EYTC NEWS
The community is invited to enjoy free performances and samples of food from various cultures at The Española YMCA Teen Center’s Welcoming Week event from 5 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 18.
Ben Sandoval, EYTC director, said this is the third year of the event, “Where Cultures Unite.”
The Española YMCA Teen Center will host their third annual cultural fair at the Teen Center, 808 Vietnam Veterans Memorial Park Road in Española. Dances, music, art, cultural entertainment and food samples will be represented from local Native American, Hispanic, Filipino, Sikh, and African American communities. In addition to enjoying the vibrant activities, guests will have an opportunity to tour the Teen Center, now in its 12th year.
Welcoming week runs this year from September 13-22, and is meant to celebrate and share diversity, according to The Family YMCA’s CEO Rob Wilkinson.
“We believe our communities are stronger when everyone feels welcome and we work together for the common good,” said Wilkinson. “Welcoming Week celebrates the growing movement of communities that fully embrace new Americans and their contributions to the social fabric of our country. It’s a chance for neighbors – both immigrants and US-born residents – to get to know one another and celebrate what unites us as a community.”
For more information about the Sept. 18 celebration, call Sandoval at (505) 747-6569.
About The Family YMCA
The Y is made up of people of all ages and from every walk of life working side by side to strengthen communities. Together we work to ensure that everyone, regardless of ability, age, cultural background, ethnicity, faith, gender, gender identity, ideology, income, national origin, race or sexual orientation has the opportunity to reach their full potential with dignity. Our 501(c)3 charitable organization was established by volunteers in 1955. In 2018, the Y helped 300 locals with financial assistance (200 of which were children). Assistance totaling $110,000 was provided for youth programs, including after school and camp, and adult memberships. Support from the United Way of Northern New Mexico also supports afterschool and camp youth.