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Scholarship
Cultural Dinner & Dance
- 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 I am the President of the Puerto Rican Coalition and have been a member since 2006. I am a resident of Brentwood for 47 years, my family and I are active residents within the community.
Helping others is a big part of what I do, I’ve raised my children to lead on the same path or even similar. I am a retiree since 2020, previously 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 Scholarships. 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 nationalities, I knew I had to become a member. The time I’ve had and continuously have with the Puerto Rican Coalition is time invested in changing and improving not only Brentwood, but all of Suffolk County.
Email: Prcnypresident@gmail.com
Lucy Duchesne
Board Member
Lucy Duchesne serves as a board member of the Puerto Rican Coalition, focusing on labor relations, and has been engaged with the organization for the past five years. She migrated from Puerto Rico in the early 1950s and pursued her education in the United States, graduating from high school before immediately entering the workforce.
Lucy’s career began at the United States Postal Service as a clerk. Through dedication and perseverance, she worked her way up to Supervisor of Distribution of Mails, overseeing a team of more than 50 people. She devoted her professional life to the Postal Service and, after 41 years of service, retired in 2008.
For the past 10 years, Lucy has been enjoying her retirement by traveling the world. She has visited six continents and 48 nations so far. Passionate about giving back to her community, she has been actively involved in the Retired Seniors Volunteer Program (RSVP), assisting at soup kitchens and food pantries. She also serves as a board member of the Hispanic American Club and is the Vice President of the organization.
During her leisure time, Lucy loves to cook and dance.
Angel Luis Pabon, CPA
Financial Officer
I, Angel L. Pabón, was born in Río Piedras, Puerto Rico. I was raised in El Barrio (East Harlem), New York City, and the Astoria Projects in Queens, NY. In 1975, I moved to Long Island. I am the parent of four children, ten grandchildren, and four great-grandchildren. I am married to Dinora, an educator who has supported me in all my endeavors.
In 1965, I received a full scholarship to attend Hunter College. I continued my education at Hofstra University, where I earned a degree in Business Administration, majoring in Accounting. I also attended Five Towns College, where I studied Music Education. Currently, I am a member of the Lehman College Latin Jazz Band as well as the Afro-Caribbean Percussion Ensemble.
I have worked for the New York City Transit Authority and the U.S. Postal Service and have maintained an accounting practice in Brentwood, NY, for approximately forty years.
In September 2003, I co-founded The Puerto Rican Coalition for a Better Community Inc. (PRCBC), a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. I currently serve as Chief Financial Officer, with the goal of continuing to advocate for education. The PRCBC has awarded over $102,000 in scholarships to students in both Nassau and Suffolk Counties. Additionally, thousands of toys have been distributed to children during the PRCBC’s El Día de Los Reyes cultural celebration.
I have been actively involved in other community organizations. Due to my expertise in nonprofit tax law, I have incorporated and obtained 501(c)(3) status for several organizations, including El Teatro Experimental Yerbabruja, where I had the honor of serving as Vice President and Treasurer. I have also assisted in incorporating and securing 501(c)(3) status for organizations such as:
The National Association of Puerto Rican Hispanic Social Workers
LILTA (Long Island Latino Teachers Association)
The Bay Shore Woods Civic Association
Additionally, I assisted in creating the bylaws for the Brentwood Chamber of Commerce.I take great pride in continually empowering our youth through education. I firmly believe that education is the key to success in the lives of our youth.
Marc A. Soto
Executive Director of the Liga De Justicia Foundation
Since November 2024, Marc A. Soto has been the proud and passionate Executive Director of the Liga De Justicia Foundation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to providing informational, educational, and compassionate support and assistance to families and children on Long Island. In addition, Marc is also a law clerk at the firm of Ferro Kuba Mangano P.C.
Previously, Marc was the Director of Prevention & Community Services at Youth Enrichment Services (YES). His responsibilities included evidence-based prevention programming in schools in the Town of Islip, community service partnership development, event management, and community food distribution.
Before joining YES, Marc held various managerial positions in the corporate world, law firms, and as the Executive Director at Pronto of Long Island in Bay Shore. He spent twenty-seven years at Verizon in various roles, driving noteworthy results. Marc also achieved extraordinary success at Verizon as the national and local President of the Hispanic Support Organization (HSO), a volunteer national employee resource group. He helped create and develop the HSO NY Scholarship Fund, which resulted in the distribution of over $300K in scholarships in NY and NJ, among many other accomplishments.
Marc received his B.A. from Fordham University and his Juris Doctor from the University of Nebraska College of Law. However, he is proudest of his role as Papi to his two daughters: Mia (14) and Ashlee (19).
Marc has passionately served as a certified Class A Volunteer Firefighter at Merrick Hook & Ladder Co. 1. He is also a living kidney donor and a passionate advocate and motivational speaker on the importance of organ and tissue donation. Additionally, Marc has frequently been a featured public speaker on topics including diversity, equity & inclusion, multiculturalism, and educational opportunities for all.
Marc currently volunteers for numerous organizations on Long Island, including the Cure of Ars Roman Catholic Church, and holds board of director seats for Teatro Yerbabruja, the Puerto Rican Coalition for a Better Community, and the Long Island Ecuadorian Latin American Chamber.
Rachel A. Jarvis
Board Member
Rachel Jarvis is an Inventory Analyst at Altice USA, specializing in inventory transaction support. In her role, she writes business requirements, collaborates with developers, and trains and supports users on technology solutions for inventory transactions. Passionate about problem-solving, Rachel enjoys helping others troubleshoot and navigate complex systems.
Born in Brooklyn, NY, to Puerto Rican parents, Rachel grew up immersed in the rich culture of her heritage—sharing meals with family, enjoying traditional Puerto Rican cuisine, and listening to Salsa and Merengue. In her early twenties, she moved to Hempstead, NY, where she lived for 20 years before settling in Bay Shore in 2018 with her two wonderful children.
Beyond her professional career, Rachel has a deep love for music and has been singing since childhood. She is a vocalist in a local cover band, The Blend, where she continues to share her passion for music with the community. She also finds joy in cooking and bringing people together through food.
Rachel is proud to serve as a board member for the Puerto Rican Coalition for a Better Community (PRC). She joined the PRC because she believes in its mission and is committed to supporting youth in shaping their futures. She looks forward to working on meaningful events and programs that strengthen and unite the community.
Stephen Soto
Director of Member Services
Stephen Soto proudly serves as the Director of Member Services for the Puerto Rican Coalition for a Better Community (PRC). A dedicated and longtime member of PRC, he finds great fulfillment in being part of an organization that uplifts and strengthens the community.
Professionally, Stephen is a Customer Service Manager for Canteen, a vending machine company that also supports PRC’s mission. His role allows him to connect with people daily, strengthening his ability to engage with and support PRC members. His work in customer service aligns with his passion for building relationships and ensuring that people feel valued and heard.
Raised by his Puerto Rican grandparents, Stephen grew up with strong values of respect, gratitude, and service. Though his family had little, they instilled in him the importance of always helping those in need—principles that continue to guide him in both his personal and professional life.
Stephen is also the proud father of a United States Marine, whom he considers his greatest source of pride. A hardworking and committed individual, he describes himself as a workaholic, but in his free time, he dedicates himself to PRC and supports other organizations that share the same vision of community empowerment.
As Director of Member Services, Stephen is passionate about fostering strong connections within PRC and ensuring that members feel supported and engaged. For him, PRC is more than just an organization—it is a way to honor his heritage, give back, and continue the legacy of service and generosity instilled in him by his grandparents.
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 Bay Shore/Brentwood community for over 25 years. He and his wife, Elizabeth Gonzalez, have two sons, both graduates of Brentwood High School.
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, he witnessed his parents work tirelessly, instilling in him the belief that hard work pays off—a principle he applies daily. Helping others is what defines his character.
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