Hispanic Heritage Month is a celebration each year from September 15th to October 15th to recognize the contributions and culture of the diverse communities that fall under the terms Hispanic and Latine. The theme for Hispanic Heritage Month in 2024 is “Pioneers of Change: Shaping the Future Together.”
At OYA, through our Office of Inclusion and Intercultural Relations (OIIR), our staff provide several opportunities for cultural enrichment and connection to help shape the future of our youth. Cultural connection and community building are an integral part of the work we do. These activities enhance safety through strengthening interpersonal relationships with other youth and staff, as well as foster confidence and the development of a strong sense of self for youth.
Cultural groups, activities, and guest speakers
OIIR offers a wide variety of activities throughout the year such as weekly groups, one-time workshops, and guest speaker appearances. See spotlights of four of these activities below.
Spotlight: Anahuac Farm
La Finca Anahuac is a community-centered program of Capaces Leadership Institute in Woodburn. OYA youth meet weekly to learn about traditional herbalism and horticulture, the diverse gastronomy of Indigenous communities, and medicinal plants that our communities of origin have been working with for generations.
Through Anahuac, youth have been learning key farming techniques – such as preparing the soil, the drip irrigation system, and the three sisters (corn, beans, and squash) intercropping.
Spotlight: Stories and music from Latin America Workshop
with Valentia Ortiz
Special guest Valentina Ortiz in collaboration with our community partner Keys, Beats, Bars recently held workshops on stories and music from Latin America at Oak Creek YCF, MacLaren YCF, and Rogue Valley YCF.
The workshops included drawing a tree of personal ancestry, myth storytelling, mindfulness and Qigong exercises, and drumming instruction. Together they worked on developing their capacity to listen to one other and the possibility of dreaming options to existing stories. Youth embraced the importance of being grounded and reflecting before jumping into action.
Spotlight: Mexican Folkloric Dancing
Youth at Oak Creek and Jackie Winters Transition Program have the opportunity to learn Mexican Folkloric Dancing for a performance at their Hispanic Heritage month celebration. Paola Sumoza-Maciel and community volunteer Sarah Betanzos Garcia lead classes for over 4 months once a week; each class is one hour with two different groups. Youth were able to learn traditional dances from the state of Veracruz and Jalisco and one social dance.
One of our youth at Oak Creek expressed about her participation in Mexican Folkloric dancing, “I never really grew up in a Mexican culture, but that is what I am. I am Mexican, and so it meant for me learning a little bit about myself and kind of feeling like who I really am – because I really did feel, deep down in my core, like I was meant to be doing this.”
Spotlight: Film Festival Group
Youth at MacLaren YCF learn about Hispanic and Latine culture and history through film. The movies are in Spanish with English subtitles and the idea is for youth to have a greater understanding of different cultures from Mexico to Argentina. Units are rotated in a way that all have the opportunity to participate. Youths taking Spanish language enjoy the opportunity to practice and listen to Spanish conversations.
Spanish language learning opportunities
In addition to cultural connection opportunities, MacLaren YCF youth also have the opportunity to learn Spanish in a 12 – 15 week course led by Javier Perfecto. The lessons are a step-by-step introduction using a variety of modalities to learn Spanish.
As one youth at MacLaren says, “What OIIR does with bringing the Spanish class and other activities changes peoples’ lives. It turns it from a cage into the chance to do something that makes you better than when you got here.”
Yearly cultural celebrations
OIIR staff organize celebrations each year such as Cinco de Mayo, Dia de Muertos, and Hispanic Heritage Month activities. This past year at Oak Creek, youth attended an educational presentation on the meaning of the day and were able to put up pictures of their loved ones and honor them.
OIIR’s cultural activities help youth to strengthen their sense of identity. This identity development helps youth to form positive, authentic relationships, discover new perspectives, and support youth to foster a greater relationship with a wider community.
In addition to this programming, OIIR also provides interpretation and certified medical interpretation, coordinates with consulates for youth from other countries, partners with facilities staff on a cultural services assessment, works with community-based organizations and volunteers to develop new programming, and provides support for Spanish-speaking families.
Join us in celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month and celebrating all the work OIIR does all year to provide culturally responsive services for our Hispanic and Latine youth to help shape their future together!