Visions for Hispanic and Latin American Heritage Month hosted by Alyana Gomez and Walter Perez

PHILADELPHIA- Alyana Gomez and Walter Perez highlight impactful contributions to Hispanic and Latin American communities in the Philadelphia area.

Galería Esperanza brings Spanish artworks to the Hunting Park
Located within the Esperanza Arts Center (EAC), Galería Esperanza is a state-of-the-art venue that is quickly becoming a regional hub for Latin arts and culture.

The art gallery, which opened in December 2023, showcases the work of Latinx and indigenous artists and will serve as a training ground for the next generation of Latino artists.

Esperanza’s inaugural exhibition, Sueño de Reyes, features works by renowned Puerto Rican teacher and artist, Mr. Tato González.

The exhibit tells the story of the Three Kings, also known as the Magi, and highlights the cultural significance of Three Kings Day, or Epiphany, an important part of Christmas traditions in Puerto Rico and Latin America.

Galeria Esperanza | Facebook | instagram
4261 North 5th Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19140

Xiente launches Busesito, the region’s first kindergarten on wheels
Busesito means Little Bus in Spanish, and the mobile preschool program launched this spring by the nonprofit Xiente is believed to be the first on the East Coast.

This is a two-generation program that recently graduated its first group of preschoolers and their families.

While 3- to 5-year-olds ride the bus to learn the skills they’ll need for kindergarten, parents take classes on financial literacy, parenting and other topics that hinder their upward mobility.

Xiente was founded in 1982 as the Norris Square Civic Association by a group of Puerto Rican women who wanted to make their neighborhood cleaner and safer.

It was soon renamed the Norris Square Community Alliance.

But as the community they served expanded beyond the Norris Square neighborhood, the nonprofit rebranded as Xiente.

The programs, all free, are in both English and Spanish.

They offer everything from baby care to early starts and preschool programs for the little ones.

There is a Youth Mobilization Center that offers young people a safe space after school until 2am and on weekends.

It includes an e-sports room, a cafe, a computer laboratory where children can take university preparation courses, and a game room.

There are two certified teachers on the bus, with a maximum of eight students who receive five hours of training per week for six months in the Busesito program.

Xiente Vice President of Education Adamary Sosa says kids on the bus already score higher on school readiness assessments than kids who are in school six hours a day, five days a week.

Xiente is currently accepting students for both mobile and physical kindergartens.

Xiente | Record
174 Diamond St, Philadelphia, Pa. 19122

Leash to New Life Philly helps incarcerated rescue dogs find hope and new lives
Norberto Rob Rosa is Senior Vice President of New Leash on Life programs.

The nonprofit reentry program matches shelter dogs at risk of euthanasia with inmates deemed worthy of a new start.

The dogs live with the inmates for 11 weeks, during which time they learn life skills, career preparation and how to care for the animals.

When puppies graduate from the program, they have received the training they need to be successfully adopted.

Inmates are eligible for early parole with a new Collar that provides an additional three months of support to help them successfully re-enter society.

Rosa experienced the criminal justice system at age 19; The 12 years he spent in prison is what drives him to help others.

Attending a prison program in Graterford changed his life and allowed him to find his purpose.

There he met Marian Marchese, who founded New Leash on Life with Rosa’s help.

With his love for animals, he helps make new beginnings for both protected dogs and prisoners.

New Leash to Life| instagram |Facebook

Conjunto Philadelphia plays Cuban music that evolved into modern salsa
Local band Conjunto Philadelphia brings the music of pre-revolutionary Cuba to life at many area venues, including a stand-up concert at Rittenhouse’s Bolo Restaurant every Thursday during happy hour.

The band was founded 15 years ago by Jeff Torchon, a genre enthusiast who the band says comes from all other modern Latin music genres, such as bolero, cha cha cha and more.

The core seven-piece band rotates as members become available and includes instruments from congas and timbales to trumpets and upright basses.

Conjunto Philadelphia | Facebook | instagram

Bolo Restaurant | instagram
2025 Sansom Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19103
267-639-2741

Kensington Rock Ministries lays boxing foundation for Johnny Rivera and his father
Professional boxing sensation Johnny ‘A Different Breed’ Rivera is being touted as Philly’s next big hit.

The 18-year-old player, along with his brothers Isaac and Valery, were raised in sports by his father and coach Johnny ‘Rocket’ Rivera.

Johnny and his long-time wife, Daiana, educate their children at Kensington-based Rock Ministries, founded by another former boxer, Pastor Buddy Osborn.

‘Pastor Buddy’ started his combat sports program more than 20 years ago to provide neighborhood children with an escape from the trauma they experienced growing up in Kensington.

No money is required, no child is turned away, and the only requirement to join is to attend the Bible study.

Johnny’s father and coach came through the program and said it saved him from becoming a statistician.

Rock Ministries | Facebook | instagram
2755 Kensington Avenue, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19134
215-739-3927

Johnny ‘A Different Breed’ Rivera

Rick Perez returns to new role at Olivet Boys and Girls Club
Rick Perez continues to build community in Reading.

The former head coach of the Reading High School basketball team had a successful run, winning three PIAA 6A State Championships.

Now the coach aims to create a successful environment for the club that trained him.

Perez named new CEO of Olivet Boys and Girls Club of Reading and Berks County.

He now works in the same buildings in Reading, where he spent his childhood.

The club’s mission is to serve as a recreational area for underprivileged youth.

As the new CEO, he shares his personal story of struggle with children from a similar background, hoping to inspire the next generation of leaders in society.

Olivet Boys & Reading Girls Club & Berks County | Facebook | instagram

Franklin Institute helps train the next generation of scientists
For 200 years, the Franklin Institute has been the destination for everything from a solar eclipse party to blockbuster exhibits. brick art, The world’s largest exhibition of LEGO art.

Restoration of the museum’s beloved Baldwin Locomotive is underway, and there’s a new Great Space exhibit.

But the Franklin Institute is also a place where high school students who are passionate about science can dive into real-world learning.

Deanna Torres graduated from the museum’s first class of STEM Scholars a decade ago.

Like many of Franklin’s STEM Scholars, Torres was the first in her family to attend college, and she says the four-year program helped her with everything from SAT prep to networking with scientists and people working in all kinds of STEM fields.

Torres is now an x-ray technician and says he learned about the field of radiology through the Franklin Institute’s STEM Scholars program.

The program is free, donor-funded, and open to motivated but underserved youth.

Students typically enter the STEM scholarship program as freshmen and stay until their senior year in high school.

Derek Serrano is a senior at WB Saul Agricultural Sciences High School and part of the Franklin Institute’s current class of STEM Scholars.

He wants to study agricultural engineering with a focus on animal genetics.

He says he has always had a great interest in horses and even in his wildest dreams he wanted to make history in the field of genetic cloning by cloning the perfect horse.

The Franklin Institute is currently seeking students for its next class of STEM Scholars.

Franklin Institute | Facebook | instagram
222 N 20th Street, Philadelphia, Pa. 19103

STEM Scholar Program | Application

Gift of Life Donor Program creates friendship despite adversity
Nilsa Edmonds was on the verge of death.

Pat Hieber had just lost his son.

Twenty-five years later, the two bond over that brief hardship.

Hieber’s son Chris donated the liver that saved Edmonds’ life through the Gift of Life donation program.

The two met after writing letters for several years, and their relationship became a bond as strong as family.

The pair were regulars at the Transplant Games and Olympic-style sporting event where donors and recipients gather to celebrate.

And they continue to honor Chris even 25 years after his death.

Gift of Life Donor Program | Facebook | instagram

6abc awards for Hispanic and Latin American Heritage Month
6abc is Philly Proud to select and honor prominent Hispanic and Latino community leaders in Philadelphia and the region.

This year’s Theme is “Al servicio de otros” – in the service of others.
This year’s award winners are as follows:

Pastor Bonnie Camarada – Salvation Army Partnerships Director

Varsovia Fernandez – CEO of the Pennsylvania CDFI Network

Garces Foundation

Rick Perez- CEO Olivet Boys & Reading Girls Club & Berks County