On Saturday, September 10, nearly twenty HOME staffers, board members and volunteers gathered in front of City Hall to march in the Puerto Rican Day Parade. Proudly carrying the HOME banner and blue and white balloons they marched the two miles down Niagara Street to Porter Avenue and into LaSalle Park where the celebration continued well into the afternoon.
It was HOME’s first time participating in the Parade. Blue skies, 75 degree weather, smiling faces, Latin beats and the aroma of Spanish cuisine filled the air making the 3rd Annual Puerto Rican Day parade quite a memorable event.
While HOME has long provided services to the Latino/a community, the parade provided a venue to expand our reach and increase our visibility. It was an opportunity to empower many more people by educating them about their fair housing rights. The day was also a fun-filled networking experience to say the least.
HOME’s elementary school volunteers (relatives of HOME staff and volunteers) stretched their little legs going from one side of the street to the other distributing bilingual messages of HOME’s Free/Gratis services. Over 2000 red, white and blue palm cards, colored to match the American and Puerto Rican flags, were given out that day inviting the community to use HOME’s advocacy, educational and mobility services.
Although it was HOME’s first time participating in the parade, it is sure not to be our last. Consider joining us next year as we march in the 4th annual Puerto Rican Day parade!
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