We have grown up learning to take care of others, but what if we consider that in order to take good care of others we must learn the importance of taking care of ourselves. The “Self Care and Well Being(Wellbeing)” series aims to educate and raise awareness about the importance of responsibly managing the greatest asset that we have been given, our own self, in addition to pointing out practices that lead to attaining an integral well-being.

The Hispanic Access Foundation is delighted to announce the addition of Silvana Molieri, an exceptional professional, to the team, embodying the organization’s values and commitment to its mission. Silvana Molieri joins the Hispanic Access Foundation as a Human Resources Associate, bringing a wealth of experience in HR administration and talent acquisition. She holds a bachelor's degree in Public Administration from Florida International University and a master's degree in HR Management from Nova Southeastern University, along with a SHRM-CP certification.

Hispanic Access Foundation, a national nonprofit organization seeking to connect Latinos with relevant resources, has deployed an air quality monitoring program to understand the impact that air pollution has on Latino communities in the U.S., called "The Air We Breathe".

Este Mes de la Herencia Hispana nos trajo muchas razones para celebrar. Al concluir la celebración, recordemos las grandes victorias climáticas: desde varias declaraciones de conservación, como la designación del Monumento Nacional del Gran Cañón Baaj Nwaavjo I'tah Kukveni, hasta la implementación de la histórica Ley para Reducir la Inflación, estamos combatiendo la crisis climática y la injusticia ambiental con medidas ambientales audaces que se han convertido en una prioridad para nuestra comunidad y nuestros líderes. Estos logros no habrían sido posibles sin los miles de latinos en todo el país que alzaron sus voces contra la contaminación y exigieron una acción climática audaz.

In the third Hispanic film festival, producers from all over the country were chosen to present their films in Monterey County. Some of the topics that will be touched on are pollution and the impact on the oceans, immigration and agricultural workers are also discussed.

In this special report, Telemando Costa Central, I spoke to a group of young people in Monterey County, who are inspired by the movement to care for the environment and who are making a change on the planet.

The Hispanic community recognized in the stories shown in the third Hispanic film festival.

The Hispanic Access Foundation presented a series of short films at the Monterey Bay Aquarium in early October, and they say interest in environmental health is growing among the Hispanic community.

Víctor Torres, member of Safe Ag, Safe Schools or SASS, participated in this tape exhibition and says he is inspired to know that there are more people interested in making a change on the planet.

“Films that teach a little bit about environmental justice, racial justice, and other topics that we need to see,” Víctor added.

Brenda Gallegos, spokeswoman for the Hispanic Access Foundation, said that this project was created three years ago to create a connection between the Hispanic community.

“We also noticed that important voices, voices of color, are not heard in the conservation film spaces,” added Brenda.

The goal of the foundation is to raise awareness about the use of chemicals and pollution that affect communities, especially marine life.

According to Monterey Aquarium studies, in the last 50 years, plastic pollution has increased by 40% and it is estimated that it will increase by 350% by the year 2050.

Currently, it affects more than 700 marine species that ingest plastic. In Monterey Bay alone, microplastics are polluting the ocean, from the surface to the bottom of the ocean.

The short films also cover immigration issues affecting DACA recipients. Out of 500 filmmakers who submitted their films… only 30 were chosen to go out of the auditorium, like an aquarium.

Alejandra Quiroz, co-producer, with Kristina Andrez, tells stories that connect the Latino community, through DACA limitations.

“It’s about how the two stories within the Latino community can come together and create awareness of the situation that many of us face such as identity, immigration, and problems in our countries,” Alejandra added. .

The Foundation for Hispanic Access says there are more opportunities for Hispanic filmmakers to show their work in places like the aquarium. In addition, they present online film festivals.

Written by Nation World News. 

For Ángel Colón, studying water has always been a lifelong passion and a professional calling. Hailing from Puerto Rico, Ángel has dedicated his career to understanding and safeguarding water resources. With a background in biology and a Ph.D. in water resources from the University of Missouri, his expertise covers freshwater ecosystems, water quality, and access to clean water, especially for Latino communities in the Missouri area.

His journey into this field began as a child when he shared moments by the river with his grandfather. Those early experiences, exploring rivers, flipping rocks, and observing aquatic life, unknowingly laid the foundation for his future career. Little did he know that these early adventures were water quality indicators, foreshadowing a lifelong commitment to understanding and preserving water resources in Puerto Rico and beyond.

His academic journey took him to Missouri, where he pursued a bachelor's degree in biology. Then, he continued his studies and completed a PhD in water resources at the University of Missouri. It was during this time that Ángel honed his expertise in water quality, focusing on rivers, streams, and water security.

Ángel's career path was shaped by his fascination with water and a profound concern for the security and quality of this vital resource. His research during his master's degree in Puerto Rico involved water quality indicators and reference streams at the Maricao State Forest, providing valuable insights into monitoring and protecting these vital ecosystems.

It is with this commitment to environmental causes that he reached out to the Hispanic Access Foundation, where he found a platform to amplify his voice and make a difference. He is part of the Latino Climate Council, where he connected with like-minded professionals and conservation programs. One of Ángel's notable contributions through the council was his involvement in a project funded by Liquid IV, focusing on water equity. This initiative addressed the critical issue of ensuring access to clean water for all communities, irrespective of their background or socioeconomic status.

His participation in the creation of the "Agua Corriente: Latino Connections to Waterways" report is another notable contribution to the organization. This comprehensive white paper aimed to understand the relationship between Latino communities and major rivers like the Mississippi and Colorado River. The report revealed crucial findings about common concerns related to water quality within Latino communities, and the importance of fostering conversations about it to support public policy.

The Missouri region faces significant environmental challenges. Nonpoint source pollution, a major problem in the state, involves pollutants that cannot be traced back to a single source. Elements like pesticides, herbicides, salt, and even pet waste can contaminate streams and rivers when washed into them by rain or snowmelt. The lack of regulation for nonpoint source pollution makes it a particularly challenging issue to tackle. Ángel's expertise in water quality and his commitment to environmental advocacy position him as an asset in addressing these challenges.

Ángel advocates for educating and empowering Latino communities to fight for clean water and a healthy environment. By actively engaging with communities and amplifying their concerns, he is helping to bridge gaps to create a future where access to clean water is equitable and sustainable.

“To achieve changes for the Latino communities, we need to occupy spaces, we need to be there and not let others make that decision for us.”

Hispanic Access Foundation, a national nonprofit that offers equitable research about the Latino community, has launched an air quality monitoring program in Caldwell to understand the impact that air pollution has on Idaho Latinos, according to a press release.

A film festival created to help close the gap in storytelling for people of color is offering free, virtual showings as part of Hispanic Heritage Month.

Hispanic and Latino peoples around the world consider the ocean to be a core pillar in our lives, influencing our existence in immeasurable ways. Beyond being a global, life-sustaining resource, the ocean has shaped the identities and legacies of countless Hispanic and Latino communities, hosting generations on its shores and sprinkling our diaspora across continents. Along with these shared connections, as individuals, we each have our own relationship to the ocean, whether it be tangible, spiritual, or inherited from a distance.

Today, Hispanic Access Foundation kicked off the third annual Our Heritage, Our Planet Film Week, an annual celebration of the visual and storytelling traditions of Latino, Black, Indigenous, and people of color's voices and experiences in connection to our heritage and our planet - uplifting the nexus between our communities and the lands, nature, waterways, and oceans we all call home. It will be held in celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month, following Indigenous People’s Day from Tuesday, October 10 to Friday, October 13, 2023, from 4-8:30 p.m. ET with FREE tickets available at https://bit.ly/OHOP23.