Concilio strengthens the quality of life in our diverse communities
Purpose
To provide social, educational, cultural, prevention and intervention services and programs to underserved young people and families in the Philadelphia region.
To serve as a convener/voice for the diverse Latino community around issues impacting children, youth, and families.
To serve as a catalyst for maintaining and celebrating the cultural heritages and histories of our diverse Latino communities.
Concilio’s Advocacy Role
Concilio’s role as an advocate for the Latino community is to be presente, listening to, understanding and giving voice to the needs, wishes, and dreams of our diverse community.
Concilio also partners with other communities to address shared interests or concerns.
Founded in 1962, The Council of Spanish Speaking Organizations, Inc. (Concilio) is the oldest Latino organization in Philadelphia and has a well-established reputation as a leader in Latino family services. We are founded by a group of Latino leaders concerned with the economic, social, and political issues facing the growing Latino community of the City of Philadelphia. Today, Concilio embodies the same strength and fortitude of our founders, facing somewhat similar issues nearly a half-century later.
Concilio’s Cultural Events and Puerto Rican Week Festival
A Philadelphia tradition since 1962, the Puerto Rican Festival is a citywide series of events in September organized by Concilio. Since its humble beginnings, the Festival has promoted unity, economic development, and education while preserving and promoting the culture and heritage of its people, particularly by way of its two cornerstone events: Concilio’s Annual Puerto Rican Parade and Concilio’s Annual Puerto Rican Awards Gala.
Between the months of July through November, Hispanic Heritage is celebrated, particularly during September’s National Hispanic Heritage Month.
We are thrilled to host a series of events offered to all generations, including Concilio’s Annual Senior Luncheon, and Concilio’s signature event, Concilio’s Annual Hispanic Fiesta. During Fiesta, 60,000 members of our community join us to immerse themselves in Hispanic Culture in two fun-filled days of music, entertainment, food and crafts. Hispanic Fiesta has offered the community a family-oriented event since 1981. Over the years, we’ve provided the cool rhythms and melodious harmonies of mariachis, salsa, merengue, bachata, samba, cumbia and flamenco, and each year attendees can savor dozens of traditional dishes available from our food vendors.