Hispanic Heritage Month Partner Spotlight: SA Youth
As we celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month, Healthy Futures is proud to spotlight our partners who are making a difference in Hispanic communities across Texas.
Following is our conversation with SA Youth’s Hosanna Caraballo-Coronado.
What does Hispanic Heritage Month mean to you, to SA Youth, and the community you serve?
Personally, Hispanic Heritage Month is a time to remember the ways that my ancestors and our people have built and nurtured the communities that sustain us to this today, as well as the culture and traditions they have passed down to us, and that we continue to pass on to future generations.
In our SA Youth community, which is predominantly Hispanic, Hispanic Heritage month is also a reminder that each day our organization must continue to help young adults in San Antonio develop resilience, character, and the workforce readiness and life skills so that they can lead fulfilling lives and reach their goals.
What inspired you to do the work you do, particularly in supporting the health and well-being of Hispanic communities?
I’m inspired first by my parents, who were hardworking people who sacrificed a lot, including their own health, to make sure my siblings and I had access to opportunities that weren’t available to them.
Also, earlier in my career as a public high school teacher, I built strong relationships with the students in my predominantly Hispanic high school and realized that health and well-being is connected to community. When we have strong communities behind us, we can do anything because we feel supported. This strong community is what SA Youth offers to young adults who have been disconnected from education, and who come to us seeking their high school diploma and a better future.
What is one challenge facing Hispanic communities today that you believe deserves greater attention?
In Hispanic communities, we continue to face the stigma associated with seeking help for our mental health. Just as we need to take care of ourselves physically, it is equally important that we recognize the care, strong relationships, and attention required to maintain good mental health. It is okay to ask for help when we need it, and it is important to know that struggling with depression, anxiety, or other mental health concerns is not a sign of weakness. As a community, we must continue to create spaces where we can talk about our feelings and struggles. Resilience and being able to reach out for help must coexist.
How does SA Youth work to ensure Hispanic voices, experiences, and perspectives are recognized in the work you do?
We are not afraid to step aside and amplify the voices of others. In our program, we give students a voice by offering them opportunities to serve on committees where they can rise into positions of leadership, such as the Graduation Committee and Social Justice Committee. We have also invited our students to share their experiences through visual art, filmmaking, and storytelling, thanks to partnerships with other organizations in our community. When we give folks space to share who they are, they thrive.
What gives you hope for the future of Hispanic communities in Texas, and what role can we all play in building healthier communities?
One thing I love about my job is the way I continue to be inspired by the creativity, fresh ideas, and progress-mindedness of the young adults we serve at SA Youth, and the ways that they want to make the world a better place. To make that vision a reality, we must continue to invest in Hispanic communities. Our teenagers need help as they grow into adulthood, but also, our parents and grandparents need guidance, education, and a community to help them live healthier, more prosperous lives and create promising, new paths for the generations ahead.
