MARIO BUENO, executive director of Central Falls-based nonprofit Progreso Latino, has been awarded the 2021 Murray Family Prize for Community Enrichment from the Rhode Island Foundation. Bueno was recognized for his long commitment to helping Rhode Islanders with cultural and language barriers and various economic challenges. As part of the award, Bueno received $50,000, which the foundation said can be used unrestricted.
How do you plan to use the $50,000 prize? This unanticipated prize is humbling and will be of great help. I will be forever grateful to the Murray family. I plan for a portion of the prize to go to my children’s college education. With our board of directors’ approval, another portion will go to establishing a 403(b) retirement plan that matches employee savings.
How many vouchers has Progreso Latino provided to those needing housing and emergency assistance? Was the need in just Central Falls, or was it statewide? Progreso Latino assisted over 1,500 families with vouchers of $150 to $500 during the pandemic. Most applicants were from Central Falls and Pawtucket, although we also served some from Providence. Most of those served were not eligible for government aid. There continues to be great need in the community. Hundreds of families visit our Central Falls Food Pantry every week. Unfortunately, the pandemic continues to be especially difficult for low-income Latinx and immigrant communities. At one point, Latinos represented 40% of positive [COVID-19] cases. Our challenge today continues to be to maintain emergency resources available long term, and also to unite across sectors in order to address underlying issues such as the mounting cost of housing.
What hurdles is the Latinx community still facing? The community continues to face steep challenges, including housing insecurity, hunger and lack of affordable child care. It is also very unfortunate that we have not made the necessary progress to bridge educational and other gaps for Latinos and people of color. Over time, these issues compound and depress the level of progress and prosperity that we all deserve. Structural changes are necessary for minority communities to more fully participate and also benefit from their contributions as part of the wider community. In the end, we will all stand to benefit from a better tomorrow if we are willing to change, contribute and grow for the greater good.
What is your outlook for the organization and the Latinx community for 2022? The leadership is looking forward to strengthening its advocacy and policy change agenda while maintaining its front-line efforts to help people in crisis. I have lots of hope for the Latinx and immigrant communities. This is a growing and younger segment of the population that is already filling important labor and talent gaps. The community is entrepreneurial and hardworking. I hope that together we can grow a stronger community that is able to tackle significant disparities in education, income, health and housing.
