'¡Ya es el Tiempo - Now is the Time' as ECC celebrates Latinx Heritage Month

Elgin Community College's Latinx Heritage Month will be held virtually this year, with events built around the 2020 theme "¡Ya es el Tiempo!" ("Now is the Time").

The celebration begins with the first-ever virtual Latinx Heritage Month Kick-Off Celebration at 2 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 15.

Jorge DeSantiago, Emmy Award-winning television news reporter and anchor from NBC Telemundo Chicago, is the keynote speaker. There is no charge to participate in the virtual keynote presentation, but the event is limited to 300 participants, so register early at tinyurl.com/LHMkickoff2020.

This year, in lieu of proceeds received to support programming from event tickets for the kick-off event, the LHM Committee encourages the community to support a fundraising initiative for the ECC Foundation's Student Success Fund.

The fund provides financial relief to all students, including Undocumented/DACA students, who are at risk of homelessness, food insecurities, unemployment, and other important matters that impact students' success due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Please go to elgin.edu/studentsuccess to make a gift.

In addition to the kick-off, the Latinx Heritage Month Committee planned events to help provide useful resources for students and the community.

"While honoring our history, we also take the opportunity to build our future," said the committee. "We want to empower our students to develop their personal and professional leadership skills, giving them the confidence to unite communities together and create space to facilitate the tough conversations our country needs to have at this time. We all play a significant part in building a better world for all."

All events are free and open to the public.

Other virtual events during Latinx Heritage Month include the following:

• "Latinx Conexión: College Hacks for Excellence Virtual Fair" from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 16. RSVP at tinyurl.com/LHMfair2020

Students can get connected with transfer universities and learn how to tap into the resources available at ECC designed to help students be successful. We will highlight college tips and strategies to put you ahead in your academic and professional journey. Guest speaker Stephanie A. Garces-Donat, an experienced bilingual attorney who prides herself in fighting for her clients, will talk about her experience as a Latina overcoming challenges navigating college, law school, and starting her own firm.

• "Ya Es El Tiempo! Students Coming Together to Create Change" at 7 p.m. Friday, Sept. 25. Register at tinyurl.com/StudentsCreateChange

Join us for a powerful virtual event about how to achieve social, political, and institutional change. Spoken-word artist and activist Denice Frohman will provide an artistic interpretation of activism, and two Elgin Council members, Tish Powell and Baldemar Lopez will join her in speaking about their journey and role in making a change in the community. This event was made possible through a collaborative effort between College of DuPage, College of Lake County, Elgin Community College, Harper College, McHenry County College, and Waubonsee Community College.

• "Latinxs and COVID-19: Stories of the Front Lines" at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 29. RSVP at tinyurl.com/LHMstories2020

Dr. Marina Del Rios, associate professor of clinical emergency medicine at the University of Illinois Chicago, will explain the racial disparities of the COVID-19 pandemic and share how Latinxs and other groups can remain healthy. Students and alumni from Elgin Community College will share their experiences as front line and essential workers and how the pandemic has affected them personally. This event is a collaboration between Elgin Community College, Compañeros en Salud/Partners in Health, NFP, and the Kane County Health Department.

• "Teatro Que Importa" at 7 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 1. Register at tinyurl.com/LHMteatro2020.

Watch a virtually staged reading of Shelter by Marissa Chibas, a powerful story of those who cross borders and those who try to find a way to make their dreams come true, followed by a discussion with the cast. This presentation is produced by the ECC Theatre Department.

• "Decorando Nuestra Historia: Un Concurso."

Celebrate and explore the Latinx culture through a design and decorating contest! Get creative and participate by decorating a wall or door in honor of a historic Latinx figure, tradition, or holiday celebrated by the Latinx community. Take a photo of your work and email it to mgrimm@elgin.edu for a chance to win a prize. Submissions are due by Oct. 1.

• "#BailandoConECC Challenge"

Cumbia! Salsa! Bachata! Time to go viral and let the music guide your hips! Each week in September, celebrate some of the great Latinx dances and take the #BailandoConECC challenge on Instagram! Students who wish to participate in the challenge should use the hashtag #BailandoConECC on Instagram to enter to win a $25 e-gift card each week.

ECC's Latinx Heritage Month celebration is sponsored by the Latinx Heritage Month Committee, Office of Student Life, Performing Arts Center, and the Organization of Latin American Students. The college is proud to be designated as a Hispanic Serving Institution.

For more information, call the Office of Student Life at (847) 214-7370 or visit elgin.edu/lhm.