Say ‘Hola’ to NYCHA’s Newest Employee Association, OHLA
NYCHA has a new Hispanic and Latin American organization. Say Hola to NYCHA’s Employee Association, OHLA, the Organization of Hispanic and Latin American. Human Resources Department Associate Staff Analyst Franklin Velez launched this new employee association to share Hispanic and Latin American cultural celebrations with NYCHA employees.
Mr. Velez got the idea of starting OHLA from the enthusiastic response he received from co-workers when he brought in food during Hispanic Heritage Month. Last year, he brought in empanadas and non-alcoholic coquito. This year, he brought in pastelón, a Puerto Rican and Dominican dish similar to lasagna which uses sweet plantains instead of pasta.
During the holidays, Mr. Velez hopes OHLA can hold toy drives and events for senior citizens at NYCHA developments and anticipates possibly joining forces with other outreach organizations.
“We want to welcome people of all Latin or Hispanic heritages and even people of non-Latin heritage,” Mr. Velez, who is of Puerto Rican descent, said. In its brief existence since the beginning of September, OHLA has already attracted more than 30 NYCHA employees as members, and held its first major event, a weekend day trip to Atlantic City.
On the last day of Hispanic Heritage Month, more than 40 people made the trip by rented bus from Manhattan to the Tropicana Atlantic City Casino. OHLA members played Latin music enroute. In addition to trying their luck at the casinos, OHLA members spent the day strolling on the boardwalk, shopping, and dining. “I am very grateful to our members who made our first event a success,” Mr. Velez said. OHLA plans to arrange a similar trip for next year.
But OHLA will be about more than just having fun, Mr. Velez said. “We foresee ourselves participating in local parades and creating many more events and activities that allow all NYCHA employees and retirees to learn about and experience the Hispanic and Latin American cultures.”
OHLA is looking forward to celebrating holidays, contributing to school clothing drives and other community outreach efforts, and, eventually, participating in Hispanic and Latin American parades. Mr. Velez hopes that OHLA will create its own unique banner, which employee association members can carry proudly in New York City cultural parades.
The next OHLA meeting is November 4. For an application to join NYCHA’s OHLA Employee Association or for more information about the organization, please email Ohla.ea@nycha.nyc.gov.
