This story is always told like this: "It all started in a garage in Redwood City?" ? And although many, many people wrote it and continue to do so, one was and continues to be the driving force, the brain and the heart: Verónica Escámez, born in Mexico and founder of Casa Circulo Cultural.
The parties at Verónica's house, the palomazos, and the theater performances, among other activities, gave birth to a non-profit community organization ?in response to the lack of cultural events and programs in the Spanish language? which later had its first location in a warehouse complex and finally settled in a charming headquarters in the center of the "new Middlefield", in North Fair Oaks, where a large number of the people it serves live.
Casa Círculo Cultural -CCC- celebrated its "thematic" quinceañera, in keeping with the place of the party, the Hiller Aviation Museum, located at the San Carlos airport. The ladies of the organization dressed as flight attendants or stewardesses; men, as aeronautical pilots.
?I think it exceeded my expectations, because I had attended a gala a week before and not many people were there, I didn't see much desire to donate, etc. And I was very surprised that all the people who were invited came and that, furthermore, when it came to donating they did so with pleasure, could you tell?, said Verónica Escamez.
The CCC Gala, this Thursday, June 6, was titled "A flight to the future." and to the attendees, the master of ceremonies Damián Trujillo, from Telemundo and NBC, presented a recapitulation of the origin and growth of Casa Círculo Cultural, its impact on the Latino community through the voices of mothers, young people who grew up with and in CCC and that they went from students to teachers, and the moving story of a little boy who found his place in the world at CCC after suffering bullying at school.
?It's a custom here, so many people you invite to a gala know that you invite them to ask for money. Now, some can give you and others go and anyway they don't, that is, it is not obligatory that they give you, but the majority of people who attend a gala know that you are going to ask them for something? Escamez said.
?Some are satisfied with buying their ticket, and others know that they are going to donate and in fact they are already ready to donate, but some are more motivated after seeing what you have done, and unfortunately, like non-profit organizations, they do not have as much support How is it believed, if there were not these types of events to raise money, it would be very difficult to raise money for some special projects?, he stressed.
Casa Círculo Cultural serves low-income or vulnerable families, providing them with social, economic, cultural, health and well-being tools so that the future of each member is clearer and brighter, in a country where our origin and/or ethnicity generally disqualifies us. input.
CCC offers classes for children, adolescents, youth, adults and seniors, from taekwondo to folk dance, leadership and civic culture to gardening, from English to theater, not only for Latinos but for anyone who wants to participate.
In addition, the massive Day of the Dead event that takes place in the center of Redwood City is already a tradition of the city, or the same celebration with the CCC living calacas at the San Francisco Symphony and the portals sculpted by Fernando Escartiz, who was recognized during the Gala by the organization and city councilors, due to his work over many years in support of Casa Círculo Cultural.
Also awarded was Sofía Ortiz, who has been with Círculo since the beginning and who was a volunteer, actress, and "everything", and today is a faithful employee of the institution.
The Gala also highlighted the folk dances of the groups of children, youth and adults from CCC, and a Taekwondo demonstration by Yeshua Villa, one of the boys who grew up with Casa Círculo Cultural and who now teaches classes.
It was a triumphant flight for Casa Círculo Cultural. Here's to many more Quinceañeras!
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