La Casa Cultural at Yale College

Founded in 1974, Casa Boricua, Inc.—which became La Casa Cultural in 1977 upon moving to its current location at 301 Crown Street—was established by Yale University after a group of Puerto Rican undergraduates and local Puerto Ricans voiced the need for a facility that would promote cultural and educational events related to the Puerto Rican experience. The building in which La Casa is located was chosen in part because it was known to have been constructed by Puerto Rican builders. Established at its current location in 1977, La Casa Cultural provides a home away from home for Latine students at Yale. Within the three-story, 19th-century red brick house, students socialize, plan activities, cook together in a fully-equipped kitchen, discuss Latine and Latin American issues at events featuring visiting scholars, and in general come together to create a warm and robust community. Students who visit the Center enjoy an ever-expanding library of books and resource materials on Latine and Latin American topics; a kitchen to cook meals and enjoy snacks; computer room in which to compose papers, check e-mail, and conduct online research; a large multipurpose gathering space; sevral organizational offices; and student lounges. The center is also open to New Haven Latine community members, like the Literacy Volunteers of Greater New Haven and their community-based ESL programs for non-English speakers.