Hispanic Resource Center:
Art, Safety & New Board Members

from the Hispanic Resource Center

(April 8, 2004) Clients of the Hispanic Resource Center of Larchmont and Mamaroneck may be surprised at all the types of help they can receive at the center. This month, in addition to assistance with employment and occupational safety, the center is sponsoring an art show featuring the work of three day laborers from the Larchmont-Mamaroneck community.

Larchmont Art: Migrant Voices/Voces Migrantes

Artist: Ramón Ibarra

Artist: Laurentino Nava

In conjunction with the Mamaroneck Artists’ Guild, the center has organized an exhibit of work by Laurentino Nava, Saúl Arévalo and Ramón Ibarra, who manage to pursue their passion for painting despite the heavy demands of day labor.

The show, entitled Migrant Voices/Voces Migrantes, opens Friday, April 16 at Larchmont Art, the framing store and gallery at 1899 Palmer Avenue. Owners Liana Colella and William P. Fedorchick have donated the exhibition space and will keep the gallery open from 12:30 to 5 pm for the duration of the show that runs until May 16. The opening reception is on Sunday, April 25 from 5 to 7 pm, and two of the artists will be present.

OSHA & HRC Collaborating on Safety Programs

Shifting focus from art to safety, on April 5, the Hispanic Resource Center signed a two-year agreement with the federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) to offer immigrant workers a series of workshops and other services aimed at reducing work-related injuries and fatalities. The two organizations will be collaborating on the venture.

“Immigrants account for a high number of workplace injuries, both in Westchester and nationally,” said Beatriz Serrano, HRC’s president. “Immigrants often take the most difficult and hazardous jobs vacated by other groups and are not always fully acquainted with the safety techniques needed.” The OSHA program is targeted towards remedying this problem.

The OSHA - HRC alliance will provide a 10-hour work and safety course for construction and general industry, which is already under way. There is another 30-hour course being planned.

New Board Members Supporting HRC

To aid in its many activities, the Hispanic Resource Center recently added four new members to its governing board of directors: Larchmont community activist Melina Vourlekis, New Rochelle attorney Cynthia Lobo, Mamaroneck recreational therapist Mariana Boneo Lvoff and Mamaroneck social worker Ximena Francella.

Having new members on board, “means we have even more opportunity to grow as an organization and set and meet new goals,” said Beatriz Serrano.

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