Hispanic Heritage Month
From September 15 to October 15, the United States recognizes National Hispanic Heritage Month in celebration of Hispanic and Latino history, culture, and significant contributions of Hispanic and Latino Americans. The month begins on September 15 because, starting on that day, many Central American countries celebrate their independence.
Hispanic Heritage Month provides the opportunity to celebrate and honor the influence and impact of the Hispanic and Latino community in our culture, country, and society. Based on data from the U.S. Census in 2020, one in every four children in the U.S. were of Hispanic or Latino origin.
One More Child’s mission is to serve vulnerable children and families and reach them with the love of Jesus. As a part of this mission, we recognize and honor the unique heritage, experiences, and ethnic identities of all those we serve. This Hispanic Heritage Month, we are celebrating stories of life-change, hope, and resilience of families and individuals with Hispanic and Latino heritage.
Here are a few stories of individuals who are dedicated trailblazers and compassionate difference makers in their family and community.
A Brighter Future Takes Shape
Maria* came to the United States from Cuba last year and encountered numerous hardships as she strived to support her family—but she faced each challenge with grace and resilience.
From a young age, Maria had a tenacious spirit. She taught herself English by watching TV shows, and, now as an adult, she speaks English fluently. Maria works tirelessly to provide for her family, often setting aside her own needs and desires, but she still struggled to make ends meet after arriving from Cuba.
Then Maria connected with One More Child’s team at the Miami campus. Our team worked with Maria to meet her family’s needs and provide stability so she could focus on pursuing her goals. Through One More Child’s programs, Maria received housing, support, and guidance for her next steps. Maria also achieved significant improvement in her financial situation, which brought peace of mind and an opportunity to focus on what matters most.
Maria shared, “I am no longer worried about making ends meet, and I can provide for my loved ones without the burden of financial stress. This has been a huge weight off my shoulders, and I can finally breathe a sigh of relief.”
With financial stability, community support, and access to resources, Maria was able to focus on creating the life she wanted for herself and her family. However, there was one significant barrier in her life that still hindered her plans. Maria lacked access to reliable transportation and instead used public transportation or rides from friends and family to get to work, take her child to daycare, and run essential errands.
One More Child partnered with Bristol West and Sawgrass Ford through the National Auto Body Council (NABC) Recycled Rides®️ Program to provide Maria with a beautifully refurbished Toyota Corolla. This car is a game-changer for Maria, providing not only safe and efficient transportation, but also freedom and independence. In addition, Maria recently enrolled in college, a dream of hers, in order to pursue further opportunities for her future.
Maria shared how her life has changed,
“The program has also helped me get my life back on track, giving me the confidence and motivation to pursue my goals. I have always dreamed of going back to school, and the program has made it possible for me to do so. I am now taking steps toward a brighter future, and I am excited to see where this new path takes me.”
The Greatest Blessing
Elena’s* life was often characterized by sacrifice as she worked to provide for her daughter as a single mom. In Cuba, Elena worked as a doctor, but when she came to the United States, her credentials did not transfer. Despite this heartbreaking reality, Elena remained focused on supporting her daughter and giving her a better life.
Despite her skills, expertise, and desire to work in the medical field again, Elena did not have the means to pay for her education while still meeting her and her daughter’s needs. Then, she received a scholarship from One More Child to study nursing, which included funds for tuition, a laptop, books, and school supplies. With this scholarship, Elena is able to pursue her dreams while caring for her daughter. Our Single Moms program also provided Elena with tangible support such as housing, food, and other necessities. She also developed community connections and strengthened her faith in the Lord.
With immense joy and gratefulness, Elena considers her rekindled faith in God the greatest blessing. She is now living and walking with the Lord, confident in her place in the family of God and the family of One More Child.
Elena expressed her gratitude saying,
“I would like to thank God first and all the participants of One More Child who in one way or another make it possible for women like me, a single mother without family support and without resources, to reach their goals and achieve great things, to be able to take up the dreams that they once put aside to dedicate themselves to work and feed their children. Thank you, God, for this enormous blessing and thank you once again to One More Child for changing my life.”
