Celebrating Family, Tradition, and Resilience: WMEC Staff Share Stories of Hispanic Heritage

Hispanic Heritage Month, which runs from September 15 through October 15, is a time to celebrate the rich and diverse cultural traditions, values, and experiences of Hispanic communities. It is a time to reflect on the profound influence that Hispanic heritage has on families, communities, and society at large, while honoring the unique contributions and challenges of these communities.

For many, like Brendaliz Adorno Santiago, Administrative Assistant in WestMass ElderCare’s SCO department, being Hispanic is an essential part of their identity. Born and raised in Puerto Rico, she recalls how her culture shaped her worldview. “We are a friendly, family-oriented people who enjoy a rich Spanish influence,” she says. Brendaliz shares how the language barrier was a challenge when she moved to the United States in 2009, but through teaching Spanish to her children while they helped her learn English, they overcame it together as a team. For her, family gatherings and Hispanic traditions have always been the cornerstone of her experiences. “What better binds than created memories that will last forever,” she adds.

The sense of family and tradition is echoed by Luis Mateo, AFC Case Manager, who speaks to the broader blend of cultural influences in Hispanic heritage. “Hispanic heritage often encompasses a rich blend of cultural traditions, values, and experiences,” he explains. From Indigenous peoples to African and immigrant influences, these diverse heritages are celebrated through language, food, music, festivals, and family traditions, forming a deep sense of pride and community.

Family is not only central to celebrations but also to caregiving in Hispanic culture. As Tatiana Rivera, Clinical Care Manager on our LTSS team, points out, grandmothers often serve as the “rock” of the family, holding everything together. “Caregiving mostly leans on the mothers of the families,” she says, acknowledging the role of strong, independent women who manage both family care and household necessities. Ruth Torres, Home Care Supervisor, reinforces this sentiment: “Take care of one another. Family is everything!”

This strong emphasis on family is a common thread across generations. For Frances Lee Rodriguez, SCO Supervisor, caring for family members through the aging process is not just an obligation but an expression of love and presence. The importance of honoring elders is central to Zamayri Cintron, Bilingual Care Coordinator with our LTSS/Care Alliance of Western Mass team. Raised by parents who were both born and raised in Puerto Rico, she ensures that her child understands their Hispanic roots and the tradition of treating elders with respect and deference.

Emily Mercado, Receptionist, expresses the joy of sharing cultural experiences across generations. “Hispanic culture is all about eating, listening to music, and having a good time,” she says. For her, cooking traditional dishes and dancing to Hispanic music are essential ways of connecting with her children and grandchildren. “It means a lot to me and my children and grandkids to have that experience in life,” she adds, reminding us that passing down these traditions is a way of keeping Hispanic culture alive.

For Abby Morales, SCO Director, caring for older family members is a part of her heritage. “It’s a beautiful thing,” she says. Growing up, she learned that aging was seen as a natural part of life and that daughters were often responsible for caring for older family members, a tradition that reflects the strong emphasis on family care in Hispanic households.

The importance of language and cultural connection is crucial when it comes to caring for Hispanic older adults, as Vanessa Morales, Functional Skills Trainer in our PCM Program, explains. “It is important to know how to properly communicate in order to ease into the transitions of home, health, and personal care assistance,” she says. As an advocate and translator, Vanessa helps Spanish-speaking consumers navigate these transitions with comfort, never turning down the chance to share a “café con leche” along the way.

From family traditions and cultural pride to caregiving and advocacy, Hispanic Heritage Month is a time to honor the strength, resilience, and passion of the Hispanic community. As Vanessa Morales so beautifully sums up, “We are an ethnic group of strength, resilience, and passion. I am fortunate to one day teach my son about his Hispanic heritage.”