18th Street Casa de Cultura

18th Street Casa de Cultura is a non-profit organization committed to celebrating and nurturing the cultural and artistic expressions of Chicago's Mexicano-Latino community. The organization's work centers on cultural practices, traditions, and artistic expressions to improve community life and foster healing. Located at 2057 W. 18th St. Chicago, IL 60608, the organization is volunteer-run and women-led. 18th Street Casa de Cultura operates with a focus on community-based programming. The organization is in its third year of operation. Its competitive advantages include a focus on cultural and artistic expression. The organization's core values include the belief that culture is knowledge, healing, power, and sovereignty. It emphasizes art and music engagement, cultural identity, decolonial learning, and language diversity. The organization's target industries include education, community development, arts and culture, and the non-profit sector. The organization's mission is reflected in its values, which emphasize the importance of culture in various aspects of community life. The organization is led by a team including Co-Founder Gina Pacheco-Gamboa, Director of Convivir LLC and Cultural Strategist Hilda Franco, Community Healer and Restorative Practice Specialist Victor Arroyo, Latin America Program Coordinator Jhonathan Gomez, Project Manager Gabriela Fuentes, Community Activist and Author Victor M. Cortés, and Assistant Professor Jorge F. Rodriguez.