Chicas Latinas de Sacramento has existed in the Sacramento community for nine years, thanks to the hard work and dedication of many amazing individuals. To celebrate Sacramento’s leaders, and our behind-the-scenes (s)heroes, we’re thrilled to highlight and introduce to the community our shining star for the month of Julio/July!

Chicas Latinas’ Estrella del Mes: Julio/Star of the Month: July!

Kenya Corona – Director of Member Relations at the Greater Dallas Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, and prior member of Chicas Latinas de Sacramento. 

How long have you been a part of Chicas? 

I joined Chicas in 2014 [when I was a full-time business marketing major at California State University, Sacramento].

Why did you join Chicas?

When I first moved to Sacramento I was longing to meet a community of likeminded Latinas who shared a passion for serving, which is exactly what I found in the group. I love how open the group is to new ideas that can impact our community. I truly believe I have amigas por vida [friends for life] from the friendships I’ve developed with the chicas. I would love to see Chicas Latinas expand to other cities.

Chicas celebrating Chicas Latinas’ 5-year Anniversary at Zocalo restaurant in Sacramento, CA.

What do you love about Sacramento?

Coming from Los Angeles, I was shocked at how multiethnic Sacramento is — I truly love that! As the years have gone by, I continue to see a diverse community and I hope for this same type of representation in Sacramento’s leadership. And, of course, I love the trees!

Chicas supporting the California Latino Capitol Association mixer, which provides support, a positive community for Capitol staff, and advocates for more than four decades! (Kenya Corona and Angela Rosas).

What is the most fun/memorable experience since volunteering with Chicas?

Hands down the annual shoe-drive! I love all aspects of this event: from fundraising to the shopping, to the day of the event. Last year, two weeks from the distribution day, we had not reached our fundraising goal and came to the devastating conclusion that we would not be able to give every child at the school a new pair of shoes. However, we all came together as a group determined to do whatever we had to do. We reached out to every person we knew and were on the mission to find the best deals on shoes! Well, to everyone’s surprise, not only did we reach our goal, but we surpassed it! It’s amazing to see how these well deserving kids’ face light up from something so basic as a pair of shoes.

Assisting a child trying on a new pair of shoes at a previous annual shoe drive.

Kenya demonstrating her public speaking skills during an interview with a local news station.

What are your interests and hobbies? 

I absolutely love traveling, movies, and working out. I recently purchased a sewing machine, because as a petite woman, I constantly have issues finding clothes that fit perfectly, so I decided to try to make my own — wish me luck!

Chicas Latinas’ first Zumba shoe drive: promoting health and fitness while raising funds for a prior shoe drive.

What motto do you live by?

One of my favorite mottos to live by is “Experiences over Things.” Many of us get so caught up living for temporary things instead of investing our time and resources into experiences that create lasting memories and stories to share.

Right now, my favorite person to follow is Will Smith. He is the familiar face that many of us remember so vividly from our childhood watching the Fresh Prince of BelAir; he has super creative content, is inspirational, and I can’t get enough of his goofy, charismatic charm. If you aren’t following him, go do it now!

Where is the best place you’ve traveled and why?

Ah, this is a tough question because every place I’ve traveled to has a special place in my heart. When I travel I love to immerse myself in the culture, dine with the locals, learn the history, and of course, enjoy the scenery. Every place I’ve been is memorable. I’m currently looking forward to my trip to Colombia this week!

What’s your most favorite family tradition?

Would you consider getting a phone call from your mami every day a family tradition? Haha! Yea, let’s call it a family tradition. No matter how old I get, or how far, or close I live, I can always count on her phone call; it used to bug me when I was younger, but now, I look forward to hearing her voice.

NEWS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contacts: Janelle Smith, Graciela Cabello
janellesmith@fs.fed.us | 720-2020-9029, graciela@latinooutdoors.org | 805-203-6679
US Forest Service | Recreation.gov Latino Outdoors

Recreation.gov and Latino Outdoors Announce Partnership
During National Hispanic Heritage Month

September 15, 2015 – Recreation.gov and Latino Outdoors will celebrate National Hispanic Heritage Month (September 15 – October 15) by kicking off a partnership to highlight the great work by many within the Latino(a) community who dedicate themselves to connecting Latino culture, or “cultura” and community to the outdoors.

“Recreation.gov, the flagship of the Recreation One Stop program, represents the desire of all of its partner agencies to help people connect to public lands and waters throughout the country,” said Rick DeLappe, Recreation One Stop program manager. “By working with Latino Outdoors, we can bring more attention to a network of conservation-minded explorers who share their passion for the outdoors. Their stories are contagious – inspiring stewardship and exploration of our federal lands and waterways.”

“Our goal is to encourage members of our community, especially any who have experienced the Great Outdoors for the first time, to share their stories of a particularly challenging hike, seeing wildlife at a refuge, or maybe what it felt like to sleep in a tent for the first time,” said Jose Gonzalez, Founder of Latino Outdoors. “By telling our stories, the community helps define what it means to have a Latino(a) identity in relation to the outdoors. Stories have power and they say many things about the cultural traditions and values we hold—especially our love and connections with our open spaces. We are excited about this campaign with Recreation.Gov, stemming from a partnership with Active Network earlier this year, and part of a larger strategic alliance, to work together to identify and increase Latino engagement in the outdoors. Both partnerships allow us to amplify our storytelling and demonstrate the diversity of engagement in our public lands and outdoor recreation.”

Beginning September 15, Recreation.gov will feature experiences from volunteer Latino Outdoor Ambassadors from across the country. Visitors will also be encouraged to join Recreation.gov through Facebook and Instagram and share stories, photos or videos of their outdoor experiences using #LatinoOutdoors.

“Launching this partnership for National Hispanic Heritage Month provides a platform to reflect upon and inspire us to discover and enjoy the cultural influences from long ago to the present—and recognize this multi-cultural heritage as the unifying fabric of this country,” said DeLappe.

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Recreation One-Stop is a recreation trip-planning, reservation and information sharing platform for the nation’s federal lands. Visitors to Recreation.gov can reserve campgrounds, apply for river permits, schedule a tour, discover points-of-interest near major cities, learn about destinations, and so much more. The Recreation One-Stop program is a joint initiative among federal agency partners including the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, U.S. Forest Service, National Park Service, National Archives and Records Administration, Bureau of Land Management, Bureau of Reclamation and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

With roots in the past, a presence in the present and vision for the future, Latino Outdoors is a network of leaders committed to engaging Latinos/as in the outdoors, connecting familias and youth with nature, and empowering our community of storytellers to explore and share their personal experiences. Our growing online platform allows participants to creatively document their cultural connections to conservation, the environment, and the Great American Outdoors with the world.