Celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month at the Y!

Hispanic Heritage Month is celebrated from September 15 – October 15, and the YMCA of Greenwich is proud to honor the histories, cultures, and contributions of our Hispanic, Latino, and Latinx community members. At the Y, we celebrate diversity every day—and this month gives us a special opportunity to highlight the ways our members and neighbors enrich our community.

A Brief History of Hispanic Heritage Month

Hispanic Heritage Month began in 1968 when President Lyndon B. Johnson signed a bill designating the week of September 15 as National Hispanic Heritage Week. Nearly 20 years later, President Ronald Reagan expanded the observance to a full month.

The timing is significant: September 15 marks the independence anniversaries of Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua. Mexico celebrates independence on September 16, and Chile on September 18. Together, these dates serve as a reminder of the diverse histories that shape today’s Hispanic and Latino communities.

Celebrating at the YMCA of Greenwich

At the Y, our Hispanic Heritage Month celebration connects directly with Welcoming Month—our extended version of the national Welcoming Week celebration created by Welcoming America. This initiative is all about bringing together newcomer immigrants and U.S.-born residents through community-based events that promote cross-cultural understanding and highlight the benefits of welcoming everyone.

As part of this celebration, we invite all members to join us for our International Breakfast on Thursday, September 26 at 8:30 AM here at the Y. This event is a chance to celebrate the diverse cultures represented in our community.

Do you have a favorite Latin or Hispanic dish you’d like to share? Bring it along! It’s a wonderful way to spotlight traditions from across Latin America, and we’re excited to enjoy a wide variety of flavors together.

How You Can Celebrate Beyond the Y

Looking for more ways to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month with your family?

• Attend Local Events: Explore Hispanic Heritage Month celebrations happening across Greenwich and Fairfield County.

• Read and Discover: Check out books by Hispanic, Latino, and Latinx authors at Greenwich Library.

• Watch and Listen: Explore music, films, and podcasts created by Hispanic and Latinx artists to immerse yourself in diverse voices and perspectives.

Join Us in Celebration

Hispanic Heritage Month is a reminder of the incredible diversity that strengthens our community. At the YMCA of Greenwich, we are proud to be a place where people of all backgrounds come together to learn, grow, and thrive. We hope you’ll join us in celebrating Hispanic heritage, culture, and community this month—starting with our International Breakfast on September 26!