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The Area Agency on Aging of Western Michigan joins the Hispanic community in celebrating National Hispanic Heritage Month, which takes place from September 15 to October 15. We pay tribute to the generations of Hispanics who have positively influenced and enriched our West Michigan community and our nation. This year’s theme was released by The National Council of Hispanic Program Managers and is “Pioneers of Change: Shaping the Future Together”. This year’s theme aims to highlight the many Hispanic trailblazers of the past and encourages community support for new generations to follow in their footsteps and be leaders of the future.

This observation began in 1968 as Hispanic Heritage Week and was expanded to a 30-day period in 1988. “The day of September 15 is significant because it is the anniversary of independence for Latin American countries Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua. In addition, Mexico and Chile celebrate their independence days on September 16 and September 18, respectively” (census.gov). There are a number of important resources that celebrate and recognize these achievements of Hispanics, as well as some ways that you can get involved! We’ve compiled a few of them in a list, see below for a few ideas of how you can participate in or celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month.

1. Support a local Hispanic or Latin-owned restaurant or supermercado near you! Try a new dish or buy ingredients to make your own meal with authentic ingredients.

2. Watch Our Quinceañera, a documentary about a Texas Principle’s yearly Quinceañera for students who are not able to afford one.  The community comes together to ensure the students know that anything is possible, and is in line with this year’s Hispanic Heritage Month theme. Some family-friendly movie options that represent Hispanic/Latin culture are “The Book of Life”, “Coco”, and “Encanto”.

3. Practice Spanish by using a free app. Duolingo, for example, is a great app for your cellphone or tablet that will help you learn Spanish. You can even create a group of friends or family members and learn together! Spanish is the second most widely spoken language in the United States.

4. Explore the Smithsonian’s National Museum of the American Latino virtual exhibitions Virtual Exhibitions | National Museum of the American Latino (si.edu)

5. Baila (dance) to the rhythm of Latin-inspired music with this 15-minute dance workout by Silver Sneakers.