Celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month

September 15^th – October 15^th is National Hispanic Heritage Month, when Americans celebrate the “histories, cultures and contributions of American citizens whose ancestors came from Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean and Central and South America.” One Circle Foundation is dedicated to ensuring equal access to Circles for all youth, including Latine youth, who often face higher than normal rates of depression, alcohol and drug abuse according to the American Addiction Center. To create a safe and supportive environment for these young individuals, we have developed the Latine Set, a dedicated set of activity guides specifically for Latine youth.  

In recognition of this month and with the rich diaspora of Latine Circle participants in mind, we’re proud to introduce The Latine Set – a combination of Spanish and culturally adapted English-language curricula for Latine youth ages 9-18 years old.

Included in this four-guide set is the Hermanos como aliados Council activity guide, La Mariposa and Mind, Body, Spirit for Latinas Girls Circle activity guides, and the ORGULLO Unity Circle activity guide, with an array of topics and goals such as building empathy and pro-social behaviors, values exploration, cultural pride, and addressing the challenges of isolation and marginalization faced by LGBTQ+ participants, this set takes a  proactive approach to providing safe and supportive environments for Latine youth. 

Facilitator Testimonials: 

Orgullo (Pride)- It was a truly beautiful experience running the Pride curriculum during the pandemic. It's incredible how youth from diverse backgrounds can come together and share their unique identities and experiences within the safe and inclusive environment of a Circle.  

The fact that I had a young person from one of the Pueblos, who identifies as Native, Hispanic, and Two-Spirit, share their story is a testament to the power of creating spaces where youth feel seen, heard, and valued. By offering the Pride curriculum in Spanish, you are now able to further expand your support to even more youth who may be navigating their gender identity and seeking allyship. 

            - Danielle Sutherland, MFT 

La Mariposa- La Mariposa curriculum was very important because it meant giving the opportunity to Latina girls to find a safe place to connect. As a Latina woman myself, I know that being a young girl who is barely learning English and is new to the culture Can be a challenge. La mariposa made us connect through stories, similarities, and the everyday challenges Latina girls experience. Together we learned self-care and love, challenges to minorities, and the value of hope and dreams. La mariposa is a curriculum that empowers and brings together Latina girls. 

            - Christin Martinez, BSW 

Hermanos como aliados (Brothers as Allies)- What I found the most valuable about this activity guide was it allowed the youth to lean into their discomfort around emotions and gender norms. One of my favorite, but most challenging discussion was in week 5, Theme: Boys and their Emotions. We do an experiential activity called Growing Edges that focuses on addressing emotions in a lighthearted activity. This allowed the youth to access their emotions in a non-threating way. In my experience the key to success when running this activity guide would be to focus on relationship build with the youth. 

- Doreen Thompson     

Mente, cuerpo, y espíritu guia para Latinas, (Mind, Body, Spirit) – is a great guide to help Latina girls understand situations that can transpire throughout their lives. Most important it helps them learn how to sustain healthy relationships, which leads them to living a healthier life.  Having the opportunity to use this guide with my group has been great.  

To begin, I have to express how much I appreciate that this guide was created both in English and Spanish the way each session was translated is just amazing.  Secondly, I like how the guide contains exactly all of the materials we need to facilitate the girls.  The group I had the opportunity to work with enjoyed all the sessions we did.  Though they did identify with some of the sessions more than others as well as were more engage for example, weeks 1-3 and 5-6.  I believe the reason behind this is that one of the biggest stressors in teenage girls and mainly Latinas is learning to accept who they are and understanding “el amor.” 

These sessions in particular help the girls tremendously to not only discover themselves but to learn to accept their culture and who they are.  In addition, the girls learned how to understand that in life there is going to be times when they have to make decisions.  As well as the importance behind being responsible when they make those decisions.  Girls also now understand that they have a voice and power to make responsible decisions that would lead them to living a healthier life.  

Overall the Girls Circle Activity Guide, Mind, Body, Spirit for Latinas – Mente, cuerpo, y espíritu guia para Latinas is a great guide.  I can personally found it very interesting and helpful.  That is why I personally think that more Spanish guides should be created with other topics that many Latinas want to learn about and discuss.  That can help Latina girls more, just like the Mind, Body, Spirit for Latinas – Mente, cuerpo, y espíritu guia para Latinas, has.    

- Karina Villafuerte