El Sol Latino | September 2017 | 13.11

September 2017

Volume 13 No. 11

Un Peri贸dico Diferente / A Different Kind of Newspaper

Latino Parents Sue Holyoke Public Schools for Unlawful Discrimination Un Peri贸dico Diferente / A Different Kind of Newspaper

Un Peri贸dico Diferente / A Different Kind of Newspaper

Un Peri贸dico Diferente / A Different Kind of Newspaper

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Editorial / Editorial

We concur with the Joint Statement from Leading Civil Rights and Racial Justice Organizations on the Presidential pardon to Sheriff Joe Arpaio. For this reason we are reproducing their press release in its entirety.

Condemning Sheriff Joe Arpaio’s Pardon August 23, 2017

contents

2 Editorial / Editorial Condemning Sheriff Joe Arpaio’s Pardon 3 Portada / Front Page Latino Parents Sue Holyoke Public Schools for Unlawful Discrimination

Condemning Sheriff Joe Arpaio’s Pardon: Joint Statement from Leading Civil Rights and Racial Justice Organizations

usual. In 2017, he was found in contempt of court for taking the “law” into his own hands and defying the court’s judgments. A Presidential pardon is a tacit endorsement of racist policing.

For 24 years, Sheriff Joe Arpaio ruled Maricopa County with an iron fist. His desire to embody a “tough” image and quest for fame led Arpaio to become one of the most famous and nefarious Sheriffs in America. Entrusted with the safety and well-being of the over four million residents of Maricopa County, Arpaio instead turned the county into a breeding ground of humiliation, intimidation and racial profiling. And, his jails became inhumane facilities operating under a culture of cruelty.

Communities were terrified by his illegal and mismanaged immigration enforcement, inmates died in his jails, and he used his leverage as a “law and order” proponent to become a heavy hitter in federal politics and raise vast sums for his reelection campaigns. A Presidential pardon of Joe Arpaio is a grave miscarriage of justice.

A Presidential pardon means that families living in jurisdictions with similar policing practices will be threatened and torn apart, simply because of their skin color. A Presidential pardon reinforces the administration’s agenda of criminalizing black and brown bodies, encouraging violence and mishandling of suspected offenders and paves the way for police and sheriff’s departments to impart their version of justice imbued with institutionalized racism. A Presidential pardon continues to convince the American public that President Trump upholds and validates white supremacy. A Presidential pardon clearly states that President Trump is not interested in healing the nation after a deadly white nationalist march, but instead desires to fan the flames of divisiveness.

5 Graduación de MSPCC en Holyoke

Arpaio’s policing tactics were so brazen, that he was found guilty of racial profiling in 2013. Under the guise of immigration enforcement, not the primary mission for the Sheriff’s Department, Arpaio targeted and terrorized Latinx communities, wrongfully detaining many lawful citizens and demonizing undocumented individuals. Despite the injunction barring his illegitimate and racist activities, Arpaio continued with business as

Advancement Project, Asian & Pacific Islander American Health Forum, Demos, Haas Institute for a Fair and Inclusive Society, National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, National Congress of American Indians, National Council of Asian Pacific Americans, National Urban League, PICO Network, Poverty & Race Research Action Council, Race Forward, and UnidosUS (former NCLR)

Salud / Health Rigoberto Serrano joins Fallon Health to serve Spanish-speaking elders

Cita del Mes/ Quote of the Month “… we found a dysfunctional districtwide department that was out of compliance with state and federal special education laws and regulations…our findings and recommendations to the Holyoke school district and the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education when unheeded.”

Joan E. Schuman, retired Executive Director of the Collaborative for Education Services (CES), in a letter published in The Boston Globe on December 18, 2015, where she references the study made by CES in 2011 of the Holyoke schools special education department, its practices and the special education services.

Tinta Caliente / Hot Ink 4 Cuyo Summer Program 2017 Celebration 7 Opinión / Opinion Honoring Hispanic Heritage

8 Condemning the Charlottesville Violence – Building a More Unified Future Un Candidato para Unir y Reenfocar Nuestra Ciudad 10 Dear Voters of Holyoke

Libros / Books CENTRO Journal Celebrates 30th Year 12 Las cosas que perdimos en el fuego

13 Ciencias / Science Using bacteria to improve our lifestyle

14 Genoa Pharmacy Opens at River Valley Counseling Center 15 Deportes / Sports Holyoke Old Timers Softball League 2017

Foto del Mes/ Photo of the Month

Dialys Sánchez Founded in 2004 n Volume 13, No. 11 n September 2017 Editor Manuel Frau Ramos manuelfrau@gmail.com 413-320-3826 Assistant Editor Ingrid Estrany-Frau Managing Editor Diosdado López

Art Director Tennessee Media Design Business Address El Sol Latino P.O Box 572 Amherst, MA 01004-0572

Dialys Sánchez, participant of Nuestros Viaje – Our Journey, an Art Showcase and Theater/ Dance Presentation celebrating the culmination of all of the work/art the youth compiled in the Cuyo Social Justice Summer Program on August 18, Nueva Esperanza, Inc.

Editorial Policy El Sol Latino acepta colaboraciones tanto en español como en inglés.

Nos comprometemos a examinarlas, pero no necesariamente a publicarlas. Nos reservamos el derecho de editar los textos y hacer correcciones por razones de espacio y/o estilo. Las colaboraciones pueden ser enviadas a nuestra dirección postal o a través de correo electrónico a: info@elsollatino.net.

El Sol Latino welcomes submissions in either English or Spanish.

We consider and review all submissions but reserve the right to not publish them. We reserve the right to edit texts and make corrections for reasons of space and/or style. Submissions may be sent to our postal address or via electronic mail to: info@elsollatino.net.

El Sol Latino is published monthly by Coquí Media Group.

El Sol Latino es publicado mensualmente por Coquí Media Group, P.O Box 572, Amherst, MA 01004-0572.

Portada / Front Page

El Sol Latino September 2017

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Latino Parents Sue Holyoke Public Schools for Unlawful Discrimination

By MANUEL FRAU RAMOS | manuelfrau@gmail.com The association of Latino parents known as Padres Latinos de las Escuelas de Springfield y Holyoke (PLESH) filed a federal lawsuit against the Holyoke Public Schools (HPS), the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE), and other local and state parties on August 21, 2017. The federal lawsuit alleges the school district’s “consistent failure to provide required translation and interpretation services for LEP Parents and DESE’s persistent failure to hold HPS accountable amount to a policy or custom of deliberate indifference and reckless disregard of the constitutional and statutory rights of LEP Parents in Holyoke thereby harming both Parents and their children.”

The lawsuit contends that HPS have failed to consistently provide LEP (Limited English Proficient) parents with translated school documents, and interpreters for meetings, among other things. The failure to provide these services is “in violation of federal statute and constitutional guarantees.” The document adds that this situation has been ongoing for more than two decades, where HPS, “acting with either state educational officials’ tacit approval or deliberately indifferent oversight, disregarded and intentionally ignored legal obligations to LEP Parents of students enrolled in the HPS.” The situation has not changed under the state’s current receivership.

Among the documents that HPS has “routinely and repeatedly” failed to translate to LEP Parents are included “notices of meetings, evaluations, proposed individualized education plans (IEPs), final IEPs, disciplinary notices, student and parents handbooks, anti-bullying information, notices of events, authorizations for release of information, health plans, nursing materials, documents related to extracurricular activities, progress reports, and special education documents.”

According to the lawsuit, the DESE and the HPS officials have been aware of the situation since 1996 and have not corrected it. In 1996, 2000, 2007 and 2013 DESE issued Compliance Program Reviews (CPR) reports “detailing systematic failures to comply with the regulations protecting students with disabilities and language barriers and their LEP parents.” The HPS did not follow recommendations made by the Compliance Program Reviews (CPR) for each of these years, remaining “out of compliance with legal obligations owed to LEP parents.”

In January 2015, the state returned to the HPS for another inspection. “The 2015 District Review Report, consistent with prior reports, details ongoing

OT TINTNAT E H INK LIE TRANY-FRAU CA r INGRID ES po

In Holyoke...

violations of the rights of students with disabilities, ELLs, former ELLs, and their Parents.”

The Holyoke Public Schools were put on state receivership in the summer of 2015.

In Mary 2016, The Urban Special Education Leadership Collaborative, hired by the receiver to conduct a review of programs and services offered to students with disabilities, once again found that the system was failing to provide adequate interpretation and translation services. Their report called for “immediate steps to ensure a system is in place to provide translating services for non-English speaking parents of children involved in the evaluation and IEP process.”

Under the receivership, “HPS has still failed to implement procedures for translating important education documents, to documenting all oral communications consistently, or to train all principals, administrative support staff, district translators, and other staff members identified as responsible for translations.”

Glorimar Corsino is the founder and chair of Padres Latinos de las Escuelas de Springfield y Holyoke (PLESH). Attorneys for PLESH are Holland & Knight LLP, Massachusetts Law Reform Institute, Inc., and Mental Health Legal Advisors Committee, all based in Boston.

This is not the first time the district has faced alleging discrimination violations to Latino parents and students. In December 2015, the Disability Law Center conducted a review and found that students in a program at the William Peck School that served emotionally challenged students, mostly Hispanics, were subjected to “psychological abuse and excessive force” to punish even trivial offenses.

In January 1979, the Hispanic Parents Advisory Council (HPAC), et al., filed a complaint with the Office of Civil Rights (OCR) of the then Department of Health, Education and Welfare against the HPS claiming that the city violated Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 by “its failure to identify primary language, asses language dominance, place students in appropriate programs, and notify parents of bilingual students of special educational needs.”

The litigation period resulted in an agreement between Latino parents and the City of Holyoke, resulting in the Voluntary Lau Compliance Plan, the Special Education Consent Decree, and the School Desegregation Consent Decree during the first years of 1980.

it was surprising to see that Latino-owned media was not invited to be part of the sponsors of the Celebrate Holyoke! Event held in August. In a city where Puerto Ricans make up almost half of the city’s population, this event should have included the wide diversity of the regional media.

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Portada / Front Page

El Sol Latino September 2017

Cuyo Summer Program 2017 Celebration by MANUEL FRAU RAMOS On August 18, Nueva Esperanza, Inc. celebrated Nuestros Viaje – Our Journey, an Art Showcase and Theater/Dance Presentation to celebrate the culmination of all of the work/art the youth compiled in the Cuyo Social Justice Summer Program. The event was held at El Mercado, 413 Main Street in Holyoke. Cuyo Social Justice Program is a collaboration between Nueva Esperanza, Inc. and Palante Theater Company.

The showcase featured the Cuyantes or participants of Cuyo 2017. The Cuyantes exhibited their work and sold most of their creations. Nuestro Viaje – Our Journey was produced, directed and choreographed by Nelson Rafael Román, Executive Director of Nueva Esperanza, Inc. This is one of the first community initiatives of Nueva Esperanza, Inc. under the leadership of Nelson Román, who was recently named as Executive Director of this iconic community organization.

The Cuyo Social Justice Summer Program is a unique daytime summer camp for pre-teens 9 - 12 year-old teens from all over the Pioneer Valley who want to make the world a better place.

This unique program promotes social justice promote social justice. “Whether you care about climate change,

Jeneliss Rivera, Justice García and Cecilio “Jake” Sánchez

| manuelfrau@gmail.com

bullying, homelessness, animal cruelty, gay rights, all of the above, or another important issue, Cuyo Social Justice Summer Program will help you make an even bigger difference on a cause you care about. We will be using the arts as a platform to showcase our knowledge and highlight injustices.”

The Cuyo Program is part of Nueva Esperanza’s new efforts to keep the 35 year old community organization as a catalyst and partner of a vibrant, sustainable, and powerful Puerto Rican / Afro-Caribbean community in Holyoke. This summer initiative is consistent with the three new components of Nueva Esperanza’s vision statement - Creation, Community, and Culture recently established by the new Board of Directors.

For example, Creation seeks to create new opportunities through social justice and community-centered education. In the leadership and creative development of youth, we continue to move the organization and the community forward.

Cast Justice Garcia, Nevaeh Gomez, Mega V. Hernandez, Natalia TWIX Rodriguez, Ricardo Molinary Jr., Jacob O’Brien, Jeneliss Rivera, Yaneisi Rivera, Cecilio Jake Sanchez, Dialys D Sanchez, Dominick Renaldi. Stage crew - Marilyn Nunez, Gerry Torres, Carmen Ocasio, Jake Sánchez, Ronny Manuel Hernandez y Libby Hernandez

Dominick Renaldi, Ricardo Molinary, Saúl El Pulpo Peñaloza, Gerardo Tapia Rosario and Angel Díaz

Cuyo cast, staff and friends

Juntos podemos hacer un mejor Holyoke Michael Thomas Siciliano cree en:

Servicio Público: un gobierno municipal que es el empleado del pueblo, todos los días, todos los años.

Seguridad Pública: un Departamento de Bomberos con todo el personal necesario, la misma protección para todos nuestros ciudadanos.

Escuelas Públicas: una administración que apoye y esté comprometida con la educación de todos nuestros niños/as.

Vote por Michael Thomas Siciliano en las elecciones preliminares para la alcaldía el 26 de septiembre

Call/text: (413) - 271 - 4545 Email: michael@oneholyoke.us

Website: www.oneholyoke.us Facebook: Michael Thomas Siciliano

Portada / Front Page

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El Sol Latino September 2017

Graduación de MSPCC en Holyoke Por MANUEL FRAU RAMOS | manuelfrau@gmail.com El 18 de agosto se celebró la tradicional graduación del Massachusetts Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children (MSPCC, por sus siglas en inglés) en el Holyoke War Memorial. Durante este evento se reconocieron los logros de las madres de los programas Holyoke Healthy Families, Massachusetts Home Visiting Initiative y el Teen Parenting Program.

Treinta y dos madres jóvenes, y un padre joven, fueron reconocidos por su compromiso, participación y por haber logrado satisfacer los requisitos necesarios en sus respectivos programas donde adquirieron destrezas que los ayudarán a ser mejores madres y padres para sus hijos/as.

Siguiendo el formato tradicional del programa, el evento comenzó con los himnos nacionales de los Estados Unidos y de Puerto Rico, interpretados por el saxofonista y cantante conocido popularmente como El Sonero Feliz, Luis René Robles.

La bienvenida estuvo a cargo de Angie Morrell, Directora Regional de Prevention Services.

Mary McGeown, Directora Ejecutiva de MSPCC, estuvo a cargo de la introducción de Darlene Elias, la oradora principal del evento. Elias narró su difícil camino, desde haber sido madre soltera hasta convertirse en una exitosa y orgullosa madre y abuela. Elias obtuvo un Bachillerato en Mount Holyoke College, y una Maestría en Trabajo Social en Springfield College.

Actualmente trabaja como Oficial de Probatoria en Springfield.

Las estudiantes Yarilis Conde del programa Healthy Families, y Keishabell Ibarra del programa Teen Parenting fueron seleccionadas por sus pares como oradores principales representativas de la clase. La Historia Digital estuvo a cargo de Maria DeJasus del Teen Parenting Program.

La clase graduanda está compuesta de Barbara Alamo, Kayla Babineau, Wilmarie Cardona, Nicole Collazo, Tessa Colón, Lereth Cortes, María DeJesús,

Foto MFR.

Linnette Hernandez, Liz Kery, Elkis Marrero, Elyani Matos, Roselyn Paulino, Carmen Sanchez, Lejean Toombs, Amanda Turcotte. Otras participantes que fueron reconocidas son Emily Benoit, Yarilis Conde, Amarilys Cartagena, Tiffany Gonzalez, Keishabell Ibarra, Vanessa Kane, Alyssa O’Connor, PrimaLynn Oun, Karina Ortiz, Lorein Ortiz, Tatyana Resto, Aliah Rivera, Nathalia Rivera, Xiomara Rosa, Destiny Ruiz, Alexis Schropshire, Nydaliz Torres y Zyel Villanueva Teen Parenting ayuda a madres embarazadas como también a padres solteros, menores de 24 años de edad con residencia en Holyoke.

Massachusetts Home Visiting Initiative ofrece sus servicios a padres, madres y abuelos de todas las edades, residentes de Holyoke, que tengan niños hasta un máximo de 3 años de edad.

Holyoke Healthy Families ofrece sus servicios en los pueblos de Holyoke y Chicopee. El programa le provee apoyo a padres y madres que no tengan más de 20 años de edad y que sean primerizos.

Para saber más de estos y otros programas que ofrece MSPCC, llame al (413) 532-9446, visite www.mspcc.org o visite sus oficinas en 9 Sullivan Road en Holyoke.

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Portada / Front Page

El Sol Latino September 2017

Opinión / Opinion

El Sol Latino September 2017

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Honoring Hispanic Heritage

by MIGUEL ARCE and WALTER MULLIN From September 15th to October 14th the nation recognizes the rich and varied history and experiences of Latinos, who have helped shape North America over the last 500-plus years. The term “Hispanics” was added to the United States Census in 1980 and the term includes citizens from 26 countries across the world. While “Hispanic” connotes a singular identity, it belies the complex makeup of the Latino community, as there is great diversity in the countries of origin. For example, the customs of people from Puerto Rico are not universally the same as the customs of people from Mexico or Nicaragua. Often these terms are used interchangeably. Generally speaking, Latinos in the United States can trace their heritage to every corner of Latin America. The Latino community in Massachusetts is growing every year. According to the Center for Women in Politics and Public Policy, University of Massachusetts, Latinos make up approximately 729,000 residents in Massachusetts. In 2010, 9.6% of Massachusetts residents identified themselves as Hispanic and in 2016, that percent increased to 11.5% (United States Census Bureau, Quick Facts).

So, what is the best way to honor and affirm a cultural heritage? One way is to highlight the people who own that heritage and who believe in the beauty of living daily in the culture that is part of it. A cultural heritage guides one’s life and offers unique choices to those who live within it. Those choices enrich the world. People from different heritages may approach a challenge in different ways but it becomes a marvel when one can stop and appreciate this difference.

Although heritage is lived daily by regular people going about their lives, it is worthwhile to note those people who work to “make the world a better place.” Latinos have made enormous contributions to the success of the United States as a country. These contributions impact every aspect of life including daily activities to changing major government laws and policies that affect all citizens. With more than 50 million people, Latinos have become the largest minority group in the U.S. Latinos work in factories, toil in the fields, sacrifice their lives in war, served as teachers of our children, and are recognized leaders in all professions. Latinos have succeeded through hard work and intelligence.

Malter Mullin and Miguel Arce

Embedded in all their work is that cultural discrimination has had a major impact on the daily lives of Latinos. It is often assumed that Latinos lack the resolution or intellect to work hard and make correct judgments. This way of thinking claims that when a Latino is living in poverty, it is the result of a personal failure supported by a “culture of poverty” rather than socioeconomic structures that disable people. When the pervasive social discourse is about language, accents, and customs instead of equality and opportunity or when a community at large is described as “poor” or inferior, discrimination is occurring. No culture is inferior or superior to another. No culture can be defined by the members who are struggling and having difficulty. A culture is defined by its strengths.

Since the first elected Latina was elected in western Massachusetts, in 1986, there are growing numbers of Latino leaders in Hampden County, Massachusetts who are uplifting their communities and building an inclusive society that care for people. They embrace the Latino culture and language and the efforts to expand economic and political clout. They have an inclusive approach in their efforts to uplift their communities. Juana Bordas in The power of Latino leadership: Culture, inclusion and contribution boldly states, “Welcome to the Latinization of the Americas. We are all going to have a very good time!”

This guest opinion is one in a series on living in poverty. Dr. Walter Mullin (wmullin@springfieldcollege.edu), Professor of Social Work and Miguel Arce (marce@springfieldcollege.edu), Associate Professor of Social Work at Springfield College

Nationally, on the political scene, there are Latinos who are doing imperative work. These include a current member of the Supreme Court as well as former Cabinet appointees. Locally, there are Latinos who work tirelessly for their communities. They work to address issues of social justice that entrap people.

Latino leadership can be regarded by a number of principles that inform the application of their work. These leaders are essential in the revitalization and reinvigorating of the community. The character of the Latino leader is necessary. Juana Bordas in The power of Latino leadership: Culture, inclusion and contribution offers culturally specific leadership principles rooted in Latino tradition. First, the Latino leader sees that every person has dignity and inherent worth. The leader treats each person with respect regardless of status or position. They connect with people on a personal level. They are relational and seek to nurture individuals and build the communities’ capacity. Second, Latino leaders have a collective orientation.

The leader works as part of the group and side by side with people. The leaders are stewards/servant leaders. Leadership is conferred by the community and seeks to build a community of leaders. Finally, Latino leaders are social activists and seek to address economic discrepancies and inequalities. They build inclusive networks.

Desde Puerto Rico para el mundo— "la primera y única emisora de tv con licencia para la historia"

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Opinión / Opinion

El Sol Latino September 2017

Condemning the Charlottesville Violence –Building a More Unified Future A Statement by The Healing Racism Institute of Pioneer Valley The Healing Racism Institute of Pioneer Valley Director Waleska LugoDeJesús, alongside its Steering Committee leadership joins with others to condemn the Charlottesville violence rooted in bigotry and racism. They will continue to work to build a more unified future. As Boston braces for its upcoming “free of speech” demonstration tomorrow, and members of local hate groups already confirming their attendance - we are reminded that our State of Massachusetts and our cities are not immune to discrimination and displays of hate. In the wake of the tragedy in Charlottesville, the dialogue in our country around race relations has become more heated and, at the same time, has revealed a deeper unity among many who are working to eradicate racism and bigotry. It is at times like these that we are compelled to look at who we are as a nation and look towards the horizon; the building of communities that celebrate our diversity and build deeper bonds of unity.

“Although tormented by the rage, hate, neo-Nazi and racist demonstration of this past weekend and having an aching heart for the lives lost, I know Carta al editor

Un Candidato para Unir y Reenfocar Nuestra Ciudad

by DAVID YOS | Residente de Holyoke

No cabe duda de que hay un fuerte deseo de cambio en el gobierno municipal de Holyoke, un re-enfoque de las prioridades. La pregunta es, al fin y al cabo, si los ciudadanos podemos dejar a un lado nuestros intereses y diferencias individuales y unirnos lo suficiente como una comunidad para hacer esto posible.

that we have to move forward. There is no human life inferior to another— and Charlottesville tragedy was a reminder of why I won’t be silent. I stand in solidarity with all my brothers and sisters around the world still feeling the rawness and realness of the effects of racism and bigotry. Within my own sphere of influence, I continue to look for ways to be inclusive and create spaces for people to heal and learn.” (Waleska Lugo-DeJesús, Director HRIPV)

Healing Racism Institute of Pioneer Valley Steering Committee: Dora Robinson, Ellen Freyman, Erica Broman, Frank Robinson, John Davis, Paul Robbins, Ray Berry, Stephen Huntley, Steven F. Bradley, Vanessa Otero and Waleska Lugo-DeJesús.

The Healing Racism Institute of Pioneer Valley (HRIPV) is a community-wide approach to creating a deeper understanding of the effects of racism with the intention of demonstrating how various forms of racism are part of our daily structures: internalized racism, interpersonal racism, structural and institutional racism. To help address racial equity in our community, HRIPV provides twoday healing seminars that are structured, transformative experiences that offer participants an opportunity to see themselves, others and their world in a different way without the barriers and the distortions of our learned prejudices and biases. To learn more, please visit: www.healingracismpv.org.

Obviamente, nuevos candidatos tienen una enorme tarea en darse a conocer ante una administración y un City Council bien establecidos, especialmente cuando este último se redujo en tamaño. Como hemos visto, simplemente criticando lo establecido no va a funcionar. En vez de esto, el candidato exitoso deberá ofrecer una plataforma e ideas que unan a los sectores divididos de la ciudad.

Friday, September 22, 2017 at 6pm

Dado este contexto, el candidato que yo recomiendo para su consideración en la carrera por la alcaldía de Holyoke es el contratista de mampostería Michael Thomas Siciliano. Es graduado de UMass, residente de Holyoke por 17 años, y tiene tres hijos/as en nuestras escuelas públicas, de las cuales es un proponente muy comprometido.

Modern Puerto Rico : A First Reading List Dr. Solsiree del Moral

Holyoke Public Library - Community Room 250 Chestnut Street, Holyoke, MA 01014 Free and open to the public

La plataforma de Michael incluye consolidar posiciones en la alcaldía de manera que haya un experto en el presupuesto, para que el proceso de permisos para negocios sea mas justo y mas eficiente, y restaurando un personal completo en nuestro Departamento de Bomberos, que será financiado a través de cosas tales como reduciendo las numerosas redundancias que existen entre las agencias de la ciudad.

En esencia, reenfocándonos en lo fundamental y mejorando los servicios de la ciudad y la estabilidad financiera, además de trabajar con el receivership para mejorar las escuelas, en vez de usar esto para insularnos de nuestras responsabilidades, es la mejor manera de hacer que nuestra ciudad sea mas atractiva a los recién llegados, aumentando así la cantidad de dinero y propiedades sujetas a impuestos para la ciudad.

Nada de esto es en contra de otros candidatos, pero el tiempo es corto y es mucho lo que está en juego, así que creo que es imperativo coger la iniciativa temprana para apoyar al que considero que va a tener el mayor potencial para el éxito.

Esto no es acerca de alguien que viene a salvarnos, si no acerca de nosotros uniéndonos como comunidad para mejorarnos. Tengo confianza de que Mike Siciliano es la persona mejor cualificada para trabajar con nosotros para lograr esto.

Dr. Solsiree del Moral is an Associate Professor of American Studies and Black Studies, and Chair of American Studies in Amherst College. She is the author of Negotiating Empire: The Cultural Politics of Schools in Puerto Rico, 1898-1952 (University of Wisconsin Press, 2013). The book is a history of U.S. Empire, Puerto Rican educators, and colonial schools in the first half of the twentieth century.

Dr. del Moral will talk about five books on Puerto Rican history that she considers essential to understanding Puerto Rico and US colonialism.

This presentation is based on del Moral's review essay published in Radical History Review, May 2017 edition, titled to Puerto Rico – A US Colony in a Postcolonial World?

She is currently working on two research projects. One studies the English language children's literature assigned to Puerto Rico's colonial classrooms in the early 20th century. The second is a history of the children and youth incarcerated in state institutions in the 1940s and 1950s in Puerto Rico.

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For more information, contact Juan Falcón (413- 657-5644), María Pagán (413-420-8101) or Manuel Frau Ramos (413-320-3826).

Sponsors: Hispanic American Library Inc. / Grito de Lares, Holyoke Public Library, the Puerto Rican Cultural Project, Nueva Esperanza, Springfield Puerto Rican Parade and La Familia Hispana, Inc.

El Sol Latino September 2017

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Opinión / Opinion

Letter to the editor

Dear Voters of Holyoke by NELSON RAFAEL ROMÁN Why do I want to be on the City Council for Ward 2?

I am currently the Ward 2 City Councilor and the Executive Director of Nueva Esperanza, Inc.

El Sol Latino September 2017

I serve independently of political ideologies with a focus on collaboration and increased communication with my colleagues. I have made constituent services and community outreach a top priority by holding monthly office hours, and visiting residents/businesses/churches in the ward to hear what the needs, wants and obstacles are while putting forward meaningful action to address them.

It would be an honor to be afforded a second term by the residents of Churchill, Ingleside, Springdale and South Holyoke. I would like to return to the Council to see through to fruition many of the orders and projects that I have put forth to help make Ward 2, and the City overall, a cleaner, safer and more vibrant community. I have a record that is strong and follows my principle that the people of my ward and city come first.

What skills and experience do I bring to the City Council?

In my second term, I would love to see the passage of progressive legislation that I have proposed, i.e., the Fair Chance Ordinance, a Human Rights Commission, the creation of the Gentrification Mitigation Zones, and the increase of all elected officials terms to four years while providing the voters of this city a mechanism to recall them.

I serve as the Chairman of the Joint Committee of the City Council & School Committee and serve on the Council’s Development & Government Relations Committee. I have filed over 100 orders during the year and a half on the Council focusing strongly on delivering on the pledges I made when I first ran which were to improve schools, have cleaner/safer streets, increase civic participation, increase economic development, growth, and job opportunities for Ward 2. We need to create more living wage jobs, improve our schools, and make public safety our top priorities.

Some of the highlights of my first term in office have been - the creation of the Puerto Rican Cultural Area (South Holyoke / Flats), the expansion of the scope of responsibility of the Joint Committee of the School Committee & City Council, the passage of the Community Preservation Act and an increased push for a focus on increasing the cities revenue streams, passage of stricter and more streamlined residency requirements for all City Department Heads, and highlighting the need for stronger enforcement mechanisms for current residency requirements for all city employees.

Forty-percent of all of the orders that I have put forth in my first term address quality of life matters (Handicap parking, sidewalk repairs, adding lighting to parks, painting parking lines in South Holyoke, removal or addition of bus stops, repairing solar panel siding, etc.).

I have fought hard for more investment in the infrastructure of Ward 2 sidewalks, roads, parks, abandoned/vacant building renovations or demolitions, the rehabilitation of existing low/moderate income housing stock and the construction of new homes.

What I bring is consistent focus on producing real results. I am always available for the constituents of Ward 2 and the City, as a whole. I have first-hand knowledge and experience at City Council. This has proven invaluable to Ward 2. My tenacity, work ethic and long hours of preparation and study have allowed me to put forth and pass meaningful legislation.

In addition, I have helped to create three Neighborhood Associations, Co-Founded & Chaired the Inaugural “Taste of South Holyoke Festival,” and helped the city to create, plan and execute the first ever “Holyoke World AIDS Day Event.”

I am proud to call Holyoke home. Being a man who came from homelessness and poverty to a life of public service, I know that I want to continue to work for the residents of Holyoke. For a full list of my qualifications and skills visit my website nelsonrroman.com or find me on Facebook.

I humbly ask for your Vote Tuesday November 7th, 2017.

Letter edited for space, style, grammar and issues of clarity.

Libros / Books

CENTRO Journal Celebrates 30th Year With New Issue & Expanded Format Reprinted with permission from Centro Voices - Center for Puerto Rican Studies | August 23, 2017

Founded in 1987, this year marks the 30th anniversary of the CENTRO Journal, the leading academic publication devoted exclusively to Puerto Rican Studies. With its Spring issue, the journal commemorated another important anniversary for the Puerto Rican community: the 100th year since the signing into law of the Jones-Shafroth Act, which extended U.S. citizenship to Puerto Ricans in 1917. For the new Summer issue, however, the focus returns to a wide spectrum of the Puerto Rican experience.

Highlights include several articles in which the Centro Library & Archives located in East Harlem played a crucial role in facilitating research. “We’re always delighted by the diversity of research that people do,” says Aníbal Arocho, Library Manager. “We try to create a space for researchers to work and connect them to the right person. To us, it’s really surprising what can be produced using the primary and secondary sources we have available here. And it’s our job to guide people, whether they be researchers or maybe they just want to connect to their culture and heritage, and provide them with access and context for what it is they want to do.”

previously lost poems by Julia de Burgos that were only recently rediscovered in the Jesús Colón Papers at Centro Library & Archives. “La novia del campo” and “Pequeño viaje a tu alma” reinforce many of the idyllic and political themes found in the poet’s work. They are also, as Pérez Jiménez explains, part of the ongoing, still incomplete evolution of de Burgos’ legacy as a dynamic cultural figure.

Moving on, in her essay, Consuelo Martínez-Reyes offers a critical overview of five of the eight theatrical works by Puerto Rican poet and playwright Victor Fragoso that were recently added to the Centro Library & Archives’ collection. Martínez-Reyes focuses on three recurring themes found in the plays, which include “gender, specifically female oppression imposed by societal mores, homosexuality and sexile, and the lives of im/migrants in New York City during the 1970s and 1980s.”

Melissa Coss Aquino, for example, was able to examine in the Jesús Colón Papers the letters of Jesús and his wife, Concha. She then analyzed their contents within the broad context of the Puerto Rican migration of the early 20th century, as well as the Colón’s own development as an important writer and political figure among the Puerto Rican community.

Additionally, Ismael García-Colón’s research on the records of the Migration Division, contained in the massive collection of the Offices of Government of Puerto Rico in the US, takes a look at the history and experience of Puerto Rican farm laborers throughout the 20th century. His study explores the intersections between guestworker programs across the United States,

Cristina Pérez Jiménez, on the other hand, submitted a close reading of two

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Libros / Books

El Sol Latino September 2017

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La Carne por ROSA MONTERO

Alfaguara. Madrid, España: 2016. 216 páginas. • reseña por CATHLEEN C. ROBINSON

Soledad, se llama. Y sí, está sola.

Atractiva, inteligente, bastante rica, experta en el campo de arte.

Cumple sesenta años. Anhela amar y ser amada.

Pero está sola.

Adam, se llama. Increíblemente guapo de treinta y pico años.

Acompaña a mujeres por precio. Es gigoló.

También está solo.

Así se presentan los dos protagonistas en la última novela de Rosa Montero, La Carne, novela que trata los temas de envejecer —una mujer envejecer sin nunca haberse casado—y, para los dos protagonistas, la angustia de estar solo en un mundo que no parece valorar su existencia. La autora madrileña alcanza un balance experto entre perfilarlos con fuertes toques de humor irónico, y, a la vez, tratarlos con compasión y comprensión.

Justo en el momento de asistir los dos a una producción de Tristan e Isolda, su amante Mario rompe con Soledad. Se encuentra enamorado de nuevo de su esposa joven quien acaba de anunciarle que está embarazada. Y para celebrar su reunión va a llevar a la esposa a Tristan. Para Soledad, “Fue como si le hubieran cortado la cabeza con un hacha.”

Llena de furia, Soledad intenta castigarlo y planea asistir a la misma función escoltada con un nuevo novio, un novio aun más guapo y más joven que el desgraciado Mario. El problema es que no conoce a ningún novio así, y, por eso, tiene que recurrir a emplear a uno. Soledad está de mal humor no sólo porque Mario la dejó sino también porque “los putos eran más caros que las putas.”

Entra Adam, un “novio” guapo capaz de inspirarle celos a Mario. Además es bien simpático a pesar de que Soledad “tuvo que darle un codazo porque se estaba quedando dormido” durante la producción. Misión más o menos cumplida, Soledad piensa despedirse de Adam después del concierto cuando pasan por la tienda de chinos donde ella a veces hace compras. Pasan allí justo en el momento que un ladrón, después de haber asaltado al dueño, huye de la tienda. Adam salta a la acción: “…estaba sentado a horcajadas sobre el barbudo, agarrándole del cuello con una mano y atizándole con la otra feroces puñetazos en la sien.” Después, como Adam está ligeramente herido, Soledad no puede más que invitarlo a su departamento para que se limpie y se ponga algún medicamento.

Y así empieza una relación incierta e improbable entre una mujer mayor y un hombre a quien muchos piensan que es su hijo. Sin embargo, “Ella quería más, ella quería mucho más, quería cariño y cotidianidad y compañía y pareja, pero era ridículo buscarlo en un gigoló.”

Y lo que es peor, ha contratado a un gigoló con sus propias heridas del corazón. Adam le confiesa a Soledad que “no hay familia sin un monstruo, es un refrán ruso. Yo soy ese monstruo. Nunca me ha querido nadie… Te lo digo de verdad. Estoy desesperado. Es un dolor constante. Esa necesidad de amor…Todas las mujeres me han dejado.”

Soledad admite que “el amor te envenenaba, te embrutecía, te hacía cometer todo tipo de tonterías y desmesuras.” Pero no quiere quedarse sola y “El tiempo tictaqueaba inexorable hacia la destrucción final, como una bomba.”

Al mismo tiempo que se desarrolla la trama de la vida personal de Soledad, como eco paralelo, se desarrolla la de su vida profesional. Piensan montar una exhibición en La Biblioteca Nacional de España sobre los “malditos” autores en la historia de la literatura española y han formado un comité para planearla. El tema de la exhibición va a ilustrar que “todas las historias de sus malditos tenían que ver con la necesidad de amor, con el abismo del desamor, con la rabia y la gloria de la pasión. El amor hacía y deshacía la

historia, movilizaba las voluntades, [y] desordenaba el mundo.”

Han invitado a la arquitecta Marita Kemp de “Unos cuarenta años, melena larga castaña con mechas, minifalda, botas altas, nariz operada…. niña bien” y “por quien [Soledad] sintió una inmediata antipatía.” De nuevo Soledad se enfrenta con la realidad de que a cierta edad una llega a ser no tan joven, ni tan atractiva, ni tan influyente, ni tan importante como las más jóvenes: “había empezado a sospechar que se estaba quedando atrás, que el mundo avanzaba y la iba marginando, que la maquinaria profesional estaba a punto de escupirla como un hueso roído, un residuo inservible…”

Le enfurece “esa maldita ladrona que era la edad.” Confiesa que “ser viejo era tener un pasado irremediable y carecer de tiempo para enmendarlo…Ya no podría ser otra cosa, ya no podría hacer otra cosa con su vida. Ah, si hubiera sabido que iba a ser vieja y que se iba a morir, habría vivido de otra manera.”

Otra trama que se relaciona con la de ¿quién es Soledad ahora? es su melliza, que, como ella, lleva un nombre que es símbolo de su vida y de su personalidad: Dolores. Y más irónico aún, las dos se apellidan “Alegre.” Al contar la historia de esta hermana alcanzamos a ver la historia de Soledad y a entenderla. Dolores actualmente se encuentra en un sanatorio, “sumida en un mutismo cada vez mayor.” Pero “Hasta los dieciséis años, Dolores fue totalmente normal. O todo lo normal que se podía ser tras haber sido abandonada por su padre…a los cinco años y tras haberse pasado horas, días, a veces noches enteras, encerrada en un armario oscuro.”

Estar enamorado, o mejor dicho, ser amado es lo que define a uno, piensa Soledad. Se le da importancia a la vida. Por todos lados, Soledad ve “Parejas solas o parejas con niños o parejas con perros. A veces, parejas con dos perros que a lo mejor también eran pareja. Como sin duda estaban emparejados los patos del estanque, y las tortugas, y las urracas vestidas de pingüino, blancas y negras, que siempre iban de dos en dos, one for sorrow, two for joy, como decía de ellas la famosa canción de cuna inglesa, ver una auguraba tristezas, ver dos anunciaba alegrías.”

Mientras cuenta la historia de Soledad, Montero se refiere a montones de autores y artistas “malditos”, malditos por algún hecho o suceso trágico que les obsesionaba por toda la vida y determinaba la dirección de su arte. Por ejemplo, Pedro Luis de Gálvez, el “escritor maldito oficial de España” quien era “perseguido por una estrella negra”, y le echaba la culpa a su padre: “Ese padre era insalvable. Había padres que eran la perdición.” O María Lejárraga, casada con Gregorio Martínez Sierra, quien tuvo la desgracia de ser escritora en una época cerrada a la idea de que una mujer podría ejercer una carrera de autora. Por eso tuvo que publicar sus obras bajo el nombre de su esposo.

En La Carne, esta novela conmovedora, Montero ha dirigido sus amplios talentos a crear una obra que toca temas universales con sabiduría atenuada por humor.

Reseña de Cathleen C. Robinson, profesora jubilada del español y de la historia de la América Latina quien se dedica ahora a escribir.

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Portada / Front Page

El Sol Latino September 2017

Synopsis PALANTE THEATER COMPANY AND MIFA PRESENT AN URBANTHEATER COMPANY PRODUCTION

BY CARMEN RIVERA DIRECTED BY MIRANDA GONZALEZ SEPTEMBER 22–24, 2017

FROM HUMBOLDT PARK TO HOLYOKE

La Gringa is about a young woman’s search for her identity. María Elena García goes to visit her family in Puerto Rico during the Christmas holidays and arrives with plans to connect with her homeland. Although this is her first trip to Puerto Rico, she has had an intense love for the island and even majored in Puerto Rican Studies in college. Once María is in Puerto Rico, she realizes that Puerto Rico does not welcome her with open arms. The majority of the Puerto Ricans on the island consider her an American — a gringa — and María considers this a betrayal.

If she’s a Puerto Rican in the United States and an American in Puerto Rico - María concludes that she is nobody everywhere. Her uncle, Manolo, spiritually teaches her that identity isn’t based on superficial and external definitions, but rather is an essence that she has had all along in her heart.

CENTRO continued from page 10 immigration and labor policy, the US-Puerto Rico dynamic, and more.

Rounding out the issue is a case study on a Puerto Rican in Orlando, Florida by Patricia Silver, that reflects on the political intersections between new arrivals from the island and Puerto Ricans arriving from traditional diasporic hubs. There is also an interesting investigation of language use among Puerto Ricans on social media platforms such as Facebook by Kevin S. Carroll and Vanessa Z. Mari.

And lastly, Cynthia D. Knittle and Susan A. Orshan provide an analysis of the health choices made by Puerto Rican mothers in Pennsylvania.

PALANTE THEATER POP UP!

EL MERCADO HOLYOKE 413 MAIN STREET HOLYOKE, MA 01040 TICKETS: $25 BUY TICKETS:

MIFAFESTIVAL.ORG/EVENT/LA-GRINGA

The Summer 2017 issue will also mark an important shift to an expanded format for the CENTRO Journal. The bi-annual publication will now release three issues per year, during the Winter, Summer, & Fall months. “Moving to publish CENTRO Journal three times a year is a clear demonstration of the strength of the field of Puerto Rican studies,, as well as Centro’s commitment to the discipline,” says longtime journal editor Xavier Totti, who took over in 2001. “Our new publication schedule will also make the dissemination of scholarly research faster and easier.”

Ciencias / Science

El Sol Latino September 2017

Using bacteria to improve our lifestyle by BRYAN SALAS-SANTIAGO The Geobacter species are anaerobic bacterium (does not use oxygen) which since its discovery has had great scientific impact. It is a very common microbe in soil and aquatic sediment discovered by Dr. Derek Lovley in 1987. Since then, it has been useful for many applications like Bioremediation in petroleum contaminated groundwater and soil contaminated with radioactivity, Bioenergy in production of biofuels, Bioelectronics by generating electricity using wires naturally produced by Geobacter, and Environmental Microbiology.

Dr. Derek Lovley is a Distinguish Professor at UMass. Before becoming a faculty member at UMass, he worked in the federal government at the US Geological Survey for ten years. During his time at the US Geological Survey, he worked in a Potomac River in Chesapeake Bay, Washington, D.C. There was a lot of pollution in the river and his project was to figure what were the microbes doing in that polluted area. He was looking for Phosphate, which is an essential molecule of life.

The presence of phosphate in that area is a problem because it encourages the growth of algae, and in certain areas you do not want that to happen. The phosphate molecule was known to be bound to iron, and it is released when iron loses electrons (reduction). Many people thought this chemical reaction was driven by non-biological processes, but Dr. Lovley though that a bacterium might be responsible of it. When looking for microbes that can reduce iron, he came across with Geobacter, and that was how this bacterium became a member of the Microbiology field.

Dr. Derek Lovley (Credit: Department of Microbiology, UMASS Amherst) Using Geobacter, Dr. Lovley’s research focuses on different things, one of them is environmental cleaning, not only petroleum, but also toxic and radioactive materials. Geobacter has the capability of metabolizing many of these toxic components, making them easier to remove from the ground, in other words it precipitates toxic materials. One of the biggest problems

Salud / Health

| bryansalas0815@gmail.com

when an area is contaminated is that many of these contaminants are dissolved in the contaminated area. By precipitating them from the soil or water, these become easy to remove. Since Geobacter is present naturally in soil and aquatic environments, Dr. Lovley’s lab has found a way to encourage its growth by supplying nutrients to the soil, that way the cleaning process can be accelerated in a very environmental friendly way.

A second area that Dr. Lovley’s lab is focused is in electrical chemistry applications. One of the most unique abilities of Geobacter is its ability to move electrons. Typically, it interacts with iron to transfers electrons making metabolic processes possible. The way that Geobacter can transfer electrons is by constructing some wires that connect with iron and removes electrons from the metal. When transferring electrons through these wires, electricity is produced. Dr. Lovley’s research figured that inserting an electrode into soil, Geobacter produced electricity, making this a “battery like” application. This is something the NAVY uses, they stuck electrodes in the mud and Geobacter produces energy for them to use, like a Power sensor. In addition, Geobacter can transfer electrons to different species of bacteria, specifically methanogens (methane producing bacteria). These use electrons to convert Carbon Dioxide (CO2) into Methane (CH4), which is a very important fuel source and Geobacter can encourage this process to happen.

Recently the Lovley lab started collaborating with UMass Polymer Science Department to study Geobacter’s wires. These wires happen to be a very good material. By manipulating the properties of these wires genetically, this collaboration increased the electricity conductivity by 2000-Fold, in addition of cutting the diameter in half. Basically, they made the wires thinner and better for conducting electricity, which shows a big potential for its future as a material. The long-term goal of this project is to create electronics that are sustainable for the environment. Right now, when broken, electronics become waste, which is a problem for the environment.

By making them sustainable, these will be a type of material that you can just throw in your backyard because it will be biodegradable making a positive impact with our waste problem.

“For me this shows the value of basic science. We started studying mud and we didn’t think of all the applications we could have learned. It was all based-on science curiosity, not on making money. It is important to study basic science because sometimes things can come up that will become something of great importance for humanity.” -Derek Lovley

Rigoberto Serrano joins Fallon Health to serve Spanish-speaking elders Worcester, Mass., August 28, 2017— Fallon Health, a nationally recognized, not-for-profit health care services organization, is pleased to announce the recent hire of Rigoberto Serrano as Senior Care Products Account Executive.

In his role with Fallon, Serrano is responsible for building relationships with internal and external referral sources throughout western Massachusetts to provide education about Fallon Health’s NaviCare® program within the Spanish-speaking community. He participates in outreach events, presenting program information to older adults and their caregivers who are looking for options to help them live safely at home in the community.

Fallon Health’s NaviCare line of business is a Medicare Advantage Special Needs Plan and Senior Care Options program that integrates care for adults age 65 or older. A personalized primary

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care team manages and coordinates the NaviCare member’s health care by working with each member, the member’s family and health care providers to ensure the best possible outcome.

The goal is to ensure that each member remains living as independently and safely as possible in the community.

Previously, Serrano worked as a geriatric services support coordinator for Greater Springfield Senior Services and as a case worker for the Department of Children and Families. Serrano was honored with a Latino Leadership Award by the Boy Scouts of America for his work with low-income and multicultural communities in Springfield and Holyoke.

Serrano speaks fluent Spanish and has a bachelor of arts degree from the University of Puerto Rico-Rio Piedras Campus. Serrano currently resides in Holyoke, MA with his family.

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Salud / Health

El Sol Latino September 2017

Genoa Pharmacy Opens at River Valley Counseling Center Holyoke, MA (August 1, 2017) – Genoa, a QoL Healthcare Company announced the grand opening event of their 371st full-service, on-site pharmacy, located within River Valley Counseling Center. This is Genoa’s fourth pharmacy in the state of Massachusetts.

“We are excited to be the first outpatient behavioral health clinic in Western Massachusetts to have a Genoa pharmacy embedded inside a clinic. This will provide our clients with easier access to their medicine and will encourage medication compliance as part of the treatment they receive at River Valley Counseling Center,” stated Rosemarie M. Ansel, Executive Director of River Valley Counseling Center. “Both the pharmacist and the pharmacy technician are bilingual in Spanish and will be able to assist all of our clients in understanding the importance of following their treatment plans.

We look forward to a long and beneficial working relationship with Genoa.”

Genoa is the most experienced pharmacy provider specializing in the behavioral health and addiction treatment communities. Genoa is improving consumer care and saving centers time and money throughout the country, making a positive impact in the lives of the consumers they serve and in the centers they work with.

Although Genoa is a nationwide company, they have retained the feel of the hometown pharmacy and the services that go along with it. Being onsite allows Genoa’s pharmacists and technicians to work closely with the care team to provide the best possible care for each individual consumer.

While they specialize in behavioral health, they have the capacity to fill all

medications. They are able to bill Medicaid and Medicare, as well as private insurance. In addition, Genoa also offers several packaging options that can be tailored to fit the needs of the consumers, including specially designed adherence packaging.

River Valley Counseling Center, Inc. (RVCC) is a multifaceted mental health agency with a 60 year history of changing lives and empowering our community throughout the Pioneer Valley. RVCC is a member of Valley Health Systems in Holyoke which also includes the affiliates Holyoke Medical Center, Holyoke Visiting Nurse Association & Hospice Life Care, and Western Mass Physician Associates. RVCC services include: outpatient behavioral health clinics; school-based health centers (Teen Clinics); an adult day treatment program; HIV/AIDS Project; CONCERN Employee Assistance Program; and behavioral health services in schools, physician offices, and community organizations. RVCC is also the lead agency to the Holyoke Safe and Successful Youth Initiative.

To learn more about RVCC, please visit our website: rvcc-inc.org or contact Angela Lozano Callahan at (413) 841-3546 or Callahan_angela@ holyokehealth.com.

El Seguro Social Celebra el Mes de la Hispanidad por SABRINA FELICIANO Reconocemos lo importante que es la familia en la cultura Hispana y nos enorgullecemos en unirnos a la celebración del Mes de la Hispanidad (del 15 de sep. al 15 de oct.) ayudando a las familias Hispanas a asegurar su presente y su futuro.

Para informarse mejor acerca de cómo el Seguro Social le ayuda a asegurar el presente y el futuro de millones de familias Hispanas, visite nuestra página de internet www.segurosocial.gov/espanol/personas/hispanos.

En los EE. UU., las familias Hispanas son el mayor grupo minoritario, contando con 56.6 millones de Hispanos, de acuerdo con las estadísticas del 2015 emitidas por la Agencia del Censo de los EE. UU. Los beneficios del Seguro Social le ayudan a mantener y mejorar el futuro de su salud económica a las familias Hispanas.

Al presente, ayudamos a mejorar el futuro económico de las familias pagando beneficios por jubilación, incapacidad y otros beneficios a 61 millones de personas, incluso a alrededor de 3.5 millones de personas Hispanas, quienes contribuyeron al programa de Seguro Social por medio de impuestos de nómina. El programa de Seguro Social también proporciona una red de seguridad económica a las familias Hispanas cuando el ingreso del padre o la madre cesan porque sufrieron una incapacidad o porque fallecieron.

Nos esforzamos en prestarle un servicio de primera categoría a las familias Hispanas, al igual que información sobre la importancia de nuestros programas de beneficios. De esta manera, mantenemos nuestra mano en el pulso de la comunidad Hispana.

Si el español es su idioma de preferencia, entonces nuestro sitio de internet

www.segurosocial.gov es para usted. Este sitio de internet contiene cientos de páginas con información valiosa desde cómo solicitar su primera tarjeta y número de Seguro Social, hasta cómo planificar para una jubilación económicamente desahogada, cómo solicitar los beneficios cuando esté listo para ello y cómo tener control de sus beneficios e información personal.

En la mayoría de nuestras oficinas tenemos agentes que hablan el idioma español. También tenemos agentes e intérpretes gratis a su disposición en nuestra línea telefónica nacional 1-800-772-1213 desde las 7 a.m. hasta 7 p.m. los días laborales.

Nuestra red de relacionistas públicos están en contacto con las comunidades Hispanas en los EE. UU. haciéndoles saber qué beneficios y servicios están a la disposición de las familias Hispanas e instruyéndoles sobre las ventajas de crear por internet una cuenta de my Social Security en www.segurosocial.gov/myaccount (este servicio solo está disponible en inglés).

Nuestros relacionistas públicos promueven nuestros servicios y programas y educan a las personas en diferentes eventos locales, ferias de salud, en las bibliotecas, en las escuelas y por medio de organizaciones comunitarias que prestan servicios a las comunidades Hispanas. También diseminamos información por medio de contribuciones a programas de radio y televisión y escribiendo artículos para periódicos en español. Igualmente, nuestros relacionistas públicos visitan las embajadas y consulados en los EE. UU. de los países Latinoamericanos y España para mantener informados a los líderes diplomáticos y ayudar a los inmigrantes a entender nuestro programa de Seguro Social.

Para solicitar los beneficios puede programar una cita con un agente que hable español. Visite la página de internet www.segurosocial.gov/espanol/ soliciteporinternet/index.html.

El Seguro Social acompaña a las familias Hispanas por el sendero de la vida. Para informarse mejor sobre cómo funciona el programa de Seguro Social, visite nuestro sitio de internet www.segurosocial.gov.

Sabrina Feliciano es una especialista de asuntos públicos del Seguro Social en Springfield, MA.

Deportes / Sports

Holyoke Old Timers Softball League 2017

El Sol Latino September 2017

Legends vs Non Stars Springdale Park • 26 de agosto de 2017

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El Sol Latino September 2017