Círculo de la Hispanidad 2018 Gala Journal

I want to thank the Gala’s Planning Committee for supporting our honorees and our Gala. Their support has been essential in the always stressful work of implementing a successful event. Thank you Círculo’s Board members, staff, colleagues, volunteers and friends for supporting the journal, the raffle and selling tickets. I also want to give a special thanks to Evelyn Tavárez , Gala Coordinator, as well as Nancy Iglesias , our consultant for the Gala's invitation, the journal, and the slideshow presentations, including our on-line journal. As always, I want to thank my family for their encouragement. They have helped me to face the many difficulties that I have encountered this past year and over the years. Gracias Sarah Brewster, my partner in work and in life. Gracias por todo, thank you for everything. You continue to inspire me and I enjoy working with you every day. Gracias to my deceased parents, brother, niece and sister-in-law . I miss them. They have always inspired me in my difficult times. I want to thank my three children, Deborah, Daniel and Gil Migue l for their support. They share not only my happy moments but also my challenging ones and they continue to give me encouragement to persevere. I continue to enjoy spending time with my grandchildren, my precious Rebecca, Sofía, Giuliana, Isak, Gabriella and Sebastián. ¡¡¡ Gracias!!! Thanks to all!!!

Message from the Founder & Executive Director Círculo de la Hispanidad Gil Bernardino

This past year has been a challenging one as we faced the possibility of losing funding as a result of the Federal Government cuts in housing! There was sad destruction caused by different hurricanes including the damage to Puerto Rico as a result of Hurricane María. There was also good news, the approval and implementation of Evergreen Charter School’s Middle School. As of this moment cuts in housing so far have not affected our programs which means our four different housing programs are intact, and still providing important services to clients affected by HIV, mental disabilities, domestic violence, and families with limited resources. GOOD NEWS!!! Círculo de la Hispanidad, together with other organizations and community leaders, worked together to support the people from Puerto Rico as Hurricane María destroyed the island. See in the journal the information about this effort. This was a very sad challenge as we witnessed millions of people suffering for months with limited support by the Federal Government. Evergreen Charter School, funded with the support of Círculo de la Hispanidad, has increased the support for the students by getting State approval of a Middle School. Last year we expanded to serve students from K-7th grade. This coming fall, we will have students from K-8, eventually growing to full capacity for 675 students. At the same time, we have over 500 students on the waiting list. You may ask why I report the news of Evergreen Charter School in my letter about Círculo. Círculo founded Evergreen. Evergreen would not have existed without Círculo. While we maintain separate boards and funding sources, we celebrate Evergreen’s success as our success. In conclusion, Evergreen’s vision of providing hope and a future for children’s right to an excellent education is the result of the same vision and mission of Círculo de la Hispanidad. To all of you supporters, in different ways, of Círculo de la Hispanidad, current and past, you have impacted the establishment of Evergreen Charter School by supporting our organization and I thank you for that reason in the name of the many students who are and will benefit throughout the years. As the Founder and Executive Director, I understand the importance of Círculo’s staff and their contributions through our history. They supported the organization with their daily work and ensured that programs and activities have been implemented in a financially sound manner. Having good evaluations and audits allowed me to keep the dream alive. Gracias. A thousand thanks for all participants and sponsors over the years. You have helped us achieve our mission. I also want to express my gratitude to our 2018 participants and sponsors. Thank you to all our Honorees for accepting our invitation to be part of our history and supporting the Gala. Gracias.

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