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Polk County proclaims Hispanic Heritage Month, honors local leaders with Catalyst awards
Summary
The Polk County Board of Supervisors issued a proclamation recognizing Hispanic Heritage Month and presented Catalyst for Community Awards to local leaders including Eva Morales and Adrianna Johnson; community members praised local programs for health, education and cultural outreach.
The Polk County Board of Supervisors on reviewed and signed a proclamation recognizing Hispanic Heritage Month, Sept. 15–Oct. 15, and honored community leaders at the start of its meeting.
The chair read the proclamation, which highlighted the histories, cultures and contributions of people with Hispanic heritage and named local leaders the board wanted to recognize. The board invited honorees forward for a commemorative photo and remarks.
Jose Alvarado, who identified himself as president and founder of Latinx Immigrants in Iowa, thanked the supervisors for the proclamation and outlined his group’s emphasis on citizenship classes, English instruction, and cultural events including Day of the Dead and Three Kings celebrations. “We will keep working for the Latino community through education, citizenship, computer classes, English classes,” Alvarado said.
Dr. Jimmy Reyes, a nurse practitioner who described himself as a long-time Iowa resident and immigrant, told the board organizers are addressing gaps in health care access, translation services and educational resources. “We have noticed that there were several gaps and challenges in our communities, and we all have come together to work towards health, improving access to food services, translation services,” Reyes said.
Sully Garcia of Knock and Drop Iowa thanked the board for the proclamation and noted recent welcoming-week events aimed at creating safe, inclusive spaces for youth. A staff member introduced Eva Morales, calling her a first-generation Latina, an attorney, and a Polk County employee whose work spans juvenile justice and early childhood development. Morales accepted the Catalyst for Community Award and thanked those who preceded her, saying she was honored to “give back to this community.”
The board also noted Adrianna Johnson as an award recipient; board remarks described Johnson’s work in corporate social responsibility, sustainability and K–12 outreach. The recognitions were presented as part of the supervisors’ acknowledgement of local efforts to strengthen inclusion and community ties.
The board moved on to other agenda items after the recognitions.
Ending: The proclamation and awards do not create new county policy; they are ceremonial recognitions and the board concluded the acknowledgment before proceeding to public hearings and routine business.
