Special to the Times
On Saturday, November 23, the Veronica Robles Cultural Center (VROCC) successfully held its Second Annual Fundraising Gala at the ICA Watershed in East Boston.
Councilmember Henry Santana, Julia Mejia, and Gabriela Coletta offered an official resolution to VROCC for empowering the community for over a decade and for the effort to create a welcoming and safe space where community members can gather to celebrate their cultural roots. The evening included keynote speaker Liseth J. Vélez, Founder and CEO, LJV Development, an awards ceremony, and a cultural presentation and live music by the VROCC team of artists, hosted by Omar Clavijo and his Son Latino. Notable guests included Peggy Fogelman, Museum Director Isabella Stewart Gardner, and Consul General of Mexico in Boston Alberto Fierro, Kathy Abbot President and CEO of Boston Harbor Now, and Kelly Gifford Deputy Director of the ICA.
If you were unable to attend, you can still help by making a donation. Your contribution will help meet the growing demand for VROCC programs in 2025. https://veronicaroblesculturalcenter.org/donate/ https://www.facebook.com/share/17r5xeu5HZ/
The following awardees receive certificates and citations by VROCC, The Mayor of Boston Michelle Wu, the City Council and The State House of Representatives.
Josué Monterroso and Samuel Gaviria; entrepreneurs Fernando Rosas from Bono Rest. Catering and Felipa Celaya from Oaxaqueña Catering; the Castillo Families from Castillo Liquors, Tortilleria Cinco de Mayo; volunteer Daniela Miranda and our allies Piers Park Sailing Center and Boston Harbor Now.
This year, VROCC has distributed $100,000 among 38 youth who have helped serve 472 children and seniors through 32 weekly classes. Through our leadership and entrepreneurship workshops, VROCC has created opportunities for 190 Latino cultural entrepreneurs through 11 festivals, each drawing attendances of up to 10,000 people, and more than 100 cultural enrichment activations. VROCC’s programming has been made possible with the support of over 750 volunteers, fulfilling our mission of promoting Latin American cultures as an engine for stronger communities and economic growth. Over the past three years, our programs have grown exponentially, increasing the number of students from 50 to 472. By supporting this gala, you can help us meet the growing demand for our programs in 2025.
Special thanks to our sponsors for their generous support of this celebration: ICA Watershed, HYM Investment Group LLC, Channel Fish, Eastern Bank, Santander Bank, Downeast Cider House, LJV Development, Anabel Balloons, H. War Design, Peka Restaurant, and Los Compadres Taqueria Boston.
Spanish-language media partners: La Mega, El Planeta, El Mundo, and American News R.I., and EmfraVision.
English Media Sponsors: English-language media partners, Kiss 108 FM, WBZ NewsRadio 1030 AM, East Boston Times.
VROCC staff: Veronica Robles, Adriana Zubieta, Karina Barreto, Daniela Fernandez, Daniela Miranda, Diana Casas, Yeison Romero, Alejandra Ramos Gomez, Yamileth Paz, Luis Arango, Luis Pacheco, Maygel Navarro, Carolina Caña Dulce, Diego Arias, Cassandra McDonald, Nicholas Ostemberg, Jeffrey Delgado, Lucia Gutierrez, Jhon Cardona.
Dancers, and parents:
Alexa Merlos (Rosa Merlos), Camila Millan Alcerreca (Fabiola Alcerreca), Hazel Mendez (Evelyn Alarcon), Kimberly Peña (Morena Peña), Martina Pachon (Laura Rodriguez), Pamela Pineda (Yesenia Salinas), Sandra Payan (Pamela Payan), Thiommy Caraballo (Zaid Urrego), Valentina Basulto (Claudia Basulto), Valentina Caballero (Margoth Valencia), Valeria Santillan (Katherine Menacho), Zara Serrano-Finet (Rosa Serrano), Alejandra Conte-Contreras (Beatriz Contreras), Cassandra Cardenas, Yaritza Lopez.
Volunteers:
Angie Nuñez, Daniela Priscila, Mayra Gutierrez, Jennifer Fernadez, Sonia Castillo, Erwin Castillo, Jainer Corrales, Valentina Villablanca, Cesar Campos, Diana Melgar, Orlando Rosario, Omar( esposo de LInda), Sebastian Gavira.