WHO WE ARE

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

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.

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.

Lucy Duchesne serves as a board member of the Puerto Rican Coalition focused on Public Relations and has been engaged with the Puerto Rican Coalition since 2010. She migrated from Puerto Rico in the early 1950s and studied in the United States where she graduated from high school and continued her college education with some courses at night, while immediately going to work.

Lucy’s career background started in the U.S. Postal Service as a clerk, and she worked her way up in the organization to Supervisor of Distribution of Mails where she was responsible for a team of over 50 people. She dedicated her work life to the Post Office; and, after 41 years of service, she retired in 2008.

Since retirement, Lucy has been traveling the world and enjoying her adventures. She has traveled to 7 continents and 53 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. In addition, she volunteers in the Alzheimer’s Disease Center (ADC) supporting and interacting with its clients. Lucy is a member of the Hispanic American Seniors Club.

During her leisure time, Lucy likes to cook, dance, and travel.

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.

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.

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.