Organized Community-Building Activities: PROESA

Just this year, Centro Presente, located at 54 Essex Street in Cambridge, launched a new membership program entitled, PROESA ( Proyecto de Educación Solidaridad y Acción ). This education, solidarity, and action project was initiated at a community forum held by Centro Presente on April 12 th of 2003, at which almost three hundred Salvadorans and Hondurans under the Temporary Protected Status (TPS) program were present. At this forum, in addition to a postcard writing campaign to demand the extension of the TPS program, PROESA was born to provide “further opportunities for our constituents to shape our collective future.” Thus, members of Centro Presente can participate in PROESA, “planning and working on campaigns, cultural events and public education.” Although neither Centro Presente nor PROESA are located in Somerville, according to Elena Letona, Executive of Centro Presente, Latinos from all over Boston participate. However, this program is still in its infancy and she expects PROESA to gain in membership in coming years. For the Latinos of Somerville then, PROESA is a burgeoning community-building opportunity, offering the chance to work with diverse Latinos on affecting policy and improving community education. Contact Centro Presente for more information!

“Centro Presente,” Semi-Annual Newsletter, Summer 2003.