JUNTA NEWSLETTER

JUNTA Newsletter

Summer 2015

CLIENTS HARVESTING IN JUNTA’S GARDEN

Welcome Back Ana Maria!

We are so excited to have Ana Maria Rivera-Forastieri back at Junta as the Director of Advocacy and Program Development! She returned to Junta in September after working the past year as the Political Director at the Working Families Organization. Ana previously worked as Junta’s Legal and Policy Analyst, from 2012 -2014 and helped to create and led the Connecticut Immigrant Rights Alliance (CIRA) a coalition of immigrant, faith, labor, youth and community organizations, where she helped plan legislative and grassroots campaigns that pushed for progressive policies in the state. She was also instrumental in the creation of Junta’s Youth Action Committee that is now in its third year. Ana will continue the work she started during her previous tenure, as well as directing and developing the many programs and services that Junta provides to the Greater New Haven community. Welcome back!

Big Turtle Village Big Turtle Village celebrated its 14th year affording 60 children ages 8-12 the opportunity to experience nature first hand. This summer children participated in a five-day sleepaway camp at Devil’s Hopyard State Park in East Haddam, Connecticut. The children were surrounded by forest, the sounds of nature; star lit skies, the flash of fireflies and the chorus of spring peepers, all of which offered respite from neighborhoods often plagued with violence and lack of natural surroundings. The days and evenings were full of fun and educational activities. Participants hiked through the woods, enjoyed storytelling, nightly bonfires, learned about recycling, and engaged in Zumba and yoga. Also, thanks to a generous grant from the Woman’s Seamen’s Friend Society of Connecticut, each child enrolled in Big Turtle Village received the hardcover book, Oceans by Beverly McMillan and John A. Musick, took a trip to Mystic

Aquarium and Hammonasset State Park where they learned about the importance of ocean conservation and the need to keep our oceans healthy for the wellbeing of our planet.

Big Turtle Village understands the physical and emotional importance of children having exposure to nature and the impact it can have on their lives. This impact is felt when many of the children come back year after year, showing growth and maturity and become counselors in the program when they are teenagers, giving back and continuing the experience. By the smiles depicted in the photo above, it appears it was a

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memorable five days!

The Neighborhood Place The children at The Neighborhood Place (TNP), our after-school and summer arts program for youth ages 5-14, had a month full of fun! The summer component ran from August 3rd to August 28th, with a full enrollment of 33 children. We wish we had room for more participants, as we had an additional 97 families looking to place their children in the program! Our wonderful and dedicated TNP staff, kept the children active all day with different activities and field trips. As part of Junta’s overall healthy living initiative, Zumba classes took place in Junta’s backyard. The sound of Zumba beats permeated throughout Junta’s building! It was wonderful to see and hear the children partake in this energetic activity! They also received tennis lessons and attended the Connecticut Open where they participated in a presentation and tennis clinic, meeting professional players who spoke about their love of the sport. When TNP participants were not busy with arts & crafts, music, Zumba and tennis, they were out exploring. They took trips to the Peabody Museum, Eli Whitney Museum and Beardsley Zoo, where they saw a menagerie of animals and were instilled with a wonder and respect for wild life. It was sad to see the summer end after so much fun! We wish all the participants a happy and healthy school year!

Junta’s Garden & ESL

Junta’s organic vegetable garden was given weekly maintenance and care by ESL students over the summer, even when classes were not is session. Students took home a variety of produce including tomatoes, cilantro, snap peas, green beans, strawberries and lettuce. Students also enjoyed sharing their recipes and brought in vegetable-based dishes to share with each other. Thank you to our Adult Education Director, Mary Elizabeth, for making nutrition and health part of the ESL curriculum!

Thank you to our super talented summer intern, Charlotte Finegold!

Charlotte Finegold, Junta’s intern this past summer through the Yale President’s Public Service Fellowship program was outstanding! Charlotte’s main work was with the Development Department, where she accomplished amazing things and is sorely missed! Charlotte also spent time in our Advocacy, Adult Education and Children’s programs to gain knowledge of the entire organization. Thank you so much for all your hard work! We would welcome you back with open arms!

Junta’s 46th Anniversary Para Una Vida Mejor/For A Better Life

It was a magical evening at Amarante’s Sea Cliff, celebrating Junta’s 46th birthday! We are so appreciative of the love and support we received from all of Junta’s friends who helped to make this our most successful gala in Junta’s history and the best party of the year! The evening started with delicious appetizers, cocktails and animated conversation among our many wonderful guests. Later in the evening, New Haven Legal Assistance Association and Ana Alfaro, producer and host of El Show de Analeh, were honored for their dedication and commitment to empowering Latino, low-income and immigrant people the opportunity “For A Better Life”. We appreciate all that they do! Guests then enjoyed more food, drinks and danced the rest of the night away to the talented and spirited salsa band, Carlos y Su Momento Musical. It was an enchanted evening that ended much too soon. In fact, some guests didn’t want to leave at all and had to be persuaded to head for home an hour after the event ended! Now, that’s the sign of a good time!

JUNTA NEWSLETTER

Thank you for your support!

We are so very grateful for the generous support of old and new friends of Junta. Without you, we could not continue to provide the programs and services that are needed to make our community a healthier and viable environment to live, work and play.

Thank you to the Hispanic Federation for the generous grant of $20,000!

MAKE A DONATION!

We rely on the support of all of you to offer free programs, services and advocacy to the community. Please give a donation today!

MAKE CHECKS PAYABLE TO:

JUNTA for Progressive Action

169 Grand Avenue, New Haven, CT 06513

OR

GIVE ONLINE AT: www.juntainc.org

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Thank you to our 2015 gala sponsors!

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JUNTA Newsletter

169 Grand Avenue New Haven, CT 06513