Hispanic Heritage Month (September 15-October 15) provides an opportunity to recognize and celebrate members of our communities and their ancestors who hail from Mexico, parts of the Caribbean, Central and South America and Spain. The Y is celebrating our diversity and the histories, cultures and contributions of our Hispanic, Latino and Latinx community members.

Our Ys are celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month in different ways. The YMCA of Greensboro will be running Welcoming Week ads in Spanish, since Hispanic Heritage Month launches during Welcoming Week, and sharing how staff member Yailene Fabela feels a sense of belonging at the Y, first as a program participant and today as Digital Marketing Creator for the Greensboro Y. Listen in Spanish or English! 

The YMCA of Greater Charlotte is interviewing staff with Hispanic heritage to learn what this special observance means to them and will share that on social media throughout the month to increase awareness and honor their culture. 

The YMCA of the Triangle’s Hispanic Latino Employee Resource Group (ERG) creates awareness and spaces to celebrate the diversity, resiliency, and beauty of the Latino community through inspiration, learning and community with mentorship and connection opportunities. ERG members will join the Southeast Raleigh YMCA at La Fiesta del Pueblo, the Triangle’s largest and most diverse Latin American festival, on September 17, in recognition of Hispanic Heritage Month.

Rather than starting at the beginning of September, Hispanic Heritage Month takes place over 30 days starting on the 15th — a nod to the anniversaries of national independence for a number of Latin American countries including Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua. Most of the Hispanic and Latino communities recognize September 15 as the date of their independence; however, Mexico’s independence is celebrated September 16 and Chile celebrates its independence September 18.