Grand Rapids – The Puerto Rican Cultural Committee of West Michigan marked more than a decade of service with its annual Encuentro de Dos Culturas celebration on Saturday, Nov. 7. The free, family‑friendly event ran from 5 to 9 p.m. at Grand Rapids Community College’s Leslie E. Tassell M‑TEC campus, 622 Godfrey Ave. SW, and highlighted the committee’s cultural programming, community outreach, and scholarship awards.
Origins rooted in community spirit
In 2014, Lea Tobar was encouraged by Roberto Torres, then executive director of the Hispanic Center, to start a Puerto Rican cultural group in Grand Rapids. “I told him I was too old to start something like that,” Tobar recalled, “and he said, ‘No, you are not too old. Do it. I’ll help you.’” That conversation sparked the formation of the Puerto Rican Cultural Committee of West Michigan, a volunteer‑run organization dedicated to preserving and sharing Puerto Rican heritage.
Celebrating culture and supporting families
The committee’s flagship celebration featured traditional music, a parranda (Puerto Rican Christmas caroling), live performances, and authentic Puerto Rican food. Legacy awards honored longtime contributors to the community, while the event provided a gathering place for families to connect across generations.
Committee President Teresa Cruz Vega, a native of Yabucoa, Puerto Rico, emphasized the personal significance of the celebration. “Being Puerto Rican is like carrying a piece of my parents in my heart,” she said, noting that sharing culture helps keep family values alive.
Scholarships empower the next generation
Six local students received $1,000 scholarships each, funded through the committee’s annual golf outing and community donations. “We are blessed to be able to give six students $1,000 each,” Cruz Vega said, highlighting the impact of educational support on families striving for higher education.
Committee member Margarita Coto Hernandez described how involvement deepened her connection to her heritage. “I learned my culture from these Puerto Rican ladies, and I’m very proud because they brought that culture out of me,” she said.
Ongoing programs for youth and seniors
Beyond the annual celebration, the committee offers cultural dance classes for children, providing younger generations a chance to learn heritage through music and movement. Volunteers also organize Christmas gift drives and home visits for older community members, and they extend support to families grieving the loss of a loved one.
Lea Tobar noted that the committee’s work strengthens community bonds. “We started recruiting my daughter, Margarita, and other people in the community,” she said, “and it’s grown into something that truly brings families together.”
Looking ahead
With the success of this year’s celebration, the Puerto Rican Cultural Committee plans to expand its scholarship fund and continue offering cultural programming that nurtures pride and unity among West Michigan’s Puerto Rican families.
Original reporting: FOX 17 WXMI Grand Rapids (local) — read the source article.
