Celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month

Hispanic Heritage Month - which we have been observing in the U.S. since 1968 and which become encoded into our nation’s laws in 1988 - is a powerful time to celebrate not only Hispanic culture here, but also the histories and major contributions of American citizens who originate from (or whose ancestors came from) Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean and Central and South America.

Why do we celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month? Plenty of reasons! According to the U.S. Census Bureau, there are nearly 63 million Hispanics in the United States today, making their mark on communities across the country as small business owners, veterans, teachers, and public servants, and in every other profession. In short, Latinos are an intrinsic part of the American story. 

And they’re a fundamental part of the I-ARC story, too: we and our member organizations often work closely with Hispanic newcomers to the United States, advancing their legal rights and fighting for justice on their behalf. That important work merges with the lived experience of a number of our staff members, who are themselves of Hispanic origin. All of this in concert weaves a tapestry of deep understanding within the I-ARC ecosystem and allows us to be that much more effective in our efforts on a day-to-day basis.