Hispanic Heritage Month: A Reminder of Our Ultimate Mission

As a program coordinator here at GetWise, I’m proud to be the connection between our programs and the schools we serve. Whether I’m working with a teacher, a principal, or a parent, I know that every conversation helps bring our mission to life.

Our mission contains three big goals: Teaching sustainability, helping families save energy, and most of important of all, providing students with hands-on learning and access to tools that spark curiosity and confidence.

I’ve been thinking about these goals a lot more than usual lately as Hispanic Heritage Month approaches (September 15–October 15). Of course it’s a great time to celebrate the cultural contributions of Hispanic and Latino communities, especially in the STEM and STEAM fields, and to highlight inspiring figures like Ellen Ochoa, Luis von Ahn, Dr. Lydia Villa-Komaroff, and others who have made a lasting impact.

But the month also reminds me that many in the Hispanic community still don’t have access to basic necessities, much less information about the importance of conserving energy and our natural resources. That’s one reason we strive to keep our materials inclusive and currently offer Spanish language translations for programs in California, Oklahoma, New York, Texas and Colorado. We look forward to expanding to more states and languages as we continue updating our materials.

Part of what makes my role so satisfying is helping populations that might otherwise get ignored. For example, an important component of our program is sending participating schools, one for each family, a kit full of energy and water-saving products, such as LED light bulbs, advanced power strips, and faucet aerators. We’re not just delivering kits, we’re delivering opportunity. The products help families save thousands of gallons of water each year and reduce monthly utility bills while empowering students in their own communities. This is a great example of how small changes can lead to meaningful improvements in both sustainability and household savings.

Lasting, positive change is our ultimate goal, really. If students can use our tools to make an impact in their lives now, realizing that their potential knows no bounds, who knows what the future holds?

Learn more about GetWise and how it could help your school on our FAQ page.