Help Us, Help Puerto Rico

Dear friends, family and community,

As everyone knows, the recent earthquakes in Puerto Rico has caused an emergency situation in the South and Southwest areas of the Island.

As an act of solidarity and public service to help our brothers & sisters on the Island, the CICD Puerto Rican Parade will act as a fiduciary for monetary collections and subsequent payment for goods & services for essential items in the most affected municipalities. The following partners will be working with us in CT and in Puerto Rico, in order to help coordinate and identify the intended recipients.

We are now receiving donations through our website, which will serve as our Collection Center in this effort.

The CICD will be responsible for the collection, coordination and transfer of funds to the island, as well as the distribution of the funds to the intended recipients.

We are mounting an awareness campaign, with our community partners Maly Rosado, City of Hartford Council President, Dressler Law and The Latino Way Marketing, to inform the public and urge all who can contribute, to do so.

CT JUNTOS POR PUERTO RICO! CT TOGETHER FOR PUERTO RICO!

Donate Today

Our Events

Hartford PR Parade

The Greater Hartford Puerto Rican Parade and Festival del Coquí are held in a one-day event at Bushnell Park during the first weekend in June, historically opening the season of Puerto Rican parades and festivals throughout New England.

María C. Sanchez Banquet

For more than 20 years, the Connecticut Institute for Community Development (CICD) Puerto Rican Parade, Inc. has recognized over 100 individuals for their community leadership, commitment to education and preservation of culture and arts in memory of our beloved Maria C. Sanchez.

Festival

Immediately after the parade, the Festival del Coquí kicks off with the presentation of the US and Puerto Rican Anthems, the flag presentation and the presentation of the honorees. Attendees enjoy live music, artistry and delicious food.

Pageant

The Miss Puerto Rico of Greater Hartford Cultural Pageant has been hosted for more than 50 years, making it one of the longest running pageants in the State of Connecticut. Participants complete in three categories: Little Miss, Pre-Teen and Miss.

A Few Words About Us

Times change. People change. Communities change.

All these and many other factors combined catapulted CICD into thinking of our purpose as a community organization. Our Puerto Rican and Hispanic communities have needs that are different from those our families had fifty, thirty, even fifteen years ago. We still have a responsibility to empower our people while celebrating all that makes us special.

With that goal in mind, we set a course to make sure our programs, services and events go beyond the celebration of our culture by lifting each other up and high.

Invest in Cultural Preservation

We won’t ask you to donate, give or join. We ask that you INVEST.

When you contribute to CICD, you are investing in sharing our beautiful Puerto Rican culture. From folkloric traditional music to the delicious food, from outstanding athletes to renowned scientists, from the flora and fauna to our geography – we have so much to share.

Will you make it happen?

Our Mission

The Connecticut Institute for Community Development Puerto Rican Parade Committee is committed to preserving our culture by promoting leadership and education, celebrating traditions and being involved in community service for the Puerto Rican and Hispanic Community.