With one of the largest concentrations of Latino voters in the country, the Rio Grande Valley is a key region poised to shape the future of Texas and the country this November. Nearly 316,000 Latino voters in the Rio Grande Valley sat out the 2024 election. If even a fraction of those voters turns out this cycle, it could reshape outcomes up and down the ballot. Over 90 percent of the Valley residents identify as Latino. Earlier this month, Hispanic Federation and @votolatino brought neighbors, local leaders, and elected officials together in Edinburg, Texas, for the #Juntosenel956, a community town hall and fireside chat to inform and mobilize Latino voters ahead of the midterm's elections. Voter engagement starts with listening to communities, providing trusted information, and ensuring voters have the resources they need to participate in our democracy. Hispanic Federation and Voto Latino understand what it means to invest in historically underinvested communities. This is the first of many investments in the Rio Grande Valley to ensure that we meet voters where they are, and RGV voices are heard. As early voting gets underway in Texas, we encourage eligible voters to stay informed about the voting process, key dates, and how to make their voices heard. Early voting in Texas is happening now until Friday, October 30.

The Latino vote is more powerful than ever, and @NYCMayor Mamdani agrees. Make sure that you make a plan to vote on November 3rd. Our “La Voz de mi Gente” campaign ensures that New York voters are informed of ballot measures, candidates, dates for registration and early voting, and polling locations. At a recent event in our office, Mayor Mamdani talked about the importance of voter education campaigns, such as “La Voz de Mi Gente,” and pointed to our bilingual toolkit as an example of what it takes to engage with our community. Stay informed. Download the toolkit in English or in Spanish and share it so your network can understand key election information. Click here: New York Civic Engagement - Hispanic Federation hispanicfederation.org/our-w…

Although #HispanicHeritageMonth has come to an end, we continue to celebrate nuestra cultura all year long! 🎶🧡 From clásicos to today’s hits, listen to our HF staff’s favorite songs from across our people. ¡Dale play y celebra nuestra herencia! Listen to our playlist at the link here: open.spotify.com/playlist/10… What song would you add to the playlist? Let us know in the comments!

Stories are at the heart of our cultures! #HispanicHeritageMonth may have wrapped up but our work elevating our community’s content continues, check out our staff’s excellent Latino-authored book recommendations. These also make great gifts for the holidays or #SundayReads. 😉 What books would you add to the list? The list of HF staff book recommendations includes: 📙 The Diary of Frida Kahlo by Frida Kahlo 📙 In the Time of Butterflies by Julia Alvarez 📙 The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao by Junot Díaz 📙 Down These Mean Streets by Piri Thomas 📙 The House of the Spirits by Isabel Allende 📙 The Alchemist by Paolo Coelho 📙 Bodega Dreams by Ernesto Quiñones 📙 El Reino de Este Mundo by Alejo Carpentier 📙 Cien Años de Soledad by Gabriel García Márquez 📙 Rayuela by Julio Cortázar 📙 When I Was Puerto Rican by Esmeralda Santiago 📙 Solito by Javier Zamora Some honorable mentions we couldn't fit: La guaracha del Macho Camacho by Luis Rafael Sánchez, Casi Romántica by Larissa Gloriel, and Maria by Jorge Isaacs.

¡Gracias, Florida! 💙 Last week, more than 200 nonprofit leaders, funders, elected officials, and community allies from more than 100 organizations came together for our third annual Encuentro Florida, and to celebrate 10 years of Hispanic Federation in the sunshine state. At a time when so many Latino families across the state are feeling economic strain, this room was a powerful reminder that our community does not face these challenges alone. Together we: 🔨 Built skills through hands-on workshops in nonprofit development and communications 📍 Mapped the assets and strengths already present in our communities 💲 Connected nonprofits with funders and partners 🎤 Heard from Mayor Buddy Dyer, State Rep. Johanna López, and others on what policy changes at every level mean for Florida families "Through every challenge and celebration, our organizations have continued to show up and say, ‘Aquí estamos,’ said HF Florida State Director Laudi Campo. Ten Years. One Journey. Endless Impact. Thank you to every partner who has been part of this journey, and to everyone who joined us. The work continues.

We are heartbroken, again to see another shooting at an elementary school. To the families in Bend, Oregon: we see you, we mourn with you, and we will not look away. These tragedies need to end, and we call on elected officials to take real action to end gun violence. Hispanic Federation joins the Central Oregon community in sorrow and in outrage. We demand real action to prevent gun violence — action that matches the scale of this grief. Read our full statement from Jessica Orozco Guttlein, Senior Vice President of Communications Strategy for Hispanic Federation, at the link here: Hispanic Federation Mourns Victims of Silver Rail Elementary School Shooting, Demands Real Action to Prevent Gun Violence - Hispanic Federation hispanicfederation.org/news/…

“¿Ya comiste?” 🧡 A simple question that carries so much love, care, and connection in Latine families. On the last day of Hispanic Heritage Month, we’re celebrating the traditions, flavors, and memories that bring our communities together. Presented by @penguinrandom, ¿Ya Comiste? explores the stories behind Latine cuisine and the ways food connects us to our culture and each other. You can watch the full series here: hispanicfederation.org/donat…

On the last day of #HispanicHeritageMonth, hear from Hispanic Federation’s state directors across our offices sharing a message about our commitment to honor our roots and move our communities forward, this month and always. En el último día del #MesDeLaHerenciaHispana, escucha a los directores estatales de Hispanic Federation compartir un mensaje sobre nuestro compromiso de honrar nuestras raíces e impulsar a nuestras comunidades, este mes y siempre.

We can’t celebrate #HispanicHeritageMonth without food! We know this post might make you hungry! We asked our HF staff to share their favorite dishes and the traditions that connect them to their cultures, and the answers did not disappoint. We couldn’t fit them all in one carousel! Honorable mentions go to: hallacas, pastelón, ceviche, asopao, bandeja paisa, and lechón. We’re not trying to start a debate, but we have to ask: Who makes the best sancocho and is Puerto Rican mofongo taking the crown? 👀 Tell us about your favorite dish in the comments.

***FIRST LOOK AT MAYOR MAMDANI'S VISIT TO HF HEADQUARTERS!** Today at Hispanic Federation, we brought together New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani, our President and CEO Frankie Miranda, and approximately 60 community partners for a conversation on the issues that matter most to Latino communities across the five boroughs. The conversation addressed key issues affecting Latino communities, including immigration enforcement, community safety, housing affordability, health care access, education, and economic opportunity. As we celebrate #HispanicHeritageMonth, Hispanic Federation remains committed to ensuring our communities are heard and their experiences inform the policies shaping our city. Thank you to Mayor Mamdani and all our community partners for joining us in this important dialogue. Stay tuned for a more in-depth look at the day's event!

What does it take to build a city that works for all New Yorkers? It starts with listening to the heart of its communities. Hispanic Federation President and CEO Frankie Miranda and @NYCMayor joined more than 60 leaders from across the five boroughs to discuss the issues affecting Latino communities and the importance of keeping community voices at the center of the conversation. #HispanicHeritageMonth is almost wrapping up, but we’re continuing to create space for the conversations that move our communities forward. 💬 What issues do you believe deserve more attention in conversations about the future of our city? Share your thoughts in the comments.

Shop. Round up. Give back. 🧡 As #HispanicHeritageMonth comes to a close, there’s still time to make a difference! Through October 15, shop at BoxLunch and round up your purchase to support Hispanic Federation. Every contribution helps advance equity and create greater opportunities for Latino communities. When you check out in-store or online, make sure to select Hispanic Federation as your organization of choice when prompted to round up your purchase. Every round-up made during the promotional period goes directly to Hispanic Federation. Shop. Round up. Support our communities. boxlunch.com/