Latino Cultural Center to celebrate Day of the Family at new address

Maricela Alvarado
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The event, which will take place between 3-6 p.m., is open to the public and will include free entertainment, pastries and tours of the new headquarters. Staff and student volunteers helped move the center from the current location in South Campus Courts off Harrison Street. The center is renting the house from Purdue Research Foundation.

"The Latino Cultural Center has come a long way in a short amount of time, and this new residence will help solidify that progress," said Provost Sally Mason, whose office established the center in 2003. "People of all ethnic and cultural backgrounds have the opportunity to learn from programs that are designed to help enrich the understanding of Latino cultures. This house on Russell Street gives us room to expand those programs."

Built in the 1920s, the brick house is in the American Foursquare architectural style, which is characterized by a simple box shape, a four-room floor plan and a full-width porch with wide stairs. It has an Arts and Crafts-style interior with wood floors, natural woodwork and original light fixtures.

The house has been remodeled to accommodate modern requirements, such as new electrical wiring for a computer lab that will house six computers, with funding provided by Purdue Research Foundation and the Office of the Provost. The rear of the house and bathroom were remodeled to meet Americans with Disabilities Act standards.

"We are very grateful to many people who treated us like family throughout this process, so it's fitting to have our open house during our day when we honor our families," said Maricela Alvarado, LCC director. "Many people have been involved in getting 600 Russell St. up and going for us, including everyone in the Provost office, at ITAP and Purdue Research Foundation. It's amazing how this has all come together. Our alumni will be so proud."

The Latino Cultural Center is Purdue's first center for Hispanic and Latino culture. The center strives to provide a venue where people of similar cultures, values, customs and language can unite to share ideas and events with the university and the community.

Writer: Maggie Morris, (765) 494-2432, maggiemorris@purdue.edu

Source: Maricela Alvarado, (765) 494-2530, alvaradm@purdue.edu

Purdue News Service: (765) 494-2096; purduenews@purdue.edu

A publication-quality photograph is available at https://www.purdue.edu/uns/images/+2006/alvarado-LCCnewdigs.jpg

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