Immediate Release: May 18, 2007
SINA Executive Director Luis Caban receives the 2007 Charter Oak Cultural Center Social Justice Vision Award
SINA Executive Director Luis Caban has received the 2007 Social Justice Vision Award from the Charter Oak Cultural Center at its recent Annual Gala. The event also recognized Henry M. Zachs with the Jewish Heritage Vision Award and Sistah Nandi with the Arts and Education Vision Award. Caban received a reproduction of The Ura Yoan Ortega Mural Project created by 20 Sheldon/Charter Oak neighborhood children under the direction of muralist Marela Zacarias.
Caban says, “I’m proud to have received such a beautiful visual representation of the talent of our youth coupled with SINA’s progressive neighborhood mission.” Caban has placed the award prominently in his office and says it reminds him daily of the reasons why SINA exists in south Hartford.
Caban received his award for his activities with Southside Institutions Neighborhood Alliance, a neighborhood development organization undertaking a vast revitalization initiative called Cityscape in south Hartford neighborhoods. Luis developed the strategic plan for the Cityscape Initiative which encompasses housing, community safety, economic and workforce development, and community life and education. Luis has served as a consultant to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development in Washington, DC and has twice testified before the United States Congress on both housing and voting rights legislation.
In a letter Governor Jodi Rell said about the recipients of the Charter Oak Vision Awards, “I would…like to express my appreciation to them for sharing their time, talent and vision with this great city (Hartford).”
