photo by: Derek Redd
From left, YWCA Wheeling Marketing Director Liz Handzus, YWCA Cultural Diversity Director Ron Scott and Ohio County Library Child Programs Specialist Carrie Lieb hold items that will be a part of Hispanic Heritage Month events held at the library and Nail City Records.
YWCA Wheeling is partnering with several organizations to highlight and honor the culture and contributions of Hispanic and Latino communities.
YWCA Wheeling is joining with ACLU West Virginia, the Ohio County Public Library and Nail City Records for Hispanic Heritage Month. Starting later this month, the organizations will host events that shine the spotlight on the culture’s heritage.
This celebration is a first for the organizations and one they felt was important and necessary, said Ron Scott, YWCA Wheeling’s cultural diversity director.
“Our population is growing so much that I think to really be culturally diverse, we have to be culturally diverse,” he said. “We already had this month distinguished and set aside for them, so let’s do something to celebrate it.”
All events are free and open to the public. There are three keynote events on the schedule.
– Storytime at the Ohio County Public Library, Sept. 24 at 6 p.m. — Geared toward students in grades K-5, this interactive event will feature books, songs and crafts celebrating Hispanic culture while encouraging creativity and imagination.
– Lunch With Books at the Ohio County Public Library, Oct. 2 at noon — The program will host Jackie Lozano, Immigrant Rights Campaign Coordinator for the ACLU of West Virginia, who will lead an open discussion and informational session about the deportation crisis facing the country. Guests are encouraged to bring a bag lunch.
– Nail City Records Listening Party and Community Potluck, Oct. 9 at 6 p.m. — Nail City Records will host a listening party showcasing Hispanic and Latino musicians across multiple genres, and also will offer an opportunity for local artists and performers to share their works.
A Hispanic and Latino potluck dinner also will be held. Attendees are invited to bring their favorite dish. To sign up for the potluck, email cdcdirector@ywcawheeling.org for the Google Form link.
“I love to delve into whatever our community wants,” said Carrie Lieb, child program specialist at the library. “And before Ron approached us, there were some inquiries about adding Spanish books to the library. I naturally am drawn to more marginalized communities and trying to create spaces for them, so this all aligned perfectly.”
For more information on the events, visit the YWCA Wheeling website at ywcawheeling.org or by visiting the organization’s Facebook page.