Toñita's

Free food, prepared daily by “Toñita”, is set out in front of the Puerto Rican flag. Williamsburg, Brooklyn, May 1, 2022. Photo by Sylvia Riveros

A collective gift for the Latino community in NYC

One of the oldest Latino Social Club bridges generation together

"Toñita’s" is a photo series that honors the legacy of solidarity within the Latino and migrant communities in New York City. Focusing on Toñita's—also known as the Caribbean Social Club—the series highlights this beloved South Williamsburg cornerstone founded in 1980 by Puerto Rican matriarch María Antonia "Toñita" Cay. As the neighborhood undergoes gentrification, Toñita’s remains a symbol of resilience and unity, offering a space for generations to come together over dominoes, billiards, music, and food. The series captures the enduring spirit of this sanctuary, where the Latino community finds a sense of home amidst the pressures of change.

Photo series published by Pavement Pieces