Laca/El Buen Amigo

The Latin American Cultural Association builds community through arts, education  and cultural programming.  Using the arts as a vehicle to inspire cross cultural understanding.   LACA makes the rich cultural heritage of the Americas accessible to the Western New  York community through our fair trade  store front  "  EL BUEN AMIGO " AND UNIQUE LATIN AMERICAN ORGANIZATION.       El Buen Amigo works to promote human rights and justice for our Brothers and Sisters in Central, Caribe and South America.   By providing them with an outlet for their artisan goods, we help achieve more fair and sustainable lives for them and their families in countries where economies are sagging, unemployment is high and vocational opportunities are few.   LACA and  EL BUEN AMIGO enhances human dignity by encouraging the expression of culture through the arts.   Histories and Culture  are preserved and shared between North American and the skilled crafts people of the Latino countries.   EL BUEN AMIGO  and  LACA  creates understanding and appreciation of  Latino culture and encourage knowledge of present day conditions, thereby forging bonds of solidarity among all people of both hemispheres.      WE helps to preserve the arts and crafts of Maya, Inca and other indigenous communities that  want and need to maintain theirs traditional ways, artistic integrity and vocational independence.    You may see and purchase their handmade goods in our store front  EL BUEN AMIGO

SPANISH classes:   Learn the language with authentic native speakers professional teachers.   Beginner:  Monday and Wednesday  5:30 to 7:00 pm. and Saturday  9:00 to 11:00 am.    Intermediate:   Tuesday and Thursday  5:30 to 7:00 pm. and    Advanced  are   Saturday from  11:30  to  1:30 pm.   Instructions are on-going.   18 hours of classes in total.  Cycles are 6 weeks or 9 weeks.   Private are  $  35.00 per person.      Corporate Group Instruction for larger group instruction in the Spanish language a specialized curriculum can be introuced to satisfy your unique needs; with a special emphasis in your professional career.   Include Certificate of completion.   $ 185.00 per person up to a group of 20 persons, either in our place ( 114 Elmwood Ave. 14201 Buffalo NY.) or at your place.    Translation services  at a rate of $ 35.00 per page.                    FIELD TRIP for the Cultural Extension Program which is designed to create awareness among youth students ( 7th  to 12th grade )about Latin American culture and crafts, fair trade, tolerance, understanding and related  social justice issues.  1) Character Tower  a team building workshop that teaches the importance of values.       2) Latino Dance  learn and experience rhythmic dance such as Salsa with a qualify teacher.     3) Jewelry making learn the basic of jewelry design and enjoy the process of creating individual pieces of bracelet or necklace.    Lunch, enjoy the authentic multi dish Latin American meal, buffet style. Discussion of Fair Trade economy  and Immigration issues.                                                            INTERNSHIPS  AND  VOLUNTEERING   we offer  internship to students of any background  and Volunteering to people who are looking to gain experience can come to our LACA  community and help others.       BOOKS  TO  CHILE    We are requesting  books and National Geographic in English to send  to schools in  Chile from pre K  to College level.                  THE  MURAL       Since it's  "founding", in 1492,  America has a clash between  the European  and  Indigenous cultures,  this conflict has also affected the environment.   People have suffered  profound consequences due the centuries of human rights  abuses.    The south wall of our building will be used to chronicle  that problems and advocate protection of the Mother Earth.   This project will be inclusive, embracing artists from all part of Buffalo and beyond                                                   MUSIC  AND ART  The Buffalo arts community gains support at El Buen Amigo.   We provide education, entertainment, community interaction and trade.    We have Gallery opening, live concerts, movies, Poetry reading, will host evening events and always open to members of the community.    And many many others venues sharing our culture.