Celebrating Hispanic Heritage Through Food and Fellowship

November 8, 2023December 1, 2023 Latoya Jordan

NYCHA employees gathered to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month at a potluck featuring delicious dishes made or bought by fellow employees.

National Hispanic Heritage Month, also known as Latinx Heritage Month, is celebrated annually in the U.S. from September 15 to October 15 to highlight the contributions of Hispanic people and Americans with ancestry from Spanish-speaking countries.

The potluck was held on October 13 in the Ceremonial Room at 90 Church Street. It was organized by NYCHA’s Organization for Hispanics and Latin Americans (OHLA); the Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion; and Employee Engagement.

Yvette Andino, Vice President for Employee Engagement (left) and Claudia Dillion
Vice President and Chief Diversity Officer ODEI.

The menu featured a variety of dishes, including pernil, ropa vieja (shredded beef), baked chicken, arroz con gandules, macaroni and cheese, empanadas, quesadillas, yucca fries, fried platanos, and plantain chips. Dessert included flan, tres leches cake, and cupcakes, while Malta and mango, peach, and tamarind juices were offered as beverages.

Joining NYCHA employees for the feast and festivities was NYCHA Board Member Victor Gonzalez (pictured above on the left).

“With this being OHLA’s first venture into a potluck luncheon that celebrates the wide scope of Hispanic and Latin American culture, I was both happy and humbled by the turnout and the subsequent responses from those who attended,” said Joseph Pesante, Clerical Aide in General Services and President of OHLA. “It gives me great hope moving forward that events such as these, and those of any of our employee organizations, can cast a wide net and not only bring together our fellow co-workers from all backgrounds, but also the residents we serve and special guests that can facilitate our growth and outreach.”

While everyone enjoyed the food, Franklin Velez, Associate Staff Analyst in Human Resources and Vice President of OHLA, led the trivia portion of the event. (See trivia questions and answers below.) Mr. Velez founded OHLA a year ago to promote and provide opportunities for NYCHA employees to learn about and experience Hispanic and Latin American cultures.

Organizers of the event with the two trivia winners.

Mr. Velez has big plans for next year’s potluck and future events. “Hopefully, we can purchase the entire pig (lechon) with an apple in its mouth, as I believe that would be a great centerpiece for our food table picture,” he said. “I also hope that at future events like this, local dance studios can provide demonstrations of the different types of Hispanic dances. I also hope that with future events we can host special guests, such as any of our local congressional personnel.”

Mr. Pesante agreed: “We also want to do community outreach, to not just the employees but the residents as well. We want fellowship, enjoyment, and to foster relationships.”

With more than 60 members, OHLA has gone on some social outings, and they have more ideas and plans for the future, including attending the 2024 Puerto Rican Day Parade as an organization.

In addition to Mr. Pesante and Mr. Velez, the other OHLA executive board members are Joan Akers, Administrative Manager in Queens/Staten Island Property Management, who serves as executive secretary, and Ray Ortiz, Plumber’s Helper in Manhattan Property Management, who is the treasurer.

NYCHA employees interested in joining OHLA or getting more information about its two open executive board positions should contact Joseph Pesante at joseph.pesante@nycha.nyc.gov or OHLA at ohla.ea@nycha.nyc.gov.

Trivia:

Name that flag.