Letter from the Executive Director:
Welcome to our new Website!
I am excited to share all of our offerings online. For so many years people could walk into our offices and retrieve information about our many programs, but those of you that were too far away didn’t have that convenience. So we created a more convenient way for you to find out more about our community. Paseo Boricua has gone Virtual!
Our new website boasts all of our programs sectioned off and easier to find. Our forms are now virtual as well and registration, membership and contacting us is fast and easy. Our many tours are showcased on the homepage and our photo gallery gives you a birds eye view of our events. Not only do we elaborate on our programs, but we have detailed for you the many reasons why you should visit Paseo Boricua.
If someone asks me what I think about this neighborhood, I would start by saying that Paseo Boricua is set in one of the richest neighborhoods in Chicago. The richness I refer to is in its people, its art, its architecture, its many excellent restaurants, and its community based organizations.
Our mission is coordinating and strengthening social cohesion through cultural events, bringing new businesses and jobs to the street, beautifying the area, facilitating access to banks, and to home-ownership and business loan programs, offering façade renovation rebate programs throughout the city, facilitating new entrepreneurs, and supporting existing businesses to ensure continued stability and growth of the commercial area of Paseo Boricua.
My passion for this community is personal as I am a second generation Puerto Rican who was born and raised in Humboldt Park. I grew up watching this neighborhood change from having little to no resources and city services to now a growing small business and cultural community filled with hope. Today, I can walk down these streets and remember what was there before and enjoy my part in making this not only a great and safe place to live, but an amazing place to work and visit.
I am confident that many years of community planning will now produce the results that we have worked hard to build since 1995, when the Paseo Boricua Gateway/flags were inaugurated to usher in a period of economic growth without displacement. Since 2000, the number of Puerto Rican Restaurants has grown from 3 to 8 and we look forward to increasing that number in the coming years. My goal is to enhance and grow the existing small businesses and market the best of the Puerto Rican culture with its universal appeal to welcome all visitors.
Finally, with the the opening this past June of the Institute for Puerto Rican Arts and Culture, I hope to help make Paseo Boricua as vibrant a commercial strip as China Town, Little Village, Devon Avenue, and Greek Town are for the City of Chicago.
Thank you and I invite you to join me in making Paseo Boricua one of Chicago's Commercial and Cultural Stars.
Eduardo Arocho, M.S.