Embracing Hispanic Heritage Month: A Celebration of Culture, Diversity, and Impact

The Significance of Hispanic Heritage Month

Hispanic Heritage Month marks the anniversaries of independence for several Latin American countries: Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua on September 15th, Mexico on September 16th, and Chile on September 18th. The origins of this celebration can be traced back to the mid-20th century in the United States. Running from September 15th to October 15th, this month-long celebration is a time to honor the rich tapestry of Hispanic and Latino cultures, traditions, and contributions in the United States. At United Way of Massachusetts Bay, this celebration holds a special place in our hearts as we forge close partnerships with Hispanic/Latino organizations and communities. Our team embodies a vibrant mosaic of cultures, languages, and traditions, including those of Hispanic/Latino backgrounds, making the observance of this month deeply meaningful to us.

This month, we take immense pride in shining a spotlight on the diverse Hispanic/Latino backgrounds of our team members through our internal initiative Hola mi gente, ¿Que Tal? Hello, my people, how are you?. In the weeks ahead, we will be sharing staff highlights, offering a unique opportunity to get to know our team better, appreciate their rich cultures, learn about their career journeys, and lived experiences, and discover a few fun facts along the way.

We’re looking forward to introducing you to some of the team members who play integral roles at United Way. Daphne Principe-Griffin, Chief of Staff; Marvin Rocha, Senior Vice President of Development; Mirayah Cheek, Director of Engagement; Juan Bonilla, Vice President of Economic Inclusion & Wealth Building; and Giselle Ferro-Puigbo, Chief Development Officer. These remarkable individuals drive our mission forward with their dedication and expertise.

Pathways to Purpose: navigating non-profit careers.

Daphne Principe-Griffin, our Chief of Staff, holds her roots close to her heart. Born in Puerto Rico, she spent her formative years there, cherishing her ongoing connections with family on the island. Her career trajectory was profoundly influenced by her mother, Ita, her source of inspiration. She found her calling through volunteer work alongside her mother in various organizations and initiatives.

"Mi mama was a constant reminder that representation mattered and that while English was not her first language there would be no barriers to ensuring we had the right seat and the right table. I was proud that she was alive to see me as the first Latino American to be appointed as Executive Director of Boston Center’s for Youth & Families, Boston’s largest public human service agency and then as Boston’s first Latino American to be appointed as the Chief of Human Services."

Daphne-Principe- Griffin,
Chief of Staff United Way Massachusetts Bay.

Marvin Rocha, our senior VP of Development, is originally from Nicaragua and embarked on a journey to the US with his family when he was just 5 years old. He later became a dedicated first-grade teacher in Phoenix, where he made a deep commitment to ensuring that all students, regardless of their background, have access to quality education.
This commitment, rooted in his own experiences, continues to shape his career choices, and led him to work with organizations like Teach for America and the University of Pennsylvania.

"GROWING UP IN AN IMMIGRANT FAMILY, EDUCATION AND OPPORTUNITY WERE PRIZED, AND OUR FOCUS WAS ALWAYS SCHOOL. WHEN I ARRIVED AT COLLEGE, I REALIZED THAT EDUCATIONAL SYSTEMS ARE NOT BUILT ALIKE AND THAT ZIP CODES DRIVE OUTCOMES IN UNEQUAL AND UNFAIR WAYS. THIS IS WHY I FEEL SO CONNECTED TO OUR NEW STRATEGY."

MARVIN ROCHA,
SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT OF DEVELOPMENT

EMPOWERING HISPANIC GRANTEES

This month, we also celebrate the 17 remarkable organizations we awarded Community Action Grants to last spring for their impactful work driving community action and advancing economic opportunity within the Hispanic/Latino communities. Focusing on economic inclusion, wealth building, education, and career pathways, these CAG Hispanic/Latino awardees play a pivotal role in fostering a more equitable society where prosperity is shared across diverse backgrounds and cultures. The recognized organizations are:

La Comunidad, INC: Championing the full integration of Latino immigrants into the mainstream communities of Everett, Chelsea, Revere, East Boston, Somerville, Lynn and Malden through citizenship training, adult education, basic social services, and active civic engagement.

Fortaleza INC: Catalyzing collective action among parents, educators, community members, and faith leaders to remove systemic barriers impacting educational outcomes and ensure a more equitable experience for Latinx students. Fortaleza works with Lowell Public Schools and other community partners to support Latino student success.

La Colaborativa: Addressing housing instability through advocacy and direct services for members facing eviction, homelessness, or violations of their rights as tenants, serving Boston, Lynn, Chelsea, Everett, and Revere.

The Latino Support Network: Proving resources and services that connect and integrate Latino neighbors and other new arrivals, serving Lynn, Chelsea, Revere, and Salem.

The Latino Coalition of Haverhill: Empowering and inspiring Latino residents in Haverhill to be active participants in every facet of their community, partnering with the Haverhill Chamber of Commerce and the City of Haverhill to promote the economic impact of Latino businesses in Haverhill through small business support, civic engagement, and education.

Maverick Landing Community Services (MLCS): Nurturing a vibrant and equitable East Boston community by providing support in the heart of the Maverick Landing housing development to uplift and support families, promote community health, and foster resident and youth leadership and creativity.

Massachusetts Immigrant Collaborative (MIC): Addressing immigrant families’ most urgent needs by providing direct financial assistance and other resources through a network of 12 partner organizations led by the Rian Immigrant Center, who came together during the pandemic to form the Massachusetts Immigrant Collaborative (MIC).

Hispanic Heritage in Massachusetts Bay

Hispanic Heritage Month is a dedicated time for unity, learning and honoring the vibrant and diverse Hispanic and Latino cultures that enrich our organization and society.

Let’s do more than mark our calendars and embrace this month, acknowledging the roots and relentless journeys of the Hispanic and Latino communities. We invite everyone to join us in celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month by engaging with events and initiatives, share inspiring stories, and promote inclusivity and understanding. To kickstart your journey of celebration, here is a curated short list of activities, events, videos, and attractions in and around Boston:

MeetBoston- Discover Latinx Boston: Check out this list of activities, events, and attractions in and around Boston that highlight Latinx and Hispanic heritage.

United Way of Mass Bay Changemakers – Fortaleza: Learn about the amazing work happening at Fortaleza, an organisation that won a United Way Community Action Grant.

Lowell Hispanic & Latinx Fest 2023: Celebrate Lowell’s 2nd Hispanic Heritage Month Festival. Experience Latin American’s vibrant cultures through electrifying performances, delicious cuisine, and engaging dance workshops.

Goodreads 54 New Books to Discover Hispanic Heritage Month: Reboot your new year’s resolution to read more and check out this updated list of new books to help you discover stories and other works centered on Latinx and Hispanic heritage.

Latino Infant Initiative Policy Agenda Research Report: Join the conversation and learn about the Latino Infant Initiative policy agenda, which is aiming to influence federal and state policies that will ensure that all Latino infants, toddlers, and their families, regardless of background or circumstances, have equitable access to high-quality, culturally and linguistically responsive programs and services that support their healthy physical, mental, and social development and learning. This webinar will share an overview of the policy agenda and roadmap to the system-wide changes that are needed to advance this goal.

Unidos US (formerly National Council for La Raza): Explore this united community of Latin Americans that provides opportunities for collaboration and connection by bringing together those who desire to make our country stronger.

WGBH: Where to Find Authentic Latino Food in Boston: Discover WGBH’s favorite restaurants serving Latino food.

WGBH Celebrates Hispanic Heritage Month: Check out WGBH’s resource list highlighting Latinx and Hispanic stories, contributions, and culture.

TEDx Talk: What being Hispanic and Latinx means in the US: Tune into this short video and hear a first-person account of identity, addressing stereotypes and assumptions, and inviting the audience to dig deeper into the Latinx experience in the United States. The speaker, named Fernanda, addresses the role of Latinx people in shaping the culture, politics, and economy of the USA.