Heroes

Independent Distributor,
BIMBO Bakeries

Hispanic Heritage Month means reminiscing about my life in Mexico, the home of my ancestors, and finally feeling a sense of community and identity here in America. It’s about serving my community and loving my dogs!

Susana advocates tirelessly for people in her community who don’t have a voice.

Small Business Owner,
La Carniceria la Bonita

HHM reminds me that the American Dream is possible. I did not get a chance to finish school in Mexico. But I came to America when I was young and I did all kinds of jobs that no one else wanted to do and I saved all of my money. Today, I am married and have healthy children.

Salvador owns a small grocery store and helps many in the Newton Co. community and his church so that everyone is taken care of and no one is left behind.

Detective, City of Conyers Police

Hispanic Heritage Month is about the achievements of a remarkable group of people, while also thinking about the ways we can promote and further contribute to society.

Tahina has worked with City of Conyers Police Department since 2009 and has been promoted several times. She is known for her dedication as well as her empathy.

Graduate, Rockdale County High School

Hispanic Heritage Month not only allows Hispanics to be proud of their roots and triumphs but allows other populations to see how Hispanics have contributed to this nation.

Ulises is a young adult that volunteers many hours with UNIDOS. He Enjoys supporting others and sharing faith!

Student, 12th grade
Rockdale County High School

Celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month allows younger generations to be proud and pay homage to all those who have come before us. Since I live away from Mexico, these celebrations remind me of when I come from, my roots, my customs, and how wonderful it is to share all of that with my community.

Paulina recently arrived at the United States. She joined UNIDOS to learn English through serving others.

Homemaker, Entrepreneur

Hispanic Heritage Month means I get to embrace both of my cultures. To be an American with a Latino heritage means being able to speak two languages and have two different cultures.

Veronica is a wife and mother that juggles 2 special needs children, 2 businesses, and very active in serving her community as interpreter and advocate.

Small Business Owner,
Bella Vista #2

Hispanic Heritage Month means we should examine where we can contribute. We still have a lot of work to do in order to make sure minorities such as us are well-represented and well-cared for, and as a proud Latino, recent college graduate and law student, I am honored to partake in that journey."

Miguel is a pillar in the Rockdale and Newton Latinx community. He is trustworthy and a voice of wisdom many seek.

Retired, Volunteer

HHM is a time of giving and reflecting.

Mauricio served as President of Carlitos Wish Foundation raising funds, providing wishes to children in America and Panama, Member of the Panamanian Marching Band of Atlanta, and Member of UNIDOS distributing food boxes and organizing Covid vaccine clinics in the community.

Support Staff
The N.E.S.T. Clubhouse

HHM is about service. It is about extending my hand without receiving anything in return.

Laura is a humble servant leader in her home, work, and community. She volunteers with UNIDOS in food distributions, voting campaigns, and administrative duties.

Paralegal, Allstate Insurance

Hispanic Heritage Month is a moment in time for deep reflection on the contributions Hispanics and Latinos have made in the U.S. As a child immigrant, this hits home!

Lisbeth serves her community compassionately and unconditionally. She believes that her reward is knowing that she makes a difference in people’s lives.

ESOL Coordinator
Newton County Public Schools

Hispanic Heritage Month is a time for everyone to learn about Hispanic and Latino history, and personally, I find solace in being a part of a community with shared values, food, culture, and language.

Maria, as the ESOL coordinator, oversees and leads teachers to help limited English students attain their full academic and social potential. She is an unsung hero because her compassion and conviction for the Hispanic community is exemplified in her daily life.

Homemaker, Volunteer

We have given flavor, or sazon, to this country through our food, our language and countless work hours in order to create a broader and greater palette in this nation.

Elena ensures that everyone who knocks at her door, leaves with a plate of food. She ensures no one is hungry around her.

ESOL Paraprofessional
Rockdale County High School

I recently became a United States Citizen. During HHM I am reminded that is important stay connected to our roots and pass our cultural richness to the younger generation.

Magally leads our Spanish and English Conversations and helps many pass the USA Citizen examination.

Regional S.E. Director of Property Management, Berkeley Partners

HHM is a declaration of the strength of Hispanic American People.

Lara impacts the Latino community via her volunteer work with UNIDOS. She has a passion for working towards building strong communities no matter the race.

College Student /Grocer,
Publix Deli Department

HHM is about celebrating the things that makes us different and alike.

Jose demonstrates an impressive work ethic and genuine regard to coworkers and customers. He values and appreciates work. His team recognizes him as an outstanding young man.

Pastor, Lakeview Community Church

This month we celebrate those of us bonded by language, history and culture for our contributions and achievements to the United States. What we call ourselves or how we identify our culture is the spice in our proverbial American Melting Pot.

Pastor Medina shepherds the flock at Lakeview Community and protects them from harm.

Intensive and Prevention Services,
Newton / Rockdale Suicide Prevention Coalition

HHM allows me the opportunity to express how exciting I find the Hispanic community to be. The energy, the resiliency, the willingness to just show up, no matter the obstacles, with a smile on their face is worth celebrating.

Jennifer volunteers in so many endeavors. She has a heart for people and advocates for all. Jennifer saves lives!!! and that is why she is an Unsung Hero.

Student, 11th Grade
Heritage High School Class VP, YLR

HHM is important because I get to learn about the many accomplishments of other Latino leaders that look like me. If we do not tell our stories, then how will I know what I can accomplish?

Itandehui is a bright young leader that will serve in Congress in the future.

Fraud Analyst, Ameris Bank

Latino Heritage Celebrations is about being proud as to why we came to the U.S. and the desire to be part of, and contribute to, this great nation.

Ivar teaches Spanish-English conversation classes for UNIDOS and helps Latinos in the community understand financial literacy.

HHM is a way of not loosing our culture and customs. A way to pass them down from one generation to the next.

Hilaria’s warm smile reinforces trust in the community we serve.

Student, 12th Grade
Rockdale County High School

Hispanic Heritage Month means the memories of working in my parent’s bakery and being their interpreter. It is about being proud of our family and our culture. It is about the opportunity to go to college and become an immigration attorney.

Daisy has impacted her community by helping to inform others about the census, helping in vaccine centers, and sharing information about voting rights.

DACA-Dreamers, College Student at Agnes Scott College, Epidemiology Major

Insurance Agent, State Farm

Youth Ambassador, UNIDOS

Hispanic Heritage Month Celebrations are important because its a time in the year when people who look like me are highlighted by different programs and social media campaigns. I love being Mexican and am practically beaming with pride the entire month as I continuously get exposed to our rich history and achievements by fellow comadres/compadres.

Damaris shows DACA Dreamers how obtaining a college degree is possible at no cost. She is a trailblazer in her community.

Instructional Support Specialist,
Newton County Public Schools

I Celebrate Hispanic Heritage because it is essential, and it is the legacy of my children. Coordinating resources for immigrant parents in Newton County Schools is a way that I enrich my cultural knowledge and cultural competency.

Erin works hard to support and advocate for Language minority families and students.

Parent Liaison
Rockdale County Public Schools

HHM is about helping my students at Heritage High School and assisting the Spanish speaking community stay healthy and have plenty of resources.

With love and enthusiasm, Giannina supports and connects families from various language and cultural backgrounds to resources.

Interpreter, Volunteer

Celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month is good for the soul.

Carmen selfishly gives of her time and money. She interprets in person or by phone, at courts, vaccination sites, school or doctor’s office.

Busser, Don Tellos Restaurant

HHM is important to me because I believe that we should all learn from each other and help each other. I have lived in Conyers many years and we did not have any organization to support us or events to celebrate us. Having UNIDOS Latino Association in our community is Hispanic Heritage!

Claudia is a single mother that volunteers her time to serve those that are in need in spite of hew own needs.

DACA-Dreamer , College Student
Delaware State University, Nursing Major

Hispanic Heritage Month empowers me to be unapologetically me. I am passionate and courageous, and I love serving my community.

Cinthya is a youth member of UNIDOS and when not away in college, she leads our Covid-19 Mobile Clinics and Get Out To Vote Campaigns.

Cofounder, CFO,
Director of Operations UNIDOS

Hispanic Heritage Month is important because Latinos constitute the fastest growing segment of the U.S. population. Amplifying Latino celebrations fosters diversity which will benefit the workplace and our community by bringing different perspectives and innovative ideas. "Every journey is different and tells a story, and I hope my story can bring sense to why it is so important to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month.

Delicia serves the Rockdale Newton community as the Operations Director and Chief Financial Officer of Unidos. She serves with her contagious alegria (joy) that makes others feel welcomed. She is often found behind the scenes, and is truly the backbone of the organization.

Cofounder, CEO UNIDOS, Therapist

HHM is about the everyday people I see in our community, in our families and in our homes, today we call them heroes. I love celebrating the people for we all have stories that inspire y dar apoyo (support) to all the young dreamers that look to us for guidance and pride. As a peacemaker, I pray I am a light that brightens paths.

Rebeca serves the Rockdale and Newton communities as the Executive Director of Unidos. She serves with a captivating smile, patience, joy, and love.

Internal Medicine Physician,
Piedmont Rockdale

My parents were immigrants from Nicaragua, I know that hard work, sweat and perseverance brings great accomplishments. My patients remind me of the fragility of life and the importance of giving back to my community.

Dr. Calero provides excellent medical care for her patients with a focus on the Hispanic population who need medical care. She treats many health conditions including Diabetes, Hypertension, High Cholesterol, Well Women exams.

College Student, Georgia State University,
Accounting Major

HHM is about remembering the sacrifices of our abuelos. It is about working together in the spirit of a concerted Raza to put effort into what can be instead of what isn’t.

Carlos is our Latino Future. He has been serving with UNIDOS since he was a 10th grader in high school and he leads many projects within and outside the organization.

Community Liaison, BOLD Ministries,
Prevent Child Abuse

Hispanic Heritage Month Celebrations are important because As an Afro-Latina, I learned the gift of resilience! Always raised with the idea that when difficult arises, we simply throw it over our shoulder and move.

Elia is a solid rock for the Lakeview Community of Rockdale County. To know her is to love her and she is loved by so many.

Parent Liaison, Heritage High School

HHM is about helping the non-speaking English people of our community.

Erica loves to help people that are struggling to adjust to living in the United States. She believes that by giving them hope and guiding them, using her knowledge of the medical and education fields, she can help make their transition easier.

Student, 8th grade,
Conyers Middle School

HHM is about making contributions to my community no matter my age.

Anthony is a 13 year old youth dedicated member of the RCSO Explorers Program . During these times of the Covid-19 Pandemic, Anthony has been volunteering his time in his community doing food distribution and other activities around Rockdale County.