About Us

Change is not easy or comfortable. We understand that. Coming out of our comfort zones is a challenge, but staying stagnant in the same situation for decades is not the solution to a better future for the next generations.

Today, our Board of Directors and core group of volunteers stand together making the promise that our focus is to invest in our Puerto Rican and Hispanic communities. As we look at our mission, we realize that our work is monumental.

However, we are committed to working on those three pillars when engaging in activities and creating commitments.

Our pillars are defined as:

  • Leadership (through education and scholarships)
  • Cultural preservation (through cultural educational and recreational programs and events)
  • Community service (through collaborations and partnerships with other organizations and businesses in the region)

The focus on our three pillars will allows us to place the effort where we can make the most impact so our children, youth and other fellow Puerto Ricans and Hispanics can break the cycles that generationally have been part of our history.

We look forward to working with you.

The Connecticut Institute for Community Development-Puerto Rican Parade Committee (CICD) founded in 1958 dedicated to social engagement, community building, cultural enrichment, and most renowned for its annual Puerto Rican Day Parade. Cultivated decades ago through modest means, it has emerged as a parade of prominence in the state of Connecticut highlighting the sensational influences that Puerto Rican heritage has on society as a whole.

CICD Puerto Rican Parade Inc. is driven  100% by volunteers, and throughout the year, delivers events that celebrate the rich food, culture, and people of Puerto Rico. In the mission of celebrating Puerto Rican heritage in a city so heavily populated by people of Puerto Rican descent, the CICD is committed to honoring the past and embracing the future, bridging the gap between younger generations and our forefathers, and enriching and refining a lasting cultural legacy.

CICD-Puerto Rican Parade Inc. is dedicated to community building, providing cultural affairs through the Puerto Rican community in Greater Hartford, and is open to collaborating with individuals and organizations who share our beliefs and ideals in promoting such cause.