Curricular Resources > 1982 Volume V > Unit 2 (82.05.02) > Section 6

Society and Literature in Latin America

CONTENTS OF CURRICULUM UNIT 82.05.02

Unit Guide

Political Development of Puerto Ricans in New Haven

Irma E. Garca

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Unit Five: Results of Questionnaires and Interviews

After going over the questionnaires and notes from the interviews the following results were obtained:

1. The Hispanic population of the City of New Haven is mostly located in two areas, the Hill (oldest) and Fair Haven.
2. The main religious institutions are the Roman Catholic Church and the Pentecostal Church.
3. The Pentecostal Church has a much larger congregation.
4. The congregation of the Catholic Church does not receive information or guidance pertaining the electoral process. The Pentecostal congregation does.
5. Both the Catholic Church and the Pentecostal Church provide information and do referral to social service agencies.
6. The City of New Haven does not provide special services to the Hispanic Community, with the exception of the Bilingual Program, which is State mandated. However, it provides funds to community agencies.
7. There was a need for spanish-speaking personnel at the social services agencies.
8. The political progress was divided in two main categories:
____ a. Involvement by the community All persons interviewed considered there has been a considerable growth because for the first time they have been able to achieve three ward chairpersons and one alderman. It should be noted that at least two of them have bachellor degrees, from State Universities. Also, that their religion affiliation can be traced to the Pentecostal Church of the Hill except for one to the Baptist Church.
____ b. Political effectiveness The progress here was considered more limited.
____ 9. In relation to the maintenance of funds for community service there was consensus indicating that they would not disappear as long as the need was there and that the community was still very mobile.
10. The main problems for the continuation of steady political progress were considered to be the lack of union within the community and the fostering of that problem by other politicians.

Questionnaire for Religious Representatives

1. For how long has this Institution been in New Haven?
2. What is the size of the Congregation?
3. How many parishioners are of voting age?
4. What measures have been taken by the church or the congregation in order to develop a civic conscience?
5. Is there any participation in the electoral process?
____ a. How is the parishioner helped to reach a political decision?
____ b. Have you obtained any positive results? Negative?
6. Does the Church provide referral services to other existing social services agencies?

Questionnaire for Political Representatives

1. What special services are provided by the City of New Haven to the Hispanic Commmnity?
2. Do you think that the funding for community agencies will increase? Stay the same? Decrease? Disappear?
3. How important is the involvement of religious institutions in the development of a civic conscience?
4. Which are the wards with a greater concentration of Puerto Ricans?
5. In your opinion, which are the major problems affecting the political growth in the community?
6. For how long have you been in New Haven?

Interviews

Government Agency

1. Carlos Rodr’guez, Director of Human Services and former Director of Junta for Progressive Action.
2. Francisco Echevarr’a, Assistant Principal for the New Haven School System.

Community Agency

1. Mar’a Rodr’guez, Director of Latino Youth Development and former Alderwoman for the City of New Haven.

Religious Representatives

1. Margarita Hernández, Star of Jacob Pentecostal Church.
2. Elita Rivera, Centro San José.

Political Activist

1. Igdalia Garciá

Community Resources and Religious Institutions

“Useful activities for students could include visits to these centers, lectures from representatives of these organizations, or private interviews with institutional representatives.

Community Agencies

1. Centro San José
____ 290 Grand Avenue
____ Contact: Elita Rivera (562-3135, 562-2050)
2. Crossroads, Inc.
____ 42 Howe Street
____ Contact: Miguel Laguna (865-3541)
3. Junta for Progressive Action
____ 169 Grand Avenue (787-0191)
4. Latino Youth Development
____ 324 Congress Avenue
____ Director: Mar’a Rodriquez (777-5219)
5. Spanish Cultural Center
____ 413 Howard Avenue
____ Director: Celestino Córdova (787-0169)

Religious Institutions

1. Saint John the Evangelist (Roman Catholic)
____ 140 Sylvan Avenue
____ Father Odell (777-3629)
2. Star of Jacob Pentecostal Church
____ Howard Avenue
____ Reverend Abraham Marsach (562-7066)
3. Star of Jacob Pentscostal Church II
____ Chapel Street
____ Reverend Armando Hernández (776-9603)

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