On Thursday evening, Sept. 17, live music, free food, cultural performances and tabling from campus and local organizations surrounded the Joe Crowley Student Union Plaza at the University of Nevada, Reno (UNR).
The Office of Hispanic/Latinx Community Relations hosted “Tu Bienvenida”, a celebration designed to celebrate Hispanic and Latino cultures on campus and to welcome students and community members while connecting them with local resources. “Tu Bienvenida” translates to “your welcome.”
Osvaldo Jimenez-Estupinan, director of Hispanic/Latinx community relations, said Tu Bienvenida was a way to kick off Hispanic Heritage Month.
“I think we’ve expanded it these last couple years to really bleed into the community where it’s an open invitation to anyone that wants to get connected to campus can come to the event,” Jimenez-Estupinan said.
Before the event, he estimated it could draw in at least 100 participants, but after an hour into the evening, Jimenez-Estupinan estimated attendance reached double that amount.
Tu Bienvenida was presented in partnership with various organizations such as the American Association of Retired Persons (AARP) Nevada, the Multicultural Center, the Latino Research Center, the Orvis School of Nursing, and the Joe Crowley Student Union. “¡Vamos Pack!”, an initiative that celebrates Hispanic/Latinx communities, also helped organize the event.
Reno-based Mexican band Ritmo Ardiente began performing a little past 6 p.m. while interpretive dances and other performances took place throughout the evening.
Tenaya Reyes, a Spanish major and member of the Latino Student Advisory Board (LSAB), said the event provided an opportunity to see more Hispanic representation at UNR.
“I think that it means to celebrate where your family comes from, and to celebrate with people who can relate to you, and to learn about other heritages,” Reyes said.
Estrella Maya Vilchis, president of LSAB, said the event brings organizations together.
“Latinos should be supporting one another, and we should always be supporting, regardless if you’re Latino or not,” Vilchis said. “It’s very important that everyone comes together to support one another.”
She said collaboration is an important part of creating a stronger community.
Local businesses such as NV Energy tabled at the event to talk about employment opportunities available throughout Northern Nevada.
EmployNV, a job database and employment tool resource for Nevada, tabled the event with representative Conrald Retana.
“Being Latino, I like to share with others what’s available,” Retana said. “Put their name out there and we’re here to help them.”
Organizers of Tu Bienvenida, like Jimenez-Estupinan, hope students and their families take opportunities to seek out resources beyond this event.
“We talk about entry points and creating access for families,” Jimenez-Estupinan said. “This is definitely one of them.”
From now until Thursday, Oct. 15, ¡Vamos Pack! will be hosting several more events, including cultural performances and educational programs to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month.
