WINDHAM — The Latino Chamber in Windham has a lot to be proud of this month as they have selected its newest president.
Ruth Viruet was named to the position of president after the former president, Dianisi Torres, had to step aside to care for a sick family member in Puerto Rico. Prior to the role, Viruet was the vice president.
Viruet became involved with the chamber when connecting with founder Torres this past winter. She was quickly promoted to vice president and then eventually president.
“Ruth’s priorities have been to get more involved in the community, to meet and talk with Latino business owners, entrepreneurs, artists and individuals,” Windham Chamber President Michelle Garabedian said. “The Latino Chamber of Windham, although a nonprofit charity, is not another human services organization.”
Garabedian added the mission of the chamber is to unite the Latino community, to support and celebrate Windham’s unique and diverse Latino culture and to provide entrepreneurs a positive and supportive environment to meet, learn, share and grow.
What makes Viruet happy is talking about her Latino community and getting people together. When hearing the Latino Chamber’s mission was to bring together and promote the Latino community in a positive manner while providing leadership and mentorship to Latino entrepreneurs, she was determined to make it successful.
“It is my goal to help our Latino community connect,” Viruet said. “By connecting, we can acquire new knowledge, learn from each other and improve our quality of life.”
Viruet’s first job in Windham was at the Early Childhood Center, where she created pamphlets in Spanish and translated for Latino families.
She would then go on to work at Windham Middle School’s counseling office. Several years later, she had the opportunity to work at Generations Family Health Center, where she was able to help Latino families navigate the healthcare system.
Currently, Viruet works as a tax specialist and certified acceptance agent for H&R Block in Willimantic. In that position, Viruet works closely with Latino families and has been able to better understand the differences in the community, their talent, as well as their creative spirit.
“The Latino Chamber is the perfect space for all Latinos to connect, learn and celebrate our culture,” Viruet said.
Upcoming events in the chamber include monthly networking meetings on the first Thursday of each month, with the next one being on October 2 at 6 p.m.
During the monthly meetings, invited speakers discuss topics that Latinos have expressed interest in, with many of them related to starting and running a business. Topics include health and wellness, career development and personal and family needs, such as insurance information and financial planning.
Every Latino and Latino business in the Windham region is an automatic member, and admission to any of the events is free to them.
The chamber also offers workshops and webinars on topics that are of interest to the community, such as immigration, healthy cooking, making homes energy efficient, first-time home buyers, financial planning, funding for business start-ups, starting your own business classes, Serve Safe classes and preventing problem gambling.
Starting this month, there will be Start Your Own Business in partnership with CEDF, which will be held every Tuesday at 5:30 p.m.
On Thursday, October 16, there will be a Serve Safe class from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Also in October, the Chamber will be hosting “Fat Attack” and “Sugar Rush” wellness workshops.
“Ruth does a lot of community outreach on different topics,” Garabedian said. “She has been reaching out to educate the community on problem gambling, what is gambling, how to identify a problem, how to be responsible and where to find resources if you do know someone with a problem.”
Starting this month, Viruet will be reaching out to everyone about the Energize CT energy efficiency programs and to make sure people are aware of the ways they can save money on utilities.
National Hispanic Heritage month is September 15 through October 15, and the Latino Chamber is partnering with the Windham Arts and the Windham Region Chamber of Commerce to promote and acknowledge outstanding Latinos and Latino businesses in the community at the annual Latino Awards ceremony. The ceremony will be held on Monday, September 15, at 6 p.m. at the River Room.
During the month, the Chamber will promote the Latino community through social media, highlighting those who were nominated for awards.
On October 11, the Chamber will partner with other community organizations to host a small Latino Cultural Festival at Klaus Larsen. The festival will feature local artists, musicians, dancers, creators, restaurants and food trucks.
