Circles USA proudly joined chapters throughout the U.S. in celebrating National Hispanic Heritage Month (NHHM). The event, which runs annually from Sept. 15-Oct. 15, spotlights “the histories, cultures and contributions of American citizens whose ancestors came from Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean and Central and South America.” [Source]
HispanicHeritageMonth.gov emphasizes the scope of historic events and cultures that NHHM recognizes: “The observation started in 1968 as Hispanic Heritage Week under President Lyndon Johnson and was expanded by President Ronald Reagan in 1988 to cover a 30-day period. It was enacted into law on August 17, 1988.” The site further explains:
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. Also, Columbus Day or Día de la Raza, which is October 12, falls within this 30 day period.
“Today,” notes The National Museum of the American Latino, “the Latino population in the United States today is over 60 million, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. This makes up 18.9% of the total population and is the largest racial or ethnic group. Latinos continue to help fuel our economy and enrich our nation as entrepreneurs, athletes, artists, entertainers, scientists, public servants, and much more.”
Circles USA supports a small-but-growing population of participants who identify as Hispanic, with ~6% of Circle Leaders self-designating as Hispanic/Latinx/Chicanx in 2023. Last summer’s Circles National Leadership Conference in Orlando, FL—a city which boasts a nearly 34% ethnically diverse Hispanic population—offered a workshop designed to help chapters more effectively include Spanish-speaking cohorts in chapters. CUSA recently launched an expanded range of training and marketing materials for this purpose: media that addresses key considerations before getting started, plus best practices on the journey to supporting Spanish-speaking participants.
In 2024, several Circles chapters have wrapped up their initial phases of Spanish cohort-building and are working to establish more.
“I'm happy to share that our Spanish group is growing,” says Nora Neumiller, Circles Spanish Facilitator with Circles Utah Valley based in Provo, UT. “I just started the third cohort this past Tuesday and I have around 16 new Circle Leaders who are very excited to be in the class. My first Spanish cohort started in September 2023, with six Circle Leaders participating who are still coming and working with their Allies on their goals. They had a great experience that’s been very successful for some of them. Our second cohort started in April of this year, with six Circle leaders—also still coming and working on their goals with Allies.
Nora concludes, “I feel very blessed to be part of something special helping our Spanish community, as some of the Circle Leaders are new in the country and trying to learn how things work here.”
Guisella Toala, an Ecuadorian American participant in Circles Utah Valley’s original Spanish cohort, speaks to the life-changing effects of her chapter’s support: "I still remember when I met Nora, my Circles coach. She was awesome and explained to me about this program at a health fair… My financial situation at that moment was terrible, but then it was the worst. Fortunately, in Circles I found the best suggestions and teachings for being self-reliant and improving my situation. As a mom with children, every session was the perfect time while my children enjoyed time with volunteers— they are awesome too. With the help of my Allies and friends, I'm working towards my goals, and I continue working hard for my dreams and giving a better life to my family. Thanks for trusting in us, you were the exact help that I needed in my worst moments. These words are few for how grateful I feel about this program, thank you for always being my support and strength. I want to one day be able to return as much as they did for us.”
Learn more about National Hispanic Heritage Month in the outdoors at the National Park Service’s “Mi Parque, Mi Historia”
Read New York Times-bestselling author and National Poetry Slam champion Elizabeth Acevedo’s top 5 book picks for Hispanic Heritage Month
Watch a short video with a wealth of National Hispanic Heritage Month facts
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