OCCHA marks 43 years with banquet tonight at Antone's

BOARDMAN

The Organizacion Civica y Cultural Hispana American culminated its National Hispanic Heritage Month activities by celebrating 43 years of service in the Mahoning Valley with its annual fundraiser and scholarship gala.

Fittingly, with its focus on youth education, OCCHA awarded $26,500 in scholarships to area students at the gala Friday at Antone’s Banquet Center on Market Street.

National Hispanic Heritage Month is Sept. 15 to Oct. 15.

OCCHA opened its doors in 1972 in a former doctor’s office at the corner of Fruit Street and Himrod Avenue on Youngstown’s East Side, to provide services to the growing Hispanic community in the Mahoning Valley.

In 2001, the social-services organization moved to 3660 Shirley Road, which formerly housed Poulakos Bakery, to get more room for its programs, said Elba Navarro, who with her husband, Shorty, donated the building to OCCHA.

“Shorty wanted a more central location and more room for the programs and a larger space for seniors to gather,” Mrs. Navarro said.

Read more about the organization's evoltuion and services it offers in Satturday's Vindicator or on Vindy.com.