Merlin Cano was born in Santa Rosa, Guatemala, and grew up there until she moved to the US with her family only eight years ago! 🇬🇹

Merlin said she most loved wearing the traditional patterned dresses and celebrating Guatemalan Independence Day on September 19. She also has fond memories of growing up in Santa Rosa!

“My favorite memory is waking up in the morning getting ready and walk to school with my friends playing tag on our way there and then playing tag again in lunch time after eating ‘dobladas’ at school was my favorite parts of the day.”

Merlin is enthused to celebrate Latinx History month because she believes although it should be an everyday thing, it’s meaningful opportunity to celebrate her roots, and the hardworking Latinx people around the world.

“It's good to have a month dedicated to do that for other people from different cultures to learn about us and all we do.”

We’re so lucky to have Merlin on our staff. She said she considers the BLC a second home. Truth is, we don’t know where we’d be without her! Not only has she helped us by providing an insider’s prospective as a hotwalker, she has been VITAL keeping our youth programming afloat. We are extremely fortunate to have her on our team. We love you, Merlin!

Moving to Louisville at age 8, Amaray and her family are from Sancti Spiritus, Cuba. 🇨🇺
Growing up, Amaray’s favorite memories happened with her grandparents, “when Papi and Mami would take my sister and I out to the countryside to celebrate with our extended family and ride horses,” said Amaray.
Amaray is most proud of the resilience her community has shown, in and out of Cuba. She thinks that all of the adversities help to 
fulfill your dreams.
“La resistencia de la comunidad Latina contra la adversidad e injusticia es lo que nos lleva a realizar nuestros sueños,” said Amaray.
Thank you, Amaray, for sharing your story and reminding us that heritage is carried through resilience, joy, and giving back.
Amaray works primarily on administrative tasks at the Backside Learning Center, but also works with adults as an English language instructor. She loves working here as it gives her an opportunity to give back.
“[Working here means working at a] place where I am not afraid to say where I am from and where I can give back to the community who raised me to be the person I am today,” said Amaray.
Amaray has shared some photos of herself, her family, and some memories from Cuba. Thanks for being a treasured and key member of our team, Amaray! You’ve been vital to our community, helping to support our adult community members.

Only having been living in the US a few years, Daniela and her family are from Queréndaro, Michoacan, Mexico.
For Daniela, Hispanic Heritage Month is more than a celebration — it’s a heartfelt reminder of where she comes from and the love she carries from her homelands. “It represents everything we are and everything we left behind,” she shares. “It’s a small yet powerful way to remember our ancestry and feel that familiar love we left in order to prosper.”
One of her favorite aspects of her heritage is the incredible diversity of Mexican gastronomy. “You never finish trying every dish,” she says, “because each person and region has their own flavor and way of preparing it.” She also treasures the vibrant celebrations in her hometown — especially the Feria del Chile held every August, with music, food, and the sale of local grains and chiles. And of course, Día de Muertos holds a special place in her heart: “It’s a day to fill our homes with colors, scents, and memories — to reunite as a family and remember the good times, turning what could be seen as something dark into something warm and full of love.”
Daniela feels proud to work alongside others who share her passion for uplifting the community. “At one point in my life, I was in their position,” she reflects. “Being able to help lighten someone’s load and bring a little peace or happiness to their lives fills me with joy and motivates me to keep going.”
Her advice to the community:
 In this world, you matter deeply. Recognize your worth, and when you see your own value, others will too.”

Michelle Lopez’s parents immigrated here from Hidalgo, Mexico. 🇲🇽 She thinks that it’s important to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month because it’s an insight on her family’s past.

“Hispanic Heritage Month means that my mom and dad get in the mood to reminisce.” Michelle said. “For me and my siblings that means an insight into a whole life our parents had before we were even a thought. “

She says that she very much appreciates the connectivity that her family shares.

“How in our community you have a built-in support system and enchilada's verdes,” Michelle laughs.

In terms of a beloved memory, she says is when her aunt first came to visit from Mexico. One night, they both couldn’t sleep and shared a cup of tea while her aunt shared stories of Michelle’s mom. 

“[The stories were] so mind boggling to me, to think of a time where my mom was as reckless as me,” Michelle laughed.

In terms of advice she has to other latinas, she says that life comes with its fair share of obstacles, but not to be afraid to ask for help. She says we were taught that asking for help indicates weakness, but in fact asking for help itself is so difficult to do, that in fact it indicates strength.

We are so lucky to have Michelle as part of our team, working with the kiddos!

Meet Adult & Family Program Manager Penelope Quesada. Penelope hails from Lima, Peru and moved to Louisville to go to college in her 20s. 🇵🇪

For Penelope, Hispanic Heritage Month is an important opportunity to celebrate the traditions, histories and contributions of hispanic and latino communities. In direct reflection of her position here at The BLC, she thinks it’s an important reminder of the responsibility to provide programming that’s representative, equitable and cultural responsive for the community.

“I am committed to honoring and uplifting the stories of Hispanic families, both past and present, by integrating their traditions and experiences into our programs.”

One of her favorite aspects of her heritage is the strong sense of family and community that connects us. She mentions how food, music, and traditions bring people together across generations. Her favorite memories consists of exactly that—sitting around her grandmother’s table on Sundays enjoying arroz con pollo (chicken and rice).

“Those family gatherings were about much more than food—they were about connection, love, and tradition,” said Penelope. “My grandmother’s arroz con pollo will always remind me of the warmth and strength of my Peruvian roots.”

We’re so lucky to have Penelope on our team, as she makes it her utmost priority to have families grow, alongside each other.

“I feel inspired every day by the resilience and dedication of our participants, and I’m honored to help build programs that celebrate their cultures, strengthen their skills, and open pathways to a brighter future,” said Penelope. “It’s deeply fulfilling work that truly makes a difference.”

Her advice to the community:
✨Never stop learning or believing in our potential. Each step you take, no matter how small, brings us closer to our goals. Education and family unity are our biggest strengths. Keep supporting one another, celebrating our roots and building a future together full of opportunities and hope.

Josefina is from Veracruz, Mexico. 🇲🇽 When talking about her heritage, she’s proud that her heritage made made up a little bit of everything. She remembers many visitors and neighbors she considered family coming and going from her house.

“Our heritage is made with all these different things,” Josefina said. “Delicious food, beautiful and very interesting traditions, carried through many generations.”
Her fondest memories include playing outside with neighbors, as well as being with family.

“[I loved] Helping grandmother, aunts, mom and family friends cooking and eating together the food we prepared together,” said Josefina.

In terms of working here, Josefina loves being around community that shares similar family traditions, habits and customs. She finds it very important to be proud of where you come from!
“Nunca olvides y enorgullecete de tus raices!” said Josefina. Which means, never forget and be proud of your roots.

Josefina has shared some photos of herself, her family, and some memories from Mexico. Thanks for being a treasured and key member of our team, Josefina! You’ve been vital to our growth, and helping our clients get what they need.

Enidza’s family is from Maunabo and Cayey, Puerto Rico. 🇵🇷 To Enidza, Hispanic Heritage means, “a month of of celebration, education, and advocating for policy changes to combat the issues that have created difficult barriers throughout all the cultures in the Hispanic Diaspoara.”

In terms of being proud of her Puerto Rican heritage, she most appreciates dance, and dances regularly here in Louisville.

“I love how important music and dance are to us Boricuas. Rhythm, beats, expressing ourselves through body movement run hot through our veins,” said Enidza.
She has memories of visiting her family in Cayey, Puerto Rico when she was 3–4 years old. She even helped her cousin with English homework.

“At the time,I spoke very little Spanish but that didn't stop my brother and I from racing my primos down the hill on their plastic Big Wheels,” said Enidza.

Enidza is the Development Director of the Backside Learning Center, helping to secure funding so our organization may continue to operate. She says she most appreciates being able to be her true self at work.

“The jokes I tell, the family stories I share, the frustration I feel from my role as a Development Director can all be shared to a room full of my colleagues who understand exactly where I am coming from,” said Enidza. “For once I am with an organization where there is no ‘lost in translation’ when is comes to being Latinx/e.”

Enidza has shared some photos of herself dancing, her family and quinceñera. Thanks for being a treasured and key member of our team, Enidza. You’ve been vital to our growth, and helping our clients get what they need.

Luz and her family are from Nombre De Dios, Durango, Mexico. 🇲🇽 She says it’s important to celebrate Hispanic Heritage month because in a world of hate, it’s an opportunity to celebrate who she is.

“Hispanic Heritage Month means I can celebrate my history, my culture and my people,” Luz said.

Speaking of heritage, her favorite aspect of being Mexican is the food, “especially if my mom or grandma are the ones making the dishes,” said Luz.

In terms of her favorite memories growing up, she loved hearing her grandpa’s stories from his childhood and looking at family photos. “I may have not been there for most of them, but they’re so admirable and gives me a sense of nostalgia,” Luz said.

Luz has been essential to the BLC by helping our clients through some tough crises as the social services manager. Like our clients, she has a strong tie to horses as well! Her parents worked at a horse farm as she was growing up.

In terms of words of wisdom, she offers this.

“Cuando las cosas se pongan dificil no lo guardes, compartelo con los que te quieren, ellos estan para apoyarte en tus tiempos dificiles, y claro nunca dejes de sonreir:)” 

“When things get difficult, talk about it with your loved ones. They’re there to support you in difficult times. And never forget to smile.”

Thank you for being part of our community, Luz!

Ximena is from Estado de México, México. 🇲🇽 When talking about her heritage, she’s most proud of her pre-Hispanic, Aztec heritage.

“It’s so rich and fascinating that it continues to influence our daily lives in many ways. For example, our love for spicy food—"chile peppers" are one of the many legacies the Aztecs and other Mesoamerican cultures left behind,” said Ximena.
Extended family was very important to Ximena’s upbringing, as she’d have carne asadas weekly with her grandparents, cousins, aunts and uncles until she was in high school.

“I remember all the family and extended family gatherings and carne asadas from my childhood,” said Ximena. “We’d visit my grandparents or a relative every week, and I grew up playing and dancing with my cousins.”

Ximena is the Family Support Coordinator at the Backside Learning Center, working primarily with the teens. The most important aspect of her work is being able to work with them.
“It’s about helping young people grow into better versions of themselves each day by giving them practical tools for their daily lives and supporting them as they navigate their Hispanic and American worlds,” said Ximena.

Ximena has shared some photos of herself, her family, and some memories from Mexico. Thanks for being a treasured and key member of our team, Ximena! You’ve been vital to our community, helping to support the next generation of leaders. 🌟

This week, we celebrate Youth Academic Success Coordinator Micaela Vizcarrondo. Micaela is from Veracruz, México. 🇲🇽
Micaela thinks it’s important to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month because it’s an opportunity celebrate when she’s from. A fun fact about Veracruz—that’s where the popular song, “La Bamba”, originated! 

“Every time I hear it, I think about where I’ve come from,” Micaela said.

Micaela has been very busy the past few months facilitating communication between our Spanish-speaking families and JCPS, ensuring everyone is on the same page. To her, working at the BLC means a lot to her.

“It’s just about knowing that I’m able to help someone, that means so much to me—personally and professionally.”

Micaela and her family have been community members in our community for a long time. Her husband, Raul, is an exercise rider at Churchill Downs. Her children, Jenny, Victoria and Raulito, have also attended the Front Runner’s program. For this reason, and many more, we are so lucky to have Micaela on our team! See some words of wisdom from Micaela, as well as some wonderful photos from her family and from back home, here.