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Hispanic and Latino culture enriches the United States of America. Hispanic Heritage is so important in America, that we celebrate beyond this month, spanning from September 15-October 15 each year. We celebrate to give recognition to the Hispanic and Latino vibrant, rich heritage and many contributions and histories that have enriched our land with food, dance, music, culture, language, sprit of service, sense of unity and community, civic contributions, and so much more. For the many reasons we celebrate, in this edition, we focus on the Hispanic values, economic power, and population growth. This Hispanic Heritage month we invite you to join us in celebration that with Latinos, everything is possible.
Hispanic & Latino Values
Hispanic & Latino values go deep in culture. We recognize that Hispanic values are American values, and out success is deeply tied to uplifting familia and community. We call this “Familismo” (emphasis on family), and respect are core Latino values that promote strong family bonds and social support. Additionally, Latinos are hard workers, resilient, and resourceful. According to the Pew Research Center in 2020, “eight in ten young Latinos – including 80% of Latino youth and 86% of Latinos ages 26 and older – say that most people can get ahead in life if they work hard.” I find this to be true! Many of my counterparts and I growing up, worked in the fields as migrant seasonal farm workers. Today, many are educated, own businesses, and are contributing citizens. Moreover, Latinos carry the spirit of “Esperanza” (Hope) and are very optimistic about the future. The Pew Research Center in 2013 reported that “Hispanics expect their standard of living to be better than that of their parents (75%) and expect their children to be better off than themselves (72%).” As we see Hispanic and Latino values interwoven into American values, we also see that the economic power that Latinos bring to the United States is of great impact, and this is why we feel that with Latinos, everything is possible.
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Economic Impact
Hispanics are crucial to USA's economic success. The Latino economy is strong and growing. Latinos generate new businesses more than any other group in the country. We are achieving upward mobility and helping keep the country running economically and a contributing factor is that Latinos are pursuing higher education at increasing rates. According to the U.S. Latino GDP Report by Latino Donor Collaborative, “the total economic output in the United States was $3.2 trillion in 2021, making it the fifth-largest economy in the world.” Did you know? Latinos’ increasing purchasing power, consumer spending, and labor force participation are driving economic expansion and prosperity in the U.S. The report goes on to state “The Latino purchasing power is estimated at a 3.4 trillion and is growing at a rate of 4.7% annually, which is much higher than the 1.9% growth rate for non-Latinos.” Additionally, the US Bureau of Labor Statistic, 2003-2016 illustrates that Latino consumption is growing by 6 percent each year which this growth has been propelled by an increase in the number of high-income Latino households as illustrated in the graph to the left. The economic impact is also contributed by the growing Hispanic and Latino population, and this is worth celebrating, that with Latinos everything is possible.
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Population Growth
The USA is changing in a positive way thanks to Latinos. It is impossible to ignore any longer the continuous growth of this fast-growing young community, which is shaping the United States. Latinos are the largest and fastest-growing minority group in the U.S. According to Claritas 2023 Hispanic Market Report, Hispanics represent 20% of the U.S. population, exceeding 67 million residents. And in the Pew Research Center in 2022, “since 1970, the Latino population has grown more than sixfold” contributing to the outpacing growth rates of other groups in the U.S. We are learning that Latinos are young and will drive population growth and demographic changes for decades to come. The U.S. Census Bureau says that “one in four (25.7%) of children under 18 in the US are Latino.
Over time, the job prospects for US-born Latino workers have been steadily improving, although they still lag behind those of non-Latino White Americans. Historically, immigrants or foreign-born Latinos made up the majority of Latino workers in the US, but this percentage is decreasing and is expected to continue to decline as shown in graph below.
As more Latinos are born in the US—bolstered by their younger age profile and higher birth rates – their share of the workforce is increasing.
The numbers are a great reason to celebrate that with Latinos everything is possible.
In conclusion, Hispanic and Latino culture is an integral part of the American tapestry, enriching our nation with its vibrant traditions, values, and contributions. As we celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month, we honor the profound impact that Hispanic and Latino communities have on our society, from their unwavering commitment to family and community to their significant economic influence and optimistic outlook on the future. Let us continue to recognize and celebrate the invaluable role that Hispanic and Latino Americans play in shaping a diverse and dynamic United States, where with Latinos, everything is possible.
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ABOUT: STEAM Building at the Central WA State Fair is an annual 10-day event created by the South-Central WA STEM Network. Each year tens of thousands of fair attendees move through Pioneer Hall to engage with over a dozen STEAM-related (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts & Math) activities for kids of all ages. Each activity includes information about relevant job pathways. The building is air-conditioned and includes a centrally located cafe for parents to unwind while watching their kids explore.
Activate 3.8: The Pay Equity Tour, YAKIMA: The Washington State Women’s Commission is honored to host the STEAM Building on Friday 9/27 3:00pm - 10:00pm in partnership with the Commission on Hispanic Affairs. This event is part WSWC’s ten-city Activate 3.8: The Pay Equity Tour! Each of our ten stops across the state is dedicated to connecting girls, particularly those from historically excluded groups, with education pathways leading to careers in STEM, Aerospace, Construction, & Trades-- industries that are thriving in Washington State and offer high paying jobs with good benefits.
Historically, women, and especially women of color, have been underrepresented in these fields- The Pay Equity Tour aims to change that by igniting girls’ interest in their education and boosting their confidence that they can excel in whatever industry they choose!
VOLUNTEER LOGISTICS: The STEAM Building features 14 STEM-related activities for kids and families to engage with from 3:00pm-10:00pm. The day is divided into 3 shifts, with two staff per activity during each of the 2 ½ hour shifts. We are looking for volunteers who are eager to uplift students and families and connect the next generation with a wider array of opportunities! Check out the schedule and sign up for a time that works for you.
We will assign volunteers to specific activities in the coming weeks and follow up with more background on each. Every volunteer will receive free admission to the fair & free parking!
ADDRESS: 1301 S Fair Ave, Yakima, WA 98901
Inspire a new generation of STEAM leaders -- Sign up for a shift!
Questions?
Reach out to Eliza Craig, WSWC Communications & Outreach Coordinator
Eliza.craig@wswc.wa.gov
Olympia, WA – 8/19/2024 - Small Businesses
BizFair is a free event for current and aspiring small business owners. Here, you can learn about the programs, resources, and technical assistance available to help you start and grow your small business.
The 2024 Washington Small Business Fair (BizFair) in Pasco is organized by a collaborative group of federal and state agencies, as well as nonprofit organizations that support businesses. BizFair is free and will be open to the community.
Learn about valuable small business resources in the Exhibitor Resource Room and attend educational seminars led by industry experts on topics such as business planning, regulatory guidance, ITIN business, marketing workshops, and starting your own business. There are also workshops to prepare and start your business. This event will take place Saturday, October 5 from 8:30 am to 3:30 pm at the Columbia Basin College in Pasco Washington. For more details and to register visit www.bizfair.wa.gov.
It is crucial that we dedicate time and resources to Latino businesses and inspiring entrepreneurs. On a national level, Latino businesses have a huge impact on the economy and this is true at the state level as well. Latinos start more businesses per capita than any other racial or ethnic group in the United States, and the number of Latino businesses has grown over the past five years at more than twice the rate of white-owned businesses.
According to the Latino Community Fund, Latinos contribute $7.1 billion to the state's economy through spending and tax contributions. Additionally, Latino businesses are a growing sector in the Washington state economy. According to the United States Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, there are more than 82,000 Hispanic businesses in Washington. Despite facing barriers such as language and access to capital, these companies contribute significantly to the state's economy and provide job opportunities.
Join us at the first BizFair in Spanish! Just in time to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month. We know that the Latino economy is strong and growing. Latinos generate new business at a higher rate than any other group, contributing more than $65 billion in revenue. Let's celebrate that with Latinos everything is possible.
About Us: The Small Business Liaison Team (SBLT) is made up of representatives from 29 agencies. Our mission is to listen to businesses and then drive action to make it easier to do business in Washington state. The SBLT is partnering with the Washington Small Business Development Center (SBDC), Commission on Hispanic Affairs, the federal small business agency, and the Tri-Cities Hispanic Chamber of Commerce to host this event.
Contact:
Hugo Nicolas I Governor's Office of Innovations and Regulatory Assistance I Business and Regulatory Consultant
- hugo.nicolas@gov.wa.gov
- 360-584-3698
Esmeralda Garibay I Commission on Hispanic Affairs I Community Development Officer
- Esmeralda.garibay@cha.wa.gov
- 360-480-6413
ScaleUp Business Training addresses the key barriers to expansion businesses face when they attempt to grow. This program provides the tools necessary to expand capacity, improve value proposition and marketing efforts, interpret financial statements and go from working in a business to working on the business.
The training is delivered over a 9 week series of live instructions paired with self-paced online learning modules. Spanish ScaleUp (and English ScaleUp) is provided to Washington State small businesses at no cost ($1,500 value) thanks to our partnership with the Washington State Department of Commerce and their Entrepreneur Ecosystem.
Starts Wednesday, September 17, from 6 – 7:30PM.
Learn more here: https://mystartup365.com/programs/scaleup/
Register here today: https://form.typeform.com/to/Lfp4gHvf?typeform-source=mystartup365.com
Learn how to prepare and be safe during an emergency. Know what steps you and your family can take before, during and after an emergency or hazard.
This year we are hosting three events across Washington State in celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month, and are especially excited to be hosting our first event in Spokane:
- Renton, WA: Monday, September 9 at Renton Technical College
- Granger, WA: Friday, September 20 at Radio KDNA
- Spokane, WA: Friday, October 4 at Empire Health Foundation
This is a community led initiative with an organizing team representing local nonprofits, health organizations, and other groups invested in bringing resources and learning opportunities to our communities.
The theme is: What's in your toolkit? Centering Latina health through shared stories and best practices.
The Latina Health Symposium provides a forum for people to come together to learn and discuss health-related topics that impact Latina women. It is a unique opportunity for clinicians, public health professionals, community workers, and community members to come together, learn, share stories, and center topics and resources that impact Latina Health.
The event is free, and registration is required: https://redcap.link/LHS2024registration. If you would like to participate in more than one location, please register for each location separately. If you are registering for more than one person, please register each person separately.
Parents and families play a vital role in the education of a child. A child’s first teacher is typically a member of their family, and even when a child enters school, the need for family involvement in their learning never goes away. Families will be able to find information and resources related to assessments, graduation requirements, data about their local schools, and more. More Information.
Student & Family Supports
The Office of Federal Student Aid (FSA) announced that the 2025-26 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) will open on December 1, 2024. This delay will allow for the 2025-26 FAFSA to be tested by select users beginning October 1, ensuring the application will be fully functional by December 1. FSA will release more information soon about how this testing period will work. The WASFA will follow a similar timeline regarding its opening.
During the delay, students and parents can still take their first step to filing a FASFA by creating their FSA ID. The 12th Year Campaign will be hosting virtual financial aid nights where students and parents can receive support creating their FSA ID. These free events will be held in English and Spanish and are open to all students. We have also created resources to support you with meeting Financial Aid Advising Day requirements during the delay. Join us this October for a webinar walk through of the resources WSAC has developed to support financial aid completion. More information will be shared in the coming weeks/months about these opportunities.
The Agriculture Support Program (ASP) was created in response to Washington Senate Bill 5950. ASP provides support payments to agricultural producers and agricultural transporters that paid a surcharge imposed by a fuel supplier or retailer related to the Cap-and-Invest Program and used the fuel for exempt purposes under the Climate Commitment Act (RCW 70A.65.080(7)(e)).
DOL has partnered with Submittable to help administer this program. Submittable is a form-building and funds distribution software company located in Missoula, Montana. US Bank is also assisting in the distribution of these payments. More Information.
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Connecting Housing to Infrastructure (CHIP) grant application open now through Oct. 31
CHIP grant applications opened today. With approximately $12 million available, CHIP can support the development of affordable housing by paying for water utility improvements or system development charges associated with new affordable housing units.
Grant details Applicants may apply for up to $1 million for each project, and must submit applications by Oct. 31, 2024. A recording of the CHIP application workshop is also available for more information.
Who is eligible? CHIP grant funding is open to any city, county, or public utility district in partnership with an affordable housing project that is located in a city or county that has imposed a sales and use tax for affordable housing.
The new housing development must include at least 25% affordable units, and remain affordable for at least 25 years. More information.
 Prescription Drug Affordability Board Advisory Group
The Washington State Prescription Drug Affordability Board (Board) is seeking unpaid volunteer members for its
Advisory Group.
The Advisory Group serves at the direction of the Board. The goal of the Advisory Group is to provide guidance
to the Board on the different components of drug affordability in Washington.
The Advisory Group members will investigate each drug selected by the Board and will provide a written report to the Board with their findings as to the
drug’s affordability. The Advisory Group members will follow the description of their roles and responsibilities laid out in 70.405 RCW and in WAC 182-52.
Pursuant to RCW 70.405.020(3), no advisory group member may be an employee of, a board member of, or consultant to a prescription drug manufacturer, pharmacy benefit manager, health carrier, prescription drug wholesale
distributor, or related trade association, except that a representative from the prescription drug industry serving on an advisory group may be an employee, consultant, or board member of a prescription drug manufacturer or related trade association.
To apply, complete this application and submit to HCA_WA_PDAB@hca.wa.gov.
Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis.
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