El Taller Latino Americano is honored to celebrate the contributions of our Spanish Teacher, Yolanda Torres, and resident poet, Victor Hernandez, as part of our 35 Years Taller series. Yolanda and Victor will receive Chaski Awards for their support in creating beauty and truth at El Taller, as the evening will be filled with celebrations, poetry, dance and music from Palombo & Friends. 

More than our longest tenured teacher, Yolanda Torres is educator by day and community organizer of a co-op building of single mothers by night. You know her for her passion for language, but we honor her with a Chaski Award for being both friend and a relentless advocate for communities and still managing to jump on a table to demonstrate 'arriba' while teaching Spanish of the Americas. 

With a warm smile and raspy voice, Victor Hernandez has taught Spanish, supported Bernardo during rough times by helping however needed and always had time to write. It was not until one day, many years ago, with guitar in hand, that El Taller recognized a found-poet in our midst. He will be honored with a Chaski for not only supporting El Taller through his volunteerism, but in showing us all that art arises and surprises.