Junta for Progressive Action
Audrey Braccio, Special to the Register
NEW HAVEN — Once plagued by sagging floors and holes in the ceiling in its headquarters building, along with waning community support, the organization Junta for Progressive Action has come a long way in just two years.
In 2000, Junta, which serves primarily the Hispanic and new immigrant populations, was a dying organization. It was revived by a massive community effort to renovate the building and refresh the programs and staff.
Now it is hosting a fund-raiser on Thursday to celebrate its 34th anniversary, and garner funds necessary to expand its services.
Award recipients include Danny Diaz, who first came in contact with Junta as a client. In 1979, he participated in a college-bound program run by Junta and city government, which allowed inner-city kids to take classes at area colleges.
He again became involved with Junta three years ago when organization executives approached him to help with fundraising for the renovation. He agreed because, "I said to myself something needs to be done, I cannot let this agency disappear," Diaz said.
Diaz encourages other people to give their support to Junta, saying "you need to give back to the community that has given to you over the years. In order for New Haven to maintain its integrity as a diverse city, agencies like Junta need to exist."
Executive Director Kica Matos is one of the new staff members helping to revive the organization.
Previously a lawyer who dealt with death-penalty cases, Matos turned to Junta because "many people I worked with were people who had been somehow failed by the system. Junta gives people alternatives to a life of deprivation and crime."
Junta offers a variety of services to the community, including adult education, programs for children, and employment, housing and legal assistance.
The Junta staff helped 3,697 individuals last year, many of whom were in crisis, including homelessness.
Staff member Betsy Olivencia remembers one such case.
"I had a client who had four kids and was homeless. They were staying in a car. She came here looking for housing. We called around for four hours and finally found a person to take her in for a few weeks." After that, the woman found more permanent housing, and today, Olivencia said, her life is changed.
Junta officials hope to add new programs, including employment certification and a new housing program to assist families buying their first home.
What Junta needs, Matos said, is more community involvement.
"We have always believed that this is an organization that should be directed by the people that we serve," Matos said.
Junta also needs funds if it is to follow through with its ambitious plans. The organization hopes to expand its private donor list through next week’s fundraiser event.
The $65 donation goes directly to programs and services and, Matos said, "Everybody is invited." For more information on the event, call 787-0191.