Above is a picture from September 1994 where Julio Concepcion was recognized in the Hartford Courant for his SINA neighborhood service award. The article mentioned the work he was doing as an elementary school teacher at Betances Elementary School, his volunteering as a commissioner for the Maria Sanchez Little League, and countless other community efforts like starting Hogar Crea, a drug rehabilitation program that could serve Spanish speaking clients. After interviewing Julio, I realized that his efforts could easily have filled the entire article, if not the entire paper. He’s one of those people that make you question whether you’re really as busy as you think you are. 

Julio has a passion for baseball. At the time, he was playing in three different baseball leagues. Julio also has a passion for developing kids and giving to his community. That is why when he was asked to fill the role of commissioner for the Maria Sanchez Little League he said yes, despite his already busy schedule. As commissioner they were the only league to take all of their players to a major league baseball game. One year, all 178 players went to Yankee Stadium and the next year went to Fenway Park. Julio got lunches donated from C-Town and organized transportation. He still has former players who mention this memorable experience to him over Facebook (one team pictured below). 

Julio has a vast network of kids whose lives he has impacted. “I am always in touch with them,” he said. “Students going to college are my award.” He proudly told me about a former student who just finished her master’s in psychology at UConn with a full ride scholarship. In the next breath he described another family whose kids had all just finished up at Trinity College. Julio never did any of this work for recognition. He did it for these greater “awards” that keep having an impact through future generations.

Julio is a firm believer in giving kids positive role models as well as experiences that expand their world. While at Betances, he worked for Edna Negron, one of his many mentors. They created a program called El Futuro en Nuestras Manos (the future in our hands) where 25 people mentored 25 kids for nearly a decade. These mentors were lawyers, judges, city council members and other professionals. They shared in Julio’s commitment to invest in our young people. 

Edna Negron was just one of many people Julio mentioned as the network that developed him and worked at his side. He was quick to give credit to his wife for supporting him and making all the work possible. He also pointed to Eugenio Caro, Julio Mendoza, and Juan Fuentes as some of the many people who made a strong impression on his life. He also thanked God for giving him strength through it all. It is no wonder, given Julio‘s ease in recognizing others’ contributions that while serving as a teacher he organized, COMAH – Confraternización de Maestros Hispanos- an organization that existed to recognize bilingual teachers and administrators when they were retiring (pictured below). 

Julio was born in Cayey, Puerto Rico. He came to the United States to finish his master’s degree and has remained ever since. His father was a school administrator in Hartford so education runs through Julio’s veins. Julio also attributes his passion for giving as something he was born with. The oldest child, he always had to take charge and take care of others. That led to his belief that if you have something to give, give it. Give without expecting anything. When describing this drive, he pointed to the words of Roberto Clemente, one of his heroes. “Any time you have the opportunity to make a difference in this world and you don’t, then you are wasting your time on earth.”

It is clear Julio has taken this to heart , even to this day.  At the age of 68 he is still staying active. In 2019 he was named the God Father of the Hartford Puerto Rican Parade. This year on December 31st, he is planning the 10th annual celebration of the life of Roberto Clemente. It is a time to remember Roberto’s accomplishments on and off the field on the anniversary of the day he died on his way to deliver supplies to victims of an earthquake in Nicaragua. If you are interested in more details or helping to organize the event you can call Alex Mercado, the committee chair at 860.916.6446. In the meanwhile, don’t waste your time. Go make a difference – following in the footsteps of people like Roberto Clemente and Julio Concepcion.