Junta for Progressive Action
Angela Carter, Register Staff
NEW HAVEN — Eleven live musicians and a beckoning dance floor. Plenty of food. And Cuban "mojitos."
Sound like fun?
Then don't miss the 33rd anniversary celebration of Junta for Progressive Action, slated for 6 p.m. Friday at the New Haven Colony Historical Society, 114 Whitney Ave.
Executive Director Kica Matos said the Fair Haven-based agency is celebrating not only an anniversary, but a renaissance.
Junta's former Executive Director Frank Taylor resigned last July for personal reasons and the volunteer board of directors provided staff support until Matos, a lawyer, came in as interim director in October.
She moved here from Philadelphia, where she worked as a federal public defender representing death-row inmates. Matos was hired on a permanent basis in January and is Junta's first female director.
Matos said the Friday gala marks the first time Junta and the Historical Society have collaborated on an event.
"I want everybody to get on the dance floor. (The musicians) have promised to turn it out," she said.
Junta has a long tradition of service for Hispanics. The agency offers English as a Second Language and GED classes, runs a food pantry, gives clothing to the needy, registers people for energy assistance programs, advocates for fair housing practices and provides interpretation and translation services.
"We're adding and strengthening programs," Matos said.
Rafael Ramos, president of the board of directors, said the organizations still is filling vacancies on the board and the building is undergoing a long-needed facelift.
"Our priorities now are board development and strategic planning," said Ramos, who taught Matos how to mix the mojitos she will serve at the anniversary dinner.
A mojito is a Cuban drink that includes rum, sugar, lime and mint.
Junta can be contacted at 787-0191. Admission to Friday's event is $60.