Recently, the Puerto Rican and Latino Studies Project (PRLSP) hosted a Legislative Breakfast entitled “Café con Leche” with the Puerto Rican and Black Caucus at the Capitol building. The main objective of this meeting was to discuss issues and concerns affecting the “lived experiences” of Latin@s in Connecticut. The Puerto Rican Caucus and PRLSP discussed several areas for collaboration and coalition building to address solutions for salient issues affecting Puerto Ricans and Latin@s in Connecticut and globally.

Representatives Christopher Rosario, Juan Candeleria, Robert Sanchez, Jason Rojas, Christopher Soto, Edwin Vargas, Angel Arce, Minnie Gonzalez and Deputy Majority Leader Hilda Santiago and House Majority Leader, John Ritter joined the Project faculty and students. Areas of focus throughout the meeting were health disparities, barriers affecting students in higher education, civic engagement and immigration. It is our collective hope, through continued collaboration that we will engage our communities and promote the well-being and quality of life for Puerto Rican and Latin@ individuals, families, and communities.