- OUR MISSION
Our mission is to engage and unite Long Island communities by creating opportunities to sponsor education, and participate in social and cultural programs.
Provide Scholarships
We are excited to provide the opportunity to help well deserving High School graduates from local schools with scholarships in varying amounts from $1,000 - $5,000. These funds assist students with purchasing books, study materials, as well as relocation expenses. The scholarship fund is name after and dedicated to educator Xavier C. Morales for his hard work, inspiration and dedication touching countless students.Scholarship informationScholarship Application
Uniting the communityThrough our many events we provide opportunities to raise awareness of the needs of our community as well as offer guidance and leadership opportunities.
Celebrating our HeritageThrough our many events we continue to celebrate the traditions of our culture and the importance of passing those traditions on to the next generation so they are not forgotten. - IN MEMORY OF XAVIER MORALESEducator, Poet, Inspirational Leader
Xavier C. Morales dedicated over thirty years of his life to education inside and outside the classroom. He spent most of his educational career teaching for Hempstead schools. He spent 18 years as a professor at Hofstra University and the State University of New York at Old Westbury.
His resonating voice gave life to the words of his poems when he gave poetry readings. All who heard him cherish his memory and legacy.
Through his dedication he touched the lives of countless students. His special classroom technique was the circle of sharing. This enabled the class to speak freely and express themselves bringing their ideas to life.
We are proud to offer our scholarships in his name. Your work goes on Xavier. (X)
- SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENTS
The New Scholarship recipients of 2018!!!
Andrew Culbreath | Hempstead, NY
"My focus as I earn a Bachelors of Fine Arts degree in musical theater will be hands on training in my classes and the many performance opportunities, where i can hone my craft and develop the tools for a successful career."
Hempstead High School | Planning to attend Five Towns College
Hillary Ramos Espinoza | Brentwood, NY
"My goal is to achieve my biology degree while following the pre-med track. I want to combine my interest in the medical field with interacting with children as a Pediatrician."
Brentwood High School | Planning to attend City College
Jennifer Flores | Central Islip, NY
"I see myself becoming an MRI technician. No matter the negativity that may surround me, having my heart and mind fixed on my goals will keep me persevering always. I want other DACA students to know that they're not a burden to society. They are hope for the future that will bring prosperity with their abilities. United as one, we'll have a voice upon society that will impact our youth for the better."
Central Islip High School | Planning to attend Farmingdale State College
Katherine Peralta Casco | Brentwood, NY
"If given the opportunity, I know I will be successful and change my future. I have worked hard and tirelessly to achieve my goals and I will continue to work hard. I will make my family and Brentwood schools proud. "
Brentwood High School | Planning to attend Suffolk Community College
Tania Prudencio | Brentwood, NY
"Everyone has a goal, and that should be the fuel for the passion to pursue it. Nothing can stop you from making it happen, and my goal is to become a nurse."
Brentwood High School | Planning to attend Suffolk Community College
Emerson Ramirez | Central Islip, NY
"No matter what, I strive to achieve my dream of being a bilingual math teacher. As a college student, I will get involved in activities that help young people, to wake up and prepare for the world. I want to show them that they need to be more involved in their community, in school, in sports, and that they can also achieve their goals."
Central Islip High School | Planning to attend SUNY College - Old Westbury
Brianna Shervington | Hempstead, NY
"My education allows me to compete equally, in spite of the fact that I come from an impoverished neighborhood. My education is like a torch because it allows me to illuminate my strengths and burns through the negative stereotypes. My education allows me to fulfill my dreams in so many ways."
Hempstead High School | Planning to attend Agricultural Technical State University
EVENTS GALLERY
Casino Night 2019
- OUR SPONSORSThanks to the generous support of our sponsors. Contact us to find out how you can become a sponsor.
Doris Rita Solomon
To get to know the values of another is an experience one never forgets.
Reading the essays written by our scholarship candidates is such an experience. Essentially, one shares a heart reaching moment that has one gasp at the difficulties overcome by these young people and marvel at the potential ready to be developed as they go on to higher education. It is a humbling experience repeated every year when struggling to make selections from so many deserving students.
Doris Rita Solomon, is the scholarship sponsor for the Coalition since 2009. Doris became involved when Juan Tirado, her deceased sister's life partner (and V.P. of the Coalition) died. To honor Beverly Solomon and her late husband, Walter Zucker, a sculptor, Doris committed to the mission of the Coalition.
Doris has done many things in her life that have enriched the lives of others. Her background includes teaching first grade, working in publishing, becoming a social worker and and lastly, a therapist. As an editor for R. R. Bowker, she edited a yearly publication for schools and libraries, Best Books for Children. Leaving publishing, she attended Columbia University School of Social Work earning a degree in 1973.
While working as a geriatric social worker, Doris began to train as a psychoanalyst at NPAP, the Theodor Reik Training Institute in New York and was certified in 2000. She has been in private practice since 1987 working primarily with adults.
Singing since she was a child, Doris has performed at Don't Tell Mama and formerly sang with The Voices of New York chorus. She sings at various open mics. She is grateful for having a plot in the thirty year old uws community garden, the Lotus Garden, which provides a haven of beauty for New Yorkers. Doris also trained with Al Gore in 2017 as a climate change leader.
To quote Doris, sponsoring the scholarship for the coalition, is "one of the best things she has ever done".
- WHO WE ARE
Candido Crespo
President
Hello, my name is Candido Crespo and I am the President of the Puerto Rican Coalition and have been a member since 2006. I have been a resident of Brentwood for 40 years, my family and I are active residents within the community.
Helping others is a big part of who I am and who I've raised my children to be. This is the reason I chose a job that encompasses helping individuals with mental illness to become vital members of the community.
My daughter Yessenia, was one of the first recipients of the Puerto Rican Coalition Scholarship. When I realized what a positive impact the Puerto Rican Coalition had on our community, and the betterment of not only Latino's, but of all people, I knew I had to become a member. The time I have invested in working for the Puerto Rican Coalition is time invested in changing and improving not only Brentwood, but all of Suffolk County.
Rosa J. QuilesSecretary
Rosa J. Quiles has been a member of the PRCBC since 2003. She has been a resident of Central Islip for 43 years. She retired from the Hempstead School District in 2004 after a total of 43 wonderful years of molding young minds. She received her bachelor's from The College of Mount Saint Vincent and her Masters from Hunter College. She takes pride in playing an active role in her community that she loves so much. Presently, she is diligently working as a member of NYCC in order to reduce the number of homes in our community that have been devastated by foreclosure, as well as helping to pass the DREAM ACT legislation.
Angel Luis Pabon, CPA
Financial Officer
Angel L. Pabon was born in Rio Piedras, Puerto Rico. He was raised in East Harlem in NYC and Astoria Projects in Queens. in 1975 he moved to Long Island. He is the parent of four children and has nine grandchildren and a great granddaughter named Ava. He is married to Dinora Kwiatkowski an educator who has supported him in all his endeavors.
In 1965 Angel received a full scholarship to attend Hunter College_ He continued his education attending Hofstra University and received a degree in Business Administration majoring in Accounting. He also attended Five Town College and studied Music Education. Angel has worked for the New York City Transit Authority, The US Post Office and has had an Accounting Practice in Brentwood for over thirty years.
In September 2003 Mr. Angel Pabon co-founded the Puerto Rican Coalition for A Better Community Inc., a 501 C(3) not for profit organization. As the president of the PRCBC, Angel advocates for Education. The PRCBC has given over $100,000.00 in scholarships to young adults in the community. Moreover, thousands of toys have been distributed to children during the PRCBC festive El Dia De Los Reyes Event.
Angel has been involved with other community organizations. He served as Treasurer for El Teatro Experimental Yerbabruja. The PRCBC works closely with other organizations in the community such as Pronto, Dignity for Students Committee, Teatro Yerbabruja, LILTA and others. He also assisted in creating the by-laws for the Brentwood Chamber of Commerce. In addition, due to his expertise in Not For Profit Tax Law he has attained 501(03 status for El Teatro Experimental Yerbabruja, The National Association of Puerto Rican Hispanic Social Workers, and The Bay Shore Woods Civic Association.
Angel is dedicated to empowering our youth through the strengths of education. He believes that education is the key to success in the lives of our youth.
Angel Paniagua
Vice President
Angel Paniagua, a native of New York; has worked on many engraving projects. Angel worked for a leading New York engraving and recognition awards firm early in his career. He later established his own engraving firm. Among the many awards that bare his engraving talents are the Oscar, Tony, Emmy, Clio and Matrix awards to name a few.
Angel Paniagua is also an artist His artworks in watercolor and oils have been helping Scholarship causes in his community. His artwork is displayed throughout Long Island and most recently chosen by the Islip Arts Council as 2017 Hispanic Heritage Artist, displaying his art In Islip's Town Hall Rotunda. Besides being an artist Angel Paniagua is also a musician. Playing guitar for The Persuaders scoring a million selling hit record "Thin Line Between Love & Hate”.
Lucy Duchesne
Board Member
Lucy Duchesne serves as a board member of the Puerto Rican Coalition focused on Labor Relations and has been engaged with the Puerto Rican Coalition for the last five years. She migrated from Puerto Rico in the early 50s and studied in the United States, graduating from high school and immediately going to work.
Lucy’s career background started in the United States Postal Service as a clerk and worked her way up in the organization to Supervisor of Distribution of Mails being responsible for a team of over 50 people. Lucy dedicated work life to the Post Office and after 41 years of service., she retired in 2008.
For the past 10 years Lucy has been traveling the world enjoying her retirement. She has traveled to 6 continents and 48 nations so far. Lucy enjoys giving back to her community and has been engaged in the Retired Seniors Volunteer Program (RSVP) helping the community in the soup kitchens and pantries. She also is a member of the Board of the Hispanic American Club, and serves as a Vice President of the organization. During her leisurely time, Lucy loves to cook and dance.
Noel Gonzalez
Public Relations Official
Noel Gonzalez has been a member of the Puerto Rican Coalition since 2017. He has been a resident of the Bayshore/Brentwood community for over 25 years. He and his wife Elizabeth Gonzalez have 2 boys, both Brentwood High School graduates.
His youngest son is proudly serving our country in the United States Army. Noel takes pride in helping not just the Puerto Rican community but all communities alike. Raised with very little financial stability, his parents worked very hard and he took the knowledge of hard work pays off and utilizes it on a daily basis. Helping others is what defines his character.
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