Progreso Latino 41st Annual Gala Press Announcement

Progreso Latino’s 41st Anniversary Gala is set for September 28, 2018 at the Rhodes on the Pawtuxet, in Cranston, RI. The gala welcomes over 400 guests each year at 6:00 p.m. with a lively cocktail hour, engaging keynote, condensed speaking program, delicious dinner, fun raffle, live entertainment and Latino dancing. The gala is the agency’s largest fundraiser and will raise awareness about domestic violence in the Latino and immigrant community. The speaking program honors great leaders in the field who make a difference for survivors and families throughout Rhode Island:

(Honorary Chair) Deborah DeBare is the new Director for the National Network to End Domestic Violence. Deborah was the Executive Director of the Rhode Island Coalition Against Domestic Violence (RICADV) from 1995 to 2018. Prior to that, Ms. DeBare served for five years as the Executive Director of the Domestic Violence Resource Center of South County and for two years as the Policy and Information Associate for the Rhode Island Division of Mental Health and Community Services.

(Keynote Speaker) Zaida Hernandez is a survivor of domestic violence and will share her story as an example of changing the narrative of domestic violence.Zaida holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Interdisciplinary and Women’s Studies, and a Master’s Degree in Non-Profit Management. She is a member of SOAR, Sisters Overcoming Abusive Relationships; a task force of survivors within the RI Coalition Against Domestic Violence. Zaida has dedicated her life to advocate for those who have been affected by domestic violence.

(Awardee) Linda Impagliazzo has been the Executive Director of the Blackstone Valley Advocacy Center since its inception in 1987. During her time with the Center, she has been responsible for planning and program development, fiscal management, personnel management and public relations.

(Awardee) Leslie Moore isFounder of the organization, TRACTION. She holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science, Psychology, and Economics from Yale University. Leslie founded TRACTION in 2010 to allow people of faith to share their resources and lives, with people whose challenges require intense or long term support.

(Awardee) Lucy Rios is theDirector of Prevention and Communications for the Rhode Island Coalition Against Domestic Violence. At the RICADV, Lucy facilitates trainings for advocates, criminal justice personnel, service providers, and others on the dynamics of domestic violence and related topics.

Progreso Latino’s 41 Anniversary Gala is able to acknowledge the important work of these leaders due to the generosity of its sponsors:  Amica Mutual Insurance, Blue Cross & Blue Shield of RI, the City of Central Falls, MetLife Insurance, Navigant Credit Union, Neighborhood Health Plan of RI, Pawtucket Credit Union, Starkweather & Shepley Insurance Brokerage, Inc., and the University of Rhode Island.

For more information on the event, the speakers, the awardees or the sponsors, please contact Gala Coordinator, Brittany L. Waters by email at gala2018@progresolatino.org  or by phone at 401-728-5920, ext. 346.