National Hispanic Heritage Month with Institute Staff

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• “Wherever you go, don’t leave a trace; leave a footprint” I was told since I was a child.

  I was born and raised in Ecuador, half the world.
  When I talk about my culture I remember the smell of coffee in the mornings while my mom prepared breakfast, I remember that when my dad took us on a trip I loved that in two hours I could be on the beach feeling the sun on my skin and the sea breeze, then in four hours more to reach the mountains and feel the cold along with its typical food, I remember the trips to the house of my grandparents, my Mamita Mariana and my papito Juan, where I spent entire weekends sharing with nature and the animals that lived there, respecting their space and their way of life.

  Since I was little, I knew that I wanted to leave my mark wherever I went, that is why I decided to take a trip away from my homeland to accompany the Latin and Hispanic community outside of Ecuador, because the changes, the new directions, taught me that we do not need to be in our countries to feel the Latin warmth.

  To be part of the Latino and Hispanic community in the United States is to be part of humanity, there is no distinction, no race, no color, the only thing there is, is love and respect, because love and respect are the only universal language that we all know regardless of our culture.

  Working at the International Institute of Minnesota has been one of my best experiences, since, I have felt very close to my culture, being able to share and work for my Latino and Hispanic community is something that fills my heart, talking with my coworkers and their desire to learn Spanish and our culture or the typical food of Ecuador is what makes me feel at home.

  Happy Hispanic Heritage Month from someone who was born at latitude 0.

  Lisbeth Samaniego

  Survivor Support Case Manager

• It is a source of pride for me to be Latino and to work with the Hispanic community in Minnesota. It is a month of celebration and recognition of the cultural wealth that each person in the country brings, through the struggles and triumphs we have experienced. It is a time to highlight the importance and challenges of working to strengthen an inclusive and equitable society, where community contributions are considered a fundamental pillar for the development of the nation. Happy Hispanic Heritage Month!

  Santiago Suarez

  Unaccompanied Children Case Manager

• Being part of the Latino community means appreciating the legacy of Latinos who have done so much for U.S. culture from being leaders in the labor movement to being great artists and sharing culinary traditions. Being Latina also means working hard while savoring and celebrating the joy we find in everyday life. I am honored that I get to work in an organization that welcomes new arrivals to Minnesota every day. I hope that through my work, I am honoring those who have come before me and easing the transition for our newest neighbors.

  Micaela Schuneman

  Senior Director of Immigration and Refugee Services

• My Latinidad is foundational to my identity. It allows me to empathize deeply with clients who are new to straddling two languages and cultures. It is a joy to see our clients celebrate this ability as a point of pride rather than a source of weakness.

  Giovanna Antrop-Colón

  College Navigator

• I am proud of my Latino heritage and its rich culture and history. My grandparents made tremendous sacrifices and struggled through hardships to bring their family to this country. Their hard work gave their children the opportunities and life they never had. While I do not like to glorify or idealize adversity as a necessity to achieve success, I fully recognize what my family had to endure and overcome to provide for their loved ones. I see my work at the Institute as a way to give back to refugees and immigrants in a way that my family did not have when they arrived. I strive to create a community that is enthusiastically welcoming, accepting and grateful of the contributions refugees, immigrants, and asylum seekers bring to our state and country.

  Joe Shannon

  Marketing and Communications Manager

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