CALV Staff Share Their Hispanic Heritage: A Month of Celebration!

Hispanic Heritage Month (September 15 – October 15) is a time to honor the rich histories, cultures, and contributions of Hispanic and Latino Americans. At Community Action Lehigh Valley, we’re proud that approximately 25% of our workforce identifies as Hispanic or Latino. Working alongside such a diverse group of colleagues strengthens our agency and enhances our ability to serve the community. 

As a local anti-poverty nonprofit, we recognize that Hispanic/Latino populations in the U.S. face higher poverty rates compared to some other racial and ethnic groups. Factors such as lower levels of education, limited job opportunities, low-wage or seasonal employment, and barriers like language, immigration status, and access to healthcare and financial services all contribute to economic instability for many within these communities. 

To celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month, we asked our Hispanic/Latino employees to share what their heritage means to them and how it influences their work in the nonprofit sector. We thank our staff for their contributions and for proudly representing the Lehigh Valley area and beyond! 

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Duvan Cano

Tenant Advocate & Organizer, Community Action Development Bethlehem

(Colombian)

“The Hispanic community is full of hard-working people who get up every day to fulfill their dreams. We are an example of improvement and persistence in the fight to get what we want. There are many people who need you and you can be part of the change in the life of a community member, so dare to be part of this beautiful effort.”

Jennifer Labrador

Office Coordinator, Community Action Development Bethlehem

(Puerto Rican) 

“As a young girl, I quickly learned how to help others with compassion and empathy. I take pride in helping our community find the resources they need, whether it’s for rent, utilities, food, or even making basic phone calls for their day-to-day needs. Growing up in a Hispanic home, raised by my two Puerto Rican grandmothers, Spanish was the primary language, which inspired me to work within the community and help people who may face similar barriers in navigating the communities they live in.” 

Joseph Martinez

Staff Accountant

(Puerto Rican)

“There are still those who believe the Hispanic community is just trying to take away available jobs. The reality is that the Hispanic community is filled with hardworking individuals who are willing to do the jobs most are not, and they do them with excellence. They need to be given the opportunity to rise so they can fill spaces where their work ethic can foster healthy growth and help combat poverty. It may take as little as someone pointing them in the right direction.” 

Vanessa Morel

SNAP Outreach Coordinator, Second Harvest Food Bank

(Honduran)

“I feel that the Hispanic community will never truly overcome poverty if we don’t believe in ourselves more. We must teach the upcoming youth to take pride in their culture, look at what is going on around them, stand tall, and not contribute to the stigma often associated with Hispanics. We need to help represent those who can’t fight for themselves and give a voice to those who are sometimes unheard. In Hispanic culture, we believe in family—bonding together, respecting each other, and helping each other out when needed.” 

Karen Ocasio

HR Office Administrator

(Puerto Rican)

“My background has influenced my work in the nonprofit sector because I come from a struggling background. I know what it’s like to depend on community services for food, rent, and energy assistance. So, when people call in or come in to ask for help, I understand their struggle firsthand. It pushes me to try my hardest to ensure that they get what they need to receive help. It hits home, I know what it’s like to be without basic necessities.” 

Pedro Santiago

Second Harvest Food Bank Warehouse Worker 

(Puerto Rican) 

“My cultural background has influenced my work in the nonprofit sector because my grandparents' lives had a profound effect on my modus operandi. They worked well as a team and lived by principles of giving. Servitude was prevalent in their lives, and I am honored and grateful to have inherited those qualities from them.” 

Lizette Soto

Counseling & Intake Specialist, Sixth Street Shelter

(Puerto Rican) 

“I have come full circle, from being a program participant to now helping those in need. I think about my two Latina mentors when I first started working here, Rosa Rivera and Delia Marrero, and how these women shared their time and wisdom with me without ever asking for recognition. I love that about my Puerto Rican community—if we can help, we do. We don’t look for awards; we just look out for each other. I came to this country to give my kids a better life, and when I arrived, I was left alone in a park with my children. It was through Community Action that I rebuilt my life and created a career. This isn’t just a job; it’s my passion because I’ve lived it.” 

Maria Vazquez

HR Administrative Services Coordinator

(Puerto Rican) 

“There are many aspects of my heritage that are very meaningful to me: the language, the music and the food that we so proudly share with the world; but for me, I am most proud of what was passed down to me by my parents, their parents and the family that came before them. I’ve learned what it means to have strength and resilience. Growing up, we had a sense of community where everyone helped each other, we learned the value of respect, hard work and shared responsibilities. The goal of my community was to survive and grow, whether it was cooking extra food to share with the family that was going through a ‘rough patch’, caring for a neighbor’s child so their parents could work and pay their bills, or showing someone the ropes because they had just flown in from a ‘new world.’ They gave me the values and principles that I proudly share with everyone I meet.” 

Jeanette Velez

Housing Counselor

(Puerto Rican)

“My dad owned his own business, and I saw how hard he worked to ensure our family had all the necessities required to survive. I went to college and wanted to work and be independent, but I married young, divorced, and raised my son alone. I worked hard and was able to save money to purchase my first home as a single mom. Many men and women today are single parents and don’t realize the opportunity is there for them.  We have the ability to open those doors for many, and CALV has all the tools necessary to do so. If I did it, they can too.” 

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A huge thank you to our staff for sharing their inspiring words and stories. It’s an honor to work alongside such a diverse and culturally rich group of individuals! This Hispanic Heritage Month, and every month, we truly appreciate all that you contribute to our agency and the community.