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Hispanic Heritage Month - Showcase on Staff

13 October, 2023
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For Hispanic Heritage Month, we worked alongside staff members to showcase how their Hispanic culture is important to them. We thank Marlene, Paola, Mona, Talia, Angel, Jacqueline and Jesyalie for sharing and for the important work they do each day with us Keeping Families Together.

Marlene Brito
Community Based Support Specialist, SPIN

Have you/your family been doing anything special this year to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month? 
We support Latin events in our community.

Why is it important that you celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month?
To honor the Hispanic heritage and Hispanics who helped build America.

Why do you feel it's important for ICAN to celebrate and commemorate Hispanic Heritage Month?
To show that they appreciate and honor Hispanics and our culture.

What impact do you see Latinos having in the Mohawk Valley or greater United States?
It lets us feel welcome in our community with our food events and people. 

Paola Diaz
Behavior Specialist

Have you/your family been doing anything special this year to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month? 
Go to Dominican Parade!

Why is it important that you celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month?
To recognize and celebrate the many contributions, diverse cultures and extensive histories of the American Latino community.

Why do you feel it's important for ICAN to celebrate and commemorate Hispanic Heritage Month?
Due to having employees that are Hispanic, it's great to know about our cultures as well. We also work with people in the community that are Hispanic. 

What impact do you see Latinos having in the Mohawk Valley or greater United States?
It is important that our Latinos feel empowered and see themselves in the community. At the end, we are all equal.

Mona Fermin-Fennell
Quality Management Specialist

Have you/your family been doing anything special this year to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month? 
Aside from my usual routine, which consists of watching movies/TV shows that highlight the Latino community, listening to Spanish music, and connecting with my family, this year's Hispanic Heritage Month wasn't celebrated as much as I would have liked. However, every chance I had, more insight about my culture/heritage was shared with others.

Why is it important that you celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month?
I like to celebrate my culture and heritage any chance I get! Reminds me of family gatherings/family outings, which I miss dearly.

Why do you feel it's important for ICAN to celebrate and commemorate Hispanic Heritage Month?
It's nice that ICAN celebrates and commemorates Hispanic Heritage Month. It's an opportunity to recognize the many types of contributions made by Latino Americans.

What impact do you see Latinos having in the Mohawk Valley or greater United States?
The Latino community has grown in the Mohawk Valley region, and you can see the many influences and impact it has made in our region. For example, the many small businesses such as restaurants, barbershops, real estate, etc. 

Talia Mora 
Youth Care Coordinator

Have you/your family been doing anything special this year to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month? 
I feel like I celebrate my heritage every day of the year by embracing our music, flavorful dishes, traditions and educating others on our culture. 

Why is it important that you celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month?
Celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month is important because it gives Hispanics the opportunity to embrace who they are and also gives others a chance to learn things they may have not known before while also enjoying the great and unique things our culture can offer. 

Why do you feel it's important for ICAN to celebrate and commemorate Hispanic Heritage Month?
Culture plays a great role in our identity. This is my first time working for an organization that celebrates Hispanic Heritage Month – I personally feel valued, proud, and honored that my culture is being represented. 

What impact do you see Latinos having in the Mohawk Valley or greater United States?
I believe the greatest impact Latinos have in both the Mohawk Valley and the entire country is entrepreneurship. Many local businesses are owned by Hispanics - from restaurants, to boutiques, barbershops, salons, and many others. These businesses usually have very unique ways of doing things which are learned by our culture and usually what attract customers/clients, things no one would have been able to experience without Latinos. 

*picture above is little me celebrating Dominican Independence day in 2008*

Angel Martinez
SNUG Outreach Worker Supervisor

Have you/your family been doing anything special this year to celebrate Hispanic Heritage?
Yes I usually celebrate Puerto Rican Day which happens to be the second Sunday of June. We have a parade then come back and eat all types of Spanish dishes. 

Why is it important that you celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month?
It allows us to recognize all our achievements and contributions to our national story. 

Why do you feel it's important for ICAN to celebrate and commemorate Hispanic Heritage Month?
To show that they appreciate the diversity of their workforce, honors the perseverance of the Hispanic community, equipping us with the stage to showcase and appreciate our cultures, our accomplishments, and our existence.

What impact do you see Latinos having in the Mohawk Valley or greater United States?
Latinos continue to contribute to American culture as musicians, small business owners, chefs, veterans and many other professions.

Jacqueline Rodriguez
Student Engagement Specialist

Have you/your family been doing anything special this year to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month? 
Listening to other styles of Spanish music such as boleros, merengue and cumbias!

Why is it important that you celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month?
To captivate the importance of Latinos worldwide. Not just in food and aesthetics, but also in history, music, science, art and films, sports, education, etc.

Why do you feel it's important for ICAN to celebrate and commemorate Hispanic Heritage Month?
We have a wonderful group of Hispanic staff representing our community and our culture everyday. ICAN honors the fact that we celebrate our differences and can show up for our community members that look like us. 

What impact do you see Latinos having in the Mohawk Valley or greater United States?Whether it's hearing more Latina artists on American radio stations, watching Lionel Messi play soccer on more American television screens, or seeing our community actively advocate for immigrant rights, the impact is present and will continue to grow!

Jesyalie Vazquez
Events Coordinator

Have you/your family been doing anything special this year to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month? 
This year I joined the Hispanic Heritage Committee at work, as well as attended local community events throughout the month. 

Why is it important that you celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month?
Diversity and Inclusion are crucial to all communities. Celebrating Hispanic Heritage month is a way for our people to share, celebrate, and honor our culture. Sharing our music, food, and traditions with others throughout our community can help unite us all. 

Why do you feel it's important for ICAN to celebrate and commemorate Hispanic Heritage Month?
I have never previously worked for an agency that not only acknowledged, but celebrated Hispanic Heritage. It is important because it gave members of our team a chance to feel appreciated and valued. The celebrations have allowed us to share the pieces of our culture that we love with those who we spend so much of our time with. I personally have been engaged in conversations with coworkers regarding various foods and dances that they may not have previously been familiar with.
 
What impact do you see Latinos having in the Mohawk Valley or greater United States?
Latinos have made major impacts in food, music, dance, and fashion. Hispanics have often taken to entrepreneurial routes and locally many restaurants, salons, and barbershops are Latino owned. Spanish is a rapidly growing language, projected to increase to the most spoken language in the US. The impacts of the Latinx community is felt all around me, every day.