National Hispanic Heritage Month - 2024

Abode is proud to commemorate Hispanic Heritage Month.

Its official kick-off was September 15, which coincides with annual independence day declarations from Spain and Great Britain by Mexico, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, and other Latin American countries.

This annual observance especially resonates with us at Abode, as we have taken note of the upsurge in the Hispanic homeless population. Latino/a individuals are overrepresented among those experiencing housing insecurity in California, making up about 39.5 percent of the state’s residents but 68 percent of its housing insecure population. We are working to reduce this troubling trend. Currently more than a third of participants in our programs and residents at our sites identify as Latino/a. In some communities such as Santa Clara County, more than half of all participants are Latino/a.

We are proud that Abode’s talented workforce includes 236 people who identify as Hispanic or Latino/a, representing nearly 33 percent of all employees. As we pursue our mission, we will continue to work with our Latino/a neighbors and hire exceptional staff to uphold our values – sparking each other’s strengths and starting with dignity.

For far too long, the many contributions of the Hispanic community have been overlooked. The community’s excellence and cultural influence is vast and remarkable, featuring a long list of pioneers such as Sylvia Rivera, a tireless advocate for LGBTQIA+ people and those experiencing homelessness. It also includes political leaders like Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor and activist Dolores Huerta; astronaut Ellen Ochoa; scientists such as Susana López Charretón and France Córdova; brilliant authors like Isabel Allende and Sandra Cisneros; and filmmakers such as Guillermo del Toro and Alejandro González Iñárritu – to name just a few.

As we celebrate this important month-long observance, we recognize these incredible leaders and their achievements. Even more, we salute the many Hispanic community members – especially among Abode staff – who make our work possible. 

Thank you for all you do in support of our mission – each and every day.