Dear Friends and Family,
My recent trip to San Francisco, California was a truly awakening experience. Numerous women at the Women of Color Conference at the University of California, Santa Cruz want to visit Loiza, Puerto Rico to learn about its cultural and historical uniqueness. Other several youth groups with whom I met, wish to do the same. Unfortunately, there is neither location nor organization in Loiza that provides this service, which is greatly needed.
As most of you know, I have been unemployed for some time and rely on my social security and speaking events to survive. A very dear friend in the San Francisco Bay Area has taken the initiative to respond to my needs by writing a letter sharing his story and vision to help advance my work. I have several projects that I am involved in but cannot make them a reality due to lack of funding. My work reflects my commitment to our culture and our liberation movement with consciousness healing. Here is the letter that my friend wrote:
My name is Enrique Alvarez. In 1997, while working as a Federal Correctional Officer in Dublin, California, I met Dylcia Pagan. I forged a friendship with Dylcia while she was in my custody. I was struck by the warmth, passion, and high ideals that came through in our many conversations. She was kind and didn’t judge my position on the other side of the prison bars; she answered all my questions and listened to my points of view. What a life-changing encounter that was, in the least likely of places! Dylcia was pardoned in 1999 and in 2000 I quit the Bureau of Prison to pursue a Masters in Social Work. For the last 9 years I have been working as a Child Welfare Social Worker in San Jose, California. My life has drastically changed and I’m happy to say that to this day Dylcia continues to be part of my life.
Dylcia has played many roles: Revolutionary, Teacher, Poet, and Artist. But the most important role that she has played and continues to play in my life is that of a Healer. She has healed me from apathy and indifference. Her example, her vision, her commitment, her energy, and most significantly her Love continues to infuse me with purpose, consciousness, and a desire to work for social justice. I have received and continue to receive so much from Dylcia. Dylcia will not tell you, but she struggles financially. Therefore, I feel compelled to financially assist her on a monthly basis so that that she can live comfortably and continue her mission. Unfortunately, I cannot individually provide for Dylcia, but collectively we can assist this wonderful friend who inspires us all. Please join me in pledging whatever monthly amount you can ---$ 5.00, $10.00 or any other amount that your heart and pocket can agree upon. The higher impact to Dylcia and her community work will come from a reliable monthly commitment ---no matter how small or large, this will be a source of income that she can count on to plan projects and make decisions. At the end of this letter, Dylcia provides more information on how you can help.
I am so grateful for my friend Enrique; his story and our friendship are truly moving events that inspire us all.
Friends, I truly believe that the Universe is conspiring to allow me to continue on my journey. I have met with several friends in Puerto Rico and in California. Together, we have decided to collectively establish a new organization: The Dylcia Pagan Foundation. Our vision is to create a viable non-profit entity that will provide a source of educational creative consciousness projects for our youth and communities of color.
These are only a few of the projects that I have been working on and that can grow and develop with your support:
•Documentary Film “Mujeres n Women” - A two hour multi-faceted biographical testimony of the following five Puerto Rican Women Nationalists: Blanca Canales, Isabel Rosado, Carmine Perez, Doris Torresolla, and Lolita Lebron.
•Casa Yuisa - A healing house that will provide women and men a facility to learn their cultural essence in the heart of Loiza Aldea where our original Cimarrones resided. Casa Yuisa will give talleres (workshops) in writing, art, music and healing means for survival. The participants will stay for a given amount of time and become integrated in the community by meeting folk artist, sharing inter-generational stories, and visiting important archeological sites as well as reviewing private collections of artifacts. Casa Yuisa can also house multimedia equipment which can be utilized by visitors to document their experiences.
•“Loiza Speaks, Loiza Habla” - An educational series of the oral tradition of Loiza. The fact is, that this municipality has an incredible history of contributions that has not been documented. This project is being discussed in partnership with University of Connecticut’s professor Lisa Sanchez, the Centro de Estudios Avanzados in Puerto Rico via Estel Shlafer, cultural anthropologist.
•Taller “Reinas y Cacicas” - Dylcia ‘s art workshop where she creates her Masks and Sculptures, which had their first exhibit at el Centro de Estudios Avanzados March 9-31, 2011. I need to rehabilitate a space in my home so that I can continue carrying out this work. At the present time, I am creating in my small balcony, living room, or wherever I can find some limited space.
•Lolita Lebron’s Collection - Lolita’s family has requested that she translate and edit over 400 poems written by our Lolita that have never been published. In order to do this, she needs an assistant and financial support.
Familia, as you can see I am not short on ideas. There is so much important and beautiful work that can be done in our communities. I know that most of you are already involved in doing remarkable work in the arts, social service, health, education…. you name it: our “gente” are always present trying to make this a better world.
I also know that money is tight; you work hard for every penny and I would never ask you to be part of this venture if I didn’t feel that I can live up to the commitment of keeping an honest, transparent, and trustworthy organization running. So, tienen mi palabra de honor (my word) that every cent you give will be used on behalf of the vision I have described here.
