September 15 through October 15 is National Hispanic Heritage Month.
“Working with young people and teams in Latin America has made us much stronger as an organization. We share ideas and best practices across borders and cultures, and it makes us all better for it.”
Boys Hope Girls Hope celebrates and honors the contributions, culture, history, and achievements of Hispanic and Latino Americans as we work closely with and serve Latino and Hispanic scholars, families, affiliates, and communities that enrich the fabric of American life.
The dates of this celebration were chosen to align with the independence anniversaries of several Latin American countries, including Guatemala (September 15), and Mexico (September 16), where, respectively, Esperanza Juvenil and Ser y Crecer make a positive difference in the lives of our scholars.
A Stronger Organization
“Working with young people and teams in Latin America has made us much stronger as an organization. We share ideas and best practices across borders and cultures, and it makes us all better for it.” said Kristin Ostby de Barillas, CEO and President of Boys Hope Girls Hope.
“We are serving close to 400 scholars in Latin America now. We also have a growing number of US scholars who are Hispanic. Not only are we serving Hispanic scholars in traditionally Hispanic regions like Denver, Phoenix and Southern California, but increasingly in Midwestern and East Coast cities like Cincinnati, Pittsburgh, St. Louis and New York.” Across the entire Network, 54% of scholars, collegians, and community outreach participants are Latino and 22% in the US are Hispanic.
Scholars from Boys Hope Girls Hope of Arizona at Envision U 2024 at Santa Clara University in California.
“We are all grateful for the opportunities Boys Hope Girls Hope has given me, being able to pursue a higher education without worrying about student debt.”
Arthur Veloz Marin is one of the many Hispanic scholars in the Boys Hope Girls Hope community. From Colorado, Arthur is a senior at the University of Denver, majoring in Political Science. He is also one of the 2024 Hope Ignites Fellows and attended the Legacy Leadership Development Summit at Boys Hope Girls Hope Network Headquarters in St. Louis this year. He expressed gratitude for the opportunities it has presented to him and his family:
“We are all grateful for the opportunities Boys Hope Girls Hope has given me, being able to pursue a higher education without worrying about student debt.”
Arthur sees parallels between his Hispanic heritage, and the culture of Boys Hope Girls Hope:
“In Hispanic culture, a strong work ethic and sense of community are incredibly important. The dedication I have seen from Boys Hope Girls Hope staff reflects this aspect of my culture.”
Arthur Veloz Marin, Boys Hope Girls Hope collegian from Colorado.
Inspired to Do More
As we continue to serve more Hispanic families in the US, many affiliates are seeking Spanish-speaking team members. We have also increased the number of bilingual staff at Network Headquarters, five of whom are fully fluent in Spanish, including Ostby de Barillas. This allows for better cross-cultural understanding and cooperation between affiliates and helps us better serve Hispanic families in the US.
Our commitment to the Hispanic community also extends to our boards, as we actively work to bring different perspectives, experiences and networks to our boards.
The Network Board now has three dynamic Hispanic professionals who are making a great impact. Dr. Angela Jones, a pediatrician affiliated with the Washington University Clinical Associates in St. Louis, was born in Mexico, grew up in Colombia and attended medical school there before relocating to the US. Bobby Herrera, co-founder of the Populus Group, is a son of Mexican migrant farmworker parents. Anja Schmelter, an independent marketing consultant in St. Louis, grew up in Puerto Rico and moved to the US for school and work.
“Through my involvement in Boys Hope Girls Hope as a member of the Network Board, I have met so many scholars, collegians and alumni,” said Anja Schmelter. “They are all unique in terms of background, interests and goals, but all share a profound desire to learn and grow. Their journeys not only amaze me, but also inspire me to do more – to volunteer, provide mentorship, share my skills, facilitate connections and donate generously.”
Network Board Members Anja Schmelter, Bobby Herrera, and Dr. Angela Jones.
AUTHOR
Martin Totland is the Media and Communications Coordinator for Boys Hope Girls Hope Network Headquarters.
She said, “As a Puerto Rican, who had the opportunity to study and work in the United States, I understand the cultural and language barriers that Hispanic and Latino Americans can experience throughout their educational journeys and careers. Boys Hope Girls Hope works very hard to address the unique needs of our growing number of Hispanic and Latino scholars, ensuring that their heritage does not hold them back but instead positively differentiates them. We believe that, in embracing and sharing their personal experiences and traditions, our diverse young people grow and enrich their communities.”
“The stories we witness from the Boys Hope Girls Hope scholars reminds me of the countless stories of resilience in the Latino/Hispanic community,” said Bobby Herrera. “There’s a common thread of perseverance, generosity, and a shared desire to spread hope to others. As a first-generation son of immigrant Mexican parents, I see my story in the scholars Boys Hope Girls Hope serves. They simply want to be seen and know they matter, like I did. Most important, I see the shared passion they have in their heart to do the same for others down the road.”
He continued, “The Boys Hope Girls Hope story creates that feeling in your heart that drives you to do something good. As a Board member, I not only get to see the collective good of the story, but I get to contribute to the impact. The most rewarding part, however, is the front row preview of our future via the grit and potential of the kids Boys Hope Girls Hope serves. I can see our bright future in the shine of their eyes when they realize someone out there believes in them.”