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HomeAbout usNational Hispanic Heritage Month

HHM-2022-Employee-Landing-Page-Header-Fidelis-Care

 

Employees Share Their Thoughts on National Hispanic Heritage Month

National Hispanic Heritage Month runs from September 15 to October 15 each year. It is a time to remember the histories, cultures, and contributions of American citizens whose ancestors came from Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean, and Central and South America.

As part of Fidelis Care’s recognition of National Hispanic Heritage Month, we are proud to celebrate the diversity, equity, and inclusion of our workforce by highlighting five Hispanic employees who work across the organization.

 

Fidelis-Care-National-Hispanic-Heritage-Month-Samantha-Castro

 

“My heritage has shaped my ideals about community, which drives my desire to engage and help others.”

Samantha Castro

Manager, Clinical Oversight

Smiles-that-Shine

What Hispanic country are you or is your family from?
Puerto Rico
What is your most cherished memory of your Hispanic country?
I've only visited once but I loved the food, the music, and the energy.
What does Hispanic culture mean to you?
To me, culture is about family and community – bringing people together.  
How has your Hispanic heritage shaped your life and career?
My heritage has shaped my ideals about community, which drives my desire to engage and help others. I have always loved being around people, getting to know their stories, and wanting to make people's lives better – even as a little kid.
How do you celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month and what does it mean for you?
It is an opportunity to recognize and celebrate the successes of the Hispanic community as a collective. It is a great time to share foods and traditions from the Hispanic culture with friends and family of other cultures.
How do you give back to the Hispanic community?
I am a mentor for a young Hispanic woman. I also volunteer in various local communities as well as with a program that helps a remote community in Honduras.

 

 

Fidelis-Care-National-Hispanic-Heritage-Month-Camilo-Canela

 

“Community and pride have always been the strongest components of my experience with my family and friends.”

Camilo Canela

Project Coordinator II

Smiles-that-Shine

What Hispanic country are you or is your family from?
My mother is from Puerto Rico, and my dad is from the Dominican Republic.

What is your most cherished memory of your Hispanic country?
I've been to Puerto Rico a handful of times, most recently in January 2019. The island itself is quite beautiful, including the picturesque beaches, the delicious food, the wonderful music and art scenes, as well as the kind and considerate people who live there.

I haven't actually gone to the Dominican Republic as of yet, but I intend to travel there in the future.
What does Hispanic culture mean to you?
Hispanic culture is so broad, especially from my experience growing up and living here in NYC.

There are so many aspects to our culture, from the food, history, and music to a sense of personal pride in our heritage, as well as a constant awareness of community, whether that be with your own family and close friends, or even your neighbors and other individuals that live with you. Community and pride have always been the strongest components of my experience with my family and friends.
How has your Hispanic heritage shaped your life and career?
As mentioned previously, community and pride have always been the components that were most apparent in my experience growing up. They have shaped my life and career in regards to my personal pride in my work ethic, as well as my general habit to always look out for and support others whenever I'm able to do so.

Before my current role, I was an Administrative and Executive Assistant, where I supported many folks on a daily basis in various capacities. My current role also supports various teams simultaneously.
How do you celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month and what does it mean for you?
I personally don't do anything special during the designated month, since my heritage is celebrated on a daily basis. I have regular gatherings with family and friends whenever I'm able, to celebrate holidays, birthdays, and other special events together.

The month is a very important form of representation for the various cultures that exist in the Hispanic/Latin community, to offer individuals outside of the community an opportunity to learn more about them, as well as offering those within the community a chance to express their pride in what makes them special.
How do you give back to the Hispanic community?
In the past, I've done English and Spanish tutoring, I've volunteered at food banks, I've donated to food and toy drives, and I've gone on a number of trips to Puerto Rico, since the island also depends so heavily on tourism.

I try my best to pay it forward in that same sense of community, and express my pride however I'm able.

 

 

Fidelis-Care-National-Hispanic-Heritage-Month-Nelson-Flores

 

“Hispanic heritage has shaped my life and career, allowing me to reach and stay connected with different populations.”

Nelson Flores

Product Owner

Smiles-that-Shine

What Hispanic country are you or is your family from?
El Salvador
What is your most cherished memory of your Hispanic country?
My most cherished memory is my family, especially my grandma. After that is the music, the food, and the culture.
What does Hispanic culture mean to you?
A month-long celebration that highlights a diverse population with many different traditions and linguistic regionalisms.
How has your Hispanic heritage shaped your life and career?
Hispanic heritage has shaped my life and career because it has allowed me to reach and stay connected with different populations. Most importantly, being bilingual.
How do you celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month and what does it mean for you?
El Salvador's independence day is celebrated during Hispanic Heritage Month, September 15. It means celebration of our history and highlights our traditions. 
How do you give back to the Hispanic community?
I have been involved in the Hispanic community since I moved to Albany. I have always had a passion to help others, especially the underserved. Giving back to people and the community has always been my goal.

I have been involved with local Hispanic organizations like Hispanic Outreach Services, Centro Cívico, South American Spanish Association, the YMCA's Black and Latino Achievers Program, NY Hispanic Coalition, NY Capital Region Chamber of Commerce, Capital District Latinos, and most recently, I was the President of the Albany Latin Festival Association.

Throughout the years, I have volunteered my time to help these organizations either through community events or serving on boards. 

 

 

Fidelis-Care-National-Hispanic-Heritage-Month-Mercia-Mercado

 

“Being Latina is integral to who I am, it's taught me the importance of persistence, of hard work, and of having fun.”

Mircia Mercado

Community Relations Specialist

Smiles-that-Shine

What Hispanic country are you or is your family from?
Dominican Republic.

What is your most cherished memory of your Hispanic country?
The Dominican Republic is known for its beautiful landscapes, including crystal clear beaches. My favorite memory is spending full days at the beach with all of my family, eating one of the local desserts 'Habichuela con Dulce,' and listening to bachata, merengue, and salsa.
What does Hispanic culture mean to you?
Hispanic culture means warmth and vibrancy to me. We pride ourselves on being warm and welcoming, but we also love to have fun, whether it's in our music, our cuisine, or the way we dress!
How has your Hispanic heritage shaped your life and career?
Being Latina is integral to who I am, it's taught me the importance of persistence, of hard work, and of having fun. Any time I'm planning events, such as Unity in the Heights, I am always mindful of how we can make the events inclusive and fun, whether it's through activities, music, performances, or food!
How do you celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month and what does it mean for you?
Hispanic Heritage Month to me is the recognition of a large group of people who make up this country and who work hard every day. It's a recognition of our vibrant history but also the sacrifices made. I celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month by spending time with my community and going to local businesses in my neighborhood of Washington Heights.
How do you give back to the Hispanic community?
I give back by being actively involved, shopping at small businesses, and eating at local restaurants!

 

 

Fidelis-Care-National-Hispanic-Heritage-Month-Juliana-Morris

 

“Hispanic culture to me is what defines me as a woman. It's the core of my values, the rhythm in my life.”

Juliana Morris

Pharmacy Technician I

Smiles-that-Shine

What Hispanic country are you or is your family from?
La Vega, Dominican Republic.

What is your most cherished memory of your Hispanic country?
Just stepping outside the house and seeing goats and cows just walking around … just the simplicity of it all, and how every house you go to, someone is making coffee. Happiness is not based on money or material things.
What does Hispanic culture mean to you?
Hispanic culture to me is what defines me as a woman. It's the core of my values, the rhythm in my life. It's about always respecting your elders, and placing much importance on self-respect, dignity, and pride. It's growing up watching Sabado Gigante, El Chavo Del Ocho, and hearing horoscopes from Walter Mercado.
How has your Hispanic heritage shaped your life and career?
The importance of appreciation and how fulfilling it is to put everything you have into everything you do. It's important to always remember where you come from is not where you will stay.
How do you celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month and what does it mean for you?
Always with food, music, and dance - which is the backbone that makes us Dominicans. It's always a time to feel the nostalgia that bachata (a style of music) brings.
How do you give back to the Hispanic community?
By supporting Latino vendors and local mercados every opportunity I can. I also offer my bilingual skills.

National-Hispanic-Heritage-Month-2022-Celebration-Image

For more information on National Hispanic Heritage Month, please visit: https://www.archives.gov/espanol/hispanic-heritage-month.