READING, Pa. — It started over dinner. People shared food, met neighbors and talked about what’s happening in their communities.
That’s the idea behind Latinos Unidos: celebrate Hispanic and Latino cultures while bringing people from across Berks County together at Alvernia University for Hispanic Heritage Month.
“The whole goal is for us to celebrate the community. As an anchor institution in the community, it’s important for us to sort of celebrate that, and use whatever tools we have to highlight what’s already happening in the community,” said Rodney Ridley of Alvernia University.
There was a salsa show. I joined in, too. And for Lizette Epps, who grew up in Reading, it’s the kind of night she wishes she’d had as a kid.
“As a Latina growing up in a place like Reading, I didn’t see myself. So you know I saw other people that looked like me but we never talked about the stories, the struggles, the triumphs,” said Epps of the O’Pake Institute.
But the connections here extend beyond tonight.
“Many companies have extended their programming for non-native English speakers to provide classes, to help them improve on their English language skills, and also have contracted to help give basic Spanish language skills for their supervisors and managers to be able to also learn a little bit of conversational skills,” said Angelica Rojo-Monserrate, a literacy programs specialist.
I shared my story from the stage as well. Around the room, people were learning from one another, the reason this night exists.