Hispanic Heritage Month is celebrated annually in the United States between September 15 and October 15.  September 15 is the anniversary of independence for Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua.  Mexico and Chile celebrate independence days on September 16 and September 18, respectively.  During this month and throughout the year, we encourage you to celebrate and learn more about the important histories, rich cultures, and valuable contributions of Hispanic and Latinx Americans, past and present.

 

The Lake Oswego Library, LO School District, Respond to Racism, and LO for LOve collaborated to create a Hispanic Heritage Month passport to highlight upcoming events and ongoing activities that honor Hispanic heritage and celebrate our community’s cultural diversity.  For information and to print a passport, click here www.lopl.org/hhm.  Printed passports are also available at the LO Public Library.  Participate in events and activities, mark your passport, and return it to the LO Public Library before November 5 for a chance to win one of our prizes! 

 

Even though the passport program ends in November, stay engaged!  Learn about and actively support an organization that benefits the Hispanic community:  volunteer, make a donation, spread the word about their work to others in your network, or find other ways to support their efforts.  Have courage and be an ally to our Hispanic and Latinx neighbors:  sit with someone at lunch, take bystander training, join a club at school, stand up for someone being bullied or harassed, join Respond to Racism, Respond to Racism’s Youth Empowerment Committee, or LO for Love. 

 

Most importantly, BE KIND!