By Leonardo Ivan Dominguez
Feb 26, 2024, 1:13 PM EST
The month of February is known for the celebration of Black History and Valentine’s Day. It is also the month in which we celebrate, recognize and pay tribute to the achievements of the Dominican community in this city, state and nation.
For decades, Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of New York has supported the Dominican community both here and on the island. In July 2012, Catholic Charities Community Services (CCCS) began collaborating with Alianza Dominicana, a longtime Washington Heights-based youth service organization, upon news that Alianza Dominicana was experiencing financial difficulties. In an effort to preserve programs in the low-income communities served by Alianza, CCCS agreed to the transfer of that organization’s youth programs to CCCS and created what is now known as the Alianza Division. CCCS Alianza Youth Services and the Alianza Dominicana Cultural Center, (known in English by the acronym ADCC), are the direct result of Catholic Charities’ commitment to the Dominican community of New York.
CCCS Alliance Youth Services includes after-school programs for youth located in Manhattan and the Bronx that offer academic support, tutoring, and homework help. CCCS Youth Services also administers the Beacon and Cornerstone programs in Washington Heights and those at Highbridge Community Centers, which transform local schools or NYCHA housing facilities into thriving neighborhood centers after school and during the summer months. .
The CCCS Alliance Division provides support services to students at two community colleges and provides programs that promote school re-entry, academic achievement, and the development of a post-graduate plan that may include college and/or employment. The Learn to Work program (also known in English as the Learning to Work Program)
helps high school students solve problems so they can graduate successfully. The Summer Youth Employment Program (SYEP) connects New York City youth ages 14-24 with career exploration opportunities and paid work experience each summer. SYEP has a career enhancement program and a Work, Learn and Grow Program.
The Alianza Dominicana Cultural Center (ADCC) is a state-of-the-art multidisciplinary center located in Washington Heights which is considered the crown jewel of the community. The center showcases contemporary and classical Dominican and Latin American art, dance and music. Intergenerational learning, transnational and transcultural activities are the philosophical guide of the Center. ADCC’s mission is to produce literary, performing and visual arts programs; support and strengthen community cultural programs and institutions in the Washington Heights and Inwood sections, and serve as a home for local artists committed to enriching the lives of northern Manhattan residents through the arts.
ADCC offers free lessons and workshops in computer science, artistic creation, popular and traditional dance, and Afro-Latin percussion, as well as literary conferences, music, and theatrical performances. Additionally, the Cultural Center has a state-of-the-art computer lab funded by Charter Communications. The following classes and workshops are offered to the community: baking classes on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm; folk and popular dance classes (called “Sudamengue-Bachasuda”) on Wednesdays and Fridays from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm; Latin and popular percussion on Wednesdays from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm; folk dances on Fridays from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm and Saturdays from 10:00 am to 3:00 pm; Creative Arts Saturdays from 10:00 am to 3:00 pm; Folk Accordion Saturdays from 10:00 am to 3:00 pm; and Folkloric Percussion Saturdays from 10:00 am to 3:00 pm
For more information about Alianza Youth Services please contact 888-744-4900 and for the Alianza Dominicana Cultural Center call 917-242-0811.
Leonardo Iván Domínguez is the director of the Alianza Dominicana Cultural Center