Historic Reflections 2015

Gil Bernardino was presented with the Nassau County Martin Luther King, Jr. Award for Community Service in January. Later that year he was selected to be honored as one of “100 Spaniards” living outside Spain for his significant contributions to vulnerable and needy children and families throughout his profession and life. Finally in August of 2014, Gil was recognized by his birth town, Tapioles, a small farm community in the province of Zamora, Spain, as “Hijo Predilecto De Tapioles”, “Special Son of Tapioles” . He was presented with a bronze bust of his profile on a stone pedestal.

Officially Completed 2014

O ver the summer of 2014, construction on the lower level of the Center was finished. This included a second multipurpose room in the Center as well as offices, and a computer room. With the completion of this space, construction on the Center was officially finished in 2014! This marked the culmination of a four year process to finish building out the center, floor by floor since the Inauguration.

F unding from the A rts C ouncil

Círculo obtained funding from the Huntington Arts Council to hold a musical performance featuring songs from Zarzuelas, a form of Spanish operetta. This program was created to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month. The agency held a cultural performance for the community at Círculo Center for the first time in November of 2014. The event included musical performances by professional signers as well as a Flamenco dancer. Afterwards participants enjoyed tapas and refreshments.

E xtension for F unding for A fter -S chool

Círculo’s Partners After-School program received funding for another five years cycle in 2014 from the Office of Children and Family Services. This funding supported vital after-school program in Long Beach and Hempstead for elementary school age children.

V iolence P revention F unding

Funding under the Federal Family Violence Prevention Act changed in 2014. Funds that had passed through every year to Círculo and other violence prevention programs in New York State were made competitive for the first time. The agency had to apply for funds for its domestic violence program. Sarah Brewster wrote the grant and Círculo was awarded funding for a five year cycle. This was important to the organization because funding for domestic violence services had decreased over the past years and staffing had been reduced. Funds enabled the organization to provide full time staff to meet the needs of victims of violence, especially Spanish speaking victims of violence.

S pecial R ecognitions G iven to C írculo ’ s F ounder & E xecutive D irector in 2014

The year 2014 was a special one for Gil, Círculo’s Founder and Executive Director.

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