Nuestro Retrato 2024

Our Portrait

On May 23, 2024, the Hispanic Literacy Coalition / Consejo Hispano de Alfabetizacion (CHA) hosted this year’s Nuestro Retrato event at Universidad Popular. ScaleLIT External Affairs Director Robert Guzman was Our Portrait Emcee, followed by Special Guest Speaker Alderman Bryon Sigcho-Lopez of the 25th Ward. The celebration featured award presentations, performances, resource sharing, and more.

Instituto Del Progreso Latino staff with Alderman Byron Sigcho-Lopez

CHA member organizations had tables offering resources and tamales, pupusas, and agua fresca. The following organizations collaborated to provide helpful information to attendees:

• Centro Romero

• City Colleges of Chicago

• Chicago Public Library

• Enlace Chicago

• Erie Neighborhood House

• Illinois Community College Board

• Illinois Secretary of State

• Instituto Del Progreso Latino

• Literacy Volunteers of Illinois (LVI)

• PODER

• scaleLIT

• St. Joseph Services

• Telpochcalli Community Education Project (TCEP)

• The Learning Center

• Universidad Popular

Emcee Robert Guzman and Harry Kent, from St. Joseph Services, presented awards to adult education staff and students. Martha Ochoa, Spanish Literacy Class Volunteer Lead Teacher, was this year’s Leadership & Commitment Award Recipient.

Student Recognition Awards were presented to Ma. Isabel Diaz from Telpochcalli Community Education Project and Cristian Silva Alcayaga from Erie Neighborhood House.

After the awards presentations, performances by St. Joseph Services, Erie Neighborhood House, PODER, and Instituto del Progreso Latino followed.

We thank the staff, guest speakers, and all attendees who made this year’s event a welcoming, celebratory space, along with Abraham Celio and the excellent team from Universidad Popular. Below are the pictures taken by J. R. Dones.