An initiative of the Office and Commission of Latino Affairs
PILA's mission is to support and empower Iowa’s Latinx professionals by creating an inclusive space and providing opportunities for Advocacy, Civic Engagement, Professional Development, Networking, and Connections to Iowa’s Employers.
To kick off Latino Heritage Month, we will hold networking events across the state, become a member and stay informed!
Click here to become a PILA member.
For more information visit our website o contact Sonia Reyes-Snyder at 515-281-4080 or Sonia.Reyes-Snyder@iowa.gov
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Five remarkable Iowans, including a Latino youth and a Latino Ambassador, will be inducted into the Second Iowa Latino Hall of Fame on Saturday, October 20, 2018, at 9:30 a.m. at the Iowa State Historical Building, 600 East Locust Street, Des Moines, Iowa.
The Iowa Latino Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony is held around National Latino & Hispanic Heritage Month, September 15 to October 15, which celebrates and honors the contributions made by Latinos in the United States.
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The 2018 honorees are:
Ernest Rodriguez, Bettendorf, IA
Salvador (Chavo) Lopez, Davenport, IA
Warren Morrow (posthumous), Des Moines, IA
Latinx Youth Leadership Award:
Vanessa Espinoza, Columbus Junction, IA
Iowa Latino Ambassador Award for Equity and Justice:
Governor Robert D. Ray (posthumous), Des Moines, IA
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Saturday, August 25, 2018, 12:00 PM - 9:00 PM
207 E Washington St, Iowa City
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Saturday, August 25, 2018
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Council Bluffs
Saturday, September 8, 2018, 11 AM-6 PM
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Saturday, September 8, 2018
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Saturday, September 8th, 2018
Des Moines University Student Center
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TICKETS ON SALE NOW: $15.00 adult & $10.00 children or Sponsor table of 10 for $135.00. Click here to RSVP
Fiesta Latina in West Liberty
September 15, 2018 Downtown West Liberty, 10:00 AM to 9:00 PM
Sunday, September 16, 2018
McGrath Amphitheatre
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Saturday September 15th, at 8 PM in the Quad Cities
Click here for more information.
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Saturday, Sept 22
Fairfield Convention Center / Fairfield Central Park
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Saturday, September 22 & 23
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Saturday, September 29, 3 Pm-8 PM
Market on Main
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 In 2016, the Des Moines Public Library (DMPL) began to pilot a Bilingual Storytime in English and in Spanish. The storytimes featured stories, rhymes, and songs in both English and Spanish, as well as crafts and activities that embraced Latino culture.
“As we celebrate our 150th anniversary, it’s important to stay in tune with our community and adapt to its evolving needs,” says Sue Woody, in-coming Library Director. “A program such as this one is a great example of how the library continues to be relevant in an ever-changing world.”
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 Two years later, DMPL celebrates a new milestone: the one year anniversary of hiring their first Bilingual Services Library Assistant, Marlú Abarca.
The primary responsibilities of this position include providing customer service to the Spanish-speaking community, developing the Spanish/bilingual book collections, as well as increasing the number of bilingual and bicultural programs at the Library. “It’s just as important that children of all ages and their families see themselves and their cultures represented at the library, as it is to have programs that are in Spanish and bilingual,” says Abarca about being an Afro-Latina that works in the Library.
DMPL currently hosts weekly bilingual programs at two of their six locations throughout Des Moines—the East Side Library and the Forest Avenue Library—and plan to expand to all branches in the future. “At the East Side Library, we create an inclusive environment that promotes the benefits of bilingualism and cultural awareness by hosting bilingual storytimes and games like Lotería.” Spanish is currently the first language of about 25% of the students in the Des Moines Public School District.
To learn more about the Des Moines Public Library, click here.
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Upcoming Office & Commission Events
Iowa Commission of Latino Affairs Meeting | August 25, 2018 | 10:30 AM to 12:30 PM
PILA-Association of Iowa Latinx Professionals | September 11, 2018 | Dubuque
PILA-Association of Iowa Latinx Professionals | September 12, 2018 | Des Moines
Latino Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony | October 20, 2018 | 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM
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