DAVID SEPULVEDA PHOTO
Ears perked up as U.S. Sen. Richard Blumenthal, one of two guests of honor at Junta’s (Junta for Progressive Action) 45th Anniversary Gala held at the The Ballroom at LoRicco Tower Friday, began to address the audience in Spanish: “I’m not going to say a lot because I can’t speak much [Spanish]. I have to practice,” he said, eliciting a burst of laughter.
The senator, in English, went on to speak about a cause that he said has been his passion for years: immigration. Recalling the experience of his father, who came to America in 1935 to escape persecution, Blumenthal said, “This country gave him a chance to succeed.” “We are a nation of immigrants,” he proclaimed
Cynthia Rojas left, recipient, Community Hope Award, Senator Blumenthal, recipient, Hope Award, right, Sanda Trevino, Junta executive director.
The gala’s theme, “Con Todo Corazón!” (With all our heart!), had many speaking from the heart, including the co-guest of honor, Cynthia Rojas, vice-president of strategic advancement at Clifford Beers Clinic. She also spoke about immigrant issues, noting the sense of isolation experienced by Latino immigrants who many times have, “nowhere to go, nowhere to turn.”
Since its founding, Fair Haven-based Junta has increased its services beyond the needs of members of the Puerto Rican community, who, while arriving as American citizens, were in need of transitional services. Today the organization is inclusive of the broader Latino community and other vulnerable populations across the city. Junta’s mission, simply stated, is that of “improving their total quality of life and increasing their participation in the social and civic lives of their communities.”
That overarching goal is achieved through programs in adult education, community outreach, economic development and employment, children’s programs, family management, legal advocacy and community organizing. Junta’s programs were highlighted in a brief narrated slide show.
Emceeing the Junta gala was Rafael Ramos, founder of Fair Haven’s Bregamos Community Theater and New Haven Livable City Initiative’s deputy director of housing code enforcement.
A noted thespian who often takes on roles in his theater’s productions, Ramos regaled the audience with a short monologue from the writings of Puerto Rican author Jesús Colón in a piece called “Small things are big things.” The autobiographical story recounts Colón’s lost opportunity to help a struggling woman with children in tow, negotiate difficult city topography out of fear of being rejected, or worse, because of his ethnicity and skin color.
Before the sounds of live salsa music by “Carlos y Su Momento Musicale” filled the spacious hall …
… gala attendees enjoyed several buffet stations featuring Latin specialties from local restaurants like Mezcal, Saoco Colombian Restaurant, and Rubamba Restaurant.
Taking to the floor to start the evening’s salsa dancing was Lou Lopez and his dance partner, of Stamford’s Latin Moves Dance Studio .
Others wasted no time joining in.
Though the iPad raffle is over, and Junta pledge cards have been distributed, donations can still be made to help support programs and initiatives of this deserving organization working for the betterment of others, with all their heart.
The senator, in English, went on to speak about a cause that he said has been his passion for years: immigration. Recalling the experience of his father, who came to America in 1935 to escape persecution, Blumenthal said, "This country gave him a chance to succeed." "We are a nation of immigrants," he proclaimed
Give me a break.This is the same Sen. Richard Blumenthal along with Dan Malloy who campaign against reforming the federal recognition process for Connecticut's three remaining state recognized tribes the Eastern Pequot Tribal Nation, the Golden Hill Paugusetts, and the Schaghticoke Tribal Nation.
I'm not going to say a lot because I can't speak much [Spanish]. I have to practice," he said, eliciting a burst of laughter.
I speak Spanish.
Los polÃticos son lobos con piel de cordero