Philadelphia

Pixs: Global Tastes at the Reading Terminal: Nationalities Service Center Party To Honor Supporters

June 2, 2015 by HughE Dillon

 The Reading Terminal Market was host to a celebration earlier this month
to honor Hernán Guaracao (Publisher and CEO of Al Dia News Media) and
Ballard Spahr for their contributions to the Nationalities Service Center (NSC), the Philadelphia immigrant community and to celebrate our
city’s rich diversity through food.  The event was a success with over
225 people attending the celebration.

 Meridith Schwartz (R), Ballard, Spahr. accepts the Margaret Harris Award
on behalf of her and Shannon Farmer, Ballard, Spahr (L) with guest and
Kathy Ochroch, Director of Pro Bono Services at Blank Rome (center).
Guests sampled cuisines from around the world while enjoying varied
entertainment, including the XOL Azul Band and Hipnosis Tribal Belly
Dancers. 

Laura Colchie (visited the Lock’s Bridge in Paris, and is probably not happy that they’re dismantling it, who would be. Such a unique thing to do.) and Lilian Wehbe, Sales & Marketing Coordinator at Nationalities Service Center and she speaks Arabic.
Pam Price and Linda Mingone, President, The Linde Group, LLC

Since 1921, Nationalities Service Center (NSC) has been providing language translation and interpretation services to immigrants, refugees, and others from all over the globe right here in Philadelphia.
Today we also serve businesses, nonprofits, government agencies, and
individuals on projects of every size, scope, and subject.

Our Center City office is an important touchpoint for Philadelphians of all backgrounds, and our roots in the community go deep.

Juan Sebastian Salcedo, Elsa Ochoa, Elizabeth Guaracao, Hernan Guaracao
(he received the Nationalities Service Award), Anna Guaracao, Gabriela
Guaracao and Matthew Fontana.
Hernan Guaracao is the Founder & CEO at AL DIA News Media Inc., a newspaper that he started in his kitchen; he realized their wasn’t a voice for the community, he’d help create that voice, and he certainly has.
Gabriela Pedroza Sanchez, Mia Montes Torres and Alicia Anguiano

Danya Sharp, NSC Mental Health Specialist and Matthew Sharp

Sue Jacquette, Co-Founder and Event Director at AEC Partners, LLC, Kate and Adam Rivera

 In an historic and generous demonstration of support, an anonymous donor
has confirmed a donation of $1 million to Nationalities Service Center
(NSC). This is the largest single gift from an individual in NSC’s long
and storied history. According to Margaret M. O’Sullivan, Executive
Director of NSC, “This gift is a breathtaking expression of generosity.

 It demonstrates the kind of informed, strategic and authentically
empathetic kind of giving that we hope will inspire others to recognize
how much this organization is doing to provide a dignified response to
the extraordinary challenges which face the immigrants and refugees that
we are privileged to serve.” This donation is an investment in the
sustainability and future of NSC, offering financial support in the
areas of staff investment, debt reduction, capital improvements to the
operational headquarters, and the creation of a restricted Reserve
Account to shore up NSC’s financial position for the long term.