Imagine a vibrant tapestry woven from threads of Spanish, Mexican, Caribbean, and Central and South American cultures. This vibrant fabric is the rich heritage of Hispanic Americans, whose ancestors journeyed across vast oceans to build a new life in the United States. Hispanic Heritage Month celebrates this vibrant tapestry, honoring the contributions of Hispanic Americans to the history and achievements of our nation.
A brief history In 1968, President Lyndon Johnson wanted to honor the Hispanic population of America and established Hispanic Heritage Week. Recognizing the significance of this celebration, in 1988, President Ronald Reagan expanded the observance to cover 30 days September 15th to October 15th). The recognition of Hispanic Heritage Month became a law in 1988 and is celebrated annually.
Hispanic Heritage Month is an excellent time to learn more about Hispanic culture, savor traditional foods, experience vibrant art and dance music, and learn more about the history of many Hispanic countries. While we celebrate the rich and vibrant contributions of Hispanic Americans to our beautiful culture, it’s essential to acknowledge the significant barriers they continue to face in accessing essential resources like education, employment, and healthcare. As one of the fastest-growing segments of South Carolina’s population, the Hispanic community deserves equal opportunities to thrive.
It’s a time to not only appreciate their cultural heritage but also to actively advocate for their well-being and ensure that their voices are heard. The Hispanic Alliance is committed to dismantling these barriers and creating a more equitable future for the Hispanic community and all South Carolinians. Advocacy and equality The Hispanic Alliance envisions a vibrant and inclusive community where everyone has access to opportunities for success and prosperity, and their mission is to “foster collaboration and connectivity among people, resources, and cultures to build thriving communities.
” Through a vast network of partners, volunteers and dedicated stewards, the Alliance seeks to advocate for diversity, equality, acceptance and understanding across the Palmetto State. “We are the largest organization that’s working collectively with partners to advance the Hispanic Community,” said Andrew Skinner, director of public relations and development at the Alliance. “Our mission is to build equitable opportunity for the Hispanic community in our state.
” Since its founding nearly 15 years ago by a group of Hispanic leaders that would gather in the basement of a church, the Alliance has been able to provide support in the areas of education, financial stability, health and legal. Whether it’s eliminating language barriers at education fairs so that prospective students can feel empowered to make choices about their academic future, facilitating financial literacy and entrepreneur classes, connecting the community with bilingual health providers, or working with families and individuals who are trying to obtain citizenship, the Alliance is dedicated to helping the Hispanic community gain access to the resources they need to succeed and achieve the American Dream. “Everything we do, we do in a culturally appropriate way,” explains Skinner.
From having bilingual speakers and interpreters on staff to ensuring that resources are accessible in English and Spanish, the Alliance prioritizes cultural competence and language justice. As the Hispanic population continues to grow throughout the Palmetto State, Skinner speaks to how the organization has grown and evolved to provide more opportunities, resources, and support to the people who need it. “We are driving to normalize the Hispanic community and its presence, striving every day to make South Carolina even more welcoming and diverse.
We invite the wider community to embrace and celebrate Hispanic Culture,” says Skinner. Today's Top Headlines Story continues below Judge in Murdaugh-related case over leaked photos of Mallory Beach's body asked to step down USC students' ‘roast’ featuring Proud Boys founder draws rowdy crowd, small protest How a Beaufort family found a genie lamp in Spartanburg with wishes worth up to $1.2M Owner agrees to sell Nautilus Fitness Center to city of Spartanburg, ending 47 years in business Trader Joe's tote bags are coming back.
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.. on video': SC man recovering after being bitten by world's most venomous snake Indie horror movie filmed in Columbia uses Papa Jazz, New Brookland Tavern as settings Stephen Colbert's new cookbook with his wife was inspired by pandemic living on Sullivan's Island Making a difference through programs Their constant evolution stems from their flagship program, the Student DREAMers and Allied4SC.
The Student DREAMers Alliance (SDA) is a youth leadership accelerator that targets students who have exhibited tremendous academic excellence and gives them the opportunity to pursue higher education, empowering the next generation of Hispanic Leaders. Earlier this year, the alliance distributed $30,000 in scholarships to 12 program alumni to pursue degrees. This fall, Skinner is pleased to announce that SDA will be hosting its 8th cohort.
Overall, the organization has 200 alumni members whose lives have been changed by the program and are actively pursuing their dreams. “SDA is a very specific intervention to create a pathway to success,” says Skinner. Allied4SC consists of a series of comprehensive discussions surrounding statewide Hispanic advocacy initiatives.
For over a year, the Alliance’s team has been on an intense listening tour of the state to identify obstacles for members of the Hispanic community and has isolated the three main issues: workforce development, healthcare equity, and arts and culture. Allied4Work focuses on helping Hispanic workers along their career paths and get the resources they need. Its current focus is the passage of the current professional licensure bill.
“South Carolina is one of three states that prohibit those who do not hold U.S. Citizenship status but are federally authorized to work to enter industries that require licenses, like nursing or education, for example,” explains Skinner.
“Currently, we are trying to get an amendment passed that will allow people to work in these industries that are experiencing workforce shortages.” Allied4Health focuses on creating equity in healthcare for all patients, regardless of their native language or cultural background. According to Skinner, non-English speakers often have to wait to wait for a bilingual interpreter to help with their appointments at their medical providers.
Prisma Health and Bon Secours St. Francis are vital resources and partners when it comes to equal health care. Their most recent event, Allied4Art, focused on supporting Hispanic artists statewide and developing partnerships to enhance cross-cultural collaboration and understanding.
Allied4Art also allowed the Alliance to discuss how the state can better support Latinx and Hispanic artists and how the Art Commission and other arts organizations can communicate and collaborate to build a better and more inclusive cultural landscape. Hispanic Heritage Month isn’t just about celebrating Hispanic culture but also about embracing it and learning how to become an advocate. While celebrating with festivals and activities is a great way to observe the month, it’s also the perfect time to donate your time or resources and volunteer to help support the Hispanic Alliance.
No matter who you are, Skinner says the Alliance welcomes everyone from all ethnic backgrounds to participate as volunteers and work with them to elevate the Hispanic community. “A rising tide lifts all boats. It takes people of all ethnicities and backgrounds,” says Skinner.
“When one group is elevated, we all are elevated.” To learn more about how you can volunteer for the Hispanic Alliance, please visit their website at https://hispanicalliancesc.com/ .
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