Progreso Latino Gala

 On September 27, 2019 from 6:00 pm to 11:00 pm, Progreso Latino, Inc., the largest social service and economic development agency serving the Latino and immigrant community of Rhode Island, will hold its Forty-Second Annual Gala with the participation of Congressman David Cicilline as Honorary President, and the presentation of awards to community leaders in the field.

The event will include a cocktail hour that will take place at 6:00 pm; dinner for the invited participants, which will be at 7:00 pm, and the opportunity to dance and enjoy the music of Robertico Arias and his Band.

The program will include presentation of awards to Karen Maldonado-Doucet, counselor for the Central Falls School District; Jennifer L Wood, Executive Director of the Center for Justice, affiliated with Roger Williams University; Jessica Vasquez, Director of Immigration Services at Progreso Latino; and to the Méndez Family, which is part of the history of the Latino community of Rhode Island, and in a very special and particular way, of the city of Providence.

The Méndez Family, was formed by Minel and Asia (deceased) who arrived in the United States in 1972. In 1978, the Méndez Family founded the Méndez Supermarket, first of its kind serving a growing Latino community. At some point Los Méndez became owners of about 10 businesses. Currently, Tony and Dilson Méndez, together with Zoilo García, own the radio station WPMZ-Poder 1110, which also broadcasts on FM W271CR-102.1.

Progreso Latino’s 42nd Anniversary Gala is able to acknowledge the important work of these leaders due to the generosity of its sponsors:  Navigant Credit Union, Pawtucket Credit Union, Bank Newport, Tufts Health Plan, Verizon, the University of Rhode Island, Blues Cross, Blue Shield of Rhode Island, Providence College, Metlife, Cox Communications, Brown University, and Stark Weather & Shepley Insurance Brokerage.