National Hispanic Heritage Month: Uplifting the Mission of the Sherman Heights Community Center

Published On: September 30th, 2024By Categories: Must Read, Partnerships5.4 min read

As National Hispanic Heritage Month unfolds, it’s time to spotlight the impactful partnership between Feeding San Diego and the Sherman Heights Community Center (SHCC). Under the dynamic leadership of Executive Director Daniela Kelly, SHCC has become a vital community hub that supports thousands of residents in the heart of San Diego, from a vibrant Rob Quigley-designed building complete with colorful murals and views of the downtown skyline. San Diego has the fourth largest population of Latinos of any county in California. There are more than 1.14 million Latinos in San Diego County, which represents about 35% of the total county population.

Founded in 1984, the Sherman Heights Community Center has grown from a humble “yellow house” into a modern two-story facility that serves approximately 20,000 individuals each year. Located in Sherman Heights, it reaches out to predominantly Hispanic and Latino communities nearby, such as Grant Hill, Logan Heights, Barrio Logan, and San Ysidro. SHCC’s mission is to foster community through education, cultural enrichment, health promotion, and personal development. This mission resonates deeply during National Hispanic Heritage Month, a time to celebrate the rich cultural contributions of Hispanic and Latino communities across the nation and here in San Diego County.

A yellow house in the foreground with a playground and community center in the background

The old SHCC building stands next to the new modern community center

Building Community

The Sherman Heights Community Center is more than just a building; it’s a gathering place for people of all ages. Community members can access vital services, participate in enriching programs, and engage in celebrations that highlight their diverse backgrounds. They can proudly speak Spanish with their neighbors and join in SHCC’s programming, which includes after-school enrichment, youth summer camps, arts & culture celebrations, adult ESL classes, Zumba, parenting classes, health & wellness programs, culinary workforce development, and monthly food distributions, among others. All programs are true to the authentic community spirit that flows through Sherman Heights. For example, their new program, Sherman Cocina!, is a workforce development program that supports the community’s entrepreneurial spirit and love for cooking as they also provide for their families. It’s designed for home cooks and working-class food entrepreneurs wanting to launch, formalize, and grow their own food retail business.

Two women hold up bagged produce at a Feeding San Diego food distribution

Daniela Kelly (right) hands out bagged produce with Judith, a long-time volunteer.

“What makes the community center unique and special in the greater Latino community is that you come  here and you feel seen. It’s familiar, it’s welcoming. A lot of the programs and services, we do them through a cultural lens that resonates with community members. The community is really involved in leading classes. In many ways, the community center is a platform to showcase our community: their know how, their talents. Everyone gives a lot. We know family is very important for our Latino communities so in the community center it’s this greater community of people helping one another,” said Daniela Kelly, executive director of the Sherman Heights Community Center. “The positive experiences incentivize folks to come back and give back to the community.”

Food as a Connector

Feeding San Diego plays a crucial role in SHCC’s mission by addressing food insecurity in the community. Our partnership with the community center enables them to host monthly food distributions, ensuring that families, particularly multigenerational households and seniors, have access to nutritious groceries. This collaboration is vital, especially in neighborhoods where many residents face economic challenges. Recently, all of the big box stores that had opened up in the neighborhood closed, creating a food desert.

“The big companies came in, took over, and now they left. I live here in the community, I live two blocks away on Imperial Avenue, and we had little grocery stores. Big companies like Walmart pushed all those little stores out and now they left. Now that it’s gone, it’s like ‘Where do we go?’ We just have Albertsons left and it’s downtown, it’s far. Food 4 Less is cheaper but people have to take the trolley and walk there. It’s been hard for the seniors, especially the ones who take care of themselves. It’s easy for them to come here twice a month. It helps them,” said Francisco Soto, programs manager at the Sherman Heights Community Center.

A volunteer hands a bag to a man attending a food distribution

Francisco (right) laughs with a community member who attends the monthly distribution.

The food distributions at SHCC not only provide sustenance but also create a space for community bonding. Families come together to receive assistance, share stories, and connect with one another, reinforcing the idea that no one should have to face hunger alone. As they gather, they celebrate their heritage, creating a vibrant tapestry of culture and resilience.

A Shared Vision

The Sherman Heights Community Center and Feeding San Diego share a vision of providing resources in a dignified way and empowering our community members to embrace the cultures that make them unique. By combining our resources and efforts, we are not simply addressing food insecurity but also fostering an environment where individuals can thrive. This partnership reflects a commitment to uplifting the community and celebrating the unique cultural identities that enrich San Diego, while also addressing the problem of food insecurity, which disproportionally impacts people of color compared to white people.  According to Feeding America, in 2023, 1 in 4 Latinos in the United States experienced food insecurity.

During National Hispanic Heritage Month, it’s essential to recognize the contributions of organizations like SHCC and Feeding San Diego. Our collaboration exemplifies the spirit of community, highlighting the importance of standing together to uplift those in need.

Join the Fiesta

As we celebrate National Hispanic Heritage Month, consider engaging with the Sherman Heights Community Center and Feeding San Diego. Whether volunteering your time, donating food or resources, or participating in local events, your involvement can make a significant difference in the lives of community members.

Coming up later this month, SHCC will be hosting its annual, weeks-long Día de Muertos celebration that is beloved by the community, and all are welcome. The celebration starts with the Noche de Mole on October 10, 2024, which is a fundraiser for the center, and culminates with the candlelight procession on November 2, 2024. Over the years, the festivities have grown to include onsite community altars, front-yard altars throughout the neighborhood, craft workshops, online tutorials and videos, an activity guide, student tours and food tastings, a procession and fundraising event. The tradition is a joyous occasion when the memory of our ancestors and the continuity of life is celebrated.