New Haven Independent

The seven-week program, called Pasaporte Computer Training, is run by the Spanish American Merchants Association (SAMA) at its Grand Avenue offices. It teaches small-business owners and budding entrepreneurs like Franklin how to run QuickBooks accounting software, navigate the legal process of establishing a corporation, shop for insurance, manage money and employees.

Eighteen local people received certificates from politicians and other community leaders at the program’s 12th graduation ceremony. The graduates came from neighborhoods all over town, including Empowerment Zone neighborhoods; hence the sponsorship of Empower New Haven, along with NewAlliance Foundation, Capital Workforce Partners, and Allstate.

The graduates included Maria Azana of Mollendito Grocery & Deli on Congress Avenue in the Hill; Barbara Y. Gonzalez and Terry Provite of Beyond Home Care Staffing Services on Winchester Avenue in Newhallville; along with budding travel agents, handymen, grocers, cleaners, and hair stylists.

Franklin, who was born in Puerto Rico, moved from New York City to New Haven’s Fair Haven neighborhood in 1987. She currently works for a company that offers bilingual services. She’s hoping to open a store that sells clothes, housewares, “like a department store. I’m planning to do it in my neighborhood,” on Blatchley Avenue. “I think,” she said amid the optimism of Thursday’s ceremony, “I’m going to call it Elba’s Fashions.”