07/01/2026
From the archives of the Latino History Project of Worcester—a look at the long history of activism within the Worcester Latino Community, across decades of Latino leadership in Worcester.
1968, Daniel Amaral, Michael Gillete, Héctor Reyes and Carlos Morte, opened Port of Entry at 823 Main St., known in the community as Centro Hispano, hiring Ruth Rodriguez for community outreach. The Center offered free English classes and translation services. In less than a year, the organization helped over 800 people.
1969, Carlos Mortes help found the Asociación Cívica Latina, as he had stated: “A major aim of the association is to bring Spanish-speaking persons more into the cultural picture of the area.”
1970, the first Spanish radio program, broadcast on WORC
1971 The "Asociación Latina para Progreso y Acción (ALPA) - Casa de la Comunidad" was founded, first located on Oread St, then moving to 831 Main St, it was the first Latino controlled organization in the city for Latino Civil Rights.
1972, Luis G. Pérez former judge (eventually becoming the 1st Latino/Puerto Rican Judge) headed the Spanish Voter Rights Task Force, centered on registering voters and advocating for a Spanish-language ballot.
1973, Latino cultural presence established by the raising of the Puerto Rican flag at City Hall (the first national flag of a Latino country to do so), followed by the Worcester Puerto Rican week.
1973, ALPA also organized the "Concilio de Padres/Hispanic Parents Advisory Council" was founded to demand equal education and treatment for Spanish-speaking students. Led by Concepcion (Conchita) Cruz-President, Idalia Vazquez, Julie Vargas, Ana Rosado, Maria Rodriquez, Ramon Chevalier, Lisa Perez, and Luis Perez, filed a lawsuit against the city of Worcester resulting in the Consent Decree that forced the implementation of Bi-lingual Education for all non-English speaking students in the Worcester Public Schools.
1973, Channel 27 TV began broadcasting a news program in Spanish with George Cortés.
1973 La Prensa, the first Spanish language newspaper in Worcester, under Francisco Escobar, 3,000 copies of the first edition of La Prensa were published and distributed.
1974 Centro de la Juventud opened its doors at 805 Main St. with the goal of providing activities for Latino youth.
1977 Centro Las Americas was founded and established.
This is just a snapshot of the early pioneer activism and rich history of Latinos in Worcester.
In the photo, taken at Centro de la Juventud 805 Main St, Worcester, Ma.
From top left to right are:
Héctor Reyes, José Pérez, Luis Pérez, Francisco Ojeda, SOME of the early organizers of the Latino/Puerto Rican community who were instrumental in the founding of ALPA, Primera Parada, and Centro de la Juventud. .
