The Yankees proudly celebrated Hispanic Heritage Month (HHM) during September and October by highlighting, recognizing, and embracing Hispanic heritage, language, culture, and traditions. Highlights in 2022 included recognition of community members through the Yankees’ Hispanic Heritage Month Awards program, Latin-inspired food items available to fans at Yankee Stadium, and a unique ticket offer in which fans can recognize their Latin-American heritage with a New Era Yankees cap emblazoned with their homeland’s flag.
The Yankees once again bestowed their annual Hispanic Heritage Month Community Achievement Awards to individuals and organizations making a profound difference in the lives of our community.
Recipients were highlighted on Yankees social media platforms and recognized in a pregame on-field ceremony on September 21, prior to the team’s 7:05 p.m. game vs. Pittsburgh. 2022 honorees were:
- New Settlement (newsettlement.org) is a Bronx nonprofit organization that aims to break systemic barriers, advance justice, promote leadership and strengthen neighborhoods in the borough. The Yankees partnered with New Settlement in support of their Bronx-wide Gun Violence Prevention Initiative. In 2021-22 rising gun violence has continued to impact communities throughout New York City, but none more deeply than in the Bronx. With responsive funding and support from New York State, New Settlement became the lead agency of a Bronx-wide Gun Violence Prevention Initiative. In the past year New Settlement and their two program partners, Kips Bay Boys and Girls Club and the Northwest Bronx YMCA, have worked in partnership to create enriching program activities for over 600 Bronx youth, ages 12-24, who reside in the zip codes plagued with elevated levels of gun violence. Their youth engagement programs are inspiring the young men and women to make positive life choices, serve as positive role models and become the change agents we need to inspire peace in their communities.
- Citymeals on Wheels (citymeals.org) provides a continuous lifeline of nourishing meals and vital companionship to nearly 20,000 homebound elderly New Yorkers. Working in partnership with community-based organizations and senior centers, Citymeals has prepared and delivered over 6 million weekend, holiday, and emergency meals since the start of the pandemic. Last year, nearly 23,000 volunteers dedicated more than 83,000 hours of time in support of Citymeals’ mission.
- NYPD Lieutenant Michael Almonte was instrumental in the formation of the NYPD’s Blue Chips program. Blue Chips is a co-ed youth and mentoring sports program that focuses on bridging the gap between police officers and young people throughout New York City. The year-round program serves young people ages 12 through 17 and connects them with mentors in the NYPD to put them on a path to success. Almonte played a significant role in executing a city-wide softball and baseball league engaging over a thousand local youth. In addition, the Yankees honored Blue Chips during HOPE Week 2022.