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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the mission of the Westchester Italian Cultural Center?
The Westchester Italian Cultural Center preserves, promotes and celebrates the rich heritage of classic and contemporary Italian culture by encouraging an appreciation of the Italian language, arts and letters, history, cuisine and commerce through educational programs, exhibits and events.
What is the vision of the Westchester Italian Cultural Center?
WICC is unique in that we offer one cohesive and progressive Italian culture, in a variety of different ways – through exhibits celebrating various artists, sculptors, scientists, and through language classes, films and lectures, concerts, culinary and wine events – and always as a warm and welcoming destination. We make the connections between classic and modern Italy and we make those connections easily accessible for our members and visitors. As we continue to brand our organization and promote it, and through our increasing membership and outreach, WICC will continue to present programs that are scholarly as well as entertaining, academically strong as well as relevant to every day life. We will become the go-to place for Italian culture, the place where the richness of a shared Italian heritage offers something for everyone to discover, adopt and employ to enrich their personal, family, and community traditions.
Who is Generoso Pope?
Generoso Papa was born in 1891 in the small village of Pasquarielli, near the town of Arpaise in the province of Benevento, Italy. He was the son of farmer Fortunato Papa and Fortuna Covino.
In 1906, at the age of 15, Generoso left his tiny farming village and arrived in New York City with just $10 in his pocket, no place to stay, and only a few words of English. He landed a job for $3 a week carrying water to the men who were constructing the Pennsylvania Railroad's East River tunnel. He worked as a laborer on construction jobs and toiled in the sand pits for five years while going to night school. In 1911, he joined the newly-formed Colonial Sand and Stone Co., becoming its superintendent.
When the company was threatened with bankruptcy in 1916, Generoso audaciously persuaded the owners and creditors to give him a chance to restore solvency and strengthen the business. He took personal responsibility for the company's debts in return for full management and half ownership of the firm. Working 12 to 16 hours a day out of a tiny shack, the steadfast, stocky immigrant survived on a daily lunch of a half loaf of bread garnished with green peppers. Through ambition and brains, he found new customers, fought off the competition, paid the company's debt, and expanded the business. Within two years Generoso had become president of Colonial and by 1926, the company had taken over most of the leading sand dealerships in New York.
Generoso fashioned alliances with politicians who helped him achieve his goal of becoming a key figure in New York politics and the construction industry. At the age of 36, Generoso was the millionaire owner of Colonial, the country's largest sand and gravel business, providing the concrete for much of New York City's skyline, including Rockefeller Center, Radio City Music Hall, airports and subways.
What is the history of the Generoso Pope Foundation?
The Generoso Pope Foundation was established in 1947. It was the result of a natural progression for the Pope family's long tradition of gift giving back to the community in which they flourished. Generoso Pope served as president of the foundation until his death in 1950. Catherine Pope, his wife, served as president for the next 48 years. Generoso's son, Anthony, then presided over the foundation until his passing in 2005. Generoso's great grandson, David Anthony, presides over the foundation as President today. A good deal of David Anthony's time during the past two years has been spent developing and organizing his great grandfather's dream, the Westchester Italian Cultural Center. It is a family foundation honoring its family's tradition in philanthropy. The Generoso Pope Foundation offices are located in Tuckahoe, New York. Grants are made for organizations, general support, community development, charities, medical research and scholarships through out the United States and the world. Recipients include hospitals, museums, government agencies, public/community organizations, universities, high schools, grammar schools, and religious institutions.