Contact: Tenisha Malcolm 973-482-8312 or [email protected] FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE COMMUNITY BASED SOCIAL SERVICE AGENCY CELEBRATES THE IMMIGRANT EXPERIENCE AND ITS SUPPORTERS Mayor Ras Baraka & Raymond Ocasio, Executive Director, La Casa de Don Pedro, alongside La Casa after school program participants whose original poetry was featured for the event in an exhibition entitled Reflections of My Heritage. Photo courtesy of Anthony Alvarez Photography Newark, NJ (April 23, 2015) – Among Greater Newark’s businesses, non-profits, political leaders and corporations, La Casa de Don Pedro, celebrated the immigrant experience and its supporters at its annual La Casa es Su Casa reception at The New Jersey Performing Arts Center. With its theme “Celebrating Immigration,” the event honored American Friends Service Committee, Senator Robert Menendez, and the Hispanic Federation for fostering fair and humane treatment of immigrants through advocacy, direct service, and policy development. Also recognized at the event was Grizel Ubarry, President of G.Ubarry Inc. for achieving 30 years serving as an agent of change helping to transform communities. In keeping with the immigration theme and in recognition of National Poetry Month, a poetry exhibition entitled Reflections of My Heritage featured original poetry alongside striking photographs from youth of La Casa’s after school program and Family Success Centers. Two Deferred Action for Childhood Arrival (DACA) recipients and clients of La Casa’s immigration services program shared heartfelt testimonials followed by powerful speeches in support of immigration from Mayor Ras Baraka and Senator Robert Menendez. Remarks by Richard Roper, La Casa’s Board President, outlined the current status of the antiquated and ineffective immigration laws currently operating in the United States. Roper stressed La Casa’s endorsement of President Obama’s Executive Order for extending DACA and its expansion to parents under Deferred Action for Parental Accountability [DAPA] and calling for comprehensive immigration reform. Raymond Ocasio, La Casa's Executive Director, emphasized the important role immigrants have had and will continue to have in developing Newark's economy and cultural prominence. Serving the diverse immigrant community is consistent with the organization's mission and is "the American way." Yaima Crespo, Telemundo 47 New York, News Anchor served as the emcee and with the addition of a silent auction and raffle the event proved entertaining, informative as well as thought provoking. Sponsors of the event were Gold: PSE&G, Bronze: Hispanic Federation, Prudential, The Fund for New Jersey, Verizon, Friend: Horizon NJ Health, Jonathan Rose Companies, McCarter & English, LLP, NeighborWorks America, North Jersey Federal Credit Union, PNC Bank, Popular Community Bank, Rutgers University – Newark, St. Michael’s Medical Center, and WithumSmith+Brown. La Casa es Su Casa is the first of four fundraising event in 2015. Next is “Festival de la Familia Latina,” in July followed by “Burgers & Brew,” on Thursday, September 16, 2015 at McLoone’s Boathouse in West Orange and National Latino AIDS Awareness Day in October. To learn more visit: http://www.lacasanwk.org/news- and-events/2015-special-events or call 973-482-8312. Event photos can be viewed here: https://www.flickr.com/photos/lacasadedonpedro/sets/72157652009284632/. About La Casa de Don Pedro La Casa de Don Pedro is a community-based development corporation and provider of comprehensive services that has been working with and serving residents of greater Newark, New Jersey since 1972. La Casa’s community organizing and child advocacy work serve as a powerful foundation for its comprehensive social service delivery system. Programs promote family wellbeing, healthy child development, educational achievement, employment opportunities, homeownership, financial self-sufficiency, energy conservation, and neighborhood renewal. Its strong links to the community, comprehensive service programs, and collaborations within a defined neighborhood are unique assets and opportunities that will continue to ensure the agency’s relevance to future generations. For more information about La Casa de Don Pedro, visit: www.lacasanwk.org. Follow us on Twitter: www.twitter.com/lacasanwk Follow us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/lacasadedonpedro .