¿Qué quieres ser cuando seas grande? – What do you want to be when you grow up? This is a question that we ask kids from a very early age. It’s a question of possibility, potential and hope.
In the Latino community, this question carries with it the weight of generations. Often, the question reignites the hope of parents and grandparents who have had to sacrifice their own dreams for their families. Regardless of the answer that kids give, families agree that they want their kids to go as far as they can, to be happy and, most importantly, to be good people and realize their dreams
This Hispanic Heritage Month, we are celebrating the stories and dreams of kids in the Latino community. These dreams are not just a reflection of individual aspirations, but a testament to the values of hard work, family and community that have been passed down through generations.
The Dreams
Oliver
Oliver Rivera is an artist at heart. He is only 9 years old, but he already has the skills to draw characters from popular shows and videogames. But it's on the basketball court where Oliver truly shines. Dribbling between his legs and scoring, he is on his way to fulfilling his dream of becoming a basketball superstar. His mom, Nancy, loves to see him play basketball and wants him to also get a college degree.
Sophia
Sophia is 10 years old and dreams of becoming a chef, inspired by the nourishing meals she gets at school. Her mom is usually working night shifts making sacrifices so Sophia has everything she needs.
Aya
Aya loves nature. She spends most of her free time playing outside with her brother. Seeing animals trapped by plastic during her recent visits to the Texas beaches has inspired her to make a difference for the planet. In the future, she wants to be a veterinarian for marine animals. Her teacher Mari Guzman loves Aya’s caring nature and imagination.
Logan
Logan is a go-getter. Mari Guzman is also his teacher and has talked often about how he always achieves big in school and beyond. He is already a talented artist and in the future dreams of becoming a tattoo artist.
Oliver, Aya, Logan and Sophia represent millions of Latino kids who carry big dreams for the future. Every day, their families send them to school hoping for a bright future for them.
Fueling Their Present and Our Future
Children need more than just hope to make their dreams a reality – they need the right resources and support. No Kid Hungry works to ensure that every kid regardless of background has access to the nutritious meals they need to grow, learn and achieve their full potential. In the Hispanic community, it’s not only about ensuring kids get the meals they need; it’s about honoring the values of the community and working together to understand the strengths that Latinos bring to the table to make No Kid Hungry a reality.
The voices of kids and parents remind us that food is the fuel behind these dreams. Their stories remind us of the powerful connection between nourishment and aspiration and make an important case for food.
“When I'm hungry, I can't focus on anything but my stomach because it would give me really weird feelings,” shared Aya.
Sophia talked about the importance of the first meal of the day, "When I eat breakfast, I can focus a little bit better because the food helps my brain grow.”
And Oliver simply explained, “You can keep up your energy and stay up for a long time.”
Logan, Aya, Sophia and Oliver understand the importance of food to fuel their dreams. This Hispanic Heritage Month, let’s continue nourishing these dreams and recognize that they are the dreams of their families and communities, built on sacrifices and resilience of generations of Latinos. It’s our time to work for a present in which their future is filled with creativity for Logan’s art and Sophia’s recipes, compassion for Aya’s work with marine animals and endless possibility for Oliver on the basketball court. By providing kids with the healthy food they need, we can help make their dreams a reality.
Ways You can Help
Donate: 1 dollar can help provide 10 meals* for kids. Your support will help us fund meal programs all over the country and help us advocate for policies that will help kids get the meals they need. *Donations help support programs that feed kids; No Kid Hungry does not provide individual meals. Learn more at NoKidHungry.org/OneDollar
Speak up for kids: 1 in 5 kids in the United States is affected by hunger. Tell your lawmaker to protect SNAP and other federal nutrition programs that feed kids.
