Rhode Island Latino Cultural Groups

Cultural Groups in Rhode Island

Guatemalan American Association of RI (GAARI): Guatemalan American Association of RI (GAARI)
P.O. Box 29012
Providence, RI 02909
Contact: contact@gaari.org
Web Site: http://www.gaari.org

GAARI is a non-profit community association; composed purely of volunteers and sustained by generous donors. The Guatemalan American Association of Rhode Island (GAARI) was founded in October of 1997 by a group of Guatemalan men and women who became aware of the growing number of Guatemalan immigrants in the Providence Rhode Island area as well as of the growing needs of this population. There was a void in the Guatemalan community due to the lack of leadership and representation; it is this void that they were attempting to fill by creating the Guatemalan American Association of RI.
GAARI has had a very active and positive trajectory within the Guatemalan community. The main focus of GAARI has been to empower and encourage the Guatemalan community in RI by providing the tools and space necessary for that empowerment through various classes, its community newspaper (GAARI News), and various cultural activities. The association has also acted as a voice for the underrepresented Guatemalan community in Rhode Island.

Guatemalan Center of New England: Guatemalan Center of New England
421 Elmwood Ave.
Providence, RI 02907
Ph: 401-484-0090

President: Tiana Ochoa
Web Site: www.guatemalancenter.org

The Guatemalan Center of New England is an organization whose mission is to encourage, promote and disseminate the Guatemalan culture in New England, establish cultural ties between Guatemala and New England, and develop strategies to meet the needs of Guatemalans residing in New England. Our goal is to empower Guatemalans residing in New England to lead productive and dignified lives, be proud of their national history and origins, and develop and celebrate their identity as Guatemalan Americans.

Puerto Rican Professional Association of Rhode Island: Puerto Rican Professional Association of Rhode Island
PO Box 563
Providence, RI 02904

Contact: Cristopher R. Llópiz Osorio 'Llópiz', President assoprpari@gmail.com
Website: www.prpari.org

The Puerto Rican Professional Association is a 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to empowering Puerto Rican professionals in Rhode Island and their communities through cultural enrichment and social development. We are an executive solution platform, addressing the unique needs and challenges faced by Puerto Ricans while fostering a sense of unity and connectivity.

Puerto Rican Institute for the Arts and Advocacy, Inc.: Puerto Rican Institute for the Arts and Advocacy, Inc.
P.O. Box 8168
Warwick, RI 02888
Ph: 401.737.0751

Director: Lydia Pérez
Web Site: http://www.priaa-ri.org/

The Puerto Rican Institute for Arts and Advocacy, Inc., (PRIAA) is a 501(c)(3), non-profit organization dedicated to promote civic and cultural awareness for the Puerto Rican community through the performing arts. PRIAA works with the state, city agencies, schools, universities, museums, gallery and existing organizations, bringing the best of the Caribbean traditions to the state of Rhode Island.

Since 1995, PRIAA runs a Caribbean arts program in Rhode Island and fosters future leaders in the arts. PRIAA is an arts provider through Hartford Performs in the public school system in Connecticut, and with organizations from Boston, Springfield and Holyoke, MA.

Quisqueya en Acción/Quisqueya in Action: Quisqueya en Acción/Quisqueya in Action
807 Broad Street
P.O. Box 72770
Providence, R.I. 02907
Ph: 941-2749
Fax: 941-2038

President: Marilyn Cepeda
Web Site: n/a

Quisqueya in Action, Inc., is a nonprofit organization founded in 1987 in the city of Providence by an energetic group of Dominican young people. The group was brought together in an effort to enlighten their knowledge about the Dominican Republic and to develop a common belief of creating and inspiring the community with meaningful information about the beautiful island, its people, its rich history and culture.

Determined to make a difference, the board and members of Quisqueya in Action made a decision to create a vision for this organization and to provide young people in Providence and the State of Rhode Island with an option for community involvement. This resulted in the creation of the Dominican Festival of Rhode Island. Today, the organization is extremely proud to celebrate 19 years of exposing the community and specifically its young people with the splendor and history of the Dominican Republic.

Local Resources for Latinos

Juanita Sánchez Community Fund: Juanita Sánchez Community Fund
The Rhode Island Foundation
One Union Station
Providence, RI 02903
Ph: 427-4011
Fax: 331-8085
Contact: Marta V. Martínez, Chair of the Fund and Inés Merchan, Program Officer
Web Site: http://www.juanitasanchezfund.org

The Juanita Sánchez Community Fund was established in 1992 through the contributions of many friends and family of Juanita Sánchez, memorializing her life as a leader, organizer and long-time believer in fighting for the unmet needs and rights of Latinos. The Fund was created to provide support for Rhode Island’s Latino community by offering grant assistance to a broad range of nonprofit organizations that are working for the betterment of the Latino people in the state.

Latino Dollars for Scholars: Latino Dollars for Scholars
P.O. Box 6764
Providence, RI 02940

Web Site: http://www.ladori.org

Latino Dollars for Scholars Foundation of Rhode Island (LADO) is a private non-profit organization founded in 1993. Our mission is to expand higher education for Latino students living in Rhode Island by involving and assisting the private sector in the support of these students. LADO also provides encouragement for higher levels of achievement among Latino students. Our goals are to increase Latino representation at the post secondary level and to provide the community with academic and professional role models.

Progreso Latino: Progreso Latino, Inc.
626 Broad Street
Central Falls, R.I. 02863
Ph: 728-5920
Fax: 274-5550
Executive Director: Mario Bueno
Web Site: http://www.progresolatino.org

Established in 1977, Progreso Latino was formed to meet the needs of the a growing number of Colombians coming to Rhode Island to work in the textile mills found throughout the Blackstone Valley area of Rhode Island. Today, Progreso Latino provides direct services to a diverse Latino population as well as immigrants and refugees of other European, African and Asian nationalities. It manages a bilingual day care, a senior center and provides educational services in the areas of health, education, housing and business development.

Tam Tran Scholarship Fund: Tam Tran Scholarship Fund
P.O. Box 25118
Providence, RI 02905
Contact: Marta V. Martínez
Web Site: http://www.tamtranscholarship.org

✦ This is the only fund in Rhode Island that offers financial assistance to undocumented students.

Rhode Island Hispanic Chamber of Commerce: Rhode Island Hispanic Chamber of Commerce
1955 Westminster St, 2nd FL
Providence, RI 02909
E-Mail: info@rihispanicchamber.org
Contact: Oscar Mejias
Phone: (401) 400-1340
Web Site: www.rihispanicchamber.org

✦ The Rhode Island Hispanic Chamber of Commerce is an organization created to represent, promote and empower the growing Hispanic business community.

The Latino Policy Institute @RWU: The Latino Policy Institute
One Empire Plaza
Providence, RI 02903
E-Mail: lpi@rwu.edu
Contact: Marcela Betancur
Phone: (401) 276-4808
Fax: (401) 276-4818
Web Site: https://www.rwu.edu/life-at-rwu/rwu-community/lpi

✦ The Latino Policy Institute (LPI) is committed to generating and communicating non-partisan data of Latinos in Rhode Island. LPI stimulates public policy discussions and enhances the public’s understanding of the Rhode Island Latino experience.

LPI is made up of professionals representing a diverse range of sectors and disciplines. We are anchored at Roger Williams University and are a program of the University located on the Metro Campus.

Rhode Island Hispanic Bar Association: Rhode Island Hispanic Bar Association
Providence, RI
E-Mail: rihispanicbarassoc@gmail.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RIHispanicBarAssoc/

✦ Supporting existing, new, and future Latino lawyers in RI; and serving the Latino community in RI.

Latino Cultural Groups |

& Local Resources for Latinos

Cultural Groups in Rhode Island

Local Resources for Latinos