CCATE wins prestigious Ohtli Award

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Receiving the Ohtli Award places CCATE, some members shown above at an art exhibit in New Hope, in companionship with well-known Mexican leaders and champions such as Dolores Huerta, Dr. José Castillo, and Cecilia Muñoz. (Image courtesy CCATE)

CCATE (the Center for Culture, Art, Training and Education), located in Norristown, Pennsylvania, has just been named 2018 recipient of the renowned Ohtli Award. This award is the highest honor a Mexican or Mexican-American individual or organization located outside of Mexico can receive and is granted by Mexico’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Institute of Mexicans Abroad.

The name “Ohtli” comes from the Nahuatl word meaning “road” or “path,” and symbolizes the opening of a path for others.


The Ohtli Award recognizes individuals and organizations that have aided, empowered or positively affected the lives of Mexican nationals in the United States and other countries. CCATE is the 10th organization in the world to obtain this award since it was first granted in 1996.

CCATE is a non-profit 501c3 organization founded in 2011 whose mission is the empowerment and development of the Latinx, Mexican, and immigrant communities in and around Norristown. Over 275 families currently participate in CCATE’s programs, which include an afterschool program for students in Grades 2-12, a college preparation program for high schoolers, and weekly evening classes in the arts, literacy, language, health and fitness, and environmental science for young people and adults. CCATE partners with 22 local institutions including universities and colleges, the Norristown Area School District, the Norristown Municipality, and other local non-profit organizations such as Greener Partners and the John James Audubon Center.

On NOVEMBER 20 from 6:00-8:00pm, CCATE friends, family and partners are invited to attend an awards ceremony and community celebration led by Philadelphia’s General Consul of México, Dr. Alicia Kerber.

Receiving the Ohtli Award places CCATE in companionship with well-known Mexican leaders and champions such as Dolores Huerta, Dr. José Castillo, and Cecilia Muñoz. According to the Mexican Secretary of Foreign Affairs, no individuals or organizations in or around Philadelphia have been named Ohtli recipients since 2004. As a community-based and –led organization, the children, mothers, fathers, university students, and teachers of CCATE are honored to be recognized with this prestigious award.

In response to this award, CCATE’s Founder and Executive Director, Obed Arango, comments: “Since opening its doors in 2011, the CCATE community has been working and growing together developing an innovative educational model based on our collective voices, dreams, and talents, and the love that motivates us and makes us a family. Receiving the Ohtli Award affirms this work and will propel us as we move forward. ¡Viva la comunidad!”

For more information, contact Dr. Holly Link: holly@ccate.org

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