Hispanic Heritage Month, observed nationally, is a time to celebrate the rich cultures and invaluable contributions of Hispanic/Latino Americans. At Big Brothers Big Sisters of Utah, we’re proud to join in this celebration as we strive to strengthen our dedication to advancing diversity and strengthening the youth in our communities.
What is National Hispanic Heritage Month?
National Hispanic Heritage Month is observed by Americans from September 15 to October 15. This celebration honors the contributions of American citizens whose ancestors came from Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean, and Central and South America.
According to NationalHispanicHeritageMonth.gov, the observance of Hispanic Heritage Month began as a week-long celebration in 1968 under the guidance of President Lyndon B. Johnson. The celebration was extended to a month-long celebration in 1988 under President Ronald Reagan. On August 17, 1988, the 30-day celebration was enacted into law.
Celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month
This year, Big Brothers Big Sisters of America is partnering with Lambda Theta Phi Latin Fraternity, Inc. to help meet the needs of youth who are served in communities across the nation. The efforts of the partnership are focused on promoting diversity and inclusion and meeting the needs of new mentoring matches.
In 2022, Big Brothers Big Sisters had the honor of supporting Littles who proudly identified as Hispanic, constituting 14% of their young participants. Additionally, 11% of Littles identified as multi-ethnic. Today, there are 30,000 youth across the country waiting for mentors, with most of these being young boys of color. These statistics show us the continued need for mentors, especially among youth of color. Through volunteer opportunities in Utah with BBBSU, you can help touch the lives of youth across the state with just a few hours a month.
Match Story
Bigs can play a vital part in teaching and sharing cultures and traditions with their Littles. Big Brothers Big Sisters’ match, Big Sister Paola shares insights on being matched with Little Sister Yadhira. Paola said, “We’re lucky to both be Hispanic and I’ve been trying to show her what traditions we have in Mexico that are also shared in Guatemala. It’s important that we motivate Littles to go explore the world and learn that the sky is the limit.”
Celebrating Together
We extend our gratitude to our Latino/Hispanic families who trust us with their children’s futures and to our remarkable Bigs who teach and inspire Littles! If you are interested in participating in volunteer opportunities in Utah, visit our website https://bbbsu.org/ to learn more!
As we celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month, we’d like to emphasize that becoming a mentor doesn’t require perfection; it simply requires your presence and dedication. So, if you’ve ever considered getting involved with BBBSU, now is the perfect time to make that meaningful commitment. Your willingness to be present can make a world of difference in the life of a child, regardless of your background or qualifications. Join us in embracing diversity, fostering inclusion, and helping young minds thrive. Together, we can shape brighter futures for the youth in your community.
