Hispanic Heritage Month is an official celebration of Americans whose ancestry can be traced back to Spain, Mexico, Central and South America, and the Caribbean.  It is celebrated from September 15 through October 15, and during this time Big Brothers Big Sisters of Eastern Massachusetts honors and celebrates the heritage, culture, and contributions of the Hispanic and LatinX populations in the United States.

The celebration starts in the middle of the month, as opposed to the end, because the 15th marks the independence days of five Latin American countries: Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua. Mexico, Chile, and Belize follow shortly after on the 16th, 18th and 21st. Learn more about the culture and traditions of Hispanic Heritage Month here.

Whether you want to share your heritage with your Little, learn more about theirs, or explore different customs together, we hope these outings and activity suggestions will inspire you to honor the month and get curious together!

Virtual and Socially Distanced Events

• Your Story Matters Cafecito (10/08)
  A panel hosted by Amplify Latinx encouraging youth to share the obstacles they’ve encountered in their lives and how they’ve overcome them.
• Creative Letter Writing with Ruth Behar (10/08)
  Join award-winning author Ruth Behar for an hour of letter-writing to friends and family and a discussion around immigration and staying connected to our loved ones near and far. Hosted by the Boston Public Library.
• Walking Tour of Hyde Square (10/10)
  Go on a tour of Boston’s first predominantly Hispanic neighborhood and learn about the history that shaped this community!
• Boston’s Latin Quarter Art Walk (Ongoing)
  Take a stroll through Boston’s Latin Quarter and learn about the significance that art plays to the past and present of this neighborhood. Hosted by Hyde Square Task Force.
• Mexican Sing-Along and Dance with Veronica Robles (10/15)
  Tune in for a wonderful performance by mariachi musician Veronica Robles as well as a presentation about the instruments and costumes that are integral to the genre. Hosted by the Boston Public Library.
• Afro-Cuban Jazz Concert with Chucho Valdes (10/18)
  Grammy-winning artist Chucho Valdes joins Celebrity Series of Boston for a wonderful evening of Afro-Cuban Jazz!

Cultural Games/Activities

• Making a Puerto Rican Güiro
  A guiro is an instrument foundational to Puerto Rican music, as well as other genres of music from around the Caribbean. Make one with your Little using a water bottle and paint supplies!
• Making Repujados (Mexican Cuff Bracelets)
  Make a decorative bracelet with your Little using common household items! See how much fun you can have creating your own custom designs.
• Creating a Mola
  Spend time researching the history and craft of Molas (Panamanian folk art of the Guna people) with your Little before trying your hands at making one!

Restaurants to Visit

Allston/Brighton:

• Los Amigos Taqueria |1294 Beacon Street, Brookline, MA
• Taqueria El Carrizal | 254 Brighton Ave, Allston, MA
• Teresa Market | 571 Washington St, Brighton, MA

Cambridge/Somerville:

• Orinoco Kitchen | 56 JFK Street, Cambridge, MA 02138
• La Posada | 505 Medford St, Somerville, MA

Cape Cod/Martha’s Vineyard:

• Tumi Ceviche & Ristorante | 592 Main St, Hyannis, MA 02601
• Mi Pueblo | 459 Main St, Hyannis, MA

Dorchester/Mattapan:

• Delicias Restaurant |149 Stoughton St, Boston, MA 02125
• Pollo Lounge and Grill | 225 Bowdoin St, Dorchester, MA 02122
• Mana Escondido Cafe | 68 Aguadilla St, Boston, MA 02118

East Boston:

• Rincon Limeño | 409 Chelsea Street, East Boston MA
• La Sultana Bakery | 40 Maverick Square, East Boston, MA
• El Peñol | 54 Bennington St, East Boston, MA

Jamaica Plain:

• 100% Delicias Express | 660A Centre Street, Jamaica Plain, MA
• Pikalo JP | 378 Centre Street, Jamaica Plain, Ma

Medford/Malden:

• El Mexsal Authentic Latin Food | 97 Medford St, Malden, MA 02148
• Tenoch Mexican | 24 Riverside Ave, Medford, MA

New Bedford:

• Panchi’s Latin Food | 363 Rivet Street, New Bedford, MA 02744

Waltham:

• Gustazo Cuban Cafe | 633 Main St Waltham, MA
• Amuleto Mexican Table | 484 Moody St Waltham, MA

The coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic is impacting everyone, some more drastically than others. For a number of families, especially those in the LatinX community, it could mean making big changes in everyday routines due to hardships. If you are in need of additional support please check out these COVID resources.

COVID-19 Resources

• COVID-19 Related Community Resources and Support
• COVID-19 resources pages geared to the Latinx community, some of which include multilingual resources
• COVID-19 RESOURCE GUIDE FOR BOSTON’S IMMIGRANTS

El Mes Nacional de la Herencia Hispana es una celebración oficial de los estadounidenses con ascendencia de España, México, Centroamérica, Suramérica y el Caribe. Se celebra del 15 de septiembre al 15 de octubre, y durante este tiempo Big Brothers Big Sisters of Eastern Massachusetts honra y celebra el patrimonio, la cultura, y las contribuciones de las poblaciones hispanas y latinxs en los Estados Unidos.

La celebración comienza a mediados de mes, a diferencia del final, porque el día 15 marca los días de independencia de cinco países latinoamericanos: Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras y Nicaragua. Los días de independencia de México, Chile y Belice siguen poco después en los días 16, 18 y 21. Obtenga más información sobre la cultura y las tradiciones del Mes Nacional de la Herencia Hispana aquí.

Ya sea que desee compartir su herencia con su Little, aprender más sobre la suya, o explorar diferentes costumbres juntos, esperamos que estas sugerencias de actividades le inspiren a honrar el mes y tener curiosidad juntos!

Eventos virtuales y a distancia social

• Your Story Matters Cafecito (10/08)
  A panel hosted by Amplify Latinx encouraging youth to share the obstacles they’ve encountered in their lives and how they’ve overcome them.
• Creative Letter Writing with Ruth Behar (10/08)
  Join award-winning author Ruth Behar for an hour of letter-writing to friends and family and a discussion around immigration and staying connected to our loved ones near and far. Hosted by the Boston Public Library.
• Walking Tour of Hyde Square (10/10)
  Go on a tour of Boston’s first predominantly Hispanic neighborhood and learn about the history that shaped this community!
• Boston’s Latin Quarter Art Walk (Ongoing)
  Take a stroll through Boston’s Latin Quarter and learn about the significance that art plays to the past and present of this neighborhood. Hosted by Hyde Square Task Force.
• Mexican Sing-Along and Dance with Veronica Robles (10/15)
  Tune in for a wonderful performance by mariachi musician Veronica Robles as well as a presentation about the instruments and costumes that are integral to the genre. Hosted by the Boston Public Library.
• Afro-Cuban Jazz Concert with Chucho Valdes (10/18)
  Grammy-winning artist Chucho Valdes joins Celebrity Series of Boston for a wonderful evening of Afro-Cuban Jazz!

Juegos y Actividades Culturales

• Making a Puerto Rican Güiro
  A guiro is an instrument foundational to Puerto Rican music, as well as other genres of music from around the Caribbean. Make one with your Little using a water bottle and paint supplies!
• Making Repujados (Mexican Cuff Bracelets)
  Make a decorative bracelet with your Little using common household items! See how much fun you can have creating your own custom designs.
• Creating a Mola
  Spend time researching the history and craft of Molas (Panamanian folk art of the Guna people) with your Little before trying your hands at making one!

Restaurantes

Allston/Brighton:

• Los Amigos Taqueria |1294 Beacon Street, Brookline, MA
• Taqueria El Carrizal | 254 Brighton Ave, Allston, MA
• Teresa Market | 571 Washington St, Brighton, MA

Cambridge/Somerville:

• Orinoco Kitchen | 56 JFK Street, Cambridge, MA 02138
• La Posada | 505 Medford St, Somerville, MA

Cape Cod/Martha’s Vineyard:

• Tumi Ceviche & Ristorante | 592 Main St, Hyannis, MA 02601
• Mi Pueblo | 459 Main St, Hyannis, MA

Dorchester/Mattapan:

• Delicias Restaurant |149 Stoughton St, Boston, MA 02125
• Pollo Lounge and Grill | 225 Bowdoin St, Dorchester, MA 02122
• Mana Escondido Cafe | 68 Aguadilla St, Boston, MA 02118

East Boston:

• Rincon Limeño | 409 Chelsea Street, East Boston MA
• La Sultana Bakery | 40 Maverick Square, East Boston, MA
• El Peñol | 54 Bennington St, East Boston, MA

Jamaica Plain:

• 100% Delicias Express | 660A Centre Street, Jamaica Plain, MA
• Pikalo JP | 378 Centre Street, Jamaica Plain, Ma

Medford/Malden:

• El Mexsal Authentic Latin Food | 97 Medford St, Malden, MA 02148
• Tenoch Mexican | 24 Riverside Ave, Medford, MA

New Bedford:

• Panchi’s Latin Food | 363 Rivet Street, New Bedford, MA 02744

Waltham:

• Gustazo Cuban Cafe | 633 Main St Waltham, MA
• Amuleto Mexican Table | 484 Moody St Waltham, MA

La pandemia de coronavirus (COVID-19) nos ha afectado a todos, pero a algunos más drásticamente que a otros. Para muchas familias, especialmente las de la comunidad LatinX, podría significar hacer grandes cambios en las rutinas diarias debido a estas dificultades. Si necesitan soporte adicional, consulten estos recursos.

COVID-19 Resources

• COVID-19 Related Community Resources and Support
• COVID-19 resources pages geared to the Latinx community, some of which include multilingual resources
• COVID-19 RESOURCE GUIDE FOR BOSTON’S IMMIGRANTS