Tuesday, August 5, 2025 - Wednesday, August 13, 2025
This year marks the 20th anniversary of Comité Noviembre’s landmark trip to Puerto Rico: “Buscando Nuestras Raíces.” What began as an educational journey into the richness of Puerto Rico’s culture, ancestral roots, and history has evolved into a powerful experience one that has left an indelible mark not only on Puerto Rico, but on all of us who have participated over the years. None of what we have accomplished would have been possible without you our current and past participants. Thank you for giving your time, energy, and resources to make each of these trips a success.
Over two decades, we have surpassed our own expectations, transforming this experience into much more than an educational and cultural exploration. It has become a platform for humanitarian support, environmental advocacy, cultural preservation, and social justice. In this booklet, you’ll find a summary of our collective impact over the years. While there were countless stories to choose from, we hope the ones shared here bring back wonderful memories. As we’ve continued to listen and respond to the needs of the island, we’ve seen that food insecurity and basic needs for children in residential care remain urgent issues.
This year, as a participant, you will take part in meaningful volunteer work at Hogar San Miguel for Boys in Ponce and El Hogar de Niñas in Cupey, delivering donations of shoes, clothing, toiletries, and most importantly your time and care. In collaboration with the Concilio de Hoteles de Puerto Rico by Marriott, we will also help distribute essential supplies such as toiletries, towels, bedding, and cleaning materials to nonprofit organizations that serve children in residences, hospitals, and with special needs. These agencies are part of CN’s trusted network organizations we’ve supported since the devastating aftermath of Hurricanes María and Fiona. This year, Comité Noviembre is proud to also support El Hangar de Santurce a vital and inclusive space where young people and the LGBTQ+ community can safely express themselves politically, artistically, and personally, without fear of rejection or recrimination.
For our annual “Buscando Nuestras Raíces” dinner, you’ll enjoy a festive criollo meal sponsored by the San Juan Marriott Resort & Stellaris Casino, all set in a retro 1980s-themed celebration. We invite you to dress the part and enjoy the evening! We are proud to continue our tradition of supporting education by awarding a scholarship to a student from the Universidad de Puerto Rico, Río Piedras Campus. And don’t forget to shop with the local Puerto Rican artisans joining us that evening featuring handmade jewelry, music, candies, coffee, soaps, cookies, paintings, postcards, and more. These one-of-a-kind souvenirs are made with love and pride buy local, support Puerto Rico.
A program of this scale takes months of dedication and coordination. I want to extend my heartfelt thanks to the CN Trip Committee: Angel Santini Palos, María Román Dumén, Georgina Santiago Reis, and our Puerto Rico team: Carlos Miguel Martínez Pérez, Wilson Nazario, Josean Ortiz, and Javier Santiago. To our generous partners, thank you for your invaluable contributions: Estoy Con Puerto Rico, BoriBears, CMP Content Marketing Partner, Coca-Cola, Colgate-Palmolive Co., Concilio de Hoteles de Puerto Rico by Marriott, Discover Puerto Rico, Fundación Nacional para la Cultura Popular, El Hangar de Santurce, Karma Business Group/Allstate Insurance, Mistolin, Medalla, Mesón de Amor, the Municipios of Cayey, Cabo Rojo, Ponce, San Juan Marriott Resort & Stellaris Casino, TAS Communications LLC, and Universidad de Puerto Rico, Recinto de Arecibo.
Your participation in this year’s trip will have a profound and lasting impact on the communities we will serve. Together, we continue to invest, take action, and create change for our beloved Puerto Rico. ¡Muchísimas gracias!
With deep gratitude,
Teresa A. Santiago Chairwoman, Comité Noviembre
COMITÉ NOVIEMBRE
mesdelaherenciaPuertorriqueña
BUSCANDO NUESTRAS RAÍCES
20th Anniversary
Tuesday, August 5, 2025 - Wednesday, August 13, 2025
ITINERARY
TUESDAY, AUGUST 5, 2025
FLIGHT INFORMATION
12:29pm Departs New York JFK Airport – Delta Airlines Flight # 1961
4:31pm Arrival at SJU Airport (Aeropuerto Luis Munñoz Marin)
Proceed to Baggage Claim
Once you have collected your luggage, proceed to the Coach bus that will be waiting for the group outside the airport terminal. There will be a Comité Noviembre representative waiting for you with a sign.
Orientation
The orientation will take place on the bus on our way to Ponce. Itinerary, distribution of envelopes for lunches, dinners, admissions as well as drivers tip will be collected as well as additional details will be provided.
Dinner
There will be a stop on the route to Ponce to have dinner at El Lechoncito (entrance of Guavate, in Cayey). This will be buffet-style dining, and each person will pay for their individual meal.
HOTEL INFORMATION
Aloft Ponce Hotel and Casino
Carretera #2, Avenida Santiago de los Caballeros, Ponce, Puerto Rico 00717, 787.861.7080. Lodging accommodation for the group has been confirmed for three days/two nights. 8:00pm Arrive in Ponce/Hotel check-in
Evening Free
COMITÉ NOVIEMBRE
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BUSCANDO NUESTRAS RAÍCES
20th Anniversary
Tuesday, August 5, 2025 - Wednesday, August 13, 2025
Lunch at Chef’s Creations, 100 Calle Reina Isabel, Ponce, Puerto PR , 787848-8384,
Meeting point: Parque de Bombas. “Ponce, la Ciudad Señorial” The twohour tour will include the Casco Urbano/City Center, and the City of Rum Tour. The City of Rum Tour is a digital sensory immersion experience into the history of rum, music, and Ponce narrated by Robi Draco Rosa and PJ Sin Suela. Cocktail samples included in Ponce's identity tour.
Guided tour of the Fire Station (Parque de Bombas), the most photographed architectural icon in PR. A history of the Ponce firefighters, details about the structure built in 1882 and its recent restoration.
Walking Tour of Plaza Las Delicias will include historical monuments: Sculpture by Luis Muñoz Rivera, Facade and history of Our Lady of Guadalupe Cathedral, The Lions' Fountain, Explanation of the urban layout and architectural legacy of the city center.
2PM Historical Tour of Ponce City Hall, one of the oldest functioning buildings in Puerto Rico. View the rotating art exhibit in the hallways and rooms. Explanation of the political and social evolution of the city since its beginnings.
Mayor Marlese Sifre Rodríguez will meet and greet the group in the Hall of Mayors, highlighting the continuity of Ponce's leadership. A Group photo will be taken in front of City Hall with the Mayor, and participants will receive a commemorative bag with Ponce products, (Artistic postcard, official Ponce pin, keychains, stickers, and traditional sweets). The tour is conducted with a certified guide and an optional audio guide.
2:30PM Bus departs.
COMITÉ NOVIEMBRE
mesdelaherenciaPuertorriqueña
BUSCANDO NUESTRAS RAÍCES
20th Anniversary
Tuesday, August 5, 2025 - Wednesday, August 13, 2025
ITINERARY
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 6, 2025 PONCE & CABO ROJO (continued)
4PM Bus arrive in Cabo Rojo
4:30PM Enjoy the sunset in Cabo Rojo Reservations at Luichy’s Seaside Hotel at Playa El Combate, Carretera #3301/Km. 2.9, Cabo Rojo PR 00622, 787-688-7827
12:30pm Two-hour tour of Cayey by Wilneli La Ponte (tour guide) of the Plaza and Cathedral
2:30PM Visit the Historic House of Music in Cayey, La Casa de Música de Cayey, (in front of Ramón Frade Public Plaza) #7 Calle Núñez Romeu, Cayey, PR 787.595.8900
3:30PM Bus departs.
5PM Bus arrives in San Juan/Hotel check-in San Juan Marriott Hotel Resort & Stellaris Casino, 1309 Ashford Avenue, San Juan, PR, 787.722.7000 Free Evening
COMITÉ NOVIEMBRE
mesdelaherenciaPuertorriqueña
BUSCANDO NUESTRAS RAÍCES
20th Anniversary
Tuesday, August 5, 2025 - Wednesday, August 13, 2025
ITINERARY
FRIDAY, AUGUST 8, 2025 CUPEY & SANTURCE
7:30AM Breakfast
8:30AM Bus departs.
10AM Visit Hogar de Niñas de Cupey, Carretera #176 Km 4.2, San Juan, PR Contact: Gladys Rodriguez, 787.761.2805
1PM Bus departs.
2:30PM Lunch on your own
6:30PM Bus departs.
7:00pm
Bus arrives at El Hangar de Santurce, 706 Calle Hoare, San Juan, PR. Contact: Karla Torres Trujillo,
Special visit and presentation at El Hangar de Santurce Light snacks and non-alcoholic beverages will be provided courtesy of Angel Santini and Carlos Miguel Martinez. A cash bar will be available for alcoholic beverages to help support El Hangar. FYI: The future of El Hangar is currently at risk due to an ongoing legal process that threatens its existence, putting in jeopardy the vital cultural programs and artistic space it provides.
9 PM Bus departs
SATURDAY, AUGUST 9, 2025 FREE DAY
COMITÉ NOVIEMBRE
mesdelaherenciaPuertorriqueña
BUSCANDO NUESTRAS RAÍCES
20th Anniversary
Tuesday, August 5, 2025 - Wednesday, August 13, 2025
ITINERARY
SUNDAY, AUGUST 10, 2025 FREE DAY UNTIL 6PM
6PM
Back to 80s in Puerto Rico Dinner & Fiesta at the San Juan Marriott Hotel & Stellaris Casino in room Salón Condado. "Back to the 80s" is the theme of the dinner celebrating the music, fashion, and culture of the 1980s back in Puerto Rico If possible, dress up in 80s attire and enjoy the retro decorations, great food, and drinks all night long.
MONDAY, AUGUST 11, 2025
DAY OF SERVICE WITH CONCILIO DE HOTELES DE PUERTO RICO
7:30am
Breakfast
The delegation from Comité Noviembre will join the Concilio de Hoteles de Puerto Rico. This is a strategic humanitarian help (Ayuda Humanitaria) formed by hotels in Puerto Rico such as Marriot, Sheraton, La Concha, Aloft, the Regency, and others where essential items will be donated, assembled, and distributed to nonprofit organizations that serve the vulnerable populations including children, the elderly, and health compromised individuals.
All donations collected by the Council of Hotels of Puerto Rico will be delivered to a ballroom at the Marriott San Juan Hotel where items/donated goods will be inventoried, categorized, and packed. A special activity will follow with the management team of the hotels involved to distribute the donated goods to the organizations invited.
Comité Noviembre will be selecting the organizations that will be receiving the donated goods.
COMITÉ NOVIEMBRE
mesdelaherenciaPuertorriqueña
BUSCANDO NUESTRAS RAÍCES
20th Anniversary
Tuesday, August 5, 2025 - Wednesday, August 13, 2025
TUESDAY, AUGUST 12, 2025
7:30AM Breakfast
9AM Bus departs.
ITINERARY
RIO GRANDE & LUQUILLO
10AM Tour of El Yunque National Forest
12PM A visit to the Luquillo Kioskos This stop will give you an opportunity to enjoy the many open-air establishments located along Route 3, near the Balneario Monserrate Beach. You'll find a wide selection of authentic Puerto Rican food, including traditional dishes like mofongo, alcapurrias, and bacalaítos, and refreshing drinks. In addition to food, you can browse kiosks selling unique handmade artisan souvenirs.
1:30PM Bus departs.
Free Afternoon (until 6PM)
6:30PM Bus departs.
7PM La Despedida - Cena Típica con Lechón, La Fundación Nacional para la Cultura Popular, 56 Calle Fortaleza, Old San Juan, PR 00901
In support of our CN member, Javier Santiago, President/Founder of La Fundación, we will have our traditional farewell reception at La Fundación Nacional para la Cultura Popular
(L) 2014 Visit to La Fortaleza with Governor Garcia Padilla
2016 Deliver of food to el Mesón del Amor
COMITÉ NOVIEMBRE
mesdelaherenciaPuertorriqueña
BUSCANDO NUESTRAS RAÍCES
20th Anniversary
Tuesday, August 5, 2025 - Wednesday, August 13, 2025
ITINERARY
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 13, 2025
7:30AM Breakfast
10:30AM Hotel check-out (earlier if possible)
11AM Bus departs to airport.
1:34PM Delta Airlines Flight # 1966 Departs Puerto Rico
5:55PM Arrive at New York JFK Airport
Comité Noviembre has confirmed every event, activity, and venue on this itinerary, unless otherwise specified. However, CN is not responsible for any unforeseen changes on the part of the venues, organizations or government agencies listed, inclement weather or COVID-19 pandemic restrictions.
2025 Visit to Fundación Para Servir. 300 meals were distributed to older adults.
BUSCANDO NUESTRAS RAÍCES
INFORMATIONAL BOOKLET
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 6, 2025
Hogar San Miguel is a residential care facility located in Ponce. It serves as a Qualified Residential Treatment Program (QRTP) for male youths aged roughly 7–18 who have been removed from their homes due to abuse or neglect.
The facility is managed by VIDAS, Servicios Sociales Episcopales, aligned with the Episcopal Church’s mission in Puerto Rico It houses up to 20 boys with various special support needs (such as HIV/AIDS, ADHD, trauma). The services provided include basic accommodation and 24/7 care. medical and mental health support, speech therapy, occupational therapy, audiology, educational, recreational, cultural, and spiritual development programs and individualized support plans aiming to foster independence by adulthood.
The original Casa San Miguel began in 1952, purchased and inaugurated by Bishop Erwin Swift as an Episcopal children’s center in Ponce. In 1994, it expanded operations to serve children affected by HIV/AIDS and other challenging conditions A major redevelopment culminated in the launch of a modern facility adjacent to Hospital Episcopal San Lucas in 2017, enabling higher capacity and specialized infrastructure including residential dorms, learning labs, and therapeutic offices.
Community Partnerships & Impact: The Maestro Cares Foundation, co-founded by Marc Anthony and Henry Cárdenas, was instrumental in funding the new facility built in 2017 Other contributors include: Fundación MAPFRE, Episcopal Church of Puerto Rico, Municipio de Ponce, Tecnoglass, GOYA Foods, and San Lucas Health System among others Fundación MAPFRE recognized its long-term support part of the vehicle through which 14 children were served and supported in a project labeled “Forming Community” .
Hogar San Miguel
BUSCANDO NUESTRAS RAÍCES
INFORMATIONAL BOOKLET
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 6, 2025
Ponce
Ponce, Puerto Rico is one of the island’s most historic and culturally rich cities, often called “La Perla del Sur” (The Pearl of the South). Located on the southern coast, Ponce is known for its beautiful architecture, vibrant arts scene, and important role in Puerto Rican history.
Founded by Juan Ponce de León y Loayza in 1692, it is rightly called a window to Puerto Rico’s Spanish colonial past. Ponce played a pivotal role in the region’s economic and cultural history in the last two centuries and this is seen through the town’s architectural splendor and diversity. You will find styles in Spanish colonial, Art-Deco, Gothic Victorian, Moorish, and Neo-Classical – Ponce has it all!
Plaza Las Delicias
Downtown Ponce offers historic architecture, fountains, and public art. Famous for the Parque de Bombas, a striking redand-black historic firehouse museum and iconic symbol of the city.
Culture and Festivals: Ponce has a lively cultural calendar, including the Carnaval Ponceño held every February, one of Puerto Rico’s biggest and most colorful carnivals. Rich musical traditions include salsa, bomba, plena, and other AfroPuerto Rican rhythms.
Ponce is known for its local flavors like lechón asado (roast pork), pasteles, and arroz con gandules. The city has numerous traditional restaurants and street food vendors offering authentic Puerto Rican cuisine.
Did you know? The region of what is now Ponce belonged to the Taíno Guaynia region, which stretched along the southern coast of Puerto Rico. Agüeybaná, a cacique who led the region, was among those who greeted Spanish conquistador Juan Ponce de León when he came to the island in 1508. Archaeological findings have identified four sites within the municipality of Ponce with archaeological significance: Canas, Tibes, Caracoles, and El Bronce
BUSCANDO NUESTRAS RAÍCES
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 6, 2025
Ponce
Hon. Marlese Sifre Rodríguez, Mayor, Ponce
The mayor of Ponce, Puerto Rico, is Marlese Sifre Rodríguez. She assumed office on January 13, 2025, after winning the November 2024 municipal election. Prior to this, she served as interim mayor starting November 2, 2023, following the suspension of then-mayor Luis Irizarry Pabón. Sifre is a member of the Popular Democratic Party (PPD). Her current term is set to end on January 8, 2029.
Born in San Juan and raised in Ponce, Sifre began her public service career in 2000. She has held various roles within the municipal government, including assistant to the vice mayor and vice mayor under Irizarry Pabón. Her tenure as interim mayor focused on fiscal responsibility and administrative restructuring.
Ponce and Its Fight for the Independence of Puerto Rico
The city of Ponce, has long played a central role in Puerto Rico’s history politically, culturally, and economically. During the 19th and early 20th centuries, Ponce emerged as a hub for liberal and nationalist thought, becoming a focal point in the struggle for Puerto Rican autonomy and independence.
In the late 1800s, as Puerto Rico remained under Spanish colonial rule, Ponce was home to many of the island’s most progressive thinkers and reformers. The city supported the abolition of slavery in 1873 and advocated for greater civil liberties and self-governance. Influential figures such as Ramón Emeterio Betances and Segundo Ruiz Belvis, both born in or connected to southern Puerto Rico, inspired local activism for liberation and justice.
During the early 20th century, under U.S. colonial control, the fight for Puerto Rican independence continued. Ponce became a stronghold for the Puerto Rican Nationalist Party, led by Pedro Albizu Campos, a Ponceño by birth. Tensions peaked on March 21, 1937, during what is now known as the Ponce Massacre, when police opened fire on unarmed Nationalist Party demonstrators marching to commemorate the abolition of slavery. The violent suppression left 19 people dead and over 200 wounded, marking a turning point in the island’s political history and further fueling calls for independence.
Today, Ponce is remembered not only for its rich culture and architecture but also as a symbol of Puerto Rico’s ongoing struggle for self-determination. Its legacy of resistance continues to inspire new generations who reflect on its sacrifices and contributions to the independence movement
BUSCANDO NUESTRAS RAÍCES
INFORMATIONAL BOOKLET
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 6, 2025
Cabo Rojo
The Plaza de Recreo Dr. Ramón Emeterio Betances y Alacán, located in Cabo Rojo barrio-pueblo, the central district combining the municipal seat, church, and plaza. The plaza serves as the heart of daily life and community engagement in the city It is one of Puerto Rico’s most beautiful and active squares, a welcoming “outdoor living room” where friends and families meet for coffee, dominoes, and cultural events.
Within and around the plaza, you’ll find several historically meaningful landmarks: Iglesia San Miguel Arcángel, a neoclassical Catholic church built between 1773–1783, with a redesigned façade from 1878, remains a striking architectural piece across from the plaza At the center sits the Mausoleum of Dr. Ramón Emeterio Betances, a prominent abolitionist and pro-Puerto Rican nationalist, whose ashes reside in the monument. The plaza is named in his honor The Obelisco a los fundadores, erected in 1961, honors the founders of Cabo Rojo. It’s one of the tallest obelisks in the Caribbean The Salvador Brau Monument, built in 1971, recognizes a local intellectual and historian. It’s one of the tallest monuments on the island A modern monument called “Mata con Hacha” (2021), commemorates the town’s defense of Salinas against historical attacks and inspired the local nickname and a popular island drink and the “1873” sculpture or fountain symbolizing the abolition of slavery, celebrating Betances’ legacy
Nearby is the Plaza Artesanal Rolando Ortiz Medina, a craft square where 20 certified artisans offer handmade Puerto Rican crafts.
2024
Visited Esperanza Para La Vejez, in Carolina, brought music to the senior citizens and donated a bigscreen television for the Center,
BUSCANDO NUESTRAS RAÍCES
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 6, 2025
Cabo Rojo Continued
A beloved Caribbean-Puerto Rican restaurant, Luichy’s combines fresh seafood, Puerto Rican classics, and a casual beachside atmosphere. Set just steps from the sand, it serves as the in-house dining option for Luichy’s Seaside Hotel but is also open to the public. The ambiance feels friendly and relaxed, with indoor seating and an open-air terrace.
Why are we dining at Luichy’s?
On January 2, 2025, tranquility at Cabo Rojo’s Playa El Combate was shattered when a fire consumed several beloved beachfront businesses including the popular Luichy’s Seaside Hotel and its in-house restaurant, Luichy’s Restaurant. The fire, which shocked the local community and outraged Puerto Ricans across the island and diaspora, was determined to be intentionally set by a tourist from Missouri. According to federal court documents, Danielle Bertothy poured gasoline on the property before igniting the blaze. The inferno swept through Bar Marea, Artesanías Juavia, and multiple sections of the Luichy’s property, causing an estimated $500,000 in damages. Fortunately, no lives were lost. Guests staying at the hotel were evacuated safely, but the psychological and financial toll on the community was deep.
Local officials later confirmed that the law enforcement had received two prior complaints about the tourist’s erratic behavior but had failed to detain her before the fire. The handling of those calls resulted in disciplinary action within the police force, further fueling public frustration. In July 2025, Bertothy pleaded guilty to federal arson charges, with prosecutors recommending a five-year prison sentence and restitution. Her formal sentencing is scheduled for October 2025, but for business owners like Ángel Luis Marrero Negrón, owner of Luichy’s Seaside Hotel, the road to recovery began long before the courts could deliver justice.
By April 2025, just three months after the incident, Luichy’s reopened, a symbol of Cabo Rojo’s strength and unity. Thanks to a mix of private investment, community fundraising, and sheer willpower, the hotel and restaurant were rebuilt with upgraded security features. The fire brought more than just flames it ignited a larger conversation about the impact of tourism, justice, and community safety in Puerto Rico. But more importantly, it sparked a show of solidarity. Locals and Puerto Ricans abroad rallied with donations, messages of support, and an outpouring of love for the affected business owners.
As visitors return to Playa El Combate, many are now coming not just for the beach or the food, but to support a community that chose to rebuild, not retreat.
BUSCANDO NUESTRAS RAÍCES
INFORMATIONAL BOOKLET
THURSDAY, AUGUST 7, 2025
CAYEY
Cayey is a pretty town in the east central area of Puerto Rico. The town was officially founded in 1773, though people lived there long before that. Back in the day, the town plazas across the island were the main place for people to meet, shop, worship, do business basically the center of activity. As in most towns, Cayey’s main church is located on the plaza, where you will see the beautiful Spanish Colonial style Iglesia de Nuestra Señora de la Asunción. The original plaza was built between 1850 and 1853.
In 2016, they started renovation of the Cayey town plaza. While it is still under construction, it should be completed soon. You will see a beautifully painted amphitheater (La Concha Acústica) for entertainment, an old-fashioned carousel for family fun.
A sculpture dedicated to famous Cayey painter Ramón Frade León and his work “El Pan Nuestro”, and a large open area with room for concerts, festivals, and education complete the Plaza. The plaza has been renamed, La Plaza Pública Ramón Frade de León, and has been modernized with solar-powered lighting, security cameras, and free broadband internet access.
. One of the most interesting features of this renovation is the archaeological discoveries and display of the original foundations and graves. They made a full exploration of the findings, made replicas of some of the skeletons/burials they found, and then made a nice walkway and display area with educational placards describing the findings, and left it open for all to learn.
In 2016, while remodeling the public square, foundations and drainage system were discovered right in front of the church. The stone/mortar foundations are believed to be from the original church that was built before the current church. In the drainage systems
BUSCANDO NUESTRAS RAÍCES
INFORMATIONAL BOOKLET
THURSDAY, AUGUST 7, 2025
CAYEY Continued
they found things such as bottles, utensils, and clayware. In 2019, during continued excavation, an old cemetery was found around and under some of the foundations and walls.
They found the remains of 300 to 500 people. The people were mostly Europeans, though archaeologists found Taino and African (which they can tell from the teeth). The remains are believed to be from the 1600-1700s though some were more recent. These are the original inhabitants of Cayey buried before Iglesia de Nuestra Señora de la Asunción was built. but it is possibly the graveyard of an original hermitage on the same site, assuming they kept with the custom of giving people a Christian burial near a church yard.
The designers did an amazing job, making an area where visitors can see the detailed reproductions of the findings. With transparent barriers, and an elevated walkway where you can really see into the past. They made the sites “as they were found”. The adults were buried facing the church, while children were buried facing away from the church. The excavated bodies where removed and reburied with honor.
The mission of Casa de la Música en Cayey, or the House of Music in Cayey, is to rescue and document the rich musical history of Cayey, a town nestled between two mountain ranges of the central zone of Puerto Rico. Its ultimate goal is to leave a historical musical archive to future generations.
A community-based organization housed in a historic landmark
Founded in 2015, Casa de la Música en Cayey opened its doors on August of 2017 in the Casa Espada Cervoni, a 19th century house tied to the history of several local families and businesses.
The preservation goals at the core of Casa de la Música's mission are not limited to rescuing and sharing the history of the region’s musical traditions, but include the protection of house itself, registered in the National Register of Historic Places in Washington, DC
As regional museums and cultural centers, Casa de la Música en Cayey brings to local communities’ collections and programs of significance to understand their past and present. The musical archive has digitized around 10 terabytes worth of documents and memorabilia about Cayey’s musical history and exponents.
BUSCANDO NUESTRAS RAÍCES
INFORMATIONAL BOOKLET
FRIDAY, AUGUST 8, 2025
Hogar de Niñas de Cupey (Girls’ Home in Cupey), located in the Cupey district of San Juan, Puerto Rico a residential facility dedicated to girls who have been removed from their homes due to maltreatment or neglect.
Established in 1950 as Hogar del Niño, serving children in need across Río Piedras; relocated to Cupey Alto in 1956
Since 1983, administered by the Sisterhood of Amistad Misionera en Cristo Obrero (AMICO). In 2014, the institution was formally renamed Hogar de Niñas de Cupey, Inc. It celebrated its 75th anniversary in March 2025, marking decades of service to girls removed by the Department of Family Affairs.
The facility hosts girls aged approximately 4 to 14 who have experienced physical, emotional, or sexual abuse, neglect, or abandonment The mission is to provide holistic, trauma-informed care offering safety, healing, education, and emotional support within a warm, family-like setting managed by AMICO sisters.
The home features individual “casitas” (small houses), each overseen by an AMICO sister, creating a caring and stable environment that feels like family A multidisciplinary team provides physical and mental health care, psychology and psychiatric services, educational tutoring, recreational and spiritual programs, clothing, meals, and ongoing emotional support. Educational and Preventive Programs In 2021, the Hogar expanded services with an educational program for both children and families, aiming to prevent maltreatment and support academic recovery after the COVID-19 pandemic The complementary Educational Program focuses on child development, family engagement, and social support to strengthen resilience and prevent future harm.
BUSCANDO NUESTRAS RAÍCES
INFORMATIONAL BOOKLET
FRIDAY, AUGUST 8, 2025
EL HANGAR DE SANTURCE
El Hangar is a grassroots artist-led cultural space housed in a former industrial hangar in the heart of Santurce. Originally designed as a church, the building has been reclaimed by the community and transformed into a creative, inclusive space for art, activism, and mutual aid.
Thevenueblendsindoorandoutdoorspaces open-air courtyard, creative workshops, street art, and even free-roaming birds/pigeons/chickens that reviewers note as part of its eclectic charm It offers a raw, unpolished, DIY atmosphere rather than the polished feel of clubs embracing grassroots, inclusive, and liberating energy .
Community Mission: El Hangar serves as a safe, affirming environment especially for Puerto Rico’s LGBTQ+, trans, Afro-Caribbean, andworking-class communities, tocreate, gather, resist, andheal through art and collective care.
Cultural Impact: El Hangar is a symbol of creative resilience and cultural liberation. It resists gentrification and marginalization by centering Puerto Rican and diasporic identities through expressive freedom and radical inclusion.
to Puerto Rico August 1st – August 9th, 2018
Second Humanitarian Mission
BUSCANDO NUESTRAS RAÍCES
INFORMATIONAL BOOKLET
SUNDAY, AUGUST 10, 2025
Comité Noviembre’s 80’s Celebration
Tropical Boldness: Puerto Rican Designers and 1980s Fashion
The 1980s were an era of excess big shoulders, bold colors, and unapologetic glamour. For Puerto Rican designers, it was also a decade of cultural expression and style innovation. Blending Caribbean vibrancy with urban edge, they helped shape a fashion language that was equal parts sensual, powerful, and deeply rooted in identity.
Designers like Carlota Alfaro, the matriarch of Puerto Rican haute couture, elevated local fashion with elegant silhouettes and dramatic gowns. Her influence trained a generation of stylists who would go on to dress beauty queens and celebrities across Latin America. Meanwhile, rising talents like Luis Antonio brought fresh energy, incorporating tropical motifs, asymmetry, and shimmering fabrics into contemporary ready-to-wear collections.
Beyond the runways, Puerto Rican style thrived in clubs, pageants, and on the streets. In NYC, Nuyorican creatives merged hip hop aesthetics with Latin flair think bomber jackets, crop tops, gold chains, and spandex setting the tone for freestyle music videos and the underground ballroom scene. On the island, designers specialized in performance wear for salsa dancers and singers, using sequins, ruffles, and metallic fabrics to mirror the era’s electricity.
Whether in San Juan or the Bronx, Puerto Rican fashion in the 80s was fearless and full of life reflecting a people who dressed not just for the moment, but for movement, music, and cultural pride. The influence of Puerto Rican designers in 1980s fashion can be seen both in local style and in global fashion trends, particularly through their unique fusion of Caribbean flair, New York sensibility, and bold experimentation. While the 1980s global fashion scene was dominated by designers like Gianni Versace, Jean-Paul Gaultier, and Donna Karan, Puerto Rican designers especially those based in NYC and San Juan played a vital role in shaping Latino and Afro-Caribbean aesthetics, especially through dancewear, club fashion, and performance costumes.
Puerto Rican designers were early adopters of androgynous silhouettes, blending masculine and feminine lines, often seen in local fashion competitions and drag culture. This complemented the global trends of power suits for women and soft tailoring for men, but with a tropical twist lighter fabrics, exposed shoulders, or ornate buttons.
Underground Scene in NYC: Nuyorican Designers: In the NYC club scene of the ’80s, Nuyorican fashionistas and stylists brought urban Latinidad to the forefront. Inspired by hip hop, punk, and freestyle dance scenes, their work influenced the aesthetics of venues like The Palladium, Studio 54, and the House Ball culture (which included many Puerto Rican participants) Designers, stylists, and hairdressers like David Acevedo and Luis Santiago contributed to looks worn by performers and drag queens across NYC.
Visual Influence in Pop Culture: Freestyle and Salsa music videos of the 80s by artists like Lisa Lisa, Edgardo Díaz’s Menudo, and Lissette showcased fashion trends rooted in Puerto Rican flair: fingerless gloves, layered jewelry, crop tops, bomber jackets, and big hair.
Lasting Legacy: Puerto Rican designers in the 1980s helped bridge the gap between traditional island aesthetics and contemporary fashion trends, especially within diaspora communities. Their work laid the groundwork for: today’s Afro-Caribbean fashion movements, influences in reggaetón and Latin pop style. A growing celebration of Latinx cultural identity in global fashion.
BUSCANDO NUESTRAS RAÍCES
INFORMATIONAL BOOKLET
MONDAY, AUGUST 11, 2025
MONDAY, AUGUST 11, 2025
DAY OF SERVICE WITH CONCILIO DE HOTELES DE PUERTO RICO
BUSCANDO NUESTRAS RAÍCES
INFORMATIONAL BOOKLET
TUESDAY, AUGUST 12, 2025
EL YUNQUE
El Yunque National Forest is one of Puerto Rico’s most iconic and treasured natural landmarks. It is located in the northeastern part of Puerto Rico, in the Sierra de Luquillo, and it is approximately 28,000 acres. El Yunque is the only tropical rainforest in the U.S. National Forest System.
El Yunque receives over 100 inches of rain annually, creating a lush, green environment with hundreds of plant and animal species. Its biodiversity includes: endemic species like the Coquí frog and the Puerto Rican parrot (Amazona vittata) both symbols of national pride and over 240 tree species, including giant ferns, bamboo, and tabonuco trees.
Popular
trails and destinations within El Yunque include: La Mina Falls – a waterfall surrounded by dense tropical vegetation, El Yunque Peak –offers breathtaking views over the forest and the coast Mt. Britton Lookout Tower – a stone structure with panoramic views, Angelito Trail – an easier trail ideal for families, ending at a river pool.
The Yunque’s cultural significance is tied to the Taíno Heritage: The name “Yuke” (or Yuké) means “White Lands” or “Sacred Lands” in Taíno. The indigenous people considered it the home of Yúcahu, the god of fertility and agriculture. El Yunque remains a sacred place for many Puerto Ricans and visitors, blending natural beauty with spiritual connection. It is managed by the U.S. Forest Service, El Yunque is a center for: environmental education, scientific research on climate change and biodiversity, and sustainable ecotourism. El Yunque has faced damage from hurricanes, most recently Hurricane Maria (2017). Restoration efforts have been ongoing, with trails and facilities slowly reopening as the forest heals and regrows.
BUSCANDO NUESTRAS RAÍCES
INFORMATIONAL BOOKLET
TUESDAY, AUGUST 11, 2025
KIOSKOS DE LUQUILLO
The Luquillo Kiosks – Kioskos de Luquillo are one of Puerto Rico’s most beloved beachside culinary destinations, located along PR-3 highway just across from Luquillo Beach and just past the entrance to El Yunque forest.
A long row of around 60 small vendors, including food stalls, bars, souvenir shops, and some vacant spaces, make up the kioskos. Most offer open-air seating, some with rooftop terraces and beach views –casual, relaxed vibe with local flair. Local food specialties include mofongo (plantain mash), alcapurrias, bacalaítos, empanadillas, arroz con gandules, and whole fried fish, seafood ceviche, and shrimp skewers
Recommended Kiosks
• Kiosk #20 – Terruńo: known for creative takes on Puerto Rican dishes rabbit (conejo), crab meat stew, coconut rice with fish, and standout mofongo stuffed with chicken.
• Kiosk #2 – La Parrilla: beachfront setting with fresh lobster and classic local dishes in a lively atmosphere.
• Kiosk #38 – El Jefe Burger Shack: award-winning burgers with Caribbean flair for when you crave something different.
• Kiosk #42 – Ceviche Hut: praised for its red snapper ceviche and creative seafood snacks.
• Other family favorites include Jíbaros (#22) with a patio view of the beach, and Smokey Joe Caribbean BBQ (#18)
Remember to: Bring cash, as many vendors may not accept cards. Walk the strip first to decide where you want to eat many offer samples or tempting aromas. Consider starting with well-regarded spots like Terruńo, Ceviche Hut or La Parrilla to ensure quality and don’t forget to stroll over to Luquillo Beach afterward it’s just steps away and perfect for relaxing or sunset views.
BUSCANDO NUESTRAS RAÍCES
INFORMATIONAL BOOKLET
TUESDAY, AUGUST 11, 2025
La Despedida Cena Típica con Lechón en la Parrilla
La Fundación Nacional Para La Cultura Popular/The National Foundation for Popular Culture is a nonprofit organization created to advance the development of Puerto Rican popular culture through the study, promotion, and sponsorship of events of cultural interest, and the artists who exhibit them. Its objective is the organization, research, study, archive, publication, cataloging, dissemination, competition, conservation, production, promotion, exhibition, exchange, and dissemination of knowledge about the popular, classical and folkloric culture of Puerto Rico and the world.
La Fundación archives keep extensive collections of discs in all their formats, radio recordings, interviews, photos, negatives, videos in various formats, advertising propaganda, magazines, works of art, paintings and other collectibles. In accordance with its objectives, the organization stimulates and promotes knowledge of popular culture, serving as a research resource and source of information for artists, musicians, students, teachers, communicators from all branches (including journalists, publicists and public relations), screenwriters and / or librettists, producers of shows, historians, promoters as well as governmental and educational organizations.
Performance
Ana del Rocío
“La voz flamenca de Puerto Rico”
Ana del Rocío, the Puerto Rican flamenco singer and performer, also known as “La voz flamenca de Puerto Rico”, was born in San Juan, Puerto Rico, and carries a dual heritage: her father is an Andalusian cantor and guitarist from Cádiz, and her mother is a Puerto Rican bailaora. This blend deeply influences her artistic identity, raised in an artistic household, she developed a natural affinity for music and performance, earning the nickname “La voz flamenca de Puerto Rico” in her youth.
Ana studied music at the University of Puerto Rico, where she also performed with the Lyric Theater, grounding herself in classical technique before branching into flamenco and Caribbean fusion. With over two decades on stage, she has collaborated with renowned Puerto Rican and Spanish artists such as Nydia Caro, Brenda Hopkins, Yaire, José Negroni, Raúl Ortega, Nano Cabrera, Hilda Ramos, and Adlan Cruz Ana has been active in producing cultural shows, workshops, and musicals, such as “Versos de Martí”, directed by Óscar Gómez
BUSCANDO NUESTRAS RAÍCES
INFORMATIONAL BOOKLET
TUESDAY, AUGUST 11, 2025
Her signature performances and projects include: Navidad Flamenca (Puerto Rico, 2014–2024): Annual holiday show blending flamenco rumba with Puerto Rican villancicos and aguinaldos; Del Son al Flamenco (2024): A multimedia concert journey weaving Cuban son, bolero, danza puertorriqueña, and flamenco, enhanced with Caribbean aromas and visuals; and Son, Jarana y Bembé (spring 2025): A bold fusion celebrating Afro-Caribbean traditions and connections to Spain, showcased in Santurce with live collaborators Her music and recording include: “En mi Viejo San Juan” (flamenco version, 2023): Her flamenco reinterpretation of the classic Puerto Rican anthem celebrated her bicultural roots and was recorded in Madrid with notable collaborators Additional releases include a piano-voice rendition of “Inolvidable” and a rumba-flamenca version of “Cachita”.
Ana hosts free interactive workshops titled “Del Son al Flamenco… La Clase Interactiva”, designed to educate the public on the musical, cultural, and historical ties between Puerto Rico, Cuba, and Spain. These workshops feature live music, dance, and include screenings of her documentary exploring the crossover of genres. Ana del Rocío is celebrated for grounding flamenco in Puerto Rican sensibilities, blending traditional cante jondo with Caribbean rhythms and contemporary influences. Her concerts bring together dance, live musicianship, and sensory elements like taste and scent to immerse audiences in cultural fusion. Bewitching, emotive, and versatile, her vocal delivery honors both her Andalusian lineage and Puerto Rican upbringing.
Puerto Rico continues to experience a crippling debt, effects of Hurricanes Maria and Fiona, earthquakes, and a worldwide pandemic. Comité Noviembre continues to partner with many organizations and businesses to raise the funds that have supported Puerto Rico nonprofit organizations and micro businesses for the past seven years. This year Comité Noviembre will be distributing over $5000 in grants, food and basic human need items.
CN will continue its humanitarian work in Puerto Rico begun in 2017 with over 125 organizations and micro enterprises funded through its Estoy Con Puerto Rico Disaster Relief Effort. In total the amount raised is $565,000. To view the Estoy Con Puerto Rico Impact Report from 2017 to 2021 please click on link or QR code
BUSCANDO NUESTRAS RAÍCES
INFORMATIONAL BOOKLET
TUESDAY, AUGUST 11, 2025
Comité Noviembre: Two Decades of Cultural and Humanitarian Commitment in Puerto Rico
By: Teresa A. Santiago
Twenty years ago, Comité Noviembre (CN) launched a journey of cultural discovery through its educational initiative, Buscando Nuestras Raíces a trip designed to reconnect Puerto Ricans in the diaspora with the island’s deep cultural roots, ancestral legacy, and vibrant history. What began as an educational experience has evolved into a powerful platform for cultural exchange, humanitarian aid, environmental activism, and social justice advocacy.
2007–2016: Compromiso con Nuestra Patria
In its first decade, CN’s commitment to Puerto Rico took shape through direct action, economic support, cultural preservation, and civic partnerships. The inaugural trip in 2007 included a historic lecture by the late Dr. Ricardo Alegría, a legendary historian and protector of Puerto Rican heritage. Dr. Alegría challenged CN to use the power of the diaspora to preserve the island’s culture and address critical issues such as environmental justice, health equity, and veterans’ rights.
Over the years, CN has collaborated with key institutions including:
• Centro de Estudios Avanzados de Puerto Rico y el Caribe
• Fundación Nacional para la Cultura Popular
• Museo de Arte de Puerto Rico and Museo de Arte de Ponce
• Festival de la Palabra
• Sociedad Puertorriqueña de Genealogía
• Fundación Agenda Ciudadana
• Universidad Interamericana and its School of Law
• National Library of Puerto Rico
• Asociación Puertorriqueña de Historiadores
• And many more
Environmental Stewardship: The Northeast Ecological Corridor
In 2007, CN publicly supported the conservation of the Northeast Ecological Corridor (NEC), a vital natural habitat for endangered species such as the leatherback sea turtle. CN’s support came just days before the Puerto Rican legislature voted on its designation. That same year, Governor Aníbal Acevedo Vilá signed an executive order establishing the NEC as a protected nature reserve.
CN’s advocacy continued for years, including partnerships with the Sierra Club of Puerto Rico, hosting public awareness events in New York, and celebrating Luis Jorge Rivera Herrera’s 2016 Goldman Environmental Prize for his work on the NEC.
Advocacy for Vieques
From 1999–2003, CN actively participated in the Paz para Vieques movement, joining national and islandwide protests calling for the U.S. Navy’s withdrawal. CN continued its engagement by visiting Vieques in 2008, supporting proposals from Comité Pro Rescate y Desarrollo de Vieques to clean up military
contamination, improve health services, and develop eco-tourism. CN returned in 2015 to reaffirm its support for long-term recovery and community-led development.
A Historic Partnership: Fundación Agenda Ciudadana
In 2014, CN signed a landmark collaboration agreement with Fundación Agenda Ciudadana (FAC) to facilitate dialogue and policy development between Puerto Ricans on the island and the mainland. This nonpartisan partnership resulted in several major forums, including:
• SOMOS Conference in Puerto Rico (2015)
• Economic Forum at Centro de Estudios Avanzados (2015)
• Diaspora Forum in NYC: The Health and Economic Crisis in Puerto Rico (2015). These events addressed the role of the diaspora in confronting Puerto Rico’s financial crisis, health disparities, and economic stagnation.
Cultural Exchange & Artistic Promotion
CN has elevated Puerto Rican arts and literature through partnerships with:
• Festival de la Palabra and Mayra Santos-Febres
• Música de Cámara, with concerts such as Quinteto Venusz in Old San Juan
• Museo de Arte de Puerto Rico, including the Mundillo project with Antonio Martorell
• Fundación Nacional para la Cultura Popular (FNPCP), showcasing artists like Lucy Fabery, and
• Fusión Jonda
A touching moment came in 2014 when trip participant Zenaida Muslin recognized herself in a 1940s school photo during a visit to the National Archives a testament to the personal connections forged on these journeys.
2017–2025: Estoy Con Puerto Ricoc Humanitarian Effort
In the aftermath of Hurricane Maria in 2017, Comité Noviembre launched Estoy Con Puerto Rico, a robust disaster relief initiative in partnership with Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of New York and a network of Puerto Rican leaders and organizations.
Since then, CN has completed six humanitarian missions, delivering over $565,000 in aid and grants, and directly supporting over 130 nonprofit organizations and microenterprises across the island.
Humanitarian Missions Highlights
• 2017–2018: Volunteer efforts included rebuilding homes, schools, and gardens; delivering backpacks and school supplies; and conducting health and wellness fairs in partnership with Acacia Network and Salud de La Montaña.
• Through a partnership formed by Comité Noviembre and the Sun Foundation provided and installed solar panels at el Mesón de Amor
• 2019–2020: Grants supported food pantries, youth programs, and microbusiness development. CN partnered with Ponce Medical School Foundation for community health outreach. Forums on the Jones Act and diaspora responsibility were held.
• 2021–2022: CN returned to support environmental initiatives with Para La Naturaleza, donated to rehabilitation centers for women, and funded educational and food security projects.
• 2023: CN and Ponce Bank delivered $25,000 in aid post-Hurricane Fiona. Trip participants served communities in Arecibo, Ponce, Mayagüez, and Vieques. Additional grants supported organizations like Hunger Corp, Fundación Para La Cultura Popular, and Fundación Unidos Para Servir.
• 2024: CN focused again on the elderly and food insecurity, awarding grants to organizations such as El Mesón del Amor, Centro de Envejecientes Luis R. Ufret, and Iglesia Defensores de la Fe Cristiana. Two scholarships were also awarded to student musicians from the University of Puerto Rico.
Major Partnerships
Let’s Share the Sun Foundation
In 2018 on the 2nd humanitarian trip to Puerto Rico Comité Noviembre was the catalyst for The Let’s Share the Sun Foundation to approve solar panel installations to 6 of the locations visited. Austin Behrmann, solar energy assistant at Jordan Energy in Troy New York participated in the trip, provided profiles of each of the locations visited for possible solar panels installation and developed a proposal for funding. The proposal was approved the Let's Share the Sun Foundation Board to move forward with one installation at El Mesón de Amor in Río Piedras, A group of students from Siena College (Loudonville, NY) traveled to Puerto Rico that year and installed the panels at El Meson. The other five organizations were: La Hormiga/Hunger Corp, (Dorado); Siembra Tres Vidas, (Aibonito), University of Puerto Rico/Agenda Ciudana Humacao Campus) and Proyecto de Apoyo Mutuo, (Humacao). This work will be completed as funds and volunteers become available.
El Mesón del Amor/University of Puerto Rico
Comité Noviembre, El Mesón del Amor, and the University of Puerto Rico, Rio Piedras and Humacao Campuses have joined forces to provide scholarships to students and bring La Tuna de la UPI and the marching band from the Humacao campus to march in the National Puerto Rican Day Parade in New York. While in New York these students provide volunteer service to senior centers, hospitals and community centers and other nonprofit organizations bring their love of Puerto Rican culture and history.
PONCE BANK Siempre Con La Comunidad Humanitarian In
2023, Comité Noviembre partnered with Ponce Bank, and the New York City Hispanic Chamber of Commerce (NYCHCC) for our sixth humanitarian mission to Puerto Rico. With a Ponce Bank’s contribution of $25,000, CN delivered much-needed assistance directly to non-profits at the grassroots level in the aftermath of Hurricane Fiona which hit the western section of Puerto Rico with devastating results. Non-profit organizations and institutions in Arecibo, Ponce, Mayaguez, Guánica, and other towns received donations.
DC37 Union’s Retiree
Also in 2023, with a $10,000 donation received by DC37 Union’s Retiree to the Estoy Con Puerto Rico Disaster Relief Effort, the following non-profit organizations were awarded grants: Fundación Unidos Para Servir, One Stop Career Center for Puerto Rico, Concerned Residents for Improvement, Centro Envejecientes Luisa Guadalupe, Iglesias Episcopal Diócesis de Puerto Rico in Vieques, El Caney de Quinto Mondo in Orocovis, El Mesón del Amor in Rio Piedras,, Fundación Para La Cultura Popular in Old San Juan, Hunger Corp. in Dorado and Nuestra Familia LGBTT de Puerto Rico,
Concilio de Hoteles de Puerto Rico
Comité Noviembre partnered with Concilio de Hoteles de Puerto Rico by Marriott to deliver humanitarian help to directly to grassroots nonprofit organizations. This is a strategic humanitarian effort (Ayuda Humanitaria) formed by owned and operated Marriott portfolio of properties These hotels include the Sheraton, La Concha, Aloft, the Regency, and others. At each of these properties’ management and staff collect essential items like toiletries, towels, bed sheets, cleaning supplies and other items that are donated,
assembled, and distributed to nonprofit organizations that serve the vulnerable populations including children, the elderly, and health compromised individuals. Comité Noviembre will be selecting the organizations that will be receiving the donated goods.
More Impactful Moments
Economic Development
• Centro para Puerto Rico, ayudas a mujeres jovenes empresariales que perdieron todo para Maria
• Ayudas a las haciendas de cafe
Cultural
• Museo de Arte de Puerto Rico, Mural de la fachada del Museo
• Talleres con El maestro Antonio Martorell
• Respaldo a artesanos puertorriqueños
Food Insecurity
• Meson del Amor, comedor publico para los estudiantes de la UPR Recinto Rio Piedras
• Entregas de compra y CENA de navidad por las comunidades luego de Maria
Workshops on critical issues in Puerto Rico
• Talleres y esfuezos para incluir a Puerto Rico en El SSS Seguro Social Suplementario
• Talleres y esfuezos sobre la ley de cabotaje
• Encuentro y talleres con Comisionados Recidentes de Puerto Rico
Children/Families/Older adults
• Campamento de verano para niños desventajados 'Espacio Rico'
• Programa de ayudas directas y limpieza de apartamentos para envejecientes 'Rafaga Solidaria'
• Ferias de salud por los pueblos
Artistas que se han unido a la misión de Comité Noviembre
• Nydia Caro, Danny Rivera, Lucy Fabery, Iris Chacon, Yolandita Monge, Lissette, Fusion Jonda y la Familia Cepeda
Estoy Con Puerto Rico: A Lasting Legacy
Total funds raised to date:
$565,000
• Estoy Con Puerto Rico Relief Fund: $515,000
• Ponce Bank: $25,000
• DC37 Union’s Retiree Council: $10,000
• CN Fundraisers: $15,000
CN’s ongoing efforts demonstrate a deep and sustained commitment to Puerto Rico’s people and future. As it continues to raise funds, forge partnerships, and empower communities, Comité Noviembre remains a vital link between the Puerto Rican diaspora and the island rooted in heritage, driven by justice, and committed to service.
SAVE THE DATES
39th Anniversary
Puerto Rican Heritage Month Kick-Off Event
29th Anniversary Benefit Dinner
Celebrating 39 years of Puerto Rican Culture & History
Thursday, November 20, 2025, Glen Island Harbour Club
20th Anniversary National Puerto Rican Artisans Fair & Book Expo Hostos Community College
Saturday, November 22, 2025
28th CN Day of Community Service & Social Responsibility
Sunday, November 23. 2025
Various locations throughout NYC & Westchester
Three Kings Celebration
Tuesday, January 6, 2026
Various locations throughout NYC & Westchester
For more information contact: Teresa A. Santiago, CN’s Chairwoman, tascommunicationsllc@gmail.com
ABOUT COMITÉ NOVIEMBRE
Comité Noviembre, is a nonprofit organization that established the celebration of Puerto Rican Heritage Month in the United States in 1987. commemorates and pays tribute to the contributions Puerto Ricans have made to this nation. Its mission is to create educational opportunities for youth through college scholarships, as well as promote, acknowledge, and create awareness, of the importance of young people knowing their rich culture, language, and history. Comité Noviembre creates open forums to discuss critical issues affecting the Puerto Rican community specifically in the areas of education, youth leadership development, and civic involvement.
Comité Noviembre is the only collaboration of its kind in the United States that brings together the collective talents and resources of some the oldest and most prestigious Puerto Rican organizations: ASPIRA of New York, Centro de Estudios Puertorriqueños Hunter College/CUNY, El Museo del Barrio, Eugenio María de Hostos Community College/CUNY, Institute for the Puerto Rican/Hispanic Elderly, (IPR/HE), La Casa de la Herencia Cultural Puertorriqueña, Inc., La Fundación Nacional para la Cultura Popular-PR, Justice Committee: NCPRR, National Conference of Puerto Rican Women, (New York Chapter), Puerto Ricans Flags Up, and the White Plains Puerto Rican Cultural Committee. This coordinating body plans and promotes Comité Noviembre’s annual programs and events.
