Episode Transcript
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Speaker 1 (00:00):
Hello, and welcome to the weekly show here on iHeartRadio,
a ninety three nine Light FM, one of three five
KISSFM and Rock ninety five to five. I'm Paulina, and
every week we're here to discuss a variety of topics
that matter to Chicagoland. Today we are chatting with our
friends from visit Puerto Rico, and we're also talking to
our friends at the Little Village Chamber of Commerce. And Whitney,
Reynolds and Brady are back with another episode of Whitney's Women.
Speaker 2 (00:23):
Enjoy the show.
Speaker 1 (00:24):
Hi, it's Paulina here with iHeartMedia Chicago, and today I
am chatting with our friends from Discover Puerto Rico.
Speaker 3 (00:31):
Dablin Tardi. How are you today?
Speaker 4 (00:33):
Yeah?
Speaker 5 (00:34):
Greating's from Puerto Rico. Thank you for having me.
Speaker 3 (00:37):
I'm so jealous. You are literally on the island right now.
Speaker 1 (00:40):
You are in Puerto Rico, and I just have to say,
I am so jealous.
Speaker 3 (00:44):
How is it right now over there?
Speaker 5 (00:46):
It's just perfect. You know that Puerto Rico has the
longest holiday season of the world, and actually this week
we're celebrating our most important festival of the year, which
is Fla, So we are just ready to Parry ready
to dance some music to be on us Juan celebrating
(01:07):
and closing the holidays.
Speaker 3 (01:09):
Oh that's so beautiful. I love it.
Speaker 1 (01:11):
Well, thank you for taking the time to chat with
us today here in Chicago. You know, I know that
you were here recently at some of our local Puerto
Rican restaurants supporting local businesses, which was amazing. Also, you know,
spreading the message that we're going to dive into as
well about those interested and you know, wanting to visit
Puerto Rico. Before we dive into it really quick, could
you mind giving us a little bit of background about
(01:32):
you and yourself.
Speaker 5 (01:34):
Of course, I have been working with this for Puerto
Rico for more than five years on the communications and
public relations side. My background is in public relations and journalism,
so I have been working with different entities here on
the island trying to develop communications and strategies to promote
small businesses, and now in Discover we are doing almost
(01:56):
the same thing right. The idea is that we can
bring prosperity to the people of Puerto Rico, bring businesses
for the true tourism industry, and making sure that we
are educating travelers to visit the island and also a
just share the message about all the things that Puerto
Rico ass Nation has to offer.
Speaker 1 (02:15):
Absolutely so, Discover Puerto Rico is the official destination marketing
organization right for Puerto Rico establishment legislation in twenty seventeen.
And you're a non profit organization that Nick you said
you focus on promoting authentic experiences centered on the island's
rich history, culture and so much more so, I would
love to talk to you as well about you know,
Puerto Rico being a travel destination and from my understanding,
(02:39):
it's surgeon popularity as well, becoming the second most search
location in the Caribbean.
Speaker 3 (02:44):
Is that true?
Speaker 5 (02:45):
We have been seeing a bust on our tourism industry.
Actually on twenty twenty four until November twenty twenty four,
we're able to receive almost six pointy five million of
passengers two cents one, which is how we're international airport,
which is eiguish for us. And this is part of
the air force that the entire industry is doing to
(03:06):
promote the destination to target that constituous traveler that is
interested in explore and know more about our culture, our
gastronomy and all of the things that Porto Rico has
to offer. We are a very small island, but we
have seventy eight municipalities. So just imagine how expense and
diverse can be the destination and all the offerings that
(03:28):
we have for different interests and different travelers too.
Speaker 3 (03:33):
Absolutely, so can we dive into that as well?
Speaker 1 (03:34):
And maybe this kind of also bounces off of, you know,
the destination itself, of what you know tourists can expect
and also like how they can also you know, definitely
take advantage of the beautiful island of when you know
they do visit. The Live Briqua campaign, right, it's too
enhance the overall perception of Puerto Rico as a destination
and of course you know those who the island so
(03:58):
when it comes to your campaign, promise is a deeper
and more meaningful experience travelers.
Speaker 3 (04:05):
And what does that entail for you guys?
Speaker 5 (04:07):
Right? So, as you mentioned, we are the destinational marketing
organization and one of our biggest commitments is to the
centralized tourism from San Juan. As you may know, sanje
is our capital, so it's one of the most popular
places to come and visit and what we want to
do is to make sure that we are educating travelers
about all the offerings that we have in the different
(04:28):
regions that we have. And this is important because bringing
prosperity to Puerto Rico can't only be only to San Juan.
We need to make sure that we are impacting different
communities that we are impacting and giving tools for the
communities to receive visitors but also to offer experiences and attractions.
So that's the type of tourism move that we want
(04:50):
to promote and that's why Liboriqua is created. The idea
of Libodqua was to enhance the overall perception of Puerto
Rico as a destination and obviously drive that consideration and
ultimately visitation to be island. Something really important Paulina is
that we are a US territory. So there is a
lot of Americans that doesn't know that they don't need
(05:10):
a passport, they don't neither need a change on the currency.
And that's one of the value propositions that we want
to push. We are trying to educate people to understand
that Puerto Rico has an identity and Puerto Rico has
a lot of things likes from museums to astronomy, to adventure.
It's not only beaches, it's not only also one is
(05:31):
more than that is a callout to all of those
visitors to get immersed into our culture, to get to
know our people. We are people that are so happy
that all welcoming, right, and that's something that you can
experience when you come to the island. Puerto Rica has
a momentum right now, Like everybody's talking about Puerto Rico
(05:53):
because of the music and other elements, and we're trying
to you know, compelling all of those elements into our campaign.
Speaker 3 (06:02):
Yes, oh I love it.
Speaker 1 (06:04):
And what about you know, small businesses and you know
the local communities that you've mentioned in Puerto Rico, you know,
for us tourists or for those who want to visit
the island. What's the best way to support the communities right,
to support small businesses? Is it to because and when
I go to Google sometimes I'm like, I want to,
you know, check out the spot that like, you know,
(06:26):
is like the local place people go, you know, and
I want to make sure that I'm really kind of
like just in the culture of it all. What's the
best kind of way to do that? As or like
a website to go to. Do you have any recommendations?
Speaker 5 (06:37):
Yes, So Discolorpuerto Rico dot com is our official website.
The idea is that that is the official guide for busitors.
Over there, you will see landing pages with information perion,
per municipality, with attractions, with restaurants, even with the calendar
of events, so you can participate on festivals, concerts and
(06:59):
you need it. The idea of that website is that
all the content is created by our local team, so
we make sure that all the information is operate and
that we are integrating local businesses. Now that you mentioned
how can we make sure that visitors are supporting local businesses.
My encouragement is to go directly to tourist attractions, to
(07:24):
tourist operations and operators right and making sure that you
are connecting with those communities that are developing experiences for visitors.
We have been also doing something very specific and is
that if we want to promote the destination, we need
to actually connect with the communities and offer tools for them.
(07:46):
And we developed a very interesting program locally that is
called Idea, which is the Idea in English, and it
was a digital academy for local businesses The idea was
that we went to every single municipally, we connected with businesses,
We gave them workshops, we help them to create their
(08:06):
social media, so we promote and we have all the
information on our websites, but also we encourage visitors to
go and visit those social channels. And I think that's
really important. You know, we need to sing singing the
same song and at the end of the day bringing
busitors and it is the ultimate purpose. But the idea
(08:28):
is to connect them directly with those businesses.
Speaker 1 (08:31):
Yes, absolutely, and I appreciate you being here with us
today and obviously giving us all the information about the
beautiful island of Puerto Rico.
Speaker 3 (08:40):
Really quick for our Chicago listeners of course, because that's
where we are.
Speaker 1 (08:43):
Where can we check out flights? I know you guys,
I believe added some whether it's from Midway or O'Hare.
Are two airports here, What do the flights look like,
the cruises, all transportation modes to get to the island.
Speaker 5 (08:56):
Yes, So first you mentioned a very important point. Chicago
has a very intense Puerto Rican community, which we loved,
and that's why it's a direct a market for us.
So right now, someone has great air access from Chicago
with daily non stuff flights from or rd via American
(09:18):
Airlines is Spirit and United Airlines. The good thing is
that the direct flight is only four hours on a half,
so it's a very short trip that you can take
and escape from the winter easily. Another offer that we
have available is that Southwest is offering convenient daily service
from MBW Midway and also at the moment, we have
(09:43):
almost thirty weekly flights to shoot from San Juan from
the Chicago area.
Speaker 3 (09:49):
Perfect. That's so wonderful.
Speaker 1 (09:51):
We really appreciate you being here with us today and
for sharing all this information. Can you give us a
all more time a website to check out or if
you guys are on social media, where can we follow?
Speaker 5 (10:00):
Of course you need to visit this screperto Rico dot
com for the website and follow us in our social
channels by the score Porto Rico and we hope to
see you all soon here early.
Speaker 3 (10:12):
I am awesome, Thank you so much, thank you.
Speaker 4 (10:16):
She never seizes to amaze me. Literally brought me to
tears here before I turn the microphone on.
Speaker 6 (10:21):
We'll get to that in a later date.
Speaker 4 (10:23):
Because she is such a sweetheart in the salt of
the earth and bringing positivity to an energy to the
city that in the world that needs it the most.
Right now, this is it, Whitney Reynolds. We need you,
we clone.
Speaker 7 (10:34):
You, we ay everybody to do their part. You know,
we we call this Whitney's Women, but I mean everybody
literally has the opportunity to give back in big ways
and that's what this segment is all about. And you know,
this is my second time in this month because there
is so much goodness around the city and I'm so
honored to be a vehicle that gets to highlight it.
(10:55):
And today we just have the amazing August spree with
Twist Out Cancer. You have an amazing event coming up.
Yeah yeah, tell us about it and welcome to Whitney's Women.
Speaker 6 (11:05):
Girlfriend, Thanks for having me. I'm very excited to be here.
Speaker 8 (11:09):
So the event coming up is on March fifteenth, and
it is called Brushes with Cancer. It's our art exhibition
and celebration.
Speaker 6 (11:16):
So you know, when I think.
Speaker 7 (11:18):
Of March, I just get really excited. I'm smiling. I
know people can't see me on the radio right now
because you just can hear my voice, but I am
smiling when I think about March because we are almost
out of the longest January ever and February, but March
is that time where things really start blooming, things happen,
and this is really an event that is going to
(11:38):
make change. Twist out Cancer tell us about the mission,
So we.
Speaker 8 (11:43):
Use creative arts programming to help provide social and emotional
support to those who have been touched by cancer. That's
the synopsis of it, and the Brushes with Cancer program specifically,
we take people who have been affected by cancer, so
it could be previvers, survivors, or caregivers, and we match
them one on one with artists and then they spend
six months just getting to know one another and the
(12:04):
inspiration as we call them. They share their story with
the artist and then the artist creates a piece to
reflect their story back to them. And that is what
this event is, is where we unveil all of the
art and we celebrate the beauty that can come from
really painful situations.
Speaker 7 (12:19):
Wow, the beauty that can come from painful situations. You
are nailing it on the head because every story there
can be beauty found even in the most difficult chapters.
These people impacted and the artists have already gotten together. Yes,
when did that happen?
Speaker 8 (12:35):
For the last six months for the last My job
is I match people. I'm like a matchmaker match maker.
Speaker 6 (12:40):
In the art world.
Speaker 7 (12:42):
I love it so and then they just get together
and they talk about their story.
Speaker 8 (12:46):
Yeah. So it's really an act of trust. On the
inspiration side, they have to trust someone with their story.
They don't have input on the art. Occasionally the pairs
will collaborate a little bit artistically, but not all the time.
And then the artist, it's all so an act of
vulnerability for them because they have to create something on
someone else's behalf.
Speaker 6 (13:04):
Wow, it's not just on their own.
Speaker 7 (13:05):
Well, and then the unveiling, let's talk about that. People
can actually get tickets to this, yes, yeah, so tell
us how do people sign up for the evening?
Speaker 8 (13:12):
Yes, so you can go to twist outcancer dot org
and there's a pop up where you can see where
the tickets and you know what the options are for
tickets to join us. So it won't be only the
inspirations and the artists there. It'll be you know, everyone
in their circles. But also we open it to the
public so everyone can enjoy this art and the stories
that are associated.
Speaker 7 (13:32):
Wow, And so when they unveil it, do they actually
share the story?
Speaker 8 (13:35):
Like, tell us how that works. We post the stories
next to the pieces. So when you go to a
typical art exhibit, it just has a tiny little card
with you know, and we do a larger statement so
it includes a statement from the inspiration and also from
the artist as to what went into the piece.
Speaker 7 (13:50):
Do the people impacted get to keep the piece or
then do what goes with the pieces afterwards?
Speaker 6 (13:56):
So it's very interesting.
Speaker 3 (13:57):
We auction oh yeah, I was open, so yes.
Speaker 6 (14:00):
And it helps.
Speaker 8 (14:01):
It's a pay it forward model, so each program helps
fund the next program and how many people we can
accept into the next program. So sometimes people are like,
I shared my story. I wanted to go out there
and have someone else, you know, have the art and
continue telling that story. And other people do want the
art for themselves, so you know, we have those conversations
with the participants themselves.
Speaker 7 (14:21):
That is beautiful. Okay, So tell us the info again,
when and where they get the tickets, the timing all that.
Speaker 8 (14:27):
It is on Saturday, March fifteenth at seven pm at
Writers Theater in glen Coe, which is a gorgeous venue
and you can get tickets at twistoutcancer dot org and
find out all the info. They'll be food and drinks
and you know, music and dancing, all the things.
Speaker 7 (14:41):
Well, and when you said you know that you really
work with people that have been touched by cancer, I
haven't met someone I don't know and how long hasn't
been touched by cancer?
Speaker 6 (14:52):
So true, right, I know?
Speaker 7 (14:54):
And so to know what you're doing, like outside of
this event, what are some of the other things that
you're doing in our community.
Speaker 8 (15:00):
We have several Brushes with Cancer events that happen every year,
so there's that and people can apply to participate.
Speaker 6 (15:06):
We also do twist shops, so that's our version of workshops.
Speaker 8 (15:08):
And though that program is run by our art therapist
and she's incredible, and we do more than fifty of
those a year, and some of them are virtual and
some are in person, and so like, there are a
lot of ways to get plugged in and start participating
in things.
Speaker 7 (15:21):
I love it, August, thank you so much for being
my Whitney's Woman to round out February the month of
love and snow in Chicago.
Speaker 4 (15:30):
Yeah, and what an unbelievable combination of things, right, things
that Chicagoans love first of all, we love helping each other.
We do, and I mean bringing the arts into it.
It's such a unique and fun way of presenting a story.
And I love I love that quote, what was it again?
Speaker 6 (15:46):
Through pain?
Speaker 8 (15:47):
We celebrating the pain that comes through painful situation.
Speaker 6 (15:51):
Right that down?
Speaker 3 (15:51):
Yeah?
Speaker 6 (15:52):
Right, I get that. At that's a tattoo. Yeah, let's go.
Speaker 7 (15:57):
You know, I already got my Zega earring hole this year,
so I'm really living on the.
Speaker 6 (16:01):
Egg baby steps. We'll get you there.
Speaker 4 (16:03):
But anyways, we got a lot of things to talk
about with you, because I know, like as we speak
right now, you're getting ready to go.
Speaker 6 (16:08):
You're always on the go. I think you've got a
flight to catch.
Speaker 4 (16:11):
I do, but you're always thinking about the next thing,
and you've got several next things coming up for you.
Speaker 5 (16:15):
Yeah, you know what.
Speaker 7 (16:16):
It is one of those things that as we have
been calm in January and February, and I really say
that because it feels really calm and I'm so used
to going producing doing But now I'm excited because we
have everything starting to tape and we are debuting on
April fourteenth. We have Whitney Reynolds live limited tickets. I
(16:37):
love being able to open up our doors to anybody
and everybody, and that will still happen, but there's very limited.
So go to Whitney Reynolds dot com if you want
to be at our premiere live experience. You know, August
nailed it on the head when she was talking about stories,
because as a national TV show that's home based here
in Chicago, that's what we're dedicated to. It's all about
(16:58):
being that safe space for delicate stories because we all
know we have those, and if we can connect the
dots for people after us, that's what's up.
Speaker 9 (17:05):
I know.
Speaker 6 (17:06):
Perfect. So April's going to be the premiere.
Speaker 7 (17:08):
Well April fourteen, Yes, Whitney Reynolds dot Com has everything.
Speaker 6 (17:10):
To be there. You got to get your ticket ram,
you know.
Speaker 7 (17:12):
But before April, like Brady, tell them what we're doing
next weekend together, Well.
Speaker 4 (17:16):
We we got to talk about this because we'll dedicate
a whole Whitney's women to it.
Speaker 6 (17:20):
But we're gonna be walking up the Hancock.
Speaker 7 (17:21):
If they can hear us, if we do it, when
we climb, they might not be able to hear.
Speaker 4 (17:24):
We will breath, I will be you'd be giving me
a piggyback. I feel like you're a way better shape
than I am. When it comes to climbs the stairs.
Speaker 7 (17:31):
I did it last year. This is I think gonna
be my fourth. Your Sun did it, yet my son
did it, and that's what I was gonna say. If
my seven year old could do it, I know. And
they have like cute little like cheerleaders and different signs
and people that have been impacted by lung cancer in
the stairwell, like motivational signs, all that kind of stuff,
and it's really this community for lung health. Respertory Health
(17:51):
Association was so excited for Team Brady walking in your
dad's memory. I mean, are not walking, We're gonna run
up those stairs.
Speaker 6 (17:59):
Okay, say so run as a relative term, but no.
Speaker 4 (18:03):
Yes, thank you Whitney for putting it all together and
doing this to honor my father who did pass away
last year because of lung disease. So I'm really excited
to walk up the handcock in his honor. All thanks
to you. You called my wife and my friends put together.
You would make a great surprise party.
Speaker 7 (18:19):
The party post yes, and they say they have emoss
at the top, so we'll have to see once we
climb to the top, you know, help be a party.
Speaker 6 (18:26):
All right.
Speaker 4 (18:26):
Well, Whitney, thank you again for everything for all you
do for Chicago in the world and continue spreading that positivity.
Speaker 2 (18:31):
Thank you. Brady.
Speaker 1 (18:32):
Hi, it's Paulina here with iHeartMedia Chicago and today I
am chatting with our friends. We are chatting with Jennifer
Aguilatt and Olman Shaheen and we are talking to our
friends and from the Little Village Chamber of Commerce.
Speaker 3 (18:44):
How are you today?
Speaker 9 (18:46):
We're doing We thank you awesome.
Speaker 3 (18:48):
Thank you both for joining me today.
Speaker 1 (18:50):
You know, it's it's truly cool to be able to
talk to you both because I have worked with you
before in the past. You know, hope to do more
in the future, especially this year and the next, you know,
several years would be amazing. So I really appreciate this partnership,
and you know your contribution to the show today is
super important for our community and for our city of Chicago.
(19:11):
So first things first, Jennifer, I'll start with you. Can
you both give me a little bit of a background
about the Little Village Chamber of Commerce and then also
you know your role and sort of like what you
and your day to day look like yes.
Speaker 5 (19:24):
So.
Speaker 9 (19:24):
The Little Village Chamber of Commerce has been serving the
Little Village community since nineteen ninety. It focuses on helping
and working with and for our small business community here
in Little Village, especially down twenty sixth Street, twenty fifth Street,
thirty first Street, just to make sure that we help
(19:48):
our businesses stay open, grow, thrive and expand. Most recently
we have been working outside of our Little Village boundaries,
being small business owners from around Chicago Land, so anyone
and everyone is welcome here. We offer services for our
(20:11):
businesses like one on one business advising. We also put
on the city's largest Mexican Independence Day parade, and we
also do all sorts of events and educational workshops to
make sure that our businesses are are being supported.
Speaker 1 (20:33):
Amazing. Thank you for sharing and olmen, will you give
us a little bit of background about yourself as well?
Speaker 5 (20:38):
Yeah?
Speaker 2 (20:38):
So hi, thank you, Paulina. So yeah. As director of
Outreach and Community Development, my role is really to really
engage the community at large, to invite them to join
in our efforts as well here with the Little Village
Chamber of Commerce, to become informed with what opportunities we
have as well as informed them of opportunities that are
(21:00):
taking place throughout the Chicago Land area or throughout the
state that may be somewhat of a benefit for business
for the business commerce throughout the Little Village community and
the surrounding suburban area as well. So including speaking to
the business owners or throughout the Little Village community, we're
also trying to engage them with within different aspects to
(21:24):
just continue to create a more vibrant, vinrant community here
and throughout the Chicago Land area.
Speaker 3 (21:31):
Absolutely, And you know, I've read and I've.
Speaker 1 (21:35):
Heard many of you know, I've read publications here in Chicago,
you know specifically say and site that Little Village is,
particularly twenty sixth Street is super important for the economy.
Just you know, I'm assuming, look, you know, in Chicago,
but also probably you know, the state of Illinois. I
feel like it brings in so much revenue. It's such
(21:56):
a staple here in the city of Chicago. Is that
something that is you know, being impacted right now due
to our current policies or the ones that are you know,
trying to come into to attack or the ones that
actually have when it comes to our current immigration policies,
Are they impacting these businesses, particularly you know in Little
Village and on twenty sixth Street.
Speaker 9 (22:17):
Yes, you are right. We are a very strong economy
here in Little Village. Are our commercial corridor come second
to Michigan Avenue. This this commercial corridor here in Little
Village generates over nine hundred million dollars in tax in
Texas for the city and it is a very important
(22:40):
part of the state's economy as well. And unfortunately, these
policies that are being put in place are are affecting
our commercial corridor in a negative way. The week that
these raids were announced public really showed us basically the
(23:03):
impact we saw that week and the following week, and
we are still seeing it today, how traffic has slowed
down on the usually busy impact twenty sixth Street. We've
heard from our small businesses that they have had significant losses.
I was just talking to a business owner a few
(23:25):
minutes ago and she let us know that just within
the last two weeks she's reporting about forty percent losses. Still,
so the effect of these policies are really affecting the
business's bottom lines. A lot of them have had to
close their business during the first few weeks and others
are still only opening for one shift when before they
(23:48):
would open for two shifts, just because they're not seeing
a lot of visitors as they usually would.
Speaker 2 (23:56):
Yeah, and including that, as Jennifer mentioned, the pulling as well,
there's also been a decrease in workload for the employees
within certain establishments where owners are having to kind of
step up to the plate and commit to more hours
within their establishments since they're unable to be providing work
(24:20):
towards the work community that they had at one point.
So definitely the struggle is there for many of our businesses.
If it's not you know, people being in fear of
really just coming back out to work, I mean, it's
the layoffs of opportunities right now that are affecting not
(24:42):
just the revenue community, but those families who are depending
on their income to also sustain their families as well.
Speaker 1 (24:51):
And that's I think what's become the most devastating part
of all of us is that we, I don't know,
I feel like we need to understand like that these
are real people, and of course they're businesses that have
you know, extremely thriving businesses. On twenty six and in
the little village and beyond, but also that you know,
these are people's livelihoods, and I think that's something that's
(25:11):
super important to understand. Remember, but also we see that
you know, the economy of you know, little village has
been affected by the current administration if you want to say,
or you know, just by currently what is even happening.
So that's something I think it's really important to also
recognize as well, especially with the current immigration policies. So
what is something that you know, Chicagoans, what can we
(25:37):
do to continue to help boost you know, the Little
village economy just also the you know economy of of
you know, our current you know, of our fellow Chicagoans.
Speaker 3 (25:47):
How can we help?
Speaker 9 (25:50):
Yes, thank you for that question. We've been getting a
lot of people asking us the same thing, and we've
been really pushing the message of you can come and
help and make your impact during these difficult times by
just coming out here and to Little Village and visiting
a business and going to eat lunch and just spending
(26:12):
a day with family here, leaving your dollars here. Like
old men mentioned, it's not just the business. It's almost
like a ripple effect, right, because these businesses have employees
and those employees have their families, so when you spend
your money here, you're able to leave your impact in
the entire community, and that is what we need the
(26:36):
most of. For those of you who have jobs, if
you're going into your office and maybe you're thinking of
catering for your office or for your parties, make sure
you're consider our restaurants here in a little village. Many
of them do catering, and they deliver to various areas
of the city, so there's a variety of ways to
(26:58):
make sure you can give back, can support.
Speaker 3 (27:03):
I love that.
Speaker 1 (27:04):
I think that's wonderful and I think all of our
listeners can definitely get behind that. Can you, If you
don't mind, maybe provide a list of a couple of
your favorite places that we can support. If you can
think of top of mind, I'd love to give them
a shout out as well.
Speaker 9 (27:17):
Yes, I would say, uh, Restanton is a really great option.
They have amazing food for breakfast and lunch and dinner,
iconic tacos. I also highly recommend, like I'm blanking right now, Yes,
(27:46):
is really great that the tacos there are are amazing.
Auascalientes have amazing gorditas, so there's a variety of good options.
Speaker 2 (27:58):
Here, definitely, and there's also just a vast array of
different businesses to Paulina that the Chicago Land area can
come out and support, like our Kinsera shops as well
as flower shops throughout the community as well. And not
to forget about the discount mall right that's out there
(28:18):
in Little that's you're in Little village as well. Who's
very dependent on you know, the community at large to
keeping them in business as well. I know they're struggling
deeply right now, but yeah, any any and all of
our business here are vibrant businesses. They're very very culturally sound,
and I think they all have a need, especially at
(28:39):
this very moment for us to continue to shop local here.
Speaker 3 (28:43):
Absolutely, I love it.
Speaker 1 (28:46):
My last and final question, you know, for you would
be are there any other kind of resources right or
support that we can provide these businesses during this time
when they need help, you know, just navigating or they're
navigating obviously you know their businesses, whether it's through like
you know, employment, like if they can even hire people
to work in their businesses, and of course you know,
(29:07):
sustaining their business, but also those have been affected by
the immigration policy situation and the changes. Is there anything
else that we can do as far as support and
provide resources.
Speaker 9 (29:20):
We've been doing a lot of know your Rights outreach
to make sure that everybody has that information that they're
ready for their businesses and their employees as well. And
we're just advocating to two people to you know, to
come out and if they can to to help in
(29:43):
any way that they can by donating, we're actually promoting
our businesses throughout Chicago Land and and just creating content
of your content creator come out to Little Village and
feature some of our businesses. That would be a great
way to help as well.
Speaker 1 (30:04):
I love that absolutely, So there are various ways to
help to our listeners who are currently tuning in, and
I believe that, you know, we are stronger together.
Speaker 3 (30:11):
So I do really.
Speaker 1 (30:13):
Appreciate you coming on and for you know, sharing your
stories obviously, you know, sharing your your roles with the
Little Village Chamber of Commerce and how you guys are
doing all this impactful work as well. So thank you
both for that, and of course thank you for coming
on and sharing all of the insights that we were
asking for, you know, regarding you know, the community of
Little Village. And then also, yeah, just thank you for
(30:33):
sharing those businesses. We're going to check them out this weekend.
I promise you that all at least I will be I'll.
Speaker 3 (30:37):
Be doing that.
Speaker 9 (30:38):
Thank you for of course, thank you both.
Speaker 1 (30:41):
Thank you for listening, and thank you for tuning in
for the weekly show. We love and appreciate when you
join us every single week. You can also find this
episode and other episodes up on our free iHeartRadio app
right now, just search forth a weekly show. Thank you
and talk to you again next weekend.
Hello, and welcome to the weekly show here on iHeartRadio,
a ninety three nine Light FM, one of three five
KISSFM and Rock ninety five to five. I'm Paulina, and
every week we're here to discuss a variety of topics
that matter to Chicagoland. Today we are chatting with our
friends from visit Puerto Rico, and we're also talking to
our friends at the Little Village Chamber of Commerce. And Whitney,
Reynolds and Brady are back with another episode of Whitney's Women.
Speaker 2 (00:23):
Enjoy the show.
Speaker 1 (00:24):
Hi, it's Paulina here with iHeartMedia Chicago, and today I
am chatting with our friends from Discover Puerto Rico.
Speaker 3 (00:31):
Dablin Tardi. How are you today?
Speaker 4 (00:33):
Yeah?
Speaker 5 (00:34):
Greating's from Puerto Rico. Thank you for having me.
Speaker 3 (00:37):
I'm so jealous. You are literally on the island right now.
Speaker 1 (00:40):
You are in Puerto Rico, and I just have to say,
I am so jealous.
Speaker 3 (00:44):
How is it right now over there?
Speaker 5 (00:46):
It's just perfect. You know that Puerto Rico has the
longest holiday season of the world, and actually this week
we're celebrating our most important festival of the year, which
is Fla, So we are just ready to Parry ready
to dance some music to be on us Juan celebrating
(01:07):
and closing the holidays.
Speaker 3 (01:09):
Oh that's so beautiful. I love it.
Speaker 1 (01:11):
Well, thank you for taking the time to chat with
us today here in Chicago. You know, I know that
you were here recently at some of our local Puerto
Rican restaurants supporting local businesses, which was amazing. Also, you know,
spreading the message that we're going to dive into as
well about those interested and you know, wanting to visit
Puerto Rico. Before we dive into it really quick, could
you mind giving us a little bit of background about
(01:32):
you and yourself.
Speaker 5 (01:34):
Of course, I have been working with this for Puerto
Rico for more than five years on the communications and
public relations side. My background is in public relations and journalism,
so I have been working with different entities here on
the island trying to develop communications and strategies to promote
small businesses, and now in Discover we are doing almost
(01:56):
the same thing right. The idea is that we can
bring prosperity to the people of Puerto Rico, bring businesses
for the true tourism industry, and making sure that we
are educating travelers to visit the island and also a
just share the message about all the things that Puerto
Rico ass Nation has to offer.
Speaker 1 (02:15):
Absolutely so, Discover Puerto Rico is the official destination marketing
organization right for Puerto Rico establishment legislation in twenty seventeen.
And you're a non profit organization that Nick you said
you focus on promoting authentic experiences centered on the island's
rich history, culture and so much more so, I would
love to talk to you as well about you know,
Puerto Rico being a travel destination and from my understanding,
(02:39):
it's surgeon popularity as well, becoming the second most search
location in the Caribbean.
Speaker 3 (02:44):
Is that true?
Speaker 5 (02:45):
We have been seeing a bust on our tourism industry.
Actually on twenty twenty four until November twenty twenty four,
we're able to receive almost six pointy five million of
passengers two cents one, which is how we're international airport,
which is eiguish for us. And this is part of
the air force that the entire industry is doing to
(03:06):
promote the destination to target that constituous traveler that is
interested in explore and know more about our culture, our
gastronomy and all of the things that Porto Rico has
to offer. We are a very small island, but we
have seventy eight municipalities. So just imagine how expense and
diverse can be the destination and all the offerings that
(03:28):
we have for different interests and different travelers too.
Speaker 3 (03:33):
Absolutely, so can we dive into that as well?
Speaker 1 (03:34):
And maybe this kind of also bounces off of, you know,
the destination itself, of what you know tourists can expect
and also like how they can also you know, definitely
take advantage of the beautiful island of when you know
they do visit. The Live Briqua campaign, right, it's too
enhance the overall perception of Puerto Rico as a destination
and of course you know those who the island so
(03:58):
when it comes to your campaign, promise is a deeper
and more meaningful experience travelers.
Speaker 3 (04:05):
And what does that entail for you guys?
Speaker 5 (04:07):
Right? So, as you mentioned, we are the destinational marketing
organization and one of our biggest commitments is to the
centralized tourism from San Juan. As you may know, sanje
is our capital, so it's one of the most popular
places to come and visit and what we want to
do is to make sure that we are educating travelers
about all the offerings that we have in the different
(04:28):
regions that we have. And this is important because bringing
prosperity to Puerto Rico can't only be only to San Juan.
We need to make sure that we are impacting different
communities that we are impacting and giving tools for the
communities to receive visitors but also to offer experiences and attractions.
So that's the type of tourism move that we want
(04:50):
to promote and that's why Liboriqua is created. The idea
of Libodqua was to enhance the overall perception of Puerto
Rico as a destination and obviously drive that consideration and
ultimately visitation to be island. Something really important Paulina is
that we are a US territory. So there is a
lot of Americans that doesn't know that they don't need
(05:10):
a passport, they don't neither need a change on the currency.
And that's one of the value propositions that we want
to push. We are trying to educate people to understand
that Puerto Rico has an identity and Puerto Rico has
a lot of things likes from museums to astronomy, to adventure.
It's not only beaches, it's not only also one is
(05:31):
more than that is a callout to all of those
visitors to get immersed into our culture, to get to
know our people. We are people that are so happy
that all welcoming, right, and that's something that you can
experience when you come to the island. Puerto Rica has
a momentum right now, Like everybody's talking about Puerto Rico
(05:53):
because of the music and other elements, and we're trying
to you know, compelling all of those elements into our campaign.
Speaker 3 (06:02):
Yes, oh I love it.
Speaker 1 (06:04):
And what about you know, small businesses and you know
the local communities that you've mentioned in Puerto Rico, you know,
for us tourists or for those who want to visit
the island. What's the best way to support the communities right,
to support small businesses? Is it to because and when
I go to Google sometimes I'm like, I want to,
you know, check out the spot that like, you know,
(06:26):
is like the local place people go, you know, and
I want to make sure that I'm really kind of
like just in the culture of it all. What's the
best kind of way to do that? As or like
a website to go to. Do you have any recommendations?
Speaker 5 (06:37):
Yes, So Discolorpuerto Rico dot com is our official website.
The idea is that that is the official guide for busitors.
Over there, you will see landing pages with information perion,
per municipality, with attractions, with restaurants, even with the calendar
of events, so you can participate on festivals, concerts and
(06:59):
you need it. The idea of that website is that
all the content is created by our local team, so
we make sure that all the information is operate and
that we are integrating local businesses. Now that you mentioned
how can we make sure that visitors are supporting local businesses.
My encouragement is to go directly to tourist attractions, to
(07:24):
tourist operations and operators right and making sure that you
are connecting with those communities that are developing experiences for visitors.
We have been also doing something very specific and is
that if we want to promote the destination, we need
to actually connect with the communities and offer tools for them.
(07:46):
And we developed a very interesting program locally that is
called Idea, which is the Idea in English, and it
was a digital academy for local businesses The idea was
that we went to every single municipally, we connected with businesses,
We gave them workshops, we help them to create their
(08:06):
social media, so we promote and we have all the
information on our websites, but also we encourage visitors to
go and visit those social channels. And I think that's
really important. You know, we need to sing singing the
same song and at the end of the day bringing
busitors and it is the ultimate purpose. But the idea
(08:28):
is to connect them directly with those businesses.
Speaker 1 (08:31):
Yes, absolutely, and I appreciate you being here with us
today and obviously giving us all the information about the
beautiful island of Puerto Rico.
Speaker 3 (08:40):
Really quick for our Chicago listeners of course, because that's
where we are.
Speaker 1 (08:43):
Where can we check out flights? I know you guys,
I believe added some whether it's from Midway or O'Hare.
Are two airports here, What do the flights look like,
the cruises, all transportation modes to get to the island.
Speaker 5 (08:56):
Yes, So first you mentioned a very important point. Chicago
has a very intense Puerto Rican community, which we loved,
and that's why it's a direct a market for us.
So right now, someone has great air access from Chicago
with daily non stuff flights from or rd via American
(09:18):
Airlines is Spirit and United Airlines. The good thing is
that the direct flight is only four hours on a half,
so it's a very short trip that you can take
and escape from the winter easily. Another offer that we
have available is that Southwest is offering convenient daily service
from MBW Midway and also at the moment, we have
(09:43):
almost thirty weekly flights to shoot from San Juan from
the Chicago area.
Speaker 3 (09:49):
Perfect. That's so wonderful.
Speaker 1 (09:51):
We really appreciate you being here with us today and
for sharing all this information. Can you give us a
all more time a website to check out or if
you guys are on social media, where can we follow?
Speaker 5 (10:00):
Of course you need to visit this screperto Rico dot
com for the website and follow us in our social
channels by the score Porto Rico and we hope to
see you all soon here early.
Speaker 3 (10:12):
I am awesome, Thank you so much, thank you.
Speaker 4 (10:16):
She never seizes to amaze me. Literally brought me to
tears here before I turn the microphone on.
Speaker 6 (10:21):
We'll get to that in a later date.
Speaker 4 (10:23):
Because she is such a sweetheart in the salt of
the earth and bringing positivity to an energy to the
city that in the world that needs it the most.
Right now, this is it, Whitney Reynolds. We need you,
we clone.
Speaker 7 (10:34):
You, we ay everybody to do their part. You know,
we we call this Whitney's Women, but I mean everybody
literally has the opportunity to give back in big ways
and that's what this segment is all about. And you know,
this is my second time in this month because there
is so much goodness around the city and I'm so
honored to be a vehicle that gets to highlight it.
(10:55):
And today we just have the amazing August spree with
Twist Out Cancer. You have an amazing event coming up.
Yeah yeah, tell us about it and welcome to Whitney's Women.
Speaker 6 (11:05):
Girlfriend, Thanks for having me. I'm very excited to be here.
Speaker 8 (11:09):
So the event coming up is on March fifteenth, and
it is called Brushes with Cancer. It's our art exhibition
and celebration.
Speaker 6 (11:16):
So you know, when I think.
Speaker 7 (11:18):
Of March, I just get really excited. I'm smiling. I
know people can't see me on the radio right now
because you just can hear my voice, but I am
smiling when I think about March because we are almost
out of the longest January ever and February, but March
is that time where things really start blooming, things happen,
and this is really an event that is going to
(11:38):
make change. Twist out Cancer tell us about the mission,
So we.
Speaker 8 (11:43):
Use creative arts programming to help provide social and emotional
support to those who have been touched by cancer. That's
the synopsis of it, and the Brushes with Cancer program specifically,
we take people who have been affected by cancer, so
it could be previvers, survivors, or caregivers, and we match
them one on one with artists and then they spend
six months just getting to know one another and the
(12:04):
inspiration as we call them. They share their story with
the artist and then the artist creates a piece to
reflect their story back to them. And that is what
this event is, is where we unveil all of the
art and we celebrate the beauty that can come from
really painful situations.
Speaker 7 (12:19):
Wow, the beauty that can come from painful situations. You
are nailing it on the head because every story there
can be beauty found even in the most difficult chapters.
These people impacted and the artists have already gotten together. Yes,
when did that happen?
Speaker 8 (12:35):
For the last six months for the last My job
is I match people. I'm like a matchmaker match maker.
Speaker 6 (12:40):
In the art world.
Speaker 7 (12:42):
I love it so and then they just get together
and they talk about their story.
Speaker 8 (12:46):
Yeah. So it's really an act of trust. On the
inspiration side, they have to trust someone with their story.
They don't have input on the art. Occasionally the pairs
will collaborate a little bit artistically, but not all the time.
And then the artist, it's all so an act of
vulnerability for them because they have to create something on
someone else's behalf.
Speaker 6 (13:04):
Wow, it's not just on their own.
Speaker 7 (13:05):
Well, and then the unveiling, let's talk about that. People
can actually get tickets to this, yes, yeah, so tell
us how do people sign up for the evening?
Speaker 8 (13:12):
Yes, so you can go to twist outcancer dot org
and there's a pop up where you can see where
the tickets and you know what the options are for
tickets to join us. So it won't be only the
inspirations and the artists there. It'll be you know, everyone
in their circles. But also we open it to the
public so everyone can enjoy this art and the stories
that are associated.
Speaker 7 (13:32):
Wow, And so when they unveil it, do they actually
share the story?
Speaker 8 (13:35):
Like, tell us how that works. We post the stories
next to the pieces. So when you go to a
typical art exhibit, it just has a tiny little card
with you know, and we do a larger statement so
it includes a statement from the inspiration and also from
the artist as to what went into the piece.
Speaker 7 (13:50):
Do the people impacted get to keep the piece or
then do what goes with the pieces afterwards?
Speaker 6 (13:56):
So it's very interesting.
Speaker 3 (13:57):
We auction oh yeah, I was open, so yes.
Speaker 6 (14:00):
And it helps.
Speaker 8 (14:01):
It's a pay it forward model, so each program helps
fund the next program and how many people we can
accept into the next program. So sometimes people are like,
I shared my story. I wanted to go out there
and have someone else, you know, have the art and
continue telling that story. And other people do want the
art for themselves, so you know, we have those conversations
with the participants themselves.
Speaker 7 (14:21):
That is beautiful. Okay, So tell us the info again,
when and where they get the tickets, the timing all that.
Speaker 8 (14:27):
It is on Saturday, March fifteenth at seven pm at
Writers Theater in glen Coe, which is a gorgeous venue
and you can get tickets at twistoutcancer dot org and
find out all the info. They'll be food and drinks
and you know, music and dancing, all the things.
Speaker 7 (14:41):
Well, and when you said you know that you really
work with people that have been touched by cancer, I
haven't met someone I don't know and how long hasn't
been touched by cancer?
Speaker 6 (14:52):
So true, right, I know?
Speaker 7 (14:54):
And so to know what you're doing, like outside of
this event, what are some of the other things that
you're doing in our community.
Speaker 8 (15:00):
We have several Brushes with Cancer events that happen every year,
so there's that and people can apply to participate.
Speaker 6 (15:06):
We also do twist shops, so that's our version of workshops.
Speaker 8 (15:08):
And though that program is run by our art therapist
and she's incredible, and we do more than fifty of
those a year, and some of them are virtual and
some are in person, and so like, there are a
lot of ways to get plugged in and start participating
in things.
Speaker 7 (15:21):
I love it, August, thank you so much for being
my Whitney's Woman to round out February the month of
love and snow in Chicago.
Speaker 4 (15:30):
Yeah, and what an unbelievable combination of things, right, things
that Chicagoans love first of all, we love helping each other.
We do, and I mean bringing the arts into it.
It's such a unique and fun way of presenting a story.
And I love I love that quote, what was it again?
Speaker 6 (15:46):
Through pain?
Speaker 8 (15:47):
We celebrating the pain that comes through painful situation.
Speaker 6 (15:51):
Right that down?
Speaker 3 (15:51):
Yeah?
Speaker 6 (15:52):
Right, I get that. At that's a tattoo. Yeah, let's go.
Speaker 7 (15:57):
You know, I already got my Zega earring hole this year,
so I'm really living on the.
Speaker 6 (16:01):
Egg baby steps. We'll get you there.
Speaker 4 (16:03):
But anyways, we got a lot of things to talk
about with you, because I know, like as we speak
right now, you're getting ready to go.
Speaker 6 (16:08):
You're always on the go. I think you've got a
flight to catch.
Speaker 4 (16:11):
I do, but you're always thinking about the next thing,
and you've got several next things coming up for you.
Speaker 5 (16:15):
Yeah, you know what.
Speaker 7 (16:16):
It is one of those things that as we have
been calm in January and February, and I really say
that because it feels really calm and I'm so used
to going producing doing But now I'm excited because we
have everything starting to tape and we are debuting on
April fourteenth. We have Whitney Reynolds live limited tickets. I
(16:37):
love being able to open up our doors to anybody
and everybody, and that will still happen, but there's very limited.
So go to Whitney Reynolds dot com if you want
to be at our premiere live experience. You know, August
nailed it on the head when she was talking about stories,
because as a national TV show that's home based here
in Chicago, that's what we're dedicated to. It's all about
(16:58):
being that safe space for delicate stories because we all
know we have those, and if we can connect the
dots for people after us, that's what's up.
Speaker 9 (17:05):
I know.
Speaker 6 (17:06):
Perfect. So April's going to be the premiere.
Speaker 7 (17:08):
Well April fourteen, Yes, Whitney Reynolds dot Com has everything.
Speaker 6 (17:10):
To be there. You got to get your ticket ram,
you know.
Speaker 7 (17:12):
But before April, like Brady, tell them what we're doing
next weekend together, Well.
Speaker 4 (17:16):
We we got to talk about this because we'll dedicate
a whole Whitney's women to it.
Speaker 6 (17:20):
But we're gonna be walking up the Hancock.
Speaker 7 (17:21):
If they can hear us, if we do it, when
we climb, they might not be able to hear.
Speaker 4 (17:24):
We will breath, I will be you'd be giving me
a piggyback. I feel like you're a way better shape
than I am. When it comes to climbs the stairs.
Speaker 7 (17:31):
I did it last year. This is I think gonna
be my fourth. Your Sun did it, yet my son
did it, and that's what I was gonna say. If
my seven year old could do it, I know. And
they have like cute little like cheerleaders and different signs
and people that have been impacted by lung cancer in
the stairwell, like motivational signs, all that kind of stuff,
and it's really this community for lung health. Respertory Health
(17:51):
Association was so excited for Team Brady walking in your
dad's memory. I mean, are not walking, We're gonna run
up those stairs.
Speaker 6 (17:59):
Okay, say so run as a relative term, but no.
Speaker 4 (18:03):
Yes, thank you Whitney for putting it all together and
doing this to honor my father who did pass away
last year because of lung disease. So I'm really excited
to walk up the handcock in his honor. All thanks
to you. You called my wife and my friends put together.
You would make a great surprise party.
Speaker 7 (18:19):
The party post yes, and they say they have emoss
at the top, so we'll have to see once we
climb to the top, you know, help be a party.
Speaker 6 (18:26):
All right.
Speaker 4 (18:26):
Well, Whitney, thank you again for everything for all you
do for Chicago in the world and continue spreading that positivity.
Speaker 2 (18:31):
Thank you. Brady.
Speaker 1 (18:32):
Hi, it's Paulina here with iHeartMedia Chicago and today I
am chatting with our friends. We are chatting with Jennifer
Aguilatt and Olman Shaheen and we are talking to our
friends and from the Little Village Chamber of Commerce.
Speaker 3 (18:44):
How are you today?
Speaker 9 (18:46):
We're doing We thank you awesome.
Speaker 3 (18:48):
Thank you both for joining me today.
Speaker 1 (18:50):
You know, it's it's truly cool to be able to
talk to you both because I have worked with you
before in the past. You know, hope to do more
in the future, especially this year and the next, you know,
several years would be amazing. So I really appreciate this partnership,
and you know your contribution to the show today is
super important for our community and for our city of Chicago.
(19:11):
So first things first, Jennifer, I'll start with you. Can
you both give me a little bit of a background
about the Little Village Chamber of Commerce and then also
you know your role and sort of like what you
and your day to day look like yes.
Speaker 5 (19:24):
So.
Speaker 9 (19:24):
The Little Village Chamber of Commerce has been serving the
Little Village community since nineteen ninety. It focuses on helping
and working with and for our small business community here
in Little Village, especially down twenty sixth Street, twenty fifth Street,
thirty first Street, just to make sure that we help
(19:48):
our businesses stay open, grow, thrive and expand. Most recently
we have been working outside of our Little Village boundaries,
being small business owners from around Chicago Land, so anyone
and everyone is welcome here. We offer services for our
(20:11):
businesses like one on one business advising. We also put
on the city's largest Mexican Independence Day parade, and we
also do all sorts of events and educational workshops to
make sure that our businesses are are being supported.
Speaker 1 (20:33):
Amazing. Thank you for sharing and olmen, will you give
us a little bit of background about yourself as well?
Speaker 5 (20:38):
Yeah?
Speaker 2 (20:38):
So hi, thank you, Paulina. So yeah. As director of
Outreach and Community Development, my role is really to really
engage the community at large, to invite them to join
in our efforts as well here with the Little Village
Chamber of Commerce, to become informed with what opportunities we
have as well as informed them of opportunities that are
(21:00):
taking place throughout the Chicago Land area or throughout the
state that may be somewhat of a benefit for business
for the business commerce throughout the Little Village community and
the surrounding suburban area as well. So including speaking to
the business owners or throughout the Little Village community, we're
also trying to engage them with within different aspects to
(21:24):
just continue to create a more vibrant, vinrant community here
and throughout the Chicago Land area.
Speaker 3 (21:31):
Absolutely, And you know, I've read and I've.
Speaker 1 (21:35):
Heard many of you know, I've read publications here in Chicago,
you know specifically say and site that Little Village is,
particularly twenty sixth Street is super important for the economy.
Just you know, I'm assuming, look, you know, in Chicago,
but also probably you know, the state of Illinois. I
feel like it brings in so much revenue. It's such
(21:56):
a staple here in the city of Chicago. Is that
something that is you know, being impacted right now due
to our current policies or the ones that are you know,
trying to come into to attack or the ones that
actually have when it comes to our current immigration policies,
Are they impacting these businesses, particularly you know in Little
Village and on twenty sixth Street.
Speaker 9 (22:17):
Yes, you are right. We are a very strong economy
here in Little Village. Are our commercial corridor come second
to Michigan Avenue. This this commercial corridor here in Little
Village generates over nine hundred million dollars in tax in
Texas for the city and it is a very important
(22:40):
part of the state's economy as well. And unfortunately, these
policies that are being put in place are are affecting
our commercial corridor in a negative way. The week that
these raids were announced public really showed us basically the
(23:03):
impact we saw that week and the following week, and
we are still seeing it today, how traffic has slowed
down on the usually busy impact twenty sixth Street. We've
heard from our small businesses that they have had significant losses.
I was just talking to a business owner a few
(23:25):
minutes ago and she let us know that just within
the last two weeks she's reporting about forty percent losses. Still,
so the effect of these policies are really affecting the
business's bottom lines. A lot of them have had to
close their business during the first few weeks and others
are still only opening for one shift when before they
(23:48):
would open for two shifts, just because they're not seeing
a lot of visitors as they usually would.
Speaker 2 (23:56):
Yeah, and including that, as Jennifer mentioned, the pulling as well,
there's also been a decrease in workload for the employees
within certain establishments where owners are having to kind of
step up to the plate and commit to more hours
within their establishments since they're unable to be providing work
(24:20):
towards the work community that they had at one point.
So definitely the struggle is there for many of our businesses.
If it's not you know, people being in fear of
really just coming back out to work, I mean, it's
the layoffs of opportunities right now that are affecting not
(24:42):
just the revenue community, but those families who are depending
on their income to also sustain their families as well.
Speaker 1 (24:51):
And that's I think what's become the most devastating part
of all of us is that we, I don't know,
I feel like we need to understand like that these
are real people, and of course they're businesses that have
you know, extremely thriving businesses. On twenty six and in
the little village and beyond, but also that you know,
these are people's livelihoods, and I think that's something that's
(25:11):
super important to understand. Remember, but also we see that
you know, the economy of you know, little village has
been affected by the current administration if you want to say,
or you know, just by currently what is even happening.
So that's something I think it's really important to also
recognize as well, especially with the current immigration policies. So
what is something that you know, Chicagoans, what can we
(25:37):
do to continue to help boost you know, the Little
village economy just also the you know economy of of
you know, our current you know, of our fellow Chicagoans.
Speaker 3 (25:47):
How can we help?
Speaker 9 (25:50):
Yes, thank you for that question. We've been getting a
lot of people asking us the same thing, and we've
been really pushing the message of you can come and
help and make your impact during these difficult times by
just coming out here and to Little Village and visiting
a business and going to eat lunch and just spending
(26:12):
a day with family here, leaving your dollars here. Like
old men mentioned, it's not just the business. It's almost
like a ripple effect, right, because these businesses have employees
and those employees have their families, so when you spend
your money here, you're able to leave your impact in
the entire community, and that is what we need the
(26:36):
most of. For those of you who have jobs, if
you're going into your office and maybe you're thinking of
catering for your office or for your parties, make sure
you're consider our restaurants here in a little village. Many
of them do catering, and they deliver to various areas
of the city, so there's a variety of ways to
(26:58):
make sure you can give back, can support.
Speaker 3 (27:03):
I love that.
Speaker 1 (27:04):
I think that's wonderful and I think all of our
listeners can definitely get behind that. Can you, If you
don't mind, maybe provide a list of a couple of
your favorite places that we can support. If you can
think of top of mind, I'd love to give them
a shout out as well.
Speaker 9 (27:17):
Yes, I would say, uh, Restanton is a really great option.
They have amazing food for breakfast and lunch and dinner,
iconic tacos. I also highly recommend, like I'm blanking right now, Yes,
(27:46):
is really great that the tacos there are are amazing.
Auascalientes have amazing gorditas, so there's a variety of good options.
Speaker 2 (27:58):
Here, definitely, and there's also just a vast array of
different businesses to Paulina that the Chicago Land area can
come out and support, like our Kinsera shops as well
as flower shops throughout the community as well. And not
to forget about the discount mall right that's out there
(28:18):
in Little that's you're in Little village as well. Who's
very dependent on you know, the community at large to
keeping them in business as well. I know they're struggling
deeply right now, but yeah, any any and all of
our business here are vibrant businesses. They're very very culturally sound,
and I think they all have a need, especially at
(28:39):
this very moment for us to continue to shop local here.
Speaker 3 (28:43):
Absolutely, I love it.
Speaker 1 (28:46):
My last and final question, you know, for you would
be are there any other kind of resources right or
support that we can provide these businesses during this time
when they need help, you know, just navigating or they're
navigating obviously you know their businesses, whether it's through like
you know, employment, like if they can even hire people
to work in their businesses, and of course you know,
(29:07):
sustaining their business, but also those have been affected by
the immigration policy situation and the changes. Is there anything
else that we can do as far as support and
provide resources.
Speaker 9 (29:20):
We've been doing a lot of know your Rights outreach
to make sure that everybody has that information that they're
ready for their businesses and their employees as well. And
we're just advocating to two people to you know, to
come out and if they can to to help in
(29:43):
any way that they can by donating, we're actually promoting
our businesses throughout Chicago Land and and just creating content
of your content creator come out to Little Village and
feature some of our businesses. That would be a great
way to help as well.
Speaker 1 (30:04):
I love that absolutely, So there are various ways to
help to our listeners who are currently tuning in, and
I believe that, you know, we are stronger together.
Speaker 3 (30:11):
So I do really.
Speaker 1 (30:13):
Appreciate you coming on and for you know, sharing your
stories obviously, you know, sharing your your roles with the
Little Village Chamber of Commerce and how you guys are
doing all this impactful work as well. So thank you
both for that, and of course thank you for coming
on and sharing all of the insights that we were
asking for, you know, regarding you know, the community of
Little Village. And then also, yeah, just thank you for
(30:33):
sharing those businesses. We're going to check them out this weekend.
I promise you that all at least I will be I'll.
Speaker 3 (30:37):
Be doing that.
Speaker 9 (30:38):
Thank you for of course, thank you both.
Speaker 1 (30:41):
Thank you for listening, and thank you for tuning in
for the weekly show. We love and appreciate when you
join us every single week. You can also find this
episode and other episodes up on our free iHeartRadio app
right now, just search forth a weekly show. Thank you
and talk to you again next weekend.
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