Giving Back – Part of the Latino Immigrant Experience

We often hear that the holiday season is also the “Season of Giving.” These days, when I think about the spirit of “giving back,” I think of the selflessness and generosity of those Latino immigrant day laborers who assisted in the post-Hurricane Sandy cleanup efforts.

These Latino men and women (many of whom were probably undocumented immigrants and struggling to make ends meet) arrived to various New York City neighborhoods affected by Hurricane Sandy. Without being asked to help, they participated for days in the cleanup and rebuilding efforts. They came regardless of the possible risk of being questioned about their legal status, and they came without any expectation of remuneration. They, like all of us fellow New Yorkers, saw the devastation left behind in Staten Island, Coney Island, and other areas of the City and came to help.

The story of the NYC day laborers is not the only example of how Latino immigrants give back. Latino immigrants “give back” every day. Many work long hours and sacrifice their own needs to send money home to support their families. Many join hometown associations to invest in their towns of origin and rebuild the roads or build a school. Others form church groups to help those in need in their local community.

To red more: http://www.beinglatino.us/comunidad/giving-back-part-of-the-latino-immigrant-experience/