dance is based on eight beats, each 

e pausing on a different one. There are 

York salsa, Los Angeles salsa, and . 

ta Rican salsa, to name a few. Boston 

sn't have its own style, so the dance 

vary sharply among instructors. 

t Wepa Wednesday, Apl;1 Genovese · 

hes New York-style salsa. The val; 

II is more complex than niany versions 

e danc.e with fancy tuming patterns 

foot work, The iustl1lctors of Ell3embe 

h the intricate Costa Rican salsa. 

Club Juliana, a new Saturday night venn 

Chinatown, teaches a style of salsa 

eing called la nteda de casino, which 

featured in the film "Dance With Me." 

It's a game where couples dance in a 

le, spinning, making patterns and tradpartners 

while a caller shouts out th,e 

e. Typical calls include asking dancers 

reeze "en foto" (to pose like they're 

ght in a photograph) 01' to lean into the 

e and whisper. 

After la ntenda de casino lessons, Club 

ana offers a dance workshop that !.eachalsa, 

merellglle, and bachaul. 

Uve hands 

The IllUllher or area clubs adding 

lIighls wiLh Lalill D.ls is growing. 

H:ully. IJmL doesn'l holtllrlle ror 

live Latin IIIl1sic. 

"For ()uvi()us reasons or cost, Lhere if! a 

lelltlcncy ror clllhs i.n hring in a f). I iw;h'ad 

or II live band," said Alex Alvear, who plays 

ill several hands Imd leads lhe Lalin/jazz 

haml Mango Blue. "But the thing about 

lhis IIIw;ic is Llml ifyoll don'l have lhe live 

elelllenl, il relllly lakes nway lhe cs."ence or 

lhe whole lhing. It's ... a band inspil'ing 

dancers ali(I dancel's inspiring lhe hall"." 

Anolher IIIlvanlage lo hearing live nlllsic 

is lhe womlerrul cross-pollillaliun or 

slyles lhat taltes place. Mango Blue mixes 

AJ'ro-Lal.ill elelllellls illto jazz allli rock. A 

shle project of lhe band, called M:IIIguito, 

plays more lradilional Lalin music Friday 

lIighls III EI lJell1be allhe .Iorge Ilernalldez 

ClIlI.lmll C'~lIh'r. 

l~v(,11 lIIore :ulvent.llrolls is lIallaloo, a 

band lhat describes i\.

iWepalL 

By CHRISTOPHER MUTHER 

"" .HoI,. ......... ' 

ea 

~.~' [!:': : V f.::~' ::. '" 

,:.:_ ~,§:JJ~;~;~£I~w~~~~e like Mlli~hy e," ..:.. and 

Chances are if you stop by a club hosting salsa music and dancing, you'll rUn into Ann Murphy and Bren· 

. da Davis_ The pair are regulars at Latin clubs throughout the city and suburbs - and can't get enough 

.. ofthe Latin rhytluns and hip-shaking dancing. . . . 

"We went to Mexico a couple of years ago and tried salsa dancing," said Mw-phy, "and we loved it." It 

wasn't long before Murphy of Charlestown and Davis of the South End were sampling Boston's Latin 

scene. Now the two women go out nearly every weekend to one of the city's growing munberofLatin nights. 

sively in Latin clubs," said Ale."{ Alvear, a 

local musician and event producer. "Now 

there are Latin nights happening in almost 

every club in the city that draw a diverse 

passing fad. Those involved in the scene s~y 

it's here to stay, thanks to the burgeoning 

Latino commUnity and the popularity·of 

. music and dance among international students 

crowd of students and professionals. 

and young urban professionals. - 

There's more awareness and more openness 

now." 

At night spots like The Big'Easyand 

Avalon a truly international crowd S\\-ing 

Ricky Martin may be hotter tha~ a Mi- . . their hips as DJs spin hip-hop merengue 

ami August, but Latin 1nusic is not just a . and sensuous bachatas: Meanwhile, new- 

Da 

vis are flocking to salsa nights at smaller 

clubs like Ryles and Johnny D·s. 

''The scene has definitely grO\\11 here 

oyer the past t\vo years," said April Genovese, 

who runs a weekly salsa night at the 

Hong Kong restaurant in Han'ard Square. 

"r started Wepa Wednesdaytw'o years ago 

because I couldn't find a place in the cit:: 

thit had the right mh: of music and dancing, 

but that's changing." 

And though local mUsicians bemoan the 

fact that live Latin music is not taking off 

as quickly as DJ-fueled.club night!':. ,,,ith a 

little searching you can hear everything 

from Brazilian samba to ,\ild mambo punk. 

Salsa has played the lead role in Latin 

dance's crosso,'er t~ mainstream fans. 

. Rooted in Cuba. salsa took off in New 

York during the ·60s. Musicians from Cuba 

rind Puerto Rico incorporated elements of 

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"It's a very friendly atmosphere," Da"is 

said. "and it's great because the men actuaUy 

dance." 

The pair are part of a dance movement 

that's spreading far beyond the Latino 

neighborhood bars of Jamaica Plain, Lynn, 

La\\Tence. 

"When I came to Boston 13 years ago, 

popuiar Latin music W;lS performed exclujazz 

and rock. and this "NewYorican': phenomenon 

(as the style is often called) 

emerged . . 

"That's why they call it salsa." said local 

salsa pioneer Edwin Pabon. "It's just like 

the sauce. They took all kinds of musical ingred 

ients from Puerto Rico and Caribbean 

countries, put in some New York flavor, a 

little mambo, and you end up with a spicy, 

hot mix." 

Salsa-holics say you have to dance to 

gain the full Latin e..'

,. 

~ 

October 28, 1999 [Vol. 20, No. 40] , 

Viva timbaleros! 

, CafeTeatro,NewEngland'sOilly 

Latino Performance Series Presents: 

Timbalaye, an evening of the very 

besf in cont~~nporaryAfro-Latin 

'music on Thursday,'OcL'Z8, at 8 

p.m.at the Jorge Hernandez Cul 

, tural Center, 85 West Newton St. 

Master 'timb'alero' Ralph 

, Irizarri has been a mainstay in the 

'world's Latin music scene for ' 

many years. He has performed 

, extensively with some of Latin 

music's greatest stars, including 

Ruben Blades, as a founding mem- 

, ber of Seis del Solar. Irizarri is 

regarded as one of the greatest 

timbaleros and he brings us his 

powerful solo project, rf'imbalaye. 

Don't miss this w'onderful opportunity 

to see a master at work and 

an exciting new sound in Latin 

Jazz. 

, Tickets are $10 for general seating 

and there will be free valet 

parking. 

'For more information, call 

(877) 30Z-1707. 

'age 4

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I~:::UMO' BOaICU4/IM4CCI6M'OB4) .. . 

I . Aeftlb 

.... Boston'unl1j soure, for 

V 

. -,. top-qualjt'j 

Latin (nt@rtainm@ot 

F,aturioy: 

.. ~ LI~I )4U/IC. .. ~ -.::. 

• ''v, " ; • •• •• ,' 

~ C.Oi4PLIi4IMT~R:Y . : 

. 14"£/4/ i4IBIMGUI 

D4M~1 LI/IOMI 

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DI/R JOC.RI~ 

: L4TIM BOat D'OIU~RII -- 

... T C0J4PLIlt\IMT4*~ · . ' . 

Y4LIT P4RRIMG-· . 

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'_" .• 1 - 

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February.I8, 1999 " ~ .~9uth End News ~ . Page 5 

. Cafe Teatrobac~Wjth.chUtzp~ ·;i;~~ ·:.: 

BY JEFF SKRUCK the mismanagetnerit6f IBA.', ; : ' To counter the ebb and fl~w '6( ; :~. ' 

" . STAFF WRITER Un"der fo~er exe9litiv~ dIrector public ana ~ private arts funding, 

,: i~agine Lati~o and Jewish dance Ruben Nieves; IBA\vas fratlghtwith ' Cortiella and IBN s board .of direc- " 

lessons under one roof. It's not as problems and suffer~dkey loss~s in " to'rs want to create an internal e~- '· 

strange as you think. ' its staff. particularly: froni, th~ cirts '·::,,' dowment for the agency's arts pro-' 

, In fact. it is somewhat a tradition and cultu !..~ . prog,rams: ' Since ' ," grams through the cultl1~al c~n!er. ." 

. - at"the Jorge Hernandez , C.ultural , Cortiella canw aboard. IBA board " Often rented out for private func 

Center in Villa Victoria. albeit a ' membersartdstaffhave-workedhard ·tions such as weddings 'and recustom 

that has been'dormant for to rebuild ~he ~gency.:And that "unions, the cliltural center has a1- 

nearly hVo -years. 

means returning arts' and· 'culture ' ways been a ~oneymaker for IBA. 

~~lsa with Chutzpah. a combi- programs back to ,where they once Those profits can be putback into 

naHon a311Ce lesson .and party that ,\vere: , " " , - .! ~ ,-" , , ' ~ IIA'svariousartsprogratnsbyfund~ , 

, promises topuraiittle spice in your ,' ''This is'our !ime to sfart reyiving : 'ing staff salaries. ' 

, 'hora. returns to the cultural center a yoid in the' community ,and the '.~ "Arts' is a fundaI11ental building 

on Feb. 27., It's part of the cultural , dty." said C6rtfeIIa. , ~ddinith~tthe block Jor' c;:om,munity empower 

,center's very popular Cafe Teatro , return·of Cafe Teatro fs"part o( the : ment." Cortiella said. "We can sub- 

,.. .:,~ sedes broug~t if! conjunction with continuing repii~h ofIB~ '::~,·-;: ;,. , ', - sidize : 9~( ; ·corn.iiunity ar'tt 'pro- I 

""'.Je\vish' Interaction. which is sup-,,' . - CafeTeatrqJid~,i~fiist~ightof ',. grarri.~ :,', ,;;:",;'" "',' ;tf)t;"1::' , ',' , ," 

ported by the Jewish Community .. ' Latino mu'sIc' ~nd dance ..last De-;" , , Alvear can beer-edited with riiesh- ' 

Centers of Greater Boston. ' cember. The series ,hit its"peak of "~ ing ~atin6 and. Jewish, cultures , 

.. The event ~ promises more than , popuiarltyin 1996. providing a level : _ th~o,ugh Salsa :-vith ,~hti'tzpah, ", 

, just Latino and ~sra~li dan~es. It .of-artists not found in Boston'sseg- OorneJla :said. Cafe Teatro :has aT: ' 

serv~s , as ',a'''cultural exchange for regated nightClub scene ,that 'has , ~ays had a tradition of opening its 

Latinos and Jews who have a shared _ reduced i~ offerings foiJazz ~ Cafe "-:' doors"'anO exposing other ¢oinmu"; 

passion for music and dance. Teatr6 would presentmonthly'per- niti'es to Latino amsts and culture. 

, "TheIe's a fun part and a ~ocial forrnances from Latin j~zz to salsa ' "It's so eclectic and it's so 

part:" said David Cortiella. head:6f " ~nd ' JIlerengue. ", " unique~" said Adal!ls. who has 

Inquilinos' Boricuas en~ Accion Even though Cafe Teatro has worked with past Salsa with Chutz- 

(IBA). the social service agency that beeninactiveforyears.CregAdams, " pah events. ' 

oversees the cultural center in Villa general manager of the cultural ' Adams said Cafe Teatro will 

Victoria. "The social part is to con~ center. said he regularly receives ' slowly rebuild itself to the monthly 

tinue the dialogue between the two , messages on his voice mail inquir- event it once was. 

cultures." - ingabouttheprogram. Atone time. "Forthcoming events are all ten- 

But Salsa with Chutzpah. which Cafe Teatro had an active mailing tative:' he said. "Basically. we'll see 

hasn't been held since 1997. sig- list of-about 5,000. . how this one goes." 

nals something more for the cul- "It's 'real1y turning around." The upcoming event will feature 

tural center and the Villa Victoria Adams said. "It's a big step." a salsa and merengue dance lesson. 

community. . One ofthemain reasons the cul- .a Jewish hora dance lesson. a salsa , 

Foryeius. the Cafe Teatro series. tural center is able to return to its and merengue band. a klezmer 

a monthly Latin jazz nightclub, past glory is Cortiella's leadership. band and a disc jockey. Doors open 

was the- flagship production of the And Alvear has agreed to come back at 8 p.m. and tickets pre $14. which 

cultural center that brought in rev~ to the agency as a consultant to the includes lessons and food. There 

enue and served as the focal point cultural center. are reduced rates.for Villa Victoria 

of the genre's music scene. But the 'During an economic downtUrn, ' residents. 

program had been inactive since arts programming is the first to lose For more information ,and to 

Alex Alvear. who managed the cul- funding whether it is from a gov- RSVP •. call 927-1707 or 457-8666 

nlral center. resigned in.disgustwith ernment agency or a private donor. or write jhcc@hnt.com. ' 

~: ~; 

~.:" 

, 

.*." 

~ 

~~;~

' 0-;.:.0::', 

'ii ••, gi 

...... 

.'ii & Cafe . 

Te~tro 

present 

Saturday, 

February 27 

. Danee lessonS: 

8:30 pm 

Danee party: 

10:00 pm 

$14 (includes 

lessons and food) 

. .. l RSVP by Friday February 26 

Jewish l~terAction Is.co-sponsored by . Ca1l617. 927 ~1707 - 

.. the Jewish Community Centers of Greater Boston, 

the Jewish Community Relations Coundl of Greater 

Discounts Available 

Boston, and Hebrew College. We are funded by a for residents of Villa Vido:ia . 

generous grant from Combined Jewish Philanthropies, CaIJ 917-1707.for more mformation 

,. 

. 

, . 

. 85 

WES1 ,j' 

.~ NEWTON .. 

'i STREET 

. VILLA V.-CTORIA .. ' 

SOUTH END .... 

BOSTON 

(GREEN LINE 

·TOCOPLEY 

' OR 

' 

PRUDENTIAU ' 

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\,\ 

which supports programs for young adults in agendes 

arid congregations throughout the community. We also 

receive support from the George and Beatrice Shennan 

F""~ Fouodatioo ..,d the lotte Plokus Charitable FUM. ....... ................. ....: 

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THE 

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. • 

Vol. 34 No. 42 Banner Publications Thursday • July 22, ·1999 

Festival Betances celebrates 

s. End Puerto Rican history 

Sarah Curtis 

As the Caribbean sounds of 

steel drums reverberated through 

the air and sweetly-scented plantains 

and barbecued pork baked 

under the blazing sun, it was easy 

to forget you were in Boston at last 

weekend's Festival Betances in the 

South End's Villa Victoria. 

The festival was created 26 

years ago by the Villa Victoria community 

development group, Inquilinos 

Boricuas en Accion. It saw a 

record turnout this year of close to 

15,000 - almost 3,000 more than 

attended last year. 

"We want to send out a 

message to all of 

Boston that Yv'e have 

been able to retain our 

culture, along with its 

rich traditions." 

- David Cortiella 

One of the highlights of the five· 

day event was the International Mu· 

sic and Dance Day, held Saturday 

at Fl aza Betances. Among th e 

ma ny dance styles represente d 

were Mexican, Honduran, and West 

Indi an folk, merengue, and of 

course, salsa. Popular Puerto Rican 

singer Paquito Guzman finished 

off the day's celebration. 

Although much of Saturday was 

devoted to folkloric dance and music, 

the recent trends were pervasive. 

A group of teen and pre-teen 

girls from the l"awrence Ballet 

Academy danced to Rickie Martin, 

while stands sold t-shirts with the 

singer's picture. 

"This day makes me feel proud," 

said 14-year-old Dominican dancer 

Daniela Vargas. "I was most excited 

to come see how other cultures 

are different from mine." 

Lifelong Villa Victoria resident 

Marco Torres, an IBA employee, 

agrees. "Today's a day I love for 

the sheer diversity," he said. "It's 

not just about the Puerto Rican heritage; 

it's about all of our shared 

heritages. " 

The festival is named after Dr. 

Ramon Betances, a i 9th-century 

abolitionist and revolutionary 

Puerto Rican leader whose commemorative 

mural adorns a wall in 

Villa Victoria's Plaza Betances. 

. This year's theme was "Celebrating 

Traditions and Culture." The 

festival was also dedicated to Villa 

Victoria's youth, the third generation 

since the · establishment of the 

community in 1968. 

That year, a group of Boston 

Puerto Ricans rallied with the cry 

"No nos mudaremos de la Parcela, 

Jamming to the music were Zetmara Lorenzo, Yarimar Navarro, and Charma!"e Santiago 

Galdon at last weekend's International Music and Dance Day, part of the Festival Betances 

Villa Victoria. The heat wave did not stop people from coming to the festi~1 - this year. 

• 11

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19," or "We will not be moved from 

Parcel 19 " and managed to secure 

a sm'all strip of land in the 

South End from the Boston Redevelopment 

Authority. 

Today, that land is known as 

Villa Victoria, or "Victory Village." I.t 

is home to more than 3,000 resIdents. 

"We want to send out a message 

to all of Boston that we have 

been able to retain our culture, 

along with its rich traditions," commented 

IBA executive director 

David Cortiella. 

But Cortie!la was quick to point 

out that the struggle to do so has 

not been easy. Two years ago, IBA 

was undergoing management ~roblems 

and financial strife, he said. 

"It was eye-opening, as we saw 

how fragile our organization can 

be," he said. "But we establis~ed a 

stronger board, recovered flnan- 

BAY STATE BANNER • Thursday, July 22, 1999 • 11 

cially, and saw the community really 

rally around our e~ents. ur 

bigoest challenge now IS keeping 

up that momentum," he said .. . 

Along with the traditional 

domino tournament and greased 

pole competition, t~e festival's ~e~ 

activities this year Included a kids 

Olympics, a day of youth activities 

in O'Day Park, and a kick-off recepcontinued 

to page 14 

Each day, 

contemplate the glory of 

Guru's grace. 

Prostrate from the heart and offer 

him your salutations. 

Revere his teachings; 

love them more than your body 

and prana. 

- Swami Muktananda 

But what he's most interested in 

now is bringing what he's learned as 

a lobbyist back to the community. 

In particular, observing the political 

process reminds him of the vital 

need for further minority participation 

on Beacon Hill. 

"I'm always in awe of the process 

and its influence on every aspect of 

our lives," he says. IIWe definitely 

lose opportunities to represent our 

hand at the table, and we leave it up 

to the few black elected officials to 

do that. 

"We have little understanding of 

• Hetances I 

continued from page 11 

tion for local civic associations, for 

which ten South End restaurants 

donated food. 

While she helped her mother 

keep score at the domino tournament, 

Villa Victoria resident Jacqueline 

Cotto, 32, looked on as a few 

people from the crowd attempted 

to join the folk dancers. As police 

good-naturedly escorted the eager 

participants off-stage, she laughed 

and shook her head. 

"I guess everyone wants to participate," 

said Cotto, a former festival 

princess. "I love this community."

EDlelON #29 '15 DE JULIO AI.. 2'1 DE JULIO DE '1999. D.P.: 7/22/99. 9n MASSACHUSETfES AVENUE. BOS'fON. MA 02""8 'fE!..EFONOS~ (6'17) 5~n-2222 FAX 427-6227 

Betances baili) enel South End

"Tradici6n y Cultura"Celebr6 F. de Betances 

"Celebrando Tradicio-n y-Cultura l1 que recuerda 

a todos los residentes de Villa Victoria y sus 

familias el comprolniso constante de establecer 

una comunidad finne dentro de la ciudad de 

Boston. 

La celebracion retoma su 1l00ubre conlO 

tributo al escritor Ranlon Emeterio Betances, 

quien durante su existencia lucho por luejorar 

. las vidas de los pobres en Puerto Rico, adelnas 

de dirigir el Inoviruiento en contra de · la 

esclavitud en todos los paises del Caribe y 

l~char incansablenlente por asegurar la 

independencia de la isla del encanto. 

GnlposfolAlOricos animaron los cuatro dias del Festival de Betances, en el South End. 

Durante los dias 15~ 16, 17 Y 18 de julio se 

llevo a cabo en la comunidad de Villa Victoria 

la vigesima sexta edici6n del Festival Betances 

.organizado por la Asociacion de Inquilinos 

B

Metro Region 

THE BOSTON G:LO~~ __ -,!,MONDAY, JULY 19, 1999 

FESTIVAL HEADUNER - 

J ohnathan Suarez, 10 

months, was adorned with a 

makeshift hat bearing the 

design of the Puerto Rican 

flag yesterday at a South 

End festival celebrating the 

island's culture, as Yaritza 

(left) and Sasha Suarez 

-enjoyed the fashion show. 

Events at the Villa Victoria 

housing development 

included food and music. 

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10 BOSTON HERALD SA TURDAY, JULY 17, 1999 

South End's Latino pride' 

'pelebrated at festival . . 

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From Page 1 

bype. "I think this is -not only an 

important event in the South End, 

but a 'major 'cultural event in the 

city of Boston,", said Pat Cusick, 

executive director of the South End 

Neighborhood Action Program. 

"To me it's not only representative 

of the struggle to ' build and 

preserve Villa Victoria but of the 

positive explosion of Latino culture 

in the country as we approach the 

new rnillenIlium." 

Through tomorrow, O'Day Park 

and Plaza Betances will be swarming 

with colorful Latin American 

and West Indian costumes, dance 

and musical performances bY Mexican, 

Central American and Carib- 

. bean artists and loads of activities . 

for children and teenagers. 

The festival's parade began 

Thursday niglit at Plaza Betances. 

Festivities end tomorrow night 

with a performance by Puerto. Rican 

salsa singer Anth~my Cruz. 

Twelve thousand people packed 

the Soutn:- End- fast year for Betances, 

ye~ more are expected this 

year, said J oland a Tuben, board 

member of Inquilinos Boricuas en 

Accion, which translates to "Puerto 

Rican Tenants in Action." , 

IBA is the nonprotit organization 

created 31 years ago to support the 

Puerto Rican community living iIl 

South End's Parcel 19 or what is 

now Villa Victoria. 

"With the music, culture, Creole 

food, it's a very beautiful, familyoriented 

event," Tuben said. 

Because more than half of Villa 

Victoria's residents are under the 

age of 18, the festival is dedicated 

to its youth, according to IBA. 

"This is the last festival of the 

millennium, and this is our way of 

passing the torch to our youth so 

that they blaze the way for the year 

2000," Tuben said. 

Teenagers of IBA's leadership 

program worked-closely to ensure 

their activities were included . . 

Besides the traditional domino 

stacking contest and grease pole 

competition, there will be potato 

sack races, a basketball tourmime 

nt, a dunk tank, and exhibitions 

by the Museum of Science and the 

New England Aquarium. 

Johana Acevedo, a 15-year-old 

IBA peer leader, has always lived 

in Villa Victoria and wants to con- . 

vey a message about her community, 

to outside residents. 

"I hope they see · how. teens or 

youth in Villa Victoria get along," 

Acevedo said. "I want them to remember 

our tradition and to experience 

something new." . 

Acevedo , is part 'Of · a 'dance 

troupe called Flor de Maga that 

will dress up in traditional Puerto 

Rican plena dresses and perfo .. :m to 

various tunes tomorrow in the 

. : Plaza The group plans to demonstrate 

different dances from traditional 

folklore . to salsa to Ricky 

Martin's "Livin' la Vida Loca." 

While Villa Victoria is predominantly 

Puerto Rican, more Latino 

and African-American groups have 

att~nd~ci. .and even ,performed. 

"Latin America is very large so 

we have groups from the West Indies, 

Mexico and Honduras," said 

Alex Alvear, a native of Ecuador 

and performing arts director of 

IBA. "We want to share our culture 

and learn about theirs." . 

The Betances Festival was created 

26 years ago in the name of 

Doctor Ramon Emeterio Betances 

- a 19th-century Puerto Rican 

scientist, politic an and writer who 

contributed to the fight against 

cholera on the islai1d. 

_aThe festival \-vas created as a 

tribute ' fo' v mil4/>iem~sjdeDt'k 

who fought three decades ago to 

preserve the South End's parcel 19 

from the ball of urban renewal. 

The campaign's result led to the 

. tenants' right to control community 

redevelopment and create an 

89S-unit low-to-moderate income 

neighborhood now horne to more 

than 3,000 residents. The ' village 

also includes--a bilingual preschool, 

Escuelita Boriken and performing 

arts or meeting place, the Jorge 

Hernandez Cultural Center. 

For South End resident Jovita 

Fontanez, who has attended every 

Betances Festival, the community 

came of age in the 1980s when politicians 

came to court Latino votes 

and companies like AT & T became 

corporate sponsors. 

"'N e're the largest mirlOrity in 

the state at this time and we're 

consumers," Fontanez ··said. "So it's 

good business fo r them to corne."

July 22, 1999 [Vol. 20, No. 26] 

Victory! ' 

Ismael Torres presents the Puerto Rican flag to the crowd 

during the Palo:Enebao contest on Puerto Rican Heritage 

Day Sun d ~y in Vi'lia Victoria. (Linda ' Haa~to)

, , 

F estivalBetances 1999' 

Lastweek, the Villa Victoria was awash in music, tradition'and culture during 

. the annual Festival Betances. Parades, youth and teen activities, a beauty 

pageant, family even~s and music, music and more music were the highlights 

of the celebration of Puerto Rican culture and heritage. Sunday. saw the 

yearly contest of young men's bravery - or foolishness, depending on your 

, view point - as they climbed a greased flagpole to retrieve the Puerto 

; Rican flag. . 

July 22, 1999 ~ South End News ~ Page 5 

AND IT WAS ALL WORTH IT: They struggled,they slipped, they got slimed 

. with grease. But these friends won the Palo Ensebeo - or' greased pole ~ . 

contest on Sunday. The members include (standing from left) Moose Lopez, 

Jorge Porrata, manager Gerson Rivera, Hasan Goode and Sean Goode. Sitting 

are (from left) Ismael Plaza, Richard Sanchez and Francisco Torres. 

ICE CREAM, BABY: 

. Carlos Osorio, I 3, enjoys a 

"cone on a hot Sunday during 

events in the Plaza Betances. . SHOULDERING THE LOAD: 

Photos by 

" Linda Haas 

. Hasan Goode, the bottom man 

on the winning greased pole 

climbing team, gets 

encouragment during the contest.

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Con Total Exito Finaliza'EI 

Ultimo Festival Betances Del Siglo 

"Estamos satisf~chos que llemos continuado con el sueiio y la vision 

de losnioll,eros que establecieron esta comunidad .. ~" 

Niiios de lot!a.\' las nlades de.~filaroll por las 'calh! ~\" . olllh EIIlI, durallte 

'. d Festival B.

.;~ . 

DurWlle las Olimpiadas Juvelliles del . Festival Belallces, hul'}·oj·u· ego.,.' 

> )' competellcias para lliiloS de todas las 

edades . 

' .. ~- ~~~~ 

'.'~'i.:.' or- ..

VII lIiiio vestidocoll ropas tfpic(ls, ('amina COIl 1m cartel cOl1memoral1do la , 

tmlsica Pllertorriqlleiia. 

( DlaVi, {~IC:orIlB'ella: (centro delrtis), desjila,jltnto a los emplea,l Illjlll 1Il0\' oncl A" ) 'J I .1. oJ 

' de IRA 

• If'S en CCIOIl {. e { olllie es admillislratlo,. principal.

I 

· B ajo 

Por Maxnno Torres 

Fotos de Wilfredo Castillo 

el.lema"Celebrando tradicion y 

cultura", se desarrollo el vigesimo sexto 

aniversario del Festival Betances en 

Villa Victoria, en el South End de Boston, el 

ultimo del siglo. El evento estuvo dedicado este 

ano ·a los j6venes latinos de nuestra comunidad. 

"Somos tres generaciones en Villa Victoria y 

abrimos el nuevo siglo con la conJianza de que 

nuestra juventud lograni mas que nosotros 

porque ya hemos podido ver los Jrutos de los 

eSJuerzos de nucstros abuelos. Tenemos . 

proJesionales que nos haran crecer y establecer 

.econ6micamente", dice David J. Cortiella, . 

Administrador de Inquilinos Boricuas en 

Acci6n (IBA), institucion sin Jines de {ucro que 

organiza anualmente los Jestejos. 

1 

CINCO DIAS DE 

FESTIVIDADES 

l 

EI festi val que tuvo una 

duraci6n de 5 dfas e incJuy6 

diversos eventos artfsticos y 

culturales, I1eva el nombre del 

1 doctor Ramon Emeterio Betance, 

por sus muchas contribuciones. 

Como doctor, luch6 para mejorar 

las vidas de los pobres en Puerto 

Rico. Como abolicionista, dirigi6 

el movimiento en contra de la 

esclavitud en tbdos los pafses del 

Pasa a pug. sigu"iente 

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La reilla Y SIlS prillcesas dt;.l/ilan p()"; I~:: 

calles de Villa Victoria.

IJ. 

Festival 

Betances ... 

Viene de pagilla anterior. 

Caribe y como patriota lucho para 

asegurar la independencia de 

Puerto Rico. 

"AI final de este siglo, nosotros 

est amos satisfechos que hem os 

continuado con el sueno y la 

vision de los pioneros que 

establecieron esta comunidad y 

que hoy esta m,1S finne", subraya 

Cortiella . . 

EI festival se-inicio el miercoles 

14 con una recepcion a los 

auspiciadores en el Centro Cultural 

"Jorge . Hernandez". 

Representantes de Reebok y del 

Departamento de Salud Publica 

recibieron reconocimientos 

especiales por su constante apoyo. 

La musica la puso Gian Carlo y 

su trfo de baile flamenco. ' Hubo 

Marian Mercado Ju~ elegida Reina, miclltras qu.e Yoss;emar Diazjtle Prince.m y Nicole Wotalik rc.w/((j .'IeI' Miss 

Amistad. 

- . ' . 

comidu y bebida donada por 

resta~rantes y tiendas del South 

End. . 

DIA DEDICADO A LA 

: FAMILIA 

EI jueves 15 estuvo dedicado a 

la familia. Se desarrollo un desfile 

. de vestidos y mascaras tfpicas 

hechos por estudiantes de la 

Escuelita Boriken y del program a 

"Los jovenes" y los "Villa Kids". 

Comenzo en la Plaza Betances y 

termino en el flarque O'Day. 

Allf mismo se realizo luego una 

celebracion en honor a la familia 

con musica, com ida y refrescos . 

Con tri buyeron Goya, EI 

Platanero, Don Tomas 

DomInguez, Restaurante 

Pam a pag. siglliellte 

Hubo de todo en el de.\:file.

Festival 

, Betances ... 

Viene de ptigina anterior. 

". fI:".: ' 

Botucatu, entre otros. 

EI viernes 16 fue el "Ola Reehok 

dedicado a losj6venes". Comenzo 

con las Olimpiadas infantiles en 

el parque Blackstone y luego los 

jovenes tuvieron deportes,juegos, 

musica, comida y refrescos. 

Cuatro adolescentes destacados de 

Villa Victoria recibieron el 

"Premio , 'Reet-;t.k" po.. su 

"contrihucion a la comunidad. Por 

la noche de desarr'ollo el concurso 

de talcnlo de las candidatas a 

'Reina del ,'Festival con la 

presentacion artlstica de Zulema. 

EI s.ihado 17 de julio predomino 

eI folklor internacional, aunqiJe no 

laltaron actividades para'ios ninos 

como exhibiciones por el Museo 

de Ninos, el Museo de Ciencias, 

el Acuario, etc., aSI como el torneo 

de domino en la Plaza Betances. 

Luego se real i zaron las 

Pa,WI a "ag. Jiguiellle 

La I% 

lIluc.\'/ra WI paya,\'() /wcielltio jig It rlIS de 1II1il1/ale.\' COli gloho.\'. 

12

,/ 

, " 

Anthony Cruz 

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Festival 

Betances 

celebrates 

25th year 

1998 also marks 30 

years ofIBA 

BY JEFF SKRUCK 

STAFF WRITER 

Celebratingthissummerthe 30th 

anniversary of Inquilinos Boricuas 

en Accion and the 25th anniversarv 

of Festival Betances, this year's fou; 

day festival will feature a first-time 

. Opening Doors bnmch forpastand 

present contributors to the nationally 

recognized Latino social service 

agency. 

Festival Betc.ll1ces, a Puerto Rican 

holiday in memory of Dr. Ramon 

Emetrio Betances, will kick off] ul:: 

16 to 17, opening and closing with 

its traditional events: a parade 

through the South End and the 

greased-pole climbing competition 

for a money prize. 

"It's going to be great," said 

Giovanna Negretti, director of arts 

and culture for Inquilinos Boricuas 

en Accion. ''I'm looking forward to 

everything." 

Negretti, who is in charge of organizing 

the festival, said she is 

most excited about the Opening 

Doors brunch, which is this yeur's 

theme for the annual celebration. 

"It's open to anyone who has been 

involved in IBA in the past 30 years," 

she said. "It's to open doors to those 

people. It's the first step toward 

See Festival" page I I 

July 2, 1998 [Vol. 19, No. 23] 

. Festival Betances 

Continued from page I 

healing some wounds." 

, IBA, a landmark social service 

and housing agency that serves the 

mostly Latino Villa Victoria housing 

development, has been fraught 

with financial turmoil, infighting 

and staff shake-ups from the top 

down within the past 17 months. 

Butwith recent keymal~agel11ent 

appointments, incl"uding low-income 

housing expert David 

Cortiella as IBA's executive director, 

the agency is poised to take a 

turn for the better, which will create 

a much more positive atmosphere 

for this year's festival. 

The celebration is in honor of 

Betal1ces, u 19th-centurv revolutionary 

\-vho is rel1lemb~red as a 

hero in Puerto Rico and parts of 

Latin America. He is best known 

for his contributions to fighting 

cholera and his commitment to 

abolish slavery and the plight of 

peasants under Spanish colonial 

rule. 

Other events on tap include a 

Caribbean Carnival that promises 

to bring flamboyant and pompous 

native costumes and dance; a fam- ' ';i..~ 

ily picnic in O'Day Park; a basket- ' 

ball tournament pitting Boston 

Police against Villa teenagers; a 

beauty pageant open to all youl~g 

girls in the South End; · International 

Day, which \.l,·'ill feature music 

and dance from several L.ltin 

American countries; and Puerto 

Rican day featuring a tentatively 

scheduled Andres Jimenez, a music 

sensation from Puerto Rico. 

"He's huge down home ,'" 

Negretti said. "He symbolizes 

Puerto Rican folklore c.ll1d culture 

with catchy und dc.ll1cy music." 

\Nith money cOl1Straints a factor 

in this year's festival, Negretti said 

organizers plcm to bring quality, 

not qllantity. ~dost events will begin 

at about 2 p.m. or 3 p.m. and 

last through the night. 

All of the musical acts have not 

been confirmed yet, but there will 

be a slllaller nu~nber of acts this 

year. Organizers would rC.lther h

1 a :JUassachuscl/s 

EL MUNDO· SEMAI>JA [)EL 23 AL 29 DE JULIO, 1990 

iCelebran Festival Betances! 

... en el coraz61. de Villa V 'ictoria. 

l \ \./ 

- - - - - - _1- ______ "__ _ 

I --,'/tl j i l/I' I'I'IIIO.\" II I'I//';O.\" /II;I 'II/hm.\" ill' III l'I 'I/I/III;t/(/(/I"II'/'/O/'/';(IW' iin (h'/ SOI//{, I':/Ir!. () \-';//(/ V; I"W/';O, /111/'/;(';1'(1/ /(/0 tll'I r!1'I'Ii/I' ,1('/''"1'1'1/1'1// /I I '/II/Ii'(,\" 1':/1 /II.\" 1,'/,"' ;11 ,1( '1/(1,1(1\ , III,, /I 'I'I 'I' II : '/111\'11/;,. 

N;I'I''''', N"IIIII ///I 'I'lIil, / ' ;III ~ ltI" 1/1/ '" ,.;",. ,It' /i'dl"), 1'1\ 1//(///(/11 ( '/1/'(1,,"(/, / I';I/{ I II/Iilll/i/, / I;" 1:11/" 111/1'1;. I) ' ,1,,/( ,;, /, .• , /" "" \' 1" '" II 'r// i. '. I. , , ' I'. "II"

Ū 

na v~/, llIilS sc cclehr~ d l ; c~liv;" B! ~ laIlCcs pur LIs calles IlL 

Villa Vlelona ell eI Soulh hnd, dpllde CICllios de persoJlas 

parliciparoll de los dlfereJlles cVClllos reali/,ados. 

EI focslival cOJncnz

1998F estival Betat1.ces 

-I hi s yedr m ,lI ked Ihe 75 Lh ;1I11Iivcrs;lI Y o f f-cs liv'll13c l;lIlccs. held over Ihe w('e~ < e lld . (Ck)( kwisp rrO l,l~ r.) SlilL ~; lU ( er~ 

l{oberLo P,ios (1-.). I ;\. and jorge C(lrdOII;1. 10. and balon corps In~rcll e cl "I pardcJe II lUI ~d ,j y lc} kr ck 01 1 Ics llve t\ UI ~ I _ S ~ . I : l H:f' 

I'IIOIOS). The top Lhree members or th e winning tcam Ir ~ the g r e ~ l se d - ro l c conLes l on ,JUIlcJelr (~r~rn bOllo m) 11,(1I:CIS('0 

TOiles. Jose " ChciLo" P,o':iado ;Hld J rJS(~ narricntos. and CJcorgc (Jollzalcz 0 1 West nl ookllllC)lt ee l shows o lll.l1c \cs tI Ve]1 

spirit w ilh his ncw "pet." Lillie C;CO.(LlhIU/\ H/\I\s PI IOIOS)

Ramsay Committee supports mini Fenway ......... page 3 

January 14, 1999 [Vol. 19, No.50] 

January 14, 1999 ~,~ South End News 1P& Page 5 

Holiday clleer 

Residents of Villa Victoria help celebrate Three King's Day this past Sunday at the Jorge 

Hernandez Cultural Center, The celebration included entertainment, food and a visit 

from the Three Kings who brought gifts to all the ,good boys and girls. (Linda Haas photo)

Edicion #51, 17 al23 de diciernbre,~9,98. DJ). 12i24/98. 911 Massachusetts Avenue, Boston MA 02118. TelHollos: (617) 541-2222, Fax 427-6227 

Menino comparte con 

residentes de Villa Victoria 

El pas ado sabado 19 de diciembre el Alcalde de la Ciudad de. Boston • 

Thomas Menino, junto a varios residentes de Villa Victoria encel1dieron 

las luces del arbol navideno de esta tradicional comunidad puertoriquena.

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FUNDERS 

ESCUELITA BORIKEN DA YCARE 

M 

ission:- Escuelita Boriken is dedicated to offering a bilingual and 

bicultural environment that is nurturing, challenging, self-affirming, 

educational and fun for young children and their families . . Established 

in 1996 to continue the legacy set by Escuelita Agueybana, the daycare program 

is committed to educating and empowering parents to take an active role in the 

education of their children. 

PARTNERSHIP AND 

COLLABORATIONS 

>- Office for Child Care Services, 

>- Child Care Choices of Boston, . 

>- Department of Education: Community Partnership 

and Food Programs. 

>- As a member of the South End/Chinatown Cluster 

Escuelita receive funds from the 0-8 Coalition. 

>- From the private sector, Escue1-ita Boriken 

received a donation from Bank Boston specifically 

for the implementation of a Literacy Program. 

Escuelita has established collaboration with: 

• DIMMOCK COMMUNITY HEALTH CENTER. 

They have provided 3 students that are doing their 

nursing internship at our center. The interns are 

providing critical services once a week per 

trimester. These interns are students from the 

nursing school at Northeastern University. 

• CITY YEAR provides 4 core members per year. 

• JUMPSTART. They have provided 7 core 

members during the months of June and July. 

They assisted each class 6 hours a day every day 

during the summer. They also had a service day at 

our center where 15 core members participated and 

assisted Escuelita's staff in preparing educational 

material to be used in the classrooms. 

• SOUTH END HEALTH CENTER is providing 

the Center with a Licensed Social Work. The 

Social Worker devotes her time to the children that 

December 9, 1999

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SPECIAL 

ACCOMPLISHMENT 

VOLUNTEERS 

had been referred by teachers for her services. She 

works closely with the children, teachers, director 

and parents. 

• FOSTER GRANDPARENTS PROGRAM: a 

foster grandmother is assigned to Escuelita. She 

has been at our Center for the last three years 

• UNITED SOUTH END SETTLEMENTS. We 

have collaborated in joint arts programming. 

• SOUTH END/ CHINA TOWN CLUSTER 

• CHILD CARE CHOICES OF BOSTON 

• BANK BOSTON 

• FLEET CENTER 

• BOSTON PUBLIC SCHOOL 

• BOSTON PUBLIC LIDRARY 

• REEBOK 

• PARENTS 

• RESIDENTS 

• Established and Advisory Committee for the 

Escuelita Boriken 

• Successfully renewed the operating license 

through the Office for Child Care Services 

• Completed a Strategic Planning Process 

• Implemented new goals and objective and 

curriculum 

• Provided more than 20 hours of training for the 

staff 

• All staff are OCCS certified as teachers 

• Maintained full enrollment of children 

• 4 staff have enrolled in college to complete a 

degree in Early Childhood Education. 

• Started the training process and the "Self 

Study"stage for the accreditation process by the 

National Association for the Education of Young 

Children. 

• Accepted in the Licensing Process Mentoring 

Program offered by Inner City 

• 25 

December 9, 1999

Mayor Menino visitsEI Batey Technology Center 

and gets tips on software from 

Erika Nunez, a student from Escuelita Boriken 

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Escuelita Boriken Graduation , 

Plaza Betances 

August 27, 1999

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Friday, October 22, 1 999 

Senator Dianne Wilkerson 

Visits Escuelita Boriken 

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,'.. ;". ;; . .....-- .,- . .. 

.-:.-. . ..: :' :. '::-. :,::: ,::':;: :: .: -. '. . ,.. ;:. ':;" .::: :::'..:.: ..:.:---;::;:!:;:::':::::::. ~ .::. -,' . 

l~ ; ~ : UILI : N os '· BORIHC "UAS 

FUNDERS 

FAMILY SUPPORT 'DEPARTMENT 

Purpose: The FAMILY SUPPORT PROGRAM provides supportive, 

, educational and advocacy services to Latino families who are caretakers of 

individuals afflicted with mental illness. The goal of the program is to 

support independent living and self-empowerment, and to reduce the sigma 

associated with mental illness by integrating families into the broader community. 

ACTIVITES 

OUTCOMES 

Department of Mental Health 

During the year the program coordinates and celebrates activities in 

order to fulfill the needs of the participants as well as the goals of the 

program. 

• Group sessions and family orientation. 

• Case management and support services. 

• Escort, translation, and advocacy services. 

• Cultural awareness. 

• Three (3) support group and workshops per month. 

• Recreational activities. 

• Trip outside the country: last year trip was to the Bahamas. 

• Fundraising activities for planned trips 

• Financial and personal planning 

The program: 

• Supported 52 families understand the mental illness within their 

family 

• Enhanced family's coping skills to deal with everyday situations. 

• Empowered families to better care for themselves and their mentally 

ill relatives 

December 9, 1999

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VOLUNTEERS 

FAMILY SUPPORT DEPARTMENT 

Given the confidential nature of the program, we only rely on 

volunteers to serve as chaperons during the trips we take with 

the families. Over the year, there were in excess of 25 regular 

volunteers and another 10 who pa~icipated occasionally. 

COLLABORATORS . )0> Solomon Carter Fuller Mental Health Center 

)0> Lawyers Referral Service 

)0> Legal Services Institute 

)0> Disability Law Center 

December 9, 1999

For more information about our services you can call: 

Ana M. Valdebenito 

Carmen Colombani 

Mabel Lavayen 

Program Coordinator 

927-1720 

Case Worker 

927-1723 

Case Worker 

927-1722 

INQUILINOS BORICU AS EN 

ACCION (lBA) 

fAMILY SUPPORT 

PROGRAM 

Funding for the Together We Stand Program is provided 

by the Department of Mental Health of 

Massachusetts. Solomon Carter Fuller area. 

"Juntos Luchamos" 

"Together We Stand" 

EI Programa "Juntos Luchomos" es financiado por el 

Departamento de Salud Mental del Estado de 

Massachusetts. Solomon Carter Fuller area. 

People Working Together For A Better Future in 

Villa Victoria and the Latino Community. 

Trabajamos Juntos Por Un Futuro Mejor En 

Villa Victoria y La Comunidad Latina. 

. 405 Shawmut Avenue 

Boston, Massachusetts 02118 

(617) 927-1707

"TOGETHER WE STAND" Program 

Program objective: To provide supportive, educational and 

linkage services to hispanic families/caretakers of chronically 

mentally ill. 

Program Components 

Support Groups: To provide emotional support to families/ 

caretakers to better cope with the stressful situation of 

caring for a mentally ill individual. 

Educational Groups: To provide general information to families/caretakers 

about the different mental illnesses and 

about home based management of them. 

Individual Support: To provide counseling for those in need 

of discussing individually, issues related to the mentally ill 

relative. 

Linkage Services: To provide specialized assistance in accessing 

mental health services and other social services. 

Crisis Intervention: To provide support, escorting and 

translation service during psychiatric crisis. Link with the B. 

E.S.T. Team. Follow up the discharge plan. 

All these services are free of cost. 

Program a "JUNTOS LUCHAMOS" 

Objectivo del Programa: Proveer servicios de apoyo individual 

y grupal, talleres educativos, servicios de enlace y 

ayuda a familias Hispanas que viven/o cuidan de personas 

que son enfermos mentales cronicos. 

Componentes del Programa 

Grupos de Apoyo: Para ayudar a las familias/encargados 

a enfrentar mejor la dificil situacion de tener a su cuidado 

a una persona con una enfermedad mental cronica. 

Grupo Educacionales: Para proveer a las familias/ 

encargados informacion general sobre los diferentes tipos 

de enfermedades mentales y acerca de como poder manejar 

mejor la situacion en sus hogares 

Apoyo Individual: Para dialogar con un consejero/a acerca 

de aquellos problemas relacionados con el cuido del familiar 

afectado por una enfermendad mental cronica. 

Servicios de Enlace: Para ayudar a las familias/ 

encargados a lograr un mayor acceso a los servicios de 

salud mental y de ayuda social existentes en el area. 

Intervencion en crisis: Proveer apoyo, acompanamiento y 

servicio de interprete durantre las crisis pSiquiatricas. 

Servicio de enlace con el Equipo de Emergencia de Boston 

(B.E.S.T. team). Seguimiento del plan de alta hospitalaria. 

Todos estos servicios son gratuitos.

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IB~INQUILINOS BORICUAS EN ACCION ~BA 

~ 

r1 

Boston: August 1 (/", 1999 

To the Participants of the Trip to Spain: 

fVe are happy to invite you to a meeting/or Thursday If/I: at 6 PJl in 405 l~lhaWlnllt 

Avenue, IBA . 

We "will be real happy to nleet you in order to plan our trip. The group lvill have the 

opportunity to express all the concerns and information that you can have before the 

departure, 

1 would like to remenlber you that tltis day you should have ill order the financial part 

of the trip 

Please cail me in order to confirm your assistance. I you have some friend interest in 

tra~el witiz us, you are free to in vile Izirnlher to tlte lneeting 

Sincerely 

A Los Participanie Del Viaje a Espaiia: 

Esiamos jidices de tener la oportunidad de in vitarlos a una reunion a realizarse el 

Jueves 19 de Agosto a las 6 pm en 405 Schawmut Avenue, IBA. 

Al tnismo tiempo estantos contentos de poder plan ear este viaje en conjunto COil 

ustedes. 

En esta reunion ustedes tendran la oportunidad de expresar iodas las preocupaciones 

o dudas que tengan, antes de 1£1 salida para J.vIadrid 

Les recuerdo que esta es fa oportunidad de poner ell dia fa parte fin an ciera del viaje. 

Por favor nte llaman para cOllfirmar su asistellcia. Si ustedes tieilen algun amigo 

interesado en viujar, por favor invitenlo a la reunion 

Sin cerUlnen te 

-"1 ") r. r--- 

,tnA-tL //!1l cd LJ-& _______ 

Ana At/aria Valdehenito _____ --" 

(617) 927-1720 ----- 

405 Shawmut Avenue, Boston, MA02118 (617) 927-1707 Fax (617) 536-5816 

';{)o.'t~iff.9 7o.9et~e't 7o.'t A ~ette't 7ettet'te 1H-1/dta 1/ido.'tia 

7'tad-ajaff.do. 9etH-to.4 'j)o.'t UH- 7ettet'to. ltejo.'t &H-1/dta 1/ido.'tia

Inquilinos Boricuas en Acclon (IBA) 

Programa. de Apoyo a las Familia 


Cordialmente Lo Invita .a la Ceremonia de 

entrega de pasajes, a Espana, Madrid 

405 Shawmut Avenue 

Sala de Conferencias 

Miercoles, 27 de Octubre de 1999 

10.:00 am - 12:00 pm 

RSVP con Ana Maria Valdehenito al 927-1720 

Inquilinos Boricuas en Accion 

Family Support Program 


"Together We Stand" 

Ceremonia de Entrega de Pasajes a Madrid 

Ceremony of Trip to Madrid 

Wednesday, October 2,7, 1999 

Inquilin~s Boricuas en Accion (IBA) 

Family Support Program 

".Together we Stand" 

Cordially invites you 

to the Presentation of airline tickets 

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Dear Resident of Villa Victoria:' 

As you read in our last leaflet, on Saturday, October 3 rd from 11 :OOAM to 

3 :OOPM, the staff of Inquilinos Boricuas en Accion will be visiting your home to conduct 

. our annual corporation membership drive. The importance of this drive is to 

1) identify as many individuals from the Villa Victoria community who 

will vote in the annual elections to be held on October 17, and , 

2) recruit candidates forthe new board. 

Our community corporation by-laws require that annually we sign-up all Villa 

Victoria residents for corporate membership. To become a. member of the corporation, ' 

you must be: 

}> a resident of the Villa Victoria community 

}> 18 years old and older 

}> listed on the lease (for condo owners of Taino Towers, you must be 

owner of record), and 

}> pay $1.00 annual membership fee. 

On Saturday we will be contacting you to sign you up for membership and to 

collect the membership fee. The fee will help us pay for some of the expenses associated 

with the elections and annual meeting. After paying the fee, you will be given a 

corporate membership card. This card entitles you to become eligible for the board, sign 

nomination papers, participate in the annual elections to be held on Saturday, October 17, 

and other important benefits such as discount rental fees for the Jorge Hernandez Cultural 

Center. 

Please sign-up for your corporate membership. If you will not be home on 

Saturday, you can stop by the IBA office on Monday or Tuesday from 9:00AM to 

5 :OOPM to sign up. If you want, you can call us and a staff member will visit your home. 

Thank you for your cooperation and continued support for our community. If you have 

any questions, please feel free to call our offices at 927-1707. 

PARTICIPATE 

+( 

IN YOUR COMMUNITY AND MAKE A DIFFERENCE. 

smCer~lY, A l 

~ 

13J~rtLlla 

Transitional Administrator

....•..••.... ••.... .... ......•.•. >:;·L,;> ~{±!2I~'J)qRTANrrE: ; •. ...••. •. \ ......•... 

•......····: J:l.AZ17E,l\1.IE~§() :iR~ :LA~()RP9RAc!pNDEmA ...... ... . 

·.sE .·uN·cOOII1AT.Q:A.EW:JPNTAD$DIRECTOREs··DE·mA······ 

Estimado residente de Villa Victoria: 

EI proximo sabado 3 de octubre de 1998, de 11 :00 am a 3:00 pm, el personal de IBA 

estara visitando su hogar para llevar a cabo la campana annual de miembresia. La 

importancia de esta campana es: 

1) identificar el mayor niunero de tesidentes de la comunidad de Villa 

Victoria para que voten en las eleciones anuales a celebrarse el 

proximo sabado 17 de octubre, y 

2) rec1utar candidatos para la nueva Junta. 

EI reglamento de nuestra corporacion comunitaria requiere que anualmente se incorporen 

como miembros de la corporacion todo residente de Villa Victoria. Para ser miembro de 

la corporacion usted debe: 

~ ser residente de la comunidad de Villa Victoria, 

~ tener 18 anos 0 mas, 

~ estar en el contrato de arrendamiento (para residentes de la Taino,_ 

usted debe ser el duefio) y 

~ pagar la cuota annual de $1.00. 

EI sabado, estaremos visitandole, para llenarle la solicitud y cobrar la cuota annual de 

miembresia. La cuota nos ayudara a pagar parte de los gastos relacionados a las 

elecciones y de la Asamblea General. Al pagar su cuota annual, usted recibira una tarjeta 

de miembresia a la corporacion. Esta taIjeta Ie permite a usted ser elegible como 

miembro de la Junta, firmar para endosar candidatos, participar en las elecciones anuales 

a celebrarse el proximo sabado 17 de octubre y a otros beneficios importantes como . 

descuentos al alquilar el centro cultural Jorge Hernandez. 

Favor firmar y hacerse miembro de la Corporacion. Si usted no va a estar en su hogar el 

sabado, puede vi sitar las oficinas de IBA el lunes 0 martes de 9:00 am a 5 :00 pm para 

llenar y pagar su miemb,resia. Si usted desea, puede llamarnos y Un empleado Ie visitara 

en su hogar para completar el processo. Gracias por su cooperacion y apoyo continuo a 

nuestra comunidad. Si tiene alguna pregunta, sientase en la libertad de llamarnos al 

927-1707. 

jParticipa en tu comunidad y haz fa diferencia! 

1;t(e~T f~~'~ ~ (( 

David Cortiella 

Director Interino 

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Inquilinos Boricuas En Acci6n 

405 Shawmut Avenue • Boston, MA 02118 • (617) 927-1707 

Solicitud para las Elecciones de la Junta de Directores del 1998 

1998 Board Elections Nomination Application 

Mission de IBAIETC 

Inquilinos Boricuas En Acci6n (lBA), es una 

organizaci6n privada de base comunitaria sin fines 

de lucro. Fue establecida hace 30 aiios para 

desarollar y dar poder a la communidad de Villa 

Victoria en el South End de Boston. Se dedica a 

(a) fomentar el bienestar humano, social y 

econ6mico de los residentes de Villa Victoria, (b) 

promover y abogar por latinos en toda la ciudad, 

y (c) perpetuar el rico patrimonio cultural y 

artistico latinos. El trabajo de IBA y su 

subsidiaria ETC es administrado por una junta de 

residentes elegida por residentes de la comunidad 

de Villa Victoria. 

IBA/ETC Mission 

Inquilinos Boricuas En Acci6n (lBA), a private, 

nonprofit community-based organization 

established 30 years ago to develop and empower 

the Villa Victoria community in Boston's South 

End, is dedicated to (a) fostering the human, 

social and economic well-being of Villa Victoria 

residents , (b) promoting and advocating for 

Latinos citywide, and (c) perpetuating the rich 

Latino cultural and artistic heritage. The work of 

IBA and its subsidiary are administered by a 

resident board elected by residents of the Villa 

Victoria community. 

EI ultimo dia para entregar la solicitud de las elecciones sera el jueves, 8 de octubre de 

1998 antes de las 5:00 pm. Por favor de entregar la informacion en la oficina de 

rnA que esta localizada en el 405 Shawmut A venue. 

Please submit your applications and nomination papers by 5:00 pm on Thursday, 

October 8, 1998. This information must be returned to the 

rnA offices at 405 Shawmut A venue.

Hoja de NominacionlNomination Sheet 

Nosotros, los fmnantes y miembros de IBAlETC, apoyamos a 

para la 

Junta de Directores de nuestra corporacion. Por favor recuerde que las fim1as tienen que ser de miembros activos de 

IBAIETC. 

We, the undersigned members of IBAlETC, support 

for the Board of 

Directors of our corporation. Please remember that signatures must be of registered IBAIETC members. 

Nombre del Miembro 

Name of Member 

1. 

2. 

3. 

4. 

5. 

6. 

7. 

8. 

9. 

10. 

11. 

12. 

13. 

14 

15 . 

16. 

17. 

18. 

19. 

20. 

Finna del Candidato/Signature of Candidate 

Direccion del Miembro 

Address of Member 

EI ultimo dia para entregar las solicitudes sera el jueves, 8 de octubre de 1998 

Applications are due on Thursday, October 8, 1998 

Telefono 

Telephone 

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Nombre Del Candidato 

Direccion 

Fecha De Nacitnento 

Inquilinos Boricuas En Accion 

405 Shawmut Avenue, Boston, MA 02118, (617) 927-1707 

Seguro Social 

Telef6no 

La informacion siguente sera usada para preparar la boleta electoral y afiches publicitarios. 

Por favor de escribir legiblemente y contestar todas las preguntas. 

1. Experiencia voluntaria y profesional (Anote experiencia con juntas, comites, y organizando 

actividades comunitarias) 

2. i,En que actividades IBAIETC debe participar i,Para el proximo ano, que programas se 

deb en implimentar en Villa Victoria 

3. i,Como miembro de la Junta de Directores como puede usted ayudar a IBAIETC a seguir 

adelante con su mision y metas 

Con mi firma, yo certifico que la informacion descrita es fielmente exacta. Yo prometo defender 

los principios y la mision de IBAIETC. 

Firma 

Fecha

Name 

Address 

Date of Birth 


405 Shawmut Avenue, Boston, MA _ 02118, (617) 927-1707 

Social Security Number 

Telephone 

The following information will be used for the preparation of ballots and-a campaign brochure. 

Please write legibly and answer all questions. 

1. Volunteer and work experience (Please add any experience working with boards, 

committees, and organizing community activities.) 

2. What programs and activities should IBAIETC initiate for next year 

3. As a board member how can you help IBAIETC move forward with its mission and goals 

With my signature, I certify that the above information is accurate to the best of my knowledge. 

I promise to defend the principles and mission of IBAIETC. 

Signature 

Date 

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MEDIA ADVISORY 

F or more information: 

David J. Cortiella at 927-1701 or 

Inquilinos Boricuas en Accion at 927-1707 

INQUILINOS BORICAS EN ACCION (IDA), A THIRTY YEAR 

OLD COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION AND 

SOCIAL SERVICE AGENCY, WILL HOLD ITS ANNUAL 

MEETING ON THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 12 AT 6:00PM AT 

THE JORGE HERNANDEZ CULTURAL CENTER. THE 

CENTER IS LOCATED AT 85 WEST NEWTON STREET IN 

THE SOUTH END OF BOSTON. 

AT THE ANNU:AL MEETING, THE NEWLY ELECTED 12 MEMBER 

RESIDENT BOARD OF DIRECTORS WILL BE INTRODUCED. THIS 

MARKS THE FIRST TIME IN TWO YEARS THAT BOARD ELECTIONS 

HAVE BEEN HELD. 

THE KEYNOTE SPEAKER WILL BE DEBORAH RAMIREZ, PROFESSOR 

AT NORTHEASTER UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF LAW AND FORMER 

CHAIR OF THE MASSACHUSETTS COMMISSION ON HISPANIC 

AFFAIRS. SHE WILL SPEAK · ON THE IMPORTANCE OF LATINO 

COMMUNITY EMPOWERMENT AS WE HEAD INTO THE 20 TH CENTURY. 

IBA WILL PRESENT A SPECIAL RECOGNITION TO THE UNITED WAY 

OF MASSACHUSETTS BAY AND TO MARILYN ANDERSON-CHASE, 

SENIOR VICE PRESDIENT, FOR THE UNWAVERING SUPPORT OF THE 

IBA REBUILDING EFFORT OVER THE PAST YEAR. 

A LATINO MUSIC AND DANCE PRESENTATION WILL BE PART OF THE 

FESTIVITIES. TRADITIONAL REFRESHMENTS WILL BE SERVED IN 

THE RECEPTION TO FOLLOW. 

Inquilinos Boricuas en Acci6n (IBA) 

(Puerto Rican Tenants in Action) 

405 Shawmut Avenue • Boston • Massachusetts 02118 

Tel: (617) 927.1707 • Fa:,,: (617) 536.5816

PRESS RELEASE 

INQUILINOS BORICUAS EN ACCION (IBA) ANNOUNCES A NEW 

BOARD OF DIRECTORS AT ITS ANNUAL MEETING 

F or More Information: 

David J. Cortiella 

927-1701 

On Thursday, November 12, 1998 Inquilinos Boricuas en Accion, Inc., a thirty 

year old community development corporation and social service agency located in the 

South End of Boston, will announce the new Board of Directors at its annual meeting to 

be held at the Jorge Hernandez Cultural Center. The center is located at 85 West Newton 

Street. The event will commence at 6:00PM. 

The 12 board members are residents of the Villa Victoria community and were 

elected in a day long voting that took place on Saturday November 7. The eligible voters 

were the over three thousand residents of the Villa Victoria community. The new board 

was elected from among nineteen candidates who had submitted signed nomination 

papers, made a public presentation at a community candidates night, and participated in a 

board orientation session. 

"The election of the new board is another major step in the rebuilding process of 

IBA and of the Villa Victoria community. It represents a commitment by the community 

to the same resident activism that led to the establishment of this community over thirty 

years ago" stated David J. Cortiella, transitional manager of IBA. 

At the annual meeting the new board members will be announced to the 

community. This is the first elected board in almost two years. During this period, the 

agency has undergone a major leadership change and a redefinition of its mission. In 

June of this year, the board, with the assistance of the United Way, numerous local 

foundations and concerned Latino leaders, a transitional management company was hired 

to run the day-to-day activities of the agency. 

CVR Associates, Inc. is a consulting 

company headed by David J. Cortiella, former head of the Boston Housing Authority. 

Inquilinos Boricuas en Acci6n (IBA) 

(Puerto Rican Tenants in Action) 

405 Shawmut Avenue • Boston • lY1a.ssachusetts 02118 

Tel: (617) 927.1707 • Fax: (617) 536.5816 

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CVR is a full-service consulting company that assists troubled housing agencies with 

transitional management .support and architects of major organizational rebuilding efforts. 

"We have taken a major step in the strengthening of our agency and of our 

community by selecting a transitional manager and now electing a new board" stated 

lolanda Tubens, outgoing president of the IBA Board. "The outgoing board has guided 

the agency through a difficult chapter in our history which we believe has come to a 

close. We are all looking forward to having an invigorated and active board that will 

chart a course for this agency and community for the coming decades." 

This year IBA marks its thirtieth anniversary. Founded by Latino community 

activists in the late 1960's, IBA . received national acclaim for the community 

empowennent and community building model that it soon developed. In these thirty 

years of progress, IBA has developed approximately 900 units of rental housing for lowincome 

families, a 27 -unit mixed income condominium complex, a cultural center, a 

business district and a community called Villa Victoria. IBA founded a credit union for 

low-income residents, an acclaimed bilingual daycare center, and a community arts 

program that shares the rich Latino cultural heritage with the residents of Boston. IBA 

has also been an innovator in program for youth, families and the elderly. 

The vision of IBA is to protect affordable rental housing for the residents of Villa 

Victoria and to explore affordable housing options. IBA also supports the continued 

empowennent of the residents of Villa Victoria through skills training programs, 

economic empowerment and other services. As part of its mission, IBA is dedicated to 

integrating the love for the arts and the dissemination of Latino arts in Boston by 

becoming the Latino cultural center of this region. 

"IBA represents one of the few symbols of Latino empowerment in Boston" 

commented David Cortiella. "It is important that this agency become stronger in the 

months to come so that it will once again become an advocate voice for Latinos in Boston 

and contributes to the many issues facing Latinos in this city." 

## 70 ##

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Inquilinos Boricuas En Accion (IBA) ha iniciado la campana para 

renovar la miembresia para el ana 1998-1999. 

Este es el momenta para que todo miembro renueve- su .miembresia yasi 

mantenerse activo como miembro de la Corporacion. Todo residente 

es bienvenido a hacersemiembro si: (1) es mayor de 18 anos, (2) es residente de 

las propiedadesde.IBA, (3) paga su couta de $1.00. Como miembro de la 

Corporacion, usted tendra el derecho a votar por los miembros de la Junta, 

ser nominado a la Junta de Directores, recibir un descuento de 50% al alquilar el centro 

cultural Jorge Hernamdez, y descuentos en la entrada a distintos eventos 

(La tarjeta de miembresia es necesaria para recibir descuentos)~ 

Para solicitar sa miembresfa. visite a Marta laboy en IDA antes de las 

5:00 pm. del martes 6 de octubre de 1998. 



iVisita las oficinas de IBA 

V bazte miembro hoy! 

Para mas informacion llama a Madeline Soto al· 927-17050927-1707

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Inquilinos Boricuas En Accion (IBA) is launching its 1998-1999 menilership 

call1laign. Alii BA mermers will have to renew their menilership to maintain status 

as mermers. NeAalmers are welcomed to apply for menDership. All menilers 

I1lJSt pay a $1.00 fee, be 18 years or older and I1lJSt be a resident of I BA properties. 

. As an IBA meniler, you will have the right to run for the Board 

of.Directors and vote to elect the menDers of the Board. 

The corporate menilership also entitles you to a 50% discount on rental 

charge for use of the Jorge Hernandez Cultural Center and discount· 

at the various events. To receive discount corporate mermership 

card I1lJSt be presented at adnission. 

See Marta labovat the IDA Offices before 5:00 pm. Tuesdav. 

October 6th to apply for membership. 

InquilinosBoricuas En Accion 


Stop bv the IBA oRiees and 

become a member todavl 

For information contact Madeline Soto at 927-1705 or 927-1707

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Inquilinos Boricuas En Accion, Inc. 

Elecciones/Elections 

7 November 1998 

CANDIDATOS PARA LA JUNTA 

DIRECTIVA 

CANDIDATES FOR THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS 

Vote por los siguientes candidatos con una "X" en el 

encasillado. Maximo de 12 

Vote for the following candidates with an "X" in the box of your 

choice. Maximum of 12 

Jose A. Aponte 

Carmen Barrientos 

Aida Cepeda 

Carmen Cotto 

Glorinett Diaz 

Johana Fuentes 

Annette Griffin 

Jennifer Gonzalez 

Diana Seda 

Elisa Soltren 

Eva Ortiz 

Monica Ovalles 

Maria Rivera 

Reinelda Rivera 

Jose Ruiz 

Yolanda Ruiz 

Angela Tejeda 

Marco A. Torres 

10landa Tubens 

',-abajand" )un1"8 1'".- Un 1~u1U\-" M~j".- En \1i11a 

\1ic1",-ia 

\\1",-ldng '''ge1he.- V",- 1."\ Belle,- l~u1U\-~ In \1i11a 

\1ic1".-ia 

Inquilinos Boricuas En Accion, Inc. 

Elecciones/Elections 

7 November 1998 

CANDIDATOS PARA LA JUNTA 

DIRECTIVA 

CANDIDATES FOR THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS 

Vote por los siguientes candidatos con una "X" en el 

encasillado. Maximo de 12 

Vote for the following candidates with an "X" i'n the box of 

your choice. Maximum of 12 

Jose A. Aponte 

Carmen Barrientos 

Aida Cepeda 

Carmen Cotto 

G lorinett Diaz 

Johana Fuentes 

Annette Griffin 

Jennifer Gonzalez 

Diana Seda 

Elisa Soltren 

Eva Ortiz 

Monica Ovalles 

Maria Rivera 

Reinelda Rivera 

Jose Ruiz 

Yolanda Ruiz 

Angela Tejeda 

Marco A. Torres 

Jolanda Tubens 

' .. abajand" )un1"8 1'",- Un l~u1U\-" M ej"" En \1i11a 

\1 ic1"..t a 

\\1",-ldng '''ge1he,- l~",- 1."\ Belle .. 1~u1U\·~ In \1iUa \1ic1".-ia

II - Boston's Latino Community History - Northeastern University

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