September 24, 2025

Hispanic Heritage Month: Celebrating Community Impact and the People Behind It

Hispanic Heritage Month is more than remembering our history—it’s about celebrating the community shaping the present and building the future. Let’s honor the resilience, determination, and contributions of Latinos who continue to pursue education, break barriers, and create opportunities for generations to come!

This past year, the Latino Center witnessed incredible growth and transformation in our community:

• 245 students graduated from our Adult Education classes, taking bold steps toward better opportunities for themselves and their families.
• 1,100+ clients and families accessed health screenings, nutrition education, and wellness resources.
• 83 youth gained hands-on experience through paid internships in Siembra Nebraska.

These numbers are more than data — they represent the real lives of the people we serve.

Maria Guico is one of those graduates, and her journey shows what’s possible when determination meets opportunity. Three years ago, she walked through the doors of the Latino Center with one goal: to learn to read in Spanish—her second language after Quiché. “I am happy that I found the Latino Center,” she says.

That same drive is reflected in Claudia Herrera, whose practicum at the Latino Center helped her discover her calling: “The Latino Center helped me confirm my decision to become a therapist by being able to acknowledge and see the need we had for mental health services in Spanish.” 

And as Joanna Preciado reminds us, “The new adults that are coming into the workforce in the next few years are going to be Latinos.” 

Hispanic Heritage Month reminds us that we’re not just celebrating the past — we’re celebrating contributing to the future! Maria, Claudia, and Joanna remind us that every step forward matters. Together, we can create a community where every Latino has the opportunity to learn, grow, and lead with confidence!