Hispanic Heritage Month is wrapping up, but the Enterprise Puerto Rico Team’s advocacy and impact in the Hispanic community extends far beyond the period observed between September 15 and October 15. In this spotlight, Jennifer R., Area Rental Manager, shares how her team celebrates and honors its heritage and culture through community outreach.
Why is Hispanic Heritage Month important?
Hispanic Heritage Month allows us to showcase the vast diversity within our community as well as the many influences and contributions of Hispanic and Latinx Americans to the history, culture, and achievements of the United States. The celebration of Hispanic and Latinx heritage also highlights one of the most important core values for the Hispanic and Latinx community, which is keeping our culture, customs, and beliefs alive.
What are some of the ways the Puerto Rico team celebrates Hispanic Heritage Month?
While we celebrate our Hispanic and Latinx heritage and traditions all year in Puerto Rico, this is the first year our team had an official day to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month. We hosted a Hispanic Heritage Spirit Day, which included delivering food from a local Puerto Rican restaurant. Employees dressed in attire that represented the colors of the Latin American flag or celebrated Latinx athletes, singers, etc. In addition, our General Manager delivered piraguas (a Puerto Rican shaved ice dessert) to the branches. We also celebrated throughout the month by supporting local Puerto Rican restaurants.
Why is getting involved and supporting the local community so important to your team?
It is important that we uplift and support the community in which we do business. That is why we are actively working with local not-for-profit organizations based in Puerto Rico. Additionally, our employees feel proud to work for a company that makes such a positive impact in the Puerto Rican community, and has values that truly mirror the values we live by in our personal lives.
What are some of the causes the Enterprise Puerto Rico team supports throughout the year?
Employees have been providing contributions to more than 30 non-for-profit organizations that directly address critical needs within our community.
Hogar Ruth Inc. is a non-profit domestic violence shelter that provides specialized services for female victims of domestic abuse and survivors of domestic violence and their children. This is particularly important in our community in Puerto Rico because we have one of the highest rates of domestic violence incidences in the U.S.
We also support the Banco de Alimentos de Puerto Rico, a local food bank, and Hogar Cuna de San Cristóbal Inc., which temporarily houses children removed from their homes due to abuse or neglect. Another organization we work closely with is Hogar Padre San Vernard, which provides facilities, programs and services that foster change for the homeless in our capital.
Another noteworthy philanthropic effort is our support of Casa Cultural Afro-Caribena Centro Yuiza, a not-for profit organization that works to improve the quality of life for loiceños, while preserving and maintaining the identify, traditions and heritage of the African diaspora, which is such an important part of the Latinx culture. Our help, including time and financial support, has been instrumental. In fact, we are the biggest provider of support, making it possible for the organization to continue to operate. This is something we take great pride in.
What would you tell a member of the Hispanic community interested in starting a career at Enterprise?
Deciding to start a career at Enterprise was one of the best decisions I made both personally and professionally. I am proud to work for a company that actively acknowledges and celebrates diversity and has made such a significant commitment to giving back to the communities where we do business.
Is there anything else you’d like to share with the organization?
I’m extremely honored to be part of a team that is comprised almost entirely of Hispanic and Latinx leaders and employees working in a Latin American country. Amid many challenges over the past 18 months―including the pandemic, natural disasters and social turmoil―we worked together to help our colleagues, customers and communities.