Presents Senate proclamations to five members of the community for their outstanding achievements
Montrose
New York State Senator Pete Harckham marked Hispanic Heritage Month this week by honoring five outstanding members of the community during a special ceremony at the Hendrick Hudson Library.
“The Hispanic community is a big part of the Hudson Valley,” Harckham said. “Members of the community have made significant contributions to the arts, culture and economy. The people we honor have worked hard for years to help the Hispanic community and to
benefit our community as a whole. They have more than earned this distinction from the New York State Senate.”
Harckham presented the state Senate proclamations to Luis Coronel, president of the Peekskill & Cuenca Sister Cities Corp.; Luisa Granda-Rodriguez, director of operations and community development, Neighbors Link; Jorge Merchan, president of the Ecuadorian Civic Committee of
Westchester; Dora Ocha, Executive Director of Fundación Hanami and María Olivier-Flores Acting Director of LEAP, Peekskill City Schools.
Luis Coronel is the founder and president of the Peekskill & Cuenca Sister Cities Corporation, which sponsors sports, cultural, and economic exchanges between the two communities. The organization also focuses on helping the youth of Peekskill by providing safe recreational and cultural activities. Coronel has organized annual football tournaments whose proceeds are used for scholarships that are awarded to the best students and athletes who graduate from Peekskill High School. At the end of October, the corporation will organize its first international youth soccer tournament.
Luisa Granda-Rodriguez is the Director of Operations and Community Engagement at Neighbors Link. She has brought together thousands of immigrant families, volunteers, allies, other nonprofits, government officials, and many other resources to further the mission of Neighbors Link. Her recent work includes managing and responding to crises such as COVID, where she and her team addressed food insecurity and access to health care. She has also worked on various advocacy initiatives, including Green Light licensing, the Immigrant Protection Act, and the Fund for Excluded Workers. Luisa has been responsible for expanding Neighbors Link services throughout the Hudson Valley.
Jorge Merchan is the founder and president of the Westchester Ecuadorian Civic Committee, whose mission is to serve the Hispanic community, raise awareness of Hispanic businesses, and help build a better understanding of Ecuadorian culture. He sponsors cultural events such as the annual Ecuadorian Festival in Croton Point Park, which attracts thousands of visitors, and the annual Ecuadorian Song Contest, which recognizes the best talent in the Hispanic community.
Dora Ocha is the founder and executive director of the Hanami Foundation, a nonprofit dedicated to providing programs and services aimed at economic and social inclusion. Her priorities are the vulnerable and underserved Hispanic communities in Westchester. During the pandemic, Hanami distributed food in 34 Westchester communities. Her volunteers personally delivered food to community members who were quarantined in their homes and unable to leave. Hanami distributed protective masks, test kits, hand sanitizer, as well as household items and furniture.
Maria Olivier-Flores has served as the parent, family, and community liaison for Peekskill schools, where 73% of the students are of Hispanic background. She was instrumental in the success of the school district’s “Saturday Academies,” which provided fun and educational activities for children and parents alike. Currently, as the interim director of LEAP, Maria is responsible for organizing and implementing the school district’s extended day initiative for students and families, which includes providing students with academic enrichment, STEAM, homework assistance, creative arts, and recreational activities.
“It is an honor to receive this award,” said Ochoa. “I dedicate this award to all those who have volunteered to help those in need. In all of our efforts, Senator Harckham was there to help, whether it was making protective masks available or making sure state emergency helplines were also in Spanish.”
Hispanic Heritage Month is an annual celebration of the history and culture of the Hispanic communities of the United States. The celebration, which runs from September 15 to October 15, commemorates how those communities have influenced and contributed to American society.
Posted on October 13, 2022
