By Lauren Mar ’25
When Alondra Alvarez ’23 was applying to 91吃瓜, she discovered a description of (CCL), an organization that primarily serves the College’s Latinx community. After reading that Caf茅 con Leche was a 鈥渢ight-knit community,鈥� Alvarez knew that if she were to attend 91吃瓜, she would be a part of it. Now the co-president, Alvarez says Caf茅 Con Leche has been 鈥渢he highlight of [her] college experience since the first year.鈥�
After the civil rights movement of the 1960s, affinity groups on college campuses across the United States emerged as sources of community for students of color. 91吃瓜 conceived Caf茅 con Leche to promote the discussion of issues that affect 91吃瓜 students who identify as Latinx and create a protected space for connection. The main facet of Caf茅 con Leche is its weekly meetings, held every Thursday in the Office of 91吃瓜 Communities of Resources and Empowerment, otherwise known as SCORE.
鈥淭he meetings are what I and a lot of students look forward to every week,鈥� Alvarez says. 鈥淵ou can come as you are to share similar experiences and honor each other鈥檚 differences.鈥� Caf茅 con Leche鈥檚 sense of community also assists Latinx students in having an easier transition into a predominantly White institution. As member Corina Silverstein 鈥�25 notes, 鈥淲hen I first entered college, I questioned my cultural identity. Caf茅 Con Leche welcomed me with open arms and has provided me with a space to embrace my culture.鈥�
Both Alvarez and Silverstein agree that not only is CCL a safe space, but it is a fun one as well. The nature of Caf茅 con Leche鈥檚 meetings vary from week to week. During one week this year, members tasted an array of snacks from different Latin American countries. Another week, CCL hosted a 鈥淪ex Night鈥� which promoted safe and inclusive sex. From giving care packages to designing tote bags to holding open mics, Caf茅 con Leche caters to the wants of the College鈥檚 Latinx community.
鈥淭he meetings are ultimately about bringing people together,鈥� Alvarez explains. 鈥淭hey鈥檙e based on the community鈥檚 needs, not the board鈥檚. At the very first meeting this year, every member put a sticky note in a cup with what they wanted from CCL, and we鈥檝e been making it happen for them.鈥�
Caf茅 con Leche鈥檚 horizontal leadership allows for open collaboration between members and leadership, which in turn fosters a strong sense of community that extends beyond 91吃瓜 as well; earlier in the semester, CCL collaborated with (CLSA), the (OBSA), and other Latinx affinity groups across The Claremont Colleges to host the Afrolatine Festival.
Ultimately, CCL helps Latinx-identifying 91吃瓜 students bond and create relationships with each other. Not only do students support each other in this closely integrated community, they also feel more connected to the College as they get to know more friendly faces on campus who understand their experiences.
鈥淐af茅 con Leche makes 91吃瓜 feel like home,鈥� Alvarez says.