Every year from September 15th through October 15th, Los Angeles Centers for Alcohol and Drug Abuse (L.A. CADA) joins our community in celebrating Hispanic and Latino Heritage Month. The festivities cross over two calendar months to coincide with the Independence Day celebrations of Belize, Chile, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico and Nicaragua.

Here in Los Angeles County, almost 60% of families with children are Latino. But even if your family doesn’t come from Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean, Central or South America, you can still participate in the celebration through learning and cultural experiences that bring you a little closer to these countries and their diverse communities. Sharing other people’s cultures with your kids helps build their respect and curiosity and helps them understand the vastness of the world we live in.

Some of the local things that we can do during this special time of Latino pride include:

• Visit the Museum of Latin American Art in Long Beach. This is the only museum in America fully dedicated to Latino art. The entire family will enjoy MOLAA’s Sculpture Garden, women’s art exhibition, and tours.
• Dine or shop at a local Latino-owned restaurant or business. Support Latino families by visiting a new or favorite place to eat or shop; Etsy has some great Latino-owned businesses.
• Buy and read a book by a Latino author and share what you learned with friends and family.
• Support the Latino Equality Alliance (LEA). This group advocates for equity, safety, and wellness for the Latino Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer + community.
• Watch a movie that celebrates Hispanic and Latino culture.
• Make a playlist of your favorite Latino songs and share with friends and family.

And make sure to wish the people in your life “¡Feliz dia de la Hispanidad!“