MERIDEN — The Hispanic Outreach Leaders in Action (HOLA) committee of the Midstate Chamber of Commerce awarded and congratulated different community members, organizations, and businesses making a difference in the Meriden area and their Latino communities.
“What I didn’t expect is that I myself would find my own roots again in Wallingford, Connecticut. Having come from Arizona, in a Mexican community, and striving so hard to assimilate into this culture — American culture — that I forgot all about my Mexican roots and I found them again,” said Evangeline Mendoza-Bourgeois, music director at the Spanish Community of Wallingford.
Mendoza was one of three people recognized with the Shining Star Award and an official citation from the state, presented by state Rep. Hilda Santiago, during the Chamber Breakfast event, which was held on Friday, at Il Monticello, in celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month.
State Trooper Paola Mantilla and Elvin Melendez from the Community Health Network were the other two individuals who received the recognition along with the Spanish Community of Wallingford, the Community Health Center and the RJ Media Group’s Latino Communities Reporting Lab. This is the first year the committee recognized contributions made by businesses and organizations.
Special recognition was also given to Lydia Vasquez-Heredia, past chairwoman of the HOLA committee. She died this year and her sister accepted the award.
‘Latinas & Power’
After the award ceremony, Marisol Rodriguez, HOLA chairperson, introduced Marilyn Alverio, CEO of Latinas & Power Corp., as the guest speaker.
“I’m really excited to be able to introduce this speaker because not only is she a personal friend, but whether she knows it or not, she acts as an informal mentor to me and to so many others,” Rodriguez said.
Alverio shared her vision for Latinas & Power and its continued mission.
“One of the reasons why I created it (Latinas & Power), is because it is critical that we build future leaders and advocates, that we build the pipeline of talent that is needed in order for us to contribute to the U.S. economy and to the success of our beautiful country,” she said.
Alverio is about to launch a new endeavor, she said, the Latinas & Power Institute.
“Now we are launching the Institute in 2023 and it will have two tracks,” Alverio said. “It will be a 13-and-a-half month certification program based on leadership and community advocacy. Latinos are here, and we’re here to stay.”
Hispanic Outreach Leaders in Action
Rosanne Ford, president of the Midstate Chamber of Commerce, started the event by recognizing HOLA’s mission in the community “to engage with Hispanic individuals and businesses in the area, so that through the chamber, they can obtain exposure, growth and involvement in the community,” she said.
HOLA raises funds for education awards throughout the year. “They give out a couple of thousands (of dollars) each year to area high school students,” Ford said. Part of the proceeds from some of the sponsorships of the event are going toward the HOLA education award fund.
Sponsors of the event included Eversource, Liberty Bank, Workforce Alliance, the Record-Journal, MidState Medical Center and Colonial Flooring America.
