#GivingTuesday is the time of the year for you to lend your support to the work that Pilsen Neighbors Community Council does all year-round.

Who we are: We are a NON PROFIT ORGANIZATION dedicated to improving our community.  How? Awarding scholarships for college-bound Latino students, being involved in finding solutions for any social justice issues our community may face, training the organizers and leaders of tomorrow. Did you know that we are also the organizer of the biggest Latino festival in the country? Fiesta del Sol is our primary fundraiser that helps us continue the year-round work that we do for the community.

We hope you can lend us a hand to continue our commitment to the community for many more years.

Not convinced to donate yet? Click on the video below and listen to the testimonials from Community Leaders on how PNCC have impacted their lives.

(Note: Your donations are tax-deductible!)

OUR GOAL 20000$
CURRENT PROGRESS 4500$

Keep scrolling down and take a look at the community work that we, alongside our partners and community members, did during 2021!

Here is a recap of our 2021 community work.

January – Tres Reyes Magos Toy Drive.

Through the month of December, we collected toys for a toy drive with the support of CHESSLIVE. On January 6th, we distributed the toys to kids from the Pilsen Community during Los Reyes Magos day.

February – 4th Driver’s License Reinstatement Expo

On February 20th, together with our partners, we hosted the 4th Driver’s License Reinstatement Expo, where more than 400 people had the opportunity to have their cases reviewed by a judge, and they had the possibility to obtain their driver’s license back.

April – Immigration Reform for Essential Workers (En Español)

On April 1st, PNCC in partnership with Dr. Raul Hinojosa from UCLA, held a webinar to discuss the Immigration Reform for Essential Workers. This webinar also had the purpose of explaining to all the participants their rights as Essential Workers in the United States. You can watch the live stream of this webinar HERE

June – Broadband Campaign

 Pilsen Neighbors Community Council and Gamaliel of Metro Chicago joined our partner organization of Gamaliel of Illinois and Iowa in the Broadband Campaign, where the goal is to convert broadband access into a utility, like any other utility such as water, gas, electricity, etc.

 This need was even more noticeable during the pandemic, due to many people in our community who were not able to afford an internet plan, could not cover their daily and basic needs (education, employment, telemedicine, and other important resources).

Pilsen Neighbors Community Council and Gamaliel of Metro Chicago will keep advocating to transform broadband access into a utility, in order to ensure low-income communities access to the internet.

July – Fiesta del Sol Opening Reception and Scholarship Award Ceremony

On July 22th, we held the Fiesta del Sol Opening Reception and Scholarship Award Ceremony, which every year serves as the official kickoff for the Fiesta del Sol week. During this year’s Ceremony, thanks to our partners, sponsors, and YOUR DONATIONS, we awarded 16 Latinos college-bound students with the Guadalupe A. Reyes Scholarship. You can check the Opening Reception and Scholarship Award Ceremony album HERE

July-August – 49th Annual Fiesta del Sol

From July 29th to August 1st, we held the Annual and biggest Latino festival Fiesta del Sol, which this year came back as a full in-person event, where more than 1.2 MM visitors enjoyed the four days of music, food, drinks, performances, and community services.

Check out the full Fiesta del Sol 2021 album HERE

Check out the 1 hour-long Facebook Live walk thru the festival HERE

Although Fiesta del Sol is a 4-day family-friendly festival, the planning for the biggest Latino festival starts at the beginning of the year, where PNCC involves our community leaders to take part in the planning and execution of ideas. Next year, PNCC will be celebrating the 50th anniversary of Fiesta del Sol! 

May thru September – Finkl Academy Action

In May of this year, Pilsen Neighbors Community Council started organizing a group of parents from Finkl Academy, on an ongoing issue of public safety at the pedestrian access of the viaduct at West 23rd Street.

The access has been taken and blocked by people without homes who lived under it. Neither the parents, the school, or Pilsen Neighbors ever faulted the circumstances for which the homeless people live under this viaduct because we have all been living through critical and unprecedented times; 

The parents held a press conference outside the office of Homeless and Domestic Violence Programs at Chicago Department of Family and Support Services, and also held a meeting with their staff. 

On August 24th, the people without homes living under the viaduct were relocated and the access is now clean, clear, and safe for the children, their families, and the community.

September – 5th Driver’s License Reinstatement Expo

On September 11th, together with our partners, we hosted the 5th Driver’s License Reinstatement Expo, where more than 250 people had the opportunity to have their cases reviewed by a judge, and they had the possibility to obtain their driver’s license back.

Check out the testimonials from participants who were able to get their driver’s license back HERE , HERE and HERE

Check out the photo album HERE

October – March for a Complete and Inclusive Immigration Reform

During the last two years, different organizations alongside PNCC, have fought for a Complete and Inclusive Immigration Reform for more than 12 million immigrants. On October 12th, PNCC took part in the Immigration March in Downtown Chicago.

January to October – Gamaliel National Leadership Training 

In 2021, Pilsen Neighbors Community Council and Gamaliel of Metro Chicago took part in the Gamaliel National Leadership Training, where our community leaders were provided with the tools and resources that an effective leader needs. 

The National Leadership Training affords participants the opportunity to reflect on their present and future roles in the public arena. The method is Socratic. The style is agitational.

Pilsen Neighbors Community Council and Gamaliel of Metro Chicago have trained over 5000 community leaders throughout the years, and our commitment is to continue forming the leaders of tomorrow.

With a $100 donation, you will get a Fiesta del Sol mercado style bag, with goodies inside!

*Must be able to pick up, instructions will be provided. $150 donation includes shipping if you are not within the Chicago area.*