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Schenectady expands celebration of Hispanic heritage

By LAUREN STANFORTH, Staff writer
Monday, September 22, 2008

SCHENECTADY -- For what's believed to be the first time, the city will honor National Hispanic Heritage Month in a way that will reach out beyond the city school district.
     
Four events, the first of which started on Saturday, are planned to highlight the presence of Hispanic culture in the community:

* Saturday's event featured a talent show with child and adult performances at Schenectady High School.

* Music, food, vendors and performers, noon to 6 p.m. this Saturday, at Schenectady's Central Park.

* Information on real estate issues, immigration, and health planning, 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 1 at the Schenectady YMCA on State Street.

* Activities for young people, such as a climbing wall and music, 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 8, on Jay Street. At 7 that night, a banquet and fundraiser for a scholarship program will be held at Proctors.

Organizers are also conducting an essay contest with the winner allowed to name the new scholarship in honor of a Hispanic person who has inspired him or her. However, the scholarships will be open to anyone from any background.

The dinner is $35. Tickets can be purchased by calling M. Ebony Belmar at 369-5953. To make a donation, call James or Linda Schilling at 381-6476. To participate in the essay contest, students should call Bernice Rivera at 370-3266.

Belmar, a social worker at Mont Pleasant Middle School, said the celebrations in years past have been within the school district. But Pastor Carlos Caraballo at Iglesia de Dios at 920 State St. had the idea that more should be done. Caraballo, Belmar and some representatives from the school district and community started meeting in June to plan the festivities.

The national observance of Hispanic Heritage Month runs from Sept. 15 to Oct. 15, and honors the cultures and contributions of Americans who trace their ancestry to Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean, and the Spanish-speaking countries of Central and South America.

Caraballo also has an office in City Hall, which he shares with the disability services office called the Hispanic Cultural Affairs Office, where he volunteers every Wednesday to reach out to the Hispanic community.