Throughout Hispanic Heritage Month we shared weekly reading lists and Staff Spotlights across our social media to celebrate the diverse cultures and interests within our organization.
Staff Spotlights
The following Hispanic and Latino team members shared quotes and phrases that motivate their work at United Way of Western Connecticut.
• Elizabeth Quiñonez, Child Care Initiative Director: “I enjoy the opportunity to get closer to the community that I live in and serve and have a firsthand experience of the needs through the child care project. I love to establish new contacts and make new friends who help me to be a better person and improve my skills.”
• Gabriela Ramon, Child Care Initiative Benefits Specialist: “I love the fact that I can make a difference in my community because we can’t wait until someone else comes up with the solution. I like to help find the solutions to the needs of our community.”
• Zaida Coraizaca, Child Care Coordinator: ”What I love about serving the community is the love and patience that is put into the work. I do it because I believe in creating a positive change that can impact our community.”
• Melanie Amador, Parent Ambassador for Stamford Cradle to Career: ”Haz bien y no mires a quien. I love to help people and be a person that people can count on especially now after the pandemic when everyone needs more support in many ways."
Reading List
These lists were compiled from recommendations submitted by our colleagues, highlighting their favorite books from Hispanic and Latino authors. Here are the top picks throughout the month.
• The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho
• Finding Latinx: In Search of the Voices Redefining Latino Identity by Paola Ramos
• The Poet X by Elizabeth Acevedo
• Lost Children Archive by Valeria Luiselli
• Velvet Was the Night by Silvia Moreno-Garcia
• The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao by Junot Diaz
• When I Was Puerto Rican by Esmeralda Santiago
• The House on Mango Street by Sandra Cisneros
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