AUSTIN, Texas — Hispanic Heritage Month, which runs through Oct. 15, is a time to celebrate Hispanic Americans and their contributions to the community.
In Austin, efforts are underway to help Spanish-speaking families take care of one another.
Many of them rely on each other for child care, with one nonprofit reporting that 55% of Latino families depend on a parent or family member for help.
"It's true. For us Latin people, that community is really helpful," said Adalia Rodriguez Lopez, an immigrant from Mexico.
To help Latino families care for young children, Go Austin/Vamos Austin (GAVA) is helping organize free CPR classes that teach them knowledge on how to save children's lives.
"A lot of people are afraid of leaving their kids in centers," Gisela Sance said. "A lot of times, there's a lack of communication or confidence and many times, they don't have the same culture that we have."
Sance is a family friend and neighbor caregiver who helps organize the classes.
"A lot of people don't have knowledge of how to get health insurance. It's important to teach them because they come from another country or another culture," Sance said.
She took the class herself two years ago.
"We are giving love, respect, trust and we are taking care of the kids with a lot of love and with our heart," Sance said.
It is breathing life into their families, neighbors and each other, paying homage to the old adage, "It takes a village to raise a child."
"They are teaching me to be a better mom," Rodriguez Lopez said. "hey are teaching me to help my community and the Latin people."