On January 14th, Batey Urbano and Existence Is Resistance hosted the Occupied Lands, Scattered Diasporas film series. With 120 individuals from both the Palestinian and Puerto Rican communities, the event was a symbol of solidarity. The Batey Urbano is a space where young people from our community can have meaningful discussions about the work around them.

What struck the Batey collective was how much Puerto Rico and Palestine have in common, and with the support and mentorship of one of Humboldt Park’s hip-hop artist, Lah Tere, Batey was able to understand this harsh reality. Colonialism has been the reality of Palestinians and Puerto Rican communities for decades. The occupation of both lands has resulted in the death of thousands; poverty has become a reality for most, and countless artifacts of culture have been destroyed.

In the struggle for freedom, these harsh conditions have created political movements, activists, and revolutionaries that fighting for a common cause. The documentaries “Hip Hop is Bigger than the Occupation,” directed by Nana Dankwa and  “For Those Who Struggle,” a documentary about the campaign to free Puerto Rican political prisoner Oscar López Rivera, who this year will have served his 31st year in federal custody, were shown and invited panelists led a discussion around occupation and what it would take for our lands to be unoccupied.
Batey Urbano is a safe space for all young people, and we strive to be able to provide productive alternatives for them. For more information, visit bateyurbano.net or email bateyurbano@gmail.com.

Jessie Fuentes

The largest Three Kings Parade in the Mid West kicked off 2012 with the blessings of sunshine and above average temperatures. Nearly 500 parade goers on trolleys, double decker buses, floats, motorcycles, bicycles and on foot, escorted the Three Kings on their annual parade down Paseo Boricua to the Humboldt Park Field House. Members of LAMA (Latin American Motorcycle Association) took the form of the Three Kings as they rode on horse and wagon, tossing candy to the crowds of spectators and bringing cheer to children and nostalgic adults alike.
The Three Kings Day Parade celebrates the coming of the Three Magi to bring gifts to baby Jesus or day of the Epiphany. In Puerto Rican tradition this is the day when children receive their Christmas holiday gifts. On the eve of the 5th of January, children fill a box with grass (for the kings’ horses) and place it under their beds. In the morning of January 6, they awake to find toys and gifts. This festival is also celebrated with traditional music and songs dedicated to the Three Kings. In keeping with this tradition, the Puerto Rican community comes together to organize the first parade of the year in Chicago.
The parade made its way to the Humboldt Park Field House, where several hundred more children and families, not in the parade, were already waiting in line to receive Los Reyes Magos. As the children received their gifts, they were serenaded by a trio of musicians singing traditional aguinaldos (music and songs dedicated to the Three Kings). By 6:30 pm that evening, over a thousand children ages 0 to 12 had received a gift. The Chicago Land TOYS FOR TOTS and LAMA helped to bring in the bulk of the toy donations that were given that night. Many volunteers from Dr. Pedro Albizu Campos High School and the Puerto Rican Cultural Center spent days wrapping the toys. This year the first 40 children in the parade received a free bicycle from West Town Bikes/Ciclo Urbano.
With another successful event the Three Kings Winter Festival and Parade is fast becoming one of the most popular family friendly events in Chicago. The Three Kings Committee would like to thank it’s sponsors: Roberto Maldonado (26th Ward), CHICAGO LAND TOYS FOR TOTS, LAMA, COMCAST, Central Park Produce, Division Street Business Development Association, The Puerto Rican Cultural Center, Dr. Pedro Albizu Campos Puerto Rican High School, Chicago Park District (Humboldt Park), La Kalle 103.1/93.5, La Voz del Paseo Boricua, EXTRA Newspaper and West Town Bikes/Ciclo Urbano.

By Eduardo Arocho

On the weekend of December 3-4, 2011, the Institute of Puerto Rican Arts and Culture celebrated its first holiday arts sale event Navi Arts Fest. The event featured arts and crafts from Puerto Rican artists that included Galería Cuca (mixed media), Edgar “El Pintor” (ceramics), Leo Negrón (coconut art) Miguel Arroyo (photography and graphic design), Elias Carmona (photography), Lebster Pabón (paintings), Between Rags and Dolls (hand made rag dolls), Zoraida Rivera Tañón (artisanal coquito), Mr. Myke (urban art) and El Quijote Bookstore.

On Saturday, December 3rd, Navi Arts Fest, kick off with the musical flavor of La Trova del 31 at noon. The presentation of Adolfo Colón’s book Pasto y Maleza and the musical presentation of the up and coming bomba group Buya.  Later on, IPRAC hosted two amazing parrandas, received with one of the López family’s sweetest recipes of ‘leche con jengibre’. The first traditional parranda sponsored by ¡Humboldt Park NO SE VENDE! and the second one by the Segundo Ruiz Belvis Cultural Center’s traveling parranda led by los pleneros of Nuestro Tambó.

The event concluded with an amazing children’s workshop led by Happy Kids Chicago on Sunday afternoon. This joyful celebration brought many Puerto Ricans together, like back home, enjoying excellent music, arts, delicious holiday treats, gifts and good memories.

by Brenda Figueroa

On December 1st Vida/SIDA joined communities across the world in commemorating World AIDS Day, a day to honor the lives of the 33 million people who have died from AIDS-related illnesses and the 90,000 others who continue to live with HIV/AIDS.

On Thursday, approximately 150 Humboldt Park residents, community leaders, and youth from three area high schools gathered at La Casita de Don Pedro for the altar and candle lighting ceremony to honor those who had passed away from AIDS related illnesses in the community. José E. López, Executive Director of the Puerto Rican Cultural Center, and State Representative Maria Antonia “Toni” Berrios spoke about the importance of supporting people with HIV and fighting homophobia within the Latino community. The group marched in a procession to Roberto Clemente High School holding candles, carrying signs that read “Fighting for a Cure”, and calling out the names of those who had passed away.

Also, partaking in the World AIDS Day event was the With Me Comes a Cure [WMCC] program of Vida/SIDA. This HIV/STI Initiative, which is geared for youth between the ages of 13-24, is a collaborative effort between Vida/SIDA, the Community of Wellness, and the AIDS Foundation of Chicago. For World AIDS Day, WMCC sponsored a t-shirt contest for high school students from Clemente, Dr. Pedro Albizu Campos, and Aspira; the students where asked to submit designs with a message relating to World AIDS Day and HIV/AIDS.
Following the vigil, everyone gathered at Roberto Clemente High School for the reception dinner.

The program included a presentation from Dr. Jaime Martínez from the Core Center, about treatment barriers unique to HIV-positive immigrants.  Zenaida López, Associate Director of Vida/SIDA, announced the winner of the t-shirt contest, followed by a female drag performer, Venus, who delighted the crowd with a colorful performance.
Armando Esquivel from Dr. Pedro Albizu Campos was the winner of the t-shirt contest and the runner up was Luis Ramírez from Clemente. The winning design was printed on 150 t-shirts, and to close the event, t-shirts where passed out to all those in attendance.

Vida/SIDA and community partners are working to educate the community about HIV transmission, encourage safer sex practices that can prevent new cases, and help those who are positive, access affordable and respectful care.

by Cassandra Avenatti

Hundreds of children filled Division Street again for one of the most fun-filled, family friendly events in Humboldt Park. The 10th annual Haunted Paseo Boricua is giving new meaning to Halloween in our community. Businesses opened their doors to costumed treat-seekers of all sizes, but this was no average trick or treat activity. Several landmarks like the Casita de Don Pedro was converted into a haunted cemetery. Batey Urbano had their usual scary basement and La Cosecha Fresh Produce Market handed out healthy candy that included a Ritz cracker with a delicious avocado and chocolate topping. Yum, Yum!! This year’s Haunted Paseo also had a skate and bicycle park zone on Campbell Street. Ciclo Urbano and Barreto’s Boys and Girls clubs did a small parade with their custom decorated bikes along Division Street to the delight of many.
Division Street Business Development Association wants to thank its many partners for helping put on a great and safe event including: Alderman Roberto Maldonado 26th Ward, the Puerto Rican
Cultural Center, Dr. Pedro Albizu Campos High School, Ciclo Urbano, the Chicago Park District, 72 Block By Block, COMCAST and all of the volunteers who helped make this a wonderful event.

By Eduardo Arocho

Prominent Attorney Carmen Lonstein, a Senior Partner at Baker & McKenzie LLP and Board Member of IPRAC, welcomed Governor Pat Quinn to the Institute of Puerto Rican Arts & Culture on August 20th for the signing of SB630. During her remarks she acknowledged the commitment of Governor Quinn to make IPRAC a Museum In The Park.
Key legislators in the passing of SB630 were Rep. Cynthia Soto and State Senator Iris Martínez. The bill seeks to address the issue of arbitrary school closings by CPS without any community engagement. The following provisions are some of the highlights of the bill:
•School Actions have to be announced by CPS every year by December 1st – before the application deadline for selective enrollment schools.
•CPS must issue a written announcement explaining its reasons for wanting to take a school action.
•Hearings will be run by Independent Hearings Officers and can’t be held until 30 days after the CPS announcement of the proposed School Actions.
•CPS must have School Transition Plans to support and aid students and schools impacted if and when School Actions are approved by the CPS Board.
Among the many prominent leaders in attendance from various community organizations were Block Togethers, Chicago Coalition for the Homeless, Design for Change and the Grand Boulevard Federation, José Sánchez, CEO of Norwegian, Rev. Freddy Santiago, Rebaño Church and Rev. Wilfredo de Jesús, New Life Convenent, as well as State Rep. Luis Arroyo.

On March 30, 2011, Norwegian American Hospital and the Greater Humboldt Park Community of Wellness, along with several other local Humboldt Park community organizations, took a bus load of 40 supporters to Springfield. The trip to the capital was an advocacy day to encourage the state’s General Assembly to reject Governor Pat Quinn’s proposed $552 million cut in Medicaid reimbursement to hospitals, nursing homes and other providers.

Supporters went around to their local representatives and asked them to consider the long-lasting negative effects of imposing Medicaid rate cuts to hospitals and the health care system, and how Norwegian American could be faced with $3.41 million in cuts per year.

Organizations that were present included: Block-by-Block: The Greater Humboldt Park Community Campaign Against Diabetes, Healthcare Alternative Systems Inc., Puerto Rican Cultural Center and Vida/SIDA.
“The advocacy day in Springfield was a huge success, and I think some very good momentum has been made, but work still needs to be done,” said Norwegian American Hospital President and Chief Executive Officer José R. Sánchez. “The proposed cut to Medicaid reimbursements would have a devastating impact on Norwegian American Hospital and, ultimately, negatively impact the already dire health status of the communities we serve.”

Norwegian American has been serving the needs of the community for over 115 years. Today, the community is home to many residents who are uninsured or underinsured, and have been found by public health researchers to have higher rates of asthma, diabetes, obesity and HIV/AIDS when compared to city and national rates. As a result, Norwegian American Hospital provides a large share of uncompensated care.

Hospitals are vital components of communities, providing essential services, including stability, care and employment to residents. All Illinois residents should be able to confidently rely on local hospitals at all times to meet their needs.

A press conference organized by the Community of Wellness took place at Norwegian American Hospital on March 10th in response to the Governor’s proposed $552 million Medicaid cut to hospitals, nursing homes and other providers.  Such cuts will have a devastating impact on the health of hundreds of thousands.  Norwegian has been serving this community for over 115 years.  Cuts to Medicaid would devastate Norwegian and negatively impact the already dire health status of our community.  Please join us in Springfield on March 31st as we tell the Governor and our legislators to not cut Medicaid, call 773-772-8240 for more info.

Effective October 4, 2010 Norwegian American Hospital will have a new Chief Executive Officer: José R. Sanchez has accepted an offer by the hospital’s Board of Trustees to become the new president and CEO.

José R. Sanchez brings a 30+ year-career as a healthcare executive to Norwegian American Hospital. He is currently Senior Vice President of Generations +/ Northern Manhattan Health Network, one of the largest health care networks in the New York City Health and Hospital Corporation. The network, for which José also serves as CEO, includes two acute care hospitals, three large ambulatory centers and close to 20 community–based health centers located in Manhattan and the Bronx.

José is committed to finding collaborative and innovated solutions to the healthcare challenges of urban communities. Nine years ago, he created the Urban Health Conference, an annual national forum that brings more than 300 network health providers together to explore and develop solutions to the healthcare challenges in urban areas.

“Everyone Matters” showcases the artwork by over 50 Humboldt Park community residents sharing personal messages of resilience and positive life choices. The exhibit reflects personal journeys towards healing, where art becomes a tool for personal empowerment and healing. “Everyone Matters” brings together seven community organizations, art therapists and teaching artists to disseminate stories of personal growth relevant to the Chicago Latino community.

“Everyone Matters” will open with a community reception Friday October 8th from 5:30 to 8:30PM. The exhibit will remain open till Saturday October 30th at the Institute of Puerto Rican Arts & Culture located 3015 West Division Street, Chicago. Exhibit gallery hours are Monday, Tuesdays, Thursday, Friday and Saturday: 10:30AM to 6:30PM.
Free admission and parking for the entire family.

“Everyone Matters” is presented by the Behavioral Health Task Force (BHTF) of the Greater Humboldt Park Community of Wellness and is a collaboration between Association House of Chicago, Casa Central, La Casa Norte, Community Counseling Centers of Chicago, Erie Family Health Center, Mercy Home for Boys and Girls, and the Norwegian American Hospital.

“Everyone Matters” also counts with the collaboration of Erasing the Distance, IPRAC, Vocalo 89.5FM and WBEZ Radio West Side Bureau. Everyone Matters is made possible through the financial support of the Chicago Children’s Center for Behavioral Health, LISC Chicago and The Norwegian American Hospital.

For more information about “Everyone Matters” and the work of the Behavioral Health Task Force (BHTF) of the Greater Humboldt Park Community of Wellness email Juana Ballesteros at juanaballesteros@hotmail.com .